ʻIolani Palace

The only royal palace in the US, home of Hawaii's last monarchs

⚠ Closed Sun–Mon; online tickets only

Hours: Tours Tuesday–Saturday in timed slots; ticket office 8:30am–4pm; closed Sunday and Monday
Tickets: Self-led audio tour $26.95 adult, under-5s free (official site, undated); online only, no walk-up or same-day sales
Address: Corner of King and Richards Streets downtown, across from the King Kamehameha statue

Completed in 1882, this is where the last two monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom, King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, actually lived. Stories of electric lights arriving here before the White House, and of the queen confined to an upstairs room after the overthrow, show a Hawaii far removed from the beach resorts. A self-guided audio tour of about 60 minutes is available. Package city tours usually just stop outside for photos, so book separately if you want to go in.