Honolulu Zoo

The Honolulu Zoo at 151 Kapahulu Avenue sits on the edge of Kapiolani Park in Waikiki, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. It is the largest zoo in the state and covers about 42 acres, with a mix of tropical and savanna habitats. The zoo traces its origins to the early 1900s, and it is laid out in themed zones, including an African savanna with lions, giraffes, zebras and rhinoceroses, a tropical forest area with primates and tropical birds, and a Pacific Island section featuring Hawaiian species such as the nene, the state bird. Visitors also see elephants, reptiles and a children's zoo with farm animals. Walking paths wind under shade trees and past ponds, and the setting near the beach gives views of Diamond Head in the distance from some areas, which makes good photo angles. The best time of day is the 10:00 AM opening, when the animals are most active and temperatures are cooler, and crowds thin out after midday. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest. A typical visit takes two to three hours. The zoo is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is $21 for adults 13 and over, $13 for children 3 to 12 and free for ages 0 to 2, with kamaaina and military rates of $10 for adults and $6 for children. It is about a ten-minute walk from central Waikiki along Kalakaua Avenue, and TheBus routes serve Kalakaua Avenue. The zoo also hosts evening events at certain times, which visitors can check on the website.