48 hours in Honolulu
Where to stay
Book a room at the millennial-centric Shoreline Waikiki, a stylish 135-room boutique. Decorated with bold pops of neon, the hotel features a rooftop swimming pool and commissioned artwork and murals. There’s also a daily yoga class and DJ-spun happy hour.
Day 1
Start the day at the Shoreline Waikiki’s restaurant, Heavenly Island Lifestyle. The casual café offers light dishes made from local ingredients, such as an acai bowl with granola and kale-and-quinoa salad. For a heartier meal, order their fresh spin on the loco moco, with an egg sitting atop of Big Island ground beef, vegetables, black beans, and lentils.
Choose your afternoon adventure
As the sun sets, head to The Edge of Waikiki, an infinity pool right on the beach, for drinks and live music. Then have dinner at Vintage Cave, a posh Japanese restaurant serving fresh sushi, seafood, and steaks.
Day 2
For an organic Hawaiian breakfast, visit Goofy Cafe & Dine, a casual al fresco spot. Order a bowl of local fruit and granola or the eggs benedict with Hawaiian pulled pork.
Choose your afternoon adventure
You can’t leave Oahu without going to a luau. At the Polynesian Cultural Center, you’ll watch traditional performances, such as hula and fire dancers, as you enjoy fresh salads and roasted meat from the island-style buffet.
Or head back to Honolulu and dine at Piggy Smalls. The trendy restaurant serves up modern Hawaiian-Asian dishes, like vegan pho or shrimp with spicy chorizo butter, lime, chives, and fried garlic.
Finish the day with a nightcap at The Study at The Modern, a hidden bar behind a rotating wall of books. There’s live music and craft cocktails concocted with local herbs. Order the Darkness at Noon, a pomegranate, lime, and grapefruit mixture laced with spiced rum and maraschino liqueur.