ebickford's Passport
 | Been to 168 Attractions |
 | 168 Reviews |
 | 60 First to Review |
 | 55 Photos |
 | 144 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
I live with my Husband and Daughter in sunny Oceanside, CA. We are so excited to be expecting our second daughter in April and begin making great memories with her. We love to get out and about and see new things!
I have done a lot of traveling over the years with kids, from my 10 year younger brother to my little cousins and nieces. I get a kick out surprising them with fun new things and taking them to places I enjoyed as a child.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, structured, independent, energetic, scheduled
We Just Got Back From
Oahu, HI
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Koolina on Oahu, HI
A Place We'd Love To Visit
France, Ireland, New York - Going to Orlando 2012!!!
Favorite Vacation Memory
Driving through Hawaii on an ATV over looking the waipeo valley. (Pre-Kids) & My daughter realizing she loves to swim so long as it is not windy (Post-Kids).
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Waiting for the fog to clear from Oakland Airport, that can be a wait especially when my 6 month old does not want to take formula!
Oahu Hot Spots! - Must See Activities with Kids
Here is a great list of "Must See" stops on your tour around the Island from a mom who loves to be on the GO!
7455 Kalanianaole Highway
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 04 2010
"The best place to Snorkle"
This is the best place to snorkle. The water is so calm here along the shore and kids will have a great time looking at the fish from above the surface! There nice facilities here but remember if you can get your own snorkle from Walmart or Kmart before go for it, the rentals are reallt expensive...and in my opinion kind of gross :)Word to the wise, get here early! The lot fills up quickly and you could be in for some disapointment. If you are staying in Waikiki, on your way back down the hill to the hotel there is a turn out with an amazing view, if you can stop here safely I suggest it, the view is of the city but its just as beautiful as the ocean and it gives you something new to appreciate!
Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 07 2010
"So much Fun!"
This trail was so much fun! I was so proud of myself for doing this hike! There were steep trails, steep stairs, a ladder, and a crawl though before you reached the top. I was so proud I even bought the cheesy little certificate that I reached the top! We made it up and down in less than 45 minutes!With a kid I would really build in some breaks for your self and I recomened taking the baby backpack! This way they are safe and sung. Otherwise if you have kids of walking age I would say let them tire themselves out here but always keep a hand on them, this is a tricky hiking trail but the rewarding view is totally worth it!
Update: We recently did this with our one year old. We used the back pack carrier and it worked great, the only down side was the lot was full when we went and we had to walk form the college. This made it extra hard. My husband got mad prop from all the other walkers for carrying the sleeping child on his back the entire way :)
Pali Highway
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 01 2010
"Too much fun to pass up!"
Now this stop is easy to miss but a must see! The Pali look out is so much fun, but hold on to the kids because they blow away! This look out has an awesome view but th best part for me is the wind, you can basically lean into the wind and it will hold you up! When I was younger there use to be a awesome path down to the bottom of the valley but the last time I was there it was closed :( But this is a lot of fun and too good to miss. Be advised the road is oneway and basically a loop and you will end up going the wrong direction so remeber if you need to keep going your original direction to get off and turn around agian :)
99-500 Salt Lake Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 01 2010
"I dream about the swapmeet!"
This is the funnest thing for me..the kids probably not so much (that includes the hubby). This is the highlight of my trip! Do all yor shopping here, yo will notbeat these prices anywhere on the island. I like to do a quick walk aroud the stadium and then go back to the best stops. One word of advise: HAGGLE! Also, remember where you parked:)I like to do this on the same day as Pearl Harbor, Pearl Harbor in the morning and the swapmeet in the afternoon. This is only open on certain days: Wed, Sat, Sun - go on Wed. you will have less shoppers and better prices...there is less demand :) Go here before the Intl. Market place it wil help deter you from over spending there :)
1 Arizona Memorial Pl
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 12 2010
"A must see"
This is definately for older children - I would say atleast school age but this is something that I go to every time. I recommend going here early to get your ticket time and go over to the museum and take a walk through it, otherwise the wait can get very long! The second time I visited this memorial we waited about an hour to get our ticket for a call back time. But, this is really worth the wait. You can see the ship from above the water and you have to chance for some real reflection.I like to couple this with some other near by attractions. I usually go to the aloha swap meet on the same day :)
1860 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 401
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 06 2010
"The Best Luau"
This is the best Luau I have ever been too, I have been to the Isalnd a handlfil of times and this one never fails to be the best! I recomend taking the bus there as it is a bit of a drive if you are staying in waikiki, the last time we went we couldn't take the bus as it was a little difficult with such a small child but next time we will. They really know how to keep it fun from pick up to drop off.As you walk in you are greeted with Mai Tais and leis, they take your piture and lead you to the activity area, you have your choice are game and crafts such as lei making and palm tree folding. Next the have a ceremonial tree climbing and net casting. Then the pre-show starts just before sunset and eveyone move the the tables. The fire show and hula dancing are so great! The food was exceptional especially dessert! This place is a must see!
151 Kapahulu Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 04 2010
"Fun Zoo to see"
This Zoo was really nice and there was tons of shade and places for the kids to relax and take a break. There was a very nice play ground and little mock farm set up for the kids to explore. The Cheetah exhibit was really cool, it was almost like the Cheetahs were over head and stocking you! We brought lunch here and we really had a great time, this Zoo really has a similar feel to the LA Zoo so if you have been there you will feel at home at the Honolulu Zoo!
49–560 Kamehameha Highway
Kaaawa, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 07 2010
"A Great Choice!"
This ranch was so much fun, I cannot wait to go back. They have so many different activities for you to chose from and the BBQ was so good!We chose to the ATV ride and movie tour. This ranch has been in so many movies and television shows: LOST, Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young, Pearl Harbor, and You, Me and Dupree to name a few. This tour was so much fun! They also had a shooting range, and horse back riding too. There were so many activities I don't recall them all. We decided to take the bus here but I recommend driving to this one if you can because there are some great things to see nearby. We ended up getting the car and driving right back out there. If you like Lost they have the inside on how to get to all the great spots you will recognize.
2330 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 14 2010
"Great Shopping and a Fun Time!"
This is my second favorite place to shop on the island. This shopping market has it all! Food, Flowers, Souveniers, and entertainment. They have live music and shows throughout the day in the food court area, the kids will surely love to join in on the fun. There are street entertainers all along the outside of the strip and they are real crowd pleasers.This is a great place to find things to bring back home, I recomend walking the shops out back first before commiting to buy anything from a store inside the mall itself. Prices seem to be better from the vendors and don't be shy - they'll haggle with you! There are some beautif Lei's here and this is the best price around. We got some here and kept them in the mini fridge while we were not wearing them, they lasted a couple days!
This is the place to et Dole whip in waikiki, another can't miss treat! Lastly, this is the location of the post office if you want to stop in a nd buy postcard stamps! The market is free to walk through and prices go up from there :)
59–864 Kamehameha Highway
Haleiwa, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 01 2010
"Beautiful but a hike"
This is soo beautiful and there is so much to see here. This hike will take you through a reserve area accompanied by historical information. I studied this particular site in Women Studies and there is some rather interesting history behind the type of family relationships they had here. There are signs with the history to help understand the dynamics between men and women in this particualr "tribe". The best part of the trip is the waterfall at the end, it is amazing! If you watched Lost you might recognize it as the scene where Sawyer and Kate dive down to get the briefcase....Anyhow, this is a really deep pond and recommend to keep a close eye on the kids if you want to let them in at the shallow end. There is usually a life guard but I would not rely on them. There is a small changing area which is a bonus!
There are a couple pit stops and a food area at the bottom of the trail. I would recomend bringing a picnic as they provide a great spot near the waterfall.
2335 Kalakau Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 04 2010
"Best Food!"
This place has the most amazing food coupled with a fantastic view! Their salad bar is in true hawaiian fashion complete with macaroni salad! Their steak is so good I was in heaven, we had to go here twice on our 7 day stay! I recommend a reservation around sunset and request the patio, otherwise if you don't care about the view then it is usually not too busy. The bar below is the real happening place "Dukes" so Chuck's is usually available for a food meal! The kids will love the salad bar and watching all the day trippers sail in from the ocean!
7455 Kalanianaole Highway
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 04 2010
"Fun to see!"
This blow hole is something everyone should see once in their life! Having said that just keep in mind there is not alot for the kids to do here, The is an observation area along the top of the blow hole and ... thats it, this basically a turn off on the side of the road. I would plan to stop by and see this if you are going to Sea Life park as they are very close to eachother.
Akaka Falls Road
Hamakua, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 07 2010
"Beautiful!"
The water falls here are so beautiful! They are giant too! This was a nice little stop on our island tour and I recommend making it apart of your tour as well! The only word of caution is if you need to bring a stroller you may want to avoid this or double back around the the falls as there is a large number of stairs back up to the parking lot.
2777 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 07 2010
"Not what I expected"
We coupled this with the Honolulu Zoo and I have to say the Zoo was much better! For the price we paid to get in I was a little let down! I may be spoiled since I live in San Diego and I have the Birch aquarium and Sea World so close but this aquarium was small to say the least. I think it may have taken us and hour to get through it and I was glad we decided to go tot he Zoo as well because the day would have been a slow otherwise.One comment though, if you walk to the Aquarium from your hotel, just north of the aquarium there is a sea wall and if you hit it at the right time of the day you will see some amazing breaks against this wall. We have some awesome pictures with wave splashing up behind us, but hold on to the little ones and be prepared to get wet if you get the right wave.
7455 Kalanianaole Hwy
Honolulu, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 04 2010
"Rough to get to!"
You can park at the lot for the blow hole and walk your way along the road down into the cove. The walk into the cove is probably more dangerous than the walk along the road, there is not a real path and it is just a guessing game, but having said that the cove is so amazing! The water is nice and warm and there are tons of turtles down here. If you can handle treking the kids down this hill side there is a sweet pay off!Update: We stppoed by here while visiting the blow hole and ws surprised to find security at the top of the path overlooking a ship wreck and what appears to be archeologists below taking pictures and inventory. My husband being the adventurer managed to get his way down. WHile I was up top I overheard that this was not an archeological dig but a shooting of Priates 4, my hasband took many pictures of the set and when he came up he said he had no idea what kind of weird boat they found. When I explained what I overheard he replaied with:"that explains why the boat had a spine carved into it". Needless to say this was a funny situation!
64–1550 Kamehameha Highway
Wahiawa, Hawaii
reviewed on: June 01 2010
"Fun Stop, kids will love the train!"
This is a bit of a tourist trap but fun enough to stop. The Dole whip is great here and it is really fun to show the kids how pineapples are grown, I was surpised to see them shooting up out of the ground, LOL! There is a fun little maze to do but be careful you don't end up like the "Modern Family" episode and dress your kids in Camis that day :) Anyhow, my daughter loved the train ride it was the higlight of the stop! The only bad thig is: Try not to get drawn into buying goodies here, they are so over priced.
Just wanted to update my review with this coupon: dole-plantation.com/_literature_50053/Dole_Plantation_Brochure
