Iolani Palace

About this activity

Did you ever think on your visit to Honolulu you would find yourself surrounded by royalty? Well, Iolani Palace is a royal palace, so feel special!

Iolani Palace is not just any royal palace. It happens to be the ONLY royal palace in the entire USA! It's also a registered National Historic Landmark, and a truly special experience when you visit.

Guided tours and self-guided tours will see you explore this stunning piece of architecture, and key part of Hawaii's history.

Iolani Palace represents a time in Hawaii's rich history when King Kalakaua and his sister (also successor, Queen Liliuokalani), actually walked it's halls and ruled what was then the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The Palace complex is filled with beautiful memories of grand balls and hula performances - kids imaginations will run wild as they can picture the music and the laughter!

Of course, Iolani Palace history also contains some painful events, such as Liliuokalani's overthrow and imprisonment.

Since that event, and the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy, Iolani Palace has undergone a number of changes (it actually served as the Capitol for around 80 years), until it was vacated and then restored to it's original grandeur in the 1970s. (We're so glad it was restored, as it's beautiful!)

Iolani Palace was originally built between 1879 and 1882, and today sits proudly as a piece of Hawaiian history waiting to be enjoyed by families such as yours!