Hawai’ian history is beautiful, tragic, and endlessly fascinating. It’s the only US state that has ever been a sovereign kingdom. Hawai’ians formerly practiced human sacrifice. The Palace was a prison for the last queen of Hawai’i. The kings and queens of Hawai’i traveled the world and were honored as sovereign leaders, despite the color of their skin. And visitors to O’ahu today can visit I’olani Palace in Honolulu. Here are the best tips to make your visit a great one–even with a baby in tow!
When to Visit
I’olani Palace is open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 9:00am-4:00pm, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. The Palace is closed on New Year’s Day, July Fourth, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and November 28 for Lā Kūʻokoʻa, which is Hawai’ian Independence Day.
Note: Personal strollers are not permitted inside the Palace, but Palace strollers are complimentary and will be provided should you need one.
Also helpful: The Best Trips for Driving on the Hawaiian Islands
Where to Go
The palace is in downtown Honolulu, the capital city of Hawai’i. The address is 364 S King Street, on the corner of King and Richards Streets. There is private, onsite parking, but it is limited; there is also public parking across King Street, another across Richards Street, and others within two to three blocks.
More here: The Most Helpful Hawai’i Tips You Will Ever Find
Tickets
Upon arriving at the Palace, you’ll go to the ticket office, whether you purchase tickets online or in person. The ticket office opens at 8:30am, but advance tickets, available online here, are highly recommended, as walk-in tickets are first-come, first-served. Ticket prices vary, according to the tour you book, but children up through four years old are free. As of 2025, audio-led tours are $28 for adults, docent-led tours are $34, and specialty tours are up to $127!
Keep reading: The Best Hawai’ian Souvenirs
The Palace
You will be required to wear booties over your shoes, to keep sand, mud, dirt, bugs, etc. to a minimum inside the Palace. The solid wood floors and vibrantly-colored carpets are pristine for just this reason. The tour will guide you through the life and travels of the Hawai’ian monarchy, including their living quarters and the rooms where Queen Lili’uokalani was imprisoned. Highlights include the solid Koa wood staircase, royal bedrooms, and the throne room.
Read on: The Best Ways to Save BIG on Your Hawai’ian Vacation
The Museum
The good news is that there is a major renovation of the museum happening at the time of this writing. The bad news is that it will be ongoing through “late 2026.” The Palace itself is still fully open, however. Fortunately, we were able to visit before the museum closed for the renovations. On display were several interesting artifacts, including some of the royal jewels. See below:
Keep reading: The Big List of Activities to Book Before Your Trip to Hawai’i
Want more? See my United States Page!
Love this post? Pin it for later!
