Escape Waikiki's Crowds At An Underrated Rainforest Arboretum Flourishing With Vibrant Plants

On the southern shores of Honolulu, you'll find Waikiki, a tropical haven known worldwide as the birthplace of surfing (among other things). With its world-class white sands, Waikiki boasts some of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty, Waikiki translates from the native Hawaiian into "dripping springs," referring to the many rivers that once flowed into it. Now a premiere tourist destination, this region boasts high-end resorts and boutiques, attracting masses of excited visitors year after year.

Since Waikiki has so much to offer, the crowds can easily become overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know where to start. To avoid the masses, always remember that there are more quiet backroads waiting for you, secret locations known only by locals. With Viator's Backyard Rainforest Driving Tour, you can discover the more tranquil side of Oahu. A road adventure where visitors can use their own cars, the drive will show you some of the most lush destinations on the island, replete with majestic views of Hawaii's rich tropical ecosystem, best enjoyed at the stunning Harold L. Lyon Arboretum.

The first stop on this tour is one of Waikiki's most beautiful and under-the-radar locations — the Harold L. Lyon Arboretum. This 200-acre botanical garden is home to over 6,000 species of plants. This is a unique opportunity to explore the rich ecosystem of Hawaii in a small oasis away from the crowds that is undoubtedly a horticulturist's dream. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the rare Amakihi, a native honeycreeper bird known for its distinct yellow-green color and a highly unusual call.

After exploring the tropical landscape of the arboretum, drive to the Manoa Chinese Cemetery, nestled on the slopes of the Manoa Valley. This sacred burial ground was supposedly gifted to the Chinese by the Hawaiians on the pretense that it would only be used for laying their dead to rest. Demonstrating the long cultural bonds between the native Hawaiians and the immigrant Chinese community, this cemetery is now a moss-covered beauty, the perfect place to contemplate life and find peace before heading back on the open road.

The next stop on the drive is Tantalus Lookout (Puu Ualakaa State Park). The most optimum viewpoint is only a short hike away, and from here, you can see the whole of Honolulu, making it the perfect place to set up a picnic or watch the sunset. If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimmer of Diamond Head — the dormant volcano that looms over Waikiki Beach — in the distance. Once at Puu Ualakaa, you can park your car on Tantalus Drive and then hike the Tantalus Arboretum Trail, a short hike along a well-known trail that will take you through the lush forest. Before the day is up, this backyard rainforest drive will take you to Honolulu's oldest botanical garden, the Foster Botanical Gardens, which features trees planted in the 19th century!

Finish the tour off in Honolulu's Chinatown, a neighborhood with enough restaurants and shops to keep the fun going, making it one of the best Chinatowns on the planet. The open-air markets in the neighborhood are the perfect place to buy some fresh fruit and vegetables, new clothes, or souvenirs to take home to loved ones. If you happen to be in Honolulu's Chinatown on the first Friday of the month, check out the nearby art walk, where you can catch live music and explore some of Honolulu's art galleries.