10 Small Towns In Hawaii To Visit For A Weekend Getaway
Hawai‘i is a state that excels in drawing in tourists, especially to certain specific resort corridors on the islands of O’ahu and Maui. Yet beyond those most touristy areas, there’s far more to experience across the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, one can venture across the island and discover pristine tropical beaches, incredible indigenous history and culture, and amazing local cuisine. And yes, there’s even a town with an explosively beautiful natural landmark in its backyard!
With all this in mind, here’s a closer look of 10 small towns in Hawai‘i to visit for a weekend getaway in 2025.
Hanalei
Perched on the northern shores of Kauaʻi is the idyllic village of Hanalei, a special place to experience the timeless beauty of the “Garden Isle.” At Wai'oli Beach Park, experienced surfers can ride epic waves during the winter swell season, while Black Pot Beach Park (at Hanalei Pier) offers calmer waves for novice surfers, as well as swimmers, snorkelers, and paddleboarders. A short drive west of town lies Waikoko Beach, a great family-friendly beach with shallower and calmer water close to shore (and some good surf breaks a little farther offshore).
Heading inland to Kuhio Highway, Hanalei has a central core with some interesting shops and restaurants, including Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art, a cool gallery with a vast collection of traditional Hawaiian and Oceanic art. And for an extra special place to stay, the nearby 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is a phenomenal “oceanfront sanctuary” of a boutique luxury resort with a full-service spa, easy access to the Princeville Makai Golf Course, and plenty of wellness and lifestyle happenings to try out.
Kōloa
Staying on Kauaʻi, but moving to the south end of the island, Kōloa is a fascinating town with a wealth of historic treasures that withstood the ultimate tests of time. At the east end of Old Kōloa Town is the Koloa Jodo Mission, a Buddhist house of worship that’s stood here since 1910, and it’s managed to survive everything from World War II (and the wrongful U.S. internment of Japanese-Americans) to the more recent growth of Hawai‘i’s tourism economy.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Old Kōloa Town, Hoku Foods Natural Market is perfect for picking up fresh, organic, and locally sourced food, the Kauaʻi Island Brewing Co. taproom offers an amazing selection of island-made craft beers and whiskeys, and Koloa Fish Market is a local favorite for poke bowls and other seafood treats. And though Kōloa doesn’t have much in lodging options around the Old Town, it is a short drive away from Kauai Banyan Inn, a warm and welcoming bed-and-breakfast located on an expansive plantation estate.
Haleʻiwa
About 33 miles north of Honolulu is Haleʻiwa, the traditional gateway to O’ahu’s storied North Shore. No trip to Haleʻiwa feels complete without a stop at Matsumoto Shave Ice, a long-time institution serving up the classic Hawaiian sweets since 1951. For some more savory grub, Haleiwa Joe’s is perfect for locally sourced seafood and steakhouse classics. From the main village, it’s a short drive north to perhaps the North Shore’s most iconic beach, Waimea Bay, the perfect spot for big wave surfing during winter. And right across the street from the beach, Waimea Valley is a unique nature preserve with gorgeous tropical landscapes and sites that preserve indigenous Hawaiian culture.
Just to the west of Haleʻiwa’s main village lies Mokulē’ia Beach Houses at Owen's Retreat. This is a great option for folks seeking a quiet and low-key yet beautiful and oceanfront North Shore vacation rental, as they have private beach houses that offer more room for the entire family to roam.
Kawela Bay
At the northern tip of O’ahu’s North Shore is Kawela Bay, home to some of the North Shore’s most spectacular beaches and a whole lot of inviting vacation vibes. Kawela Bay Beach Park is an ideal family-friendly beach for swimming and sand play (though water shoes are advised when going into the ocean), while Kaihalulu Beach to the east is a lovely and secluded-feeling white sand beach. A little way west, Sunset Beach has one of the world’s longest stretches of rideable surf, and it truly is a fantastic place to watch the sunset.
Near Sunset Beach is Ted’s Bakery, a perfect spot to grab some classic Hawaiian plate lunches and their beloved desserts. And for the ultimate in North Shore hospitality, there’s The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, an iconic luxury resort with stunning Pacific Ocean view rooms and suites (and private bungalows), and one that provides easy access to some of the area’s most beautiful beaches.
Waimānalo
Situated on the windward side of O’ahu, yet only about 20 miles east of Waikiki, is the laid-back town of Waimānalo. For those seeking to get lost in nature, they can find a trail leading to a lush bamboo forest and a gorgeous waterfall at Lulumahu Falls, and they can discover more adventurous mountain trails at Waimānalo Forest Reserve. Meanwhile, at the coast, Waimānalo Bay Beach Park has a nice three-mile-long stretch of soft white sand and an on-site campground. And at Makapu‘u Beach Park, one will find a prime beach for surfing, bodysurfing, and surf fishing, as well as a nearby trail leading to Makapuʻu Point (the easternmost point on O’ahu) and the Makapuʻu Lighthouse.
For a great alternative to the usual Honolulu hotels and resorts, Waimanalo Beach Cottages is a historic motel that now offers spacious family-friendly cottages for rent that are just steps away from the beach.
Kaunakakai
Nestled in the heart of Molokaʻi is the town of Kaunakakai, the largest town on the island, yet one that nonetheless lacks stoplights, rush hour traffic, big brand-name resorts, and the stress of the outside world. Visitors can head to Kaunakakai Harbor to walk the state's longest pier, catch a local tour boat, or simply go fishing at sea. Nearby is the town’s central business district along Ala Mālama Avenue: Kanemitsu's Bakery & Coffee Shop is a must for their freshly baked artisan breads, and A Taste of Moloka‘i food truck is a solid pick for poke bowls and acai bowls.
At the west end of town, one will find the Kapuāiwa Coconut Grove, an old-growth Hawaiian coconut grove planted during the reign of King Kamehameha V (in the 1860s), and one that opens up to the pleasant shores at Kiowea Beach Park. Meanwhile, on the east end, visitors can stay at Hotel Molokai, a tranquil Polynesian-style village that lends itself to a perfectly laid-back weekend getaway.
Lāna‘i City
At the center of the island of Lāna‘i is Lāna‘i City, a town that’s really at the center of local history and culture. Near the heart of town is the Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center, an institution dedicated to preserving the community’s indigenous heritage and showcasing the best of the island’s contemporary local culture. A short stroll away, Lāna‘i Art Center has a gallery featuring works by local artists and a calendar full of fun and interactive art classes and workshops.
For anyone craving a richer taste of local life, Blue Ginger Café and Ganotisi's Pacific Rim Cuisine are great options for classic Hawaiian country cooking. And for real local hospitality, it’s hard to beat the Hotel Lānaʻi and its lovely plantation-inspired grounds near Lāna‘i City’s historic core.
Kāʻanapali
In August 2023, West Maui was devastated by massive wildfires that ultimately destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina. Since then, there’s been plenty of progress in rebuilding and recovery across the region. Fortunately, the nearby beach town of Kāʻanapali was not directly hit by the 2023 wildfires, so travelers can still come and experience much of the best that West Maui has to offer. In particular, Ka'anapali Beach is a gorgeous three-mile-long stretch of white sand shore leading to crystal-clear Pacific Ocean water. Just to the north lies Black Rock Beach, a wonderful spot for snorkeling, diving, and advanced-level swimming. And for a calmer beach, families with kids and try the less-crowded Kahekili Beach Park that tends to keep calmer waves for swimming and snorkeling.
Since Kāʻanapali is a resort town, visitors will have no trouble finding good places to eat, including the welcoming Hula Grill featuring locally caught seafood. Even better, The Whaler is mere steps away: This is a sleek all-suite resort with a fantastic oceanfront location and easy access to plenty more shopping and dining in the area.
Pāʻia
Tucked away on Maui’s northern coast is Pāʻia, a former plantation town that’s evolved to a higher level of peace, love, and understanding. Since the 1960s, Pāʻia has served as a hippie haven, and Mana Foods remains the ultimate destination for natural, organic, and locally sourced foods, as well as a critical community gathering space. For more Pāʻia treasures, visitors can check out Maui Hands for unique works by mostly local artists and Paia Fishmarket for the freshest local seafood.
To the east of Pāʻia, there’s even more to explore at Hoʻokipa Beach, a stunning white sand beach that’s more than nice enough to chill out at, but it’s also a world-class destination for surfing and windsurfing. Whatever one decides to do at Pāʻia and Hoʻokipa, it’s a wonderful treat to retreat to Paia Inn, a chic boutique hotel that keeps guests near the center of the action while also providing a tranquil environment inside.
Volcano Village
On “the big island” of Hawaiʻi lies Volcano Village, a place that explodes in wondrous natural beauty and unfettered creativity. The main draw here is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, encompassing about 523 square miles of some of the world’s most active volcanoes. These include the world’s most active volcano (by mass and volume) at Maunaloa, and the Kīlauea volcano that’s been continually erupting since 1983. Yet just outside the park boundaries, there’s plenty more to experience, including tasty Hawaiian-made wines at Volcano Winery, incredible works by local artists at Volcano Art Center, and a century-old farmhouse turned gallery and cafe at Volcano Garden Arts.
Since Volcano Village sits right next to the national park, travelers have quite a few lodging options in the area. But for that perfectly cozy environment, it’s worth trying Volcano Village Estates, a bed-and-breakfast offering private cottages and bungalows, the ideal mix of historic charm and up-to-date amenities, and even the option of in-room massages after a long day hiking around the park.
Score a Sweet Escape for the Weekend (or Longer) at These Hawaiian Towns
Hawai‘i may be world-famous for its illustrious beach resorts, yet there’s much more to discover across the islands. There’s the beautiful coastal town of Hanalei on Kauaʻi, along with the down-to-earth historic village of Kōloa. On O’ahu’s North Shore, Haleʻiwa remains an old-school surf town with legendary waves at Waimea Bay, while Kawela Bay offers a more low-key beach retreat. And on Maui, Pāʻia is a soulful hippie town with an adventurous and creative spirit. Whenever one seeks to escape the ordinary, Hawai‘i offers so many unique and mesmerizing options to choose from.
