When you're feeling down, it's good to say a quick goodbye to home. You should then say aloha to Hawaii. 

More than 800,000 people visited Hawaii in February 2020. They came from all over the world. They participated in dozens of different activities in Hawaii, soaking in the sunshine and local hospitality. 

Yet visiting Hawaii can be overwhelming. There are so many different activities to do in Hawaii, and some of them are very expensive. How can you visit the Aloha State without draining your bank accounts? 

Here is how. Here are ten activities to do for free in Hawaii.

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1. Visit Waikiki Beach 

Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world for good reason. The sand is soft and honey-colored, reflecting the ample sunshine. The water is crisp and sapphire-colored, with strong waves during the winter months. 

Waikiki is the ideal place for water activities in Hawaii. You can surf, swim, or kayak. You can walk along the shoreline for miles, letting the water lap at your feet and ankles. 

The beach is centrally located in Honolulu, making it ideal for tourists. If you want to do something else, you can head back into the city. 

2. Watch a Show at the Royal Hawaiian Center

The Royal Hawaiian Center is a shopping depot. If you have a little spare money, this is the ideal spot to spend it. 

But they also offer plenty of complimentary programs. They offer free live entertainment from Tuesday through Saturday. 

You can listen to contemporary musicians and watch hula dancers. You can also listen to traditional Hawaiian songs. 

If you're interested in Hawaiian culture, you can take free classes at the Center. You can learn how to make leis. 

3. Climb the Aloha Tower 

The Aloha Tower is a retired lighthouse that is now open to the public. It is 184 feet tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in Hawaii. 

You can climb the tower to an observation deck at the top. It provides breathtaking views of the island, including Honolulu Harbor. Feel free to take photographs or make a drawing of what you see. 

When you're finished, you can head into the Aloha Tower Marketplace. This is another venue for premium shopping and free live events. 

4. Visit the Hawaii State Art Museum

The Hawaii State Art Museum is Hawaii's leading free art museum. It provides a wide range of art that any connoisseur will enjoy. 

Its outdoor sculpture garden was once a swimming pool and recreational area. The designers at the museum build off of this footprint to create an urban oasis. The environment is gentle, encouraging guests to wander at their leisure. 

The museum hosts several different exhibits at any one time. You can expect at least one celebrating Hawaiian history, but you can also find contemporary displays. 

5. Take a Hike 

Hawaii contains dozens of hiking trails and natural sites. The Kalalau Trail is one of the most popular, with more than half a million people visiting it each year. You can see the ocean and towering cliffs along the coastline. 

The Kohala Coast has rich greenery alongside ocean and cliff views. It provides a short hike, ideal for urban explorers who want just a little splash of nature. 

6. Attend a Hula Dancing Show

Hula shows occur on all of the Hawaiian islands. Most are for free, though you can also eat at a luau dinner that incorporates a show. 

You can find free shows every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at Kuhio Beach. The shows include torch-lighting and conch shell-blowing, giving you a real sense of Hawaiian culture. 

You may be able to find a spontaneous hula show anywhere. Keep your eye out at the beach at night. If they are open to guests, feel free to join in!

7. Stroll Through the International Marketplace

The International Marketplace is international for good reason. It contains more than 80 curated stores from all parts of the world. You can buy French shoes at Christian Louboutin, and you can shop for Japanese groceries at Mitsuwa Marketplace. 

You don't have to buy anything to have a good time at the marketplace. When the weather is too hot for the beach, you can take a walk through the climate-controlled building. You can also find free events like stargazing shows. 

8. Observe Hawaii's Natural Wonders

Hawaii has natural wonders everywhere you look. Mauna Kea rises 9,000 feet and boasts beautiful angles for watching the sunset and gazing at stars. 

The Spouting Horn lies along the Poipu Coastline. It is a natural lava tube that creates water spouts. You can see and hear them from a distance. 

The Banyan Tree stands in Lahaina. It is massive, with long branches and thick roots that take up an entire city block. It provides a terrific backdrop for photos. 

9. Visit Pearl Harbor

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial spans across 21 acres, so be prepared to walk. You can visit a visitor center and view galleries on World War II and the attack on Pearl Harbor. 

The centerpiece of the memorial grounds is the USS Arizona Memorial. More than 1,100 soldiers died when the ship sank. You can walk above the sunken vessel and read the names of the dead. 

10. Walkthrough Honolulu

There are plenty of tourist activities in Honolulu Hawaii. One of them is strolling through the city itself. The city contains a multitude of neighborhoods, all of which you can walkthrough. 

The capital district hosts the State Capitol and State Library. Kaka'ako contains quaint stores and civic centers. To look at impressive houses, you can walk through Kahala. 

The Best Free Activities in Hawaii

Don't break the bank doing activities in Hawaii. Walk on Waikiki Beach, then see a show at the Royal Hawaiian Center. Climb the Aloha Tower and look out on the beautiful archipelago. 

Visit the Hawaii State Art Museum and go hiking. See hula dancers on the beach, before stepping inside the International Marketplace. 

Observe Hawaii's natural wonders, and stop by the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Make sure to walk through Honolulu's incredible neighborhoods as well. 

Get the tips you need for the best vacation. GuideofUS Hawaii provides premium Hawaii travel guides. Read our tips on which island to visit

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