Oahu

Lynette Eugenio: Somewhat hidden, this cool cafe is located at the Doubletree Alana Waikiki hotel. Great place for coffee, healthy breakfast and lunch. If you're up for a hike they offer tours too!

Lynette Eugenio: This 24-hour spot will satisfy any appetite any time. Known for their massive pancakes, breakfast is served all day. Try the seasonal short stack, which changes every month.

Lynette Eugenio: A catamaran ride is a great way to explore the Waikiki coastline. Snorkel with turtles and go whale watching during the day. Catch the sunset and fireworks display at night.

Lynette Eugenio: If you're a coffee snob, you'll appreciate the bold flavors and friendly service. Don't pass up on the pastries - my favorite is the specialty kougin amann.

Lynette Eugenio: I love all things matcha and this hits the spot! Skip the drinks and just get the ice cream.

Lynette Eugenio: The acai bowl is fantastic and refreshing. Perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack. There's 2 other locations in Honolulu, but this one is conveniently located at Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Lynette Eugenio: The smell of fresh waffle cones will lure you in and the delicious ice cream flavors will make you come back for more. My favorite is the classic Kona Coffee.

Lynette Eugenio: Lots of cute decor items for the home as well as books, jewelry, children's gifts and more. They also have a location on the North Shore, but this one's conveniently at the Hilton.

Lynette Eugenio: Serving food all day, my go-to is the acai bowl and Hawaiian Honey Latte. The lines can get long, but it's worth the wait. There's also a cute selection of mugs and souvenirs.

Lynette Eugenio: Cute and comfy sums up my style! Absolutely love their dresses and rompers.

Lynette Eugenio: Cute shop stocked with locally made goodies. You'll find gifts for yourself and everyone in the family including jewelry, tees, greeting cards, candies and more.

Lynette Eugenio: Huge selection of tees for guys and girls. Great for souvenirs - prices are reasonable, prints are cute and quality is good.

Lynette Eugenio: Even if you're shy about singing in front of crowds, you can't help but have a good time here. This cozy bar is crazy fun! The cocktails and food are delicious too.

Lynette Eugenio: A childhood favorite, this is my go-to spot for shave ice in Honolulu. You can choose from a variety of flavors, but don't forget the snow cap topping - a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk.

Lynette Eugenio: Awesome selection of boozy cocktails and craft beers! Try the pisco sour. Moscow mule is a strong fave too.

Lynette Eugenio: One of the founding fathers of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, this place is a must! The food, service and ambiance are all stellar.

Lynette Eugenio: Cozy bar with limited seating, so make a reservation ahead. Try the hamachi carpaccio, bara chirashi, seafood shooter - everything is extremely fresh.

Lynette Eugenio: Lovely restaurant for lunch and dinner. Make sure to save room for dessert - everything I've tried has been nothing short of amazing!

Lynette Eugenio: The largest shopping center on island has just about everything you would need - luxury brands, local boutiques, gift shops, entertainment and more.

Lynette Eugenio: Yes it's a grocery store but this location has so much more! Grab a poke bowl or shave ice. Enjoy a glass of wine at the bar. Or peruse the selection of souvenirs, t-shirts, totes and local goodies.

Lynette Eugenio: This Japanese-style food court has a wide variety of food options for lunch, dinner or dessert. There's also a beer garden with domestic and import beers on tap.

Lynette Eugenio: A cool collection of locally-owned boutiques under one roof, you'll find everything from clothing and accessories to stationary and gifts.

Lynette Eugenio: Perfect for stationary lovers and pen addicts. They have a huge selection of supplies imported from Japan.

Lynette Eugenio: Breakfast, lunch or dinner - it's all good. Can't go wrong with the local favorite - a Loco Moco plate. The portions are huge, so I often order it as a bowl.

Lynette Eugenio: For dinner and late night, this is Hawaiian comfort food at it's best. My usually order: fried rice, pork chops and boneless kalbi. Reservations are suggested as it can get busy even on weeknights.

Lynette Eugenio: Fresh and flavorful, the spicy ahi bowl is my favorite. It's a small shop so there's usually a line. Come early to beat the lunch crowd.

Lynette Eugenio: A local staple, you'll want to grab a box (or two) of the malasadas. The place is small and the lines can get long. There's also a mobile location in Waikele if you're shopping at the outlets.

Lynette Eugenio: Breakfast or lunch - an order of the stuffed french toast is a must!

Lynette Eugenio: Cool neighborhood coffee shop for breakfast or lunch. Try the avocado toast and matcha latte.

Lynette Eugenio: This not-to-miss landmark is one of the most popular hiking trails on Oahu. It's an easy hike for all ages and offers spectacular views. Go early to beat the heat and crowds.

Lynette Eugenio: This Doris Duke estate is absolutely stunning and one-of-a-kind! You'll have to book your tour at Honolulu Museum of Art, where you'll take a shuttle to the location.

Lynette Eugenio: Malasadas are always hot and fresh, and the cake bombs are amazingly tasty! They come in a variety of flavors but faves are the lemon and matcha.

Lynette Eugenio: If you want to learn more about Hawaii's rich history, this is the place to go. I recommend the guided tour as they're very knowledgeable and in-depth. Take time to also walk the beautiful grounds.

Lynette Eugenio: Offering the finest whiskeys and craftiest cocktail experience, you'll want to make a reservation at least 2 months in advance. Ask for a seat at the bar to watch bartender genius Justin Park at work.

Lynette Eugenio: Everything here is delicious! The LFC is a must - you might need 2 orders if you're sharing. They're seriously that good.

Lynette Eugenio: This coffee/cocktail bar is my go-to spot for after work drinks. The vibe is chill (except Friday and Saturday nights), the music is good and the bartenders are friendly.

Lynette Eugenio: Come for lunch or dinner. Try the deviled eggs and grilled kalbi. They also have a great selection of wines and crafty cocktails.

Lynette Eugenio: Love the vibrant prints at this little shop in Chinatown. They also carry a mix of unique accessories, totes, artwork and gifts.

Lynette Eugenio: My favorite place to enjoy a good pizza and cold beer. The spinach and garlic pie is a must! For meat lovers, try the Giacomo. You can also order half and half to satisfy both tastes.

Lynette Eugenio: Easy to miss shop in Chinatown serving the best homemade ice cream. The flavors are unique, maybe a little whacky. My fave is Tea & Cookies made with matcha and Oreo pieces.

Lynette Eugenio: This local brewery is creating some the best craft beers on the island. Try the Honey Citrus Saison, which is a classic ale style with locally grown citrus fruit and Big Island honey.

Lynette Eugenio: Awesome little shop with a wide selection of bottled and draft beers. You can sample a few there or purchase a few to take home. The service is friendly and the bartenders are knowledgeable.

Lynette Eugenio: My favorite spot for happy hour and instagram-worthy cocktails. Try the Moscow Mule - they make their own ginger beer!

Lynette Eugenio: This cute cafe is an Instagrammer's dream. The coffee and avocado toast is perfectly delicious too. Come for breakfast, lunch and anytime in between.

Lynette Eugenio: Casual open-air spot for lunch and dinner. The brews on tap are great. The Hana Hou Hefe is refreshingly awesome!

Lynette Eugenio: Part brewery, part museum and a whole lot of fun. This unique spot will take you back in time during the WWII era. Great way to learn more about Hawaii's storied past with a pint of local brew.

Lynette Eugenio: Not as large or crowded as KCC, but fantastic selection of vendors. Takes place every Wednesday. Great for a quick bite or if you're looking for local treats to bring back home.

Lynette Eugenio: Relatively small but the exhibits are great and the gardens are lovely. Definitely check out their monthly after hours event, Art After Dark, which happens every last Friday of the month.

Lynette Eugenio: Serving food all day, but brunch is my fave! Don't pass up on the butter rolls and neon jelly. No room for desserts? You can always take a box of the famed coco puffs to-go from the bakery counter.

Lynette Eugenio: Breakfast, lunch or dinner - the fish is always fresh. There's live music on the weekends so it's a great spot for a casual night out.

Lynette Eugenio: Light and crisp - the poi donuts are absolutely amazing! If you're craving a late night snack they're open as early as 2am.

Lynette Eugenio: "Ono" means delicious in Hawaiian and that's exactly how you'll find the lunch and dinner menu. Served family-style, you'll want to try a little bit of everything.

Lynette Eugenio: Want to see a panoramic view of Honolulu without a hike? Take a drive up Round Top Drive to this beautiful park.

Lynette Eugenio: This short and easy hike takes you through the lush rainforest. Swimming in the pool of the waterfall is discouraged, but the views are worth the trek.

Lynette Eugenio: Beautiful botanical gardens for nature lovers and families. There's a couple of walking trails, including one to the waterfalls, and all are easy.

Lynette Eugenio: Organic and good - the flavors are fantastic! Great stop to cool down after a day at the beach or hiking Diamond Head.

Lynette Eugenio: Awesome for lunch and dinner or to just chill and enjoy a cold beer. Come here after a day at Hanauma Bay or hiking Koko Head.

Lynette Eugenio: Short but strenuous, this uphill hike offers panoramic views of east Honolulu and Hanauma Bay. A popular trail among visitors and locals, you'll want to go early and avoid the weekends.

Lynette Eugenio: Short and easy hike the whole family can enjoy. During the migration season you can spot humpback whales in the distance.

Lynette Eugenio: Take a scenic drive up the Pali Highway to this scenic lookout. Great views of the mountains and lush Windward coast.

Lynette Eugenio: The top attraction on the island, commemorating the heroes and survivors of Pearl Harbor. There are 4 different sites to visit - all great for families to soak in some history.

Lynette Eugenio: Fun and cheap place to shop for souvenirs and little trinkets to take home. Don't forget a hat or umbrella - it gets really hot.

Lynette Eugenio: Heading to or from the North Shore, check out this local distiller. Cool place to tour a local farm and sample agricole rum. The staff are super friendly and passionate about what they do.

Lynette Eugenio: Made up of four lagoons - I prefer #2 or #3 as it's the least crowded. Come later in the afternoon for parking and to watch the sunset. Beautiful setting for picture taking too.

Lynette Eugenio: The perfect refreshing drink on your way to the North Shore. There's so many delicious flavors, but definitely get it in a cute mason jar for the photo-op and to take home as a souvenir.

Lynette Eugenio: Despite the crowds, it's a fun place to take the kids on a train ride around a pineapple plantation. Don't skip the line for the dole whip - it's absolutely delicious!

Lynette Eugenio: Definitely one of those places you have to visit as part of the essential North Shore experience!

Lynette Eugenio: The original shrimp truck - the garlic shrimp here is finger licking good! There's limited tables to sit and eat, so you'll want to take it to go and have a picnic at a nearby beach.