by Anonymouse

Created on: January 28, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

When young children are vacationing with family, the destination makes all the difference. It just so happens that the island of O'ahu is one of the best places for traveling with the little ones. This stunning hunk of land has family-friendly fun for everyone. Over 4.5 million visitors come to O'ahu each year, and none of them should be hesitant to bring their kids to these 18 attractions:

1. Though it started as a simple fruit stand in the 1950s, Dole Pineapple Plantation has become one of the biggest attractions in Hawai'i. Families can take the Plantation Garden Tour and ride the Pineapple Express locomotive, then explore the largest maze on Earth - made from over 14,000 indigenous plants (808.621.8408; 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy., Wahiawa, HI 96786; www.dole-plantation.com/).

2. Your family can mingle with dolphins, have fun with sea lions, and snorkel with stingrays. All you have to do is head to Sea Life Park at Makapu'u Beach. Home the world's only wholphin, Sea Life Park also draws people in with its live Dolphin Cove Show, Hawai'ian Ocean Theater, Pirates' Lagoon, Sea Trek Adventure, and much more (808.259.2500; 41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy. #7, Waimanalo, HI 96795; www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/).

3. The Atlantis Adventures Submarine Tour takes nature lovers underwater, where they can see the marine life face-to-face. Passengers all get their own portholes to look through. Creatures you might see range from giant sea turtles to sharks, and the submarine even passes by sunken ships. Don't miss this adventure (808.973.9800; 1600 Kapiolani Boulevard; Suite 1630, Honolulu, HI 96814; www.atlantisadventures.com/oahu.cfm)!

4. There's more to the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum than a planetarium and interactive exhibits. There are drums made of sharkskin, easy lei-making classes, a gargantuan whale skeleton, and folk dance performances. The number of artifacts, specimens, and shells at the Bishop Museum exceeds 20 million, so the kids definitely won't get bored (808.847.3511; 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI 96817; www.hawaiimuseums.org/mc/isoahu_bishop.htm).

5. The Honolulu Zoo opened in the early 1900s, and even survived the Great Depression. Now nearly a century old, the zoo accommodates crocodiles, tigers, African wild dogs, rhinos, monkeys, giraffes, and elephants. This attraction is renowned not just for the animals, but for its beauty; the scenery alone makes it worth stopping by (808.971.7171; 151 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815; www.honoluluzoo.org/).

6. King Kalakaua

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