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Iolani Palace
Iolani Palace
Honolulu
view website364 S King St
Iolani Palace
Honolulu, HI 96813+2900
808-538-1471
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age Kids
Pre-Teens & Teens
Iolani Palace Description
At Iolani Palace, kids can see the stuff that fairy tales are made of: red velvet thrones, crowns, and jewels. Imagine women in taffeta dresses sweeping down the grand staircase, awaiting their turn to be announced to the king and queen. The only royal residence in the United States, Iolani Palace was home to the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs -- King Kalakaua, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani. This stop is best enjoyed by older kids fascinated by architectural elements and history.
Historical Landmark
Kid Tips
School-Age Kids: Kids will enjoy seeing the difference between Polynesian and Western regalia. The royal family wore traditional "lei hulu" (feather ornaments) as well as crowns made in the Victorian fashion -- and sometimes they wore them together! Don't forget to stroll by the barracks. Note its similarity to medieval castles.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Make sure to take a peek at the flush toilet and notice the electric lights. Iolani Palace was state-of-the-art in its day, featuring modern technology even before London's Buckingham Palace.
Planning Notes
- Catch a performance. The Royal Hawaiian Band performs on Palace grounds most Fridays.
- Get dressed. Visitors are asked to honor the dignity of the Palace by dressing appropriately. This means no swimsuits allowed.
- No photos. Photography and videotaping is prohibited inside the Palace.
- Take a potty break. There are no public bathrooms inside the Palace, so make sure to take children to the restroom in the basement before entering.
- Parking. There is limited metered parking on the Palace grounds and on nearby streets.
- Take public transportation to get there. The Palace is located on the Waikiki Trolley route (www.waikikitrolley.com) and is serviced by the bus (www.thebus.org).
Just the Facts
Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Grand Tour: Docent-guided from 9-11:15 a.m., every 20 minutes. Children 5 and under not admitted. Audio Tour: 50-Minute self-guided, pre-recorded audio tour from 11:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m., every 10 minutes. Children 5 and under not admitted. Gallery Tour: Self-guided, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours
