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The Intrepid museum in New York is a must if you like that stuff. The US does this kind of thing really well, we always find somewhere interesting to visit everywhere we go. The Museum of the Marines in Florida is another good one, plus there’s one in Virginia whose name escapes me where they have one of the flags raised at Iwo Jima among other military mementos.
@NorthernLass USS Arizona memorial and USS Missouri museum both booked. We will also be going to the USS Midway museum in San Diego.
We’ve done all 3 plus the Intrepid Museum in NYC. They are all well organised, usually with lots of Vets enjoying taking the time to talk to visitors and very interesting. If you’re staying at the IC in San Diego, you couldn’t get much closer to the USS Midway Museum.
@LD27 That’s where we will be, I’ll stick my vet badge on too. Always gets the old timers opening up a bit more.
Please don’t go all the way to Hawaii and spend all your time in Honolulu.
We always spend a few days there because most flights go there, but we have the best time seeing the real Hawaii when we go to Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.Also, if you can fly via DFW, they use wide bodies mainly to HNL, so you get a lay flat bed, plus use of the flagship lounge at DFW.
I’m just back from my third Hawaii trip so some reflections: You’ll find better I class (and reward) availability ex SEA on Alaska, although this will make the outbound flight longer than ex LAX and on a 737 too. You’re competing against a lot of Americans for business reward seats to Hawaii and AA has dynamic pricing so Avios seats are hard to come by full stop and particularly ex DFW on the 787 with layflat seats and ex LA, which has the shortest AA flight times with the domestic F recliners (read long haul Premium Economy style seats) on the A321, so unless they are available when you book I wouldn’t bank on them opening up. I personally route via LAX where I overnight at one of the airport hotels. Get a full nights sleep and then take the midday/ early afternoon flight to HNL which gets you in past your hotel check in time, have dinner and then get a full nights sleep. That generally gets me on to Hawaiian time pretty quickly. If you deal with jet lag less well then I do recommend a few nights in Honolulu mainly as these will be your cheapest hotel nights on Hawaii- look to pay c£300/ night upwards with resort fees for a basic Hilton property. As others say get out of Honolulu quickly thereafter though.
I would take a Hawaiian airlines flight to another island. The 717s feel ancient as (like the 737s) they are decades old technology. Domestic F gets you Hawaiian Premier Club access (unlike most US Domestic F tickets which don’t come with lounge access) but these aren’t much to write home about- soft drinks and tiny bags of pretzels only. Onboard you get an alcoholic drink- beer or a premixed cocktail. Most inter-island flights are quicker then the MAN-LHR shuttle so F over Y isn’t worth it. Southwest also fly inter-island and you can also look at Mokulele which use turboprops (personally I save this sort of flying for Maldivian seaplanes).
Maui I would be looking to book your hotels on points and going for the premium facias to achieve value. Cash prices for mid-tier brands are eyewatering and the product quality isn’t there- sunbeds arranged smack next to each other by the pool, towels out of vending machines etc. It’s like everything you avoid in Europe. The best point options are The Waldorf Astoria- which is a big property but recently refurbished. I visited last year when occupancy was low and had a good stay and whilst nice it didn’t feel that premium. And at 110k Hilton points as standard reward (or c£850k upwards a night). I would be much happier spending those points at the Conrad Maldives on an overwater villa for 120k/ night. It’s also next to a few other large resorts connected by an oceanside path (including the Four Seasons) so overall feels busy and touristy. I’ve just come back from the Ritz Carlton Maui which I liked very much. A lot calmer, not next to other properties but with an ABC store and independent bars and restaurants within walking distance. I will be returning here if I can find nights for the standard Bonvoy rate.
Few other things to note. F&B prices are higher than the mainland (probably more like NY). I would say I spent c£100 for two courses and a glass of wine with service each. ABC stores will help with cheaper alcohol and snacks and in Honolulu there are cheaper options eg food courts in the Royal Hawaiian Centre and Ala Mona centre. Downtown Honolulu (not Waikiki beach) has some good independent places but by and large I’ve never been blown away by the food on Hawaii.
An early hour trip around Pearl Harbor is a must.
The midway in SAN was brilliant, in part because we had a remarkable ex serviceman guide.
Beyond Pearl Harbour Oahu is not my cup of tea. I hated Honolulu and beyond the brief Friday night fireworks it has absolutely nothing to commend it.
One thing is to hire a cabriolet and drive around the island. That’s quite fun if playing the theme from Hawaii 5 O and James Bond!!
Oahu and Big Island last year with my wife. A mixed work/vacation and our 5th trip since 2010. What struck me was just how ludicrously expensive it had become. It was always pricey, given its relative isolation but had become stupidly so by last year. On Big island we self catered and a single small loaf of bread was almost £8!!! Access to public beaches now carries a charge of $5 per person plus $20 to park! I ignored this but then got a note saying we had to pay!
On big island going to Mauna Kea is a must, ideally right to the top. Last April there was snow, yep snow in Hawaii
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