Bishop Museum

The Basics

For a crash course in Hawaiian history, Polynesian lore, and anthropology, head to Oahu’s Bishop Museum. Exhibits cover everything from stories about Hawaiian gods to the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame to the history of surfing, and the museum boasts a planetarium and a Science Adventure Center.

Purchase admission tickets ahead of time online, or pick up a Go Oahu Card, which offers free admission to the Bishop Museum as well as other top Oahu attractions. Alternatively, get a Bishop Museum All Access Pass, which includes admission and unlimited shows at the planetarium.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The museum charges for admission, and planetarium shows require an additional fee.

• Free guided welcome tours are offered multiple times every day.

• Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours exploring the museum’s collections.

• All exhibits are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

How to Get There

The Bishop Museum is located in the historic Kalihi neighborhood of Honolulu, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of downtown Waikiki; the drive, along the I-H1 highway, takes about 15 minutes. Waikiki’s hop-on hop-off Purple Line trolley stops off at the Bishop Museum as well as other top Honolulu sights like the Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbor, and Pier 38.

When to Get There

The museum is open daily from morning until evening every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The museum hosts several free welcome tours and planetarium shows as well as storytelling events, hula shows, live music performances, and more; check the museum’s calendar of events prior to your visit.

The Bishop Museum Planetarium

Bishop Museum’s Planetarium shows are a highlight of a visit. Shows explore the Hawaiian night sky and feature information about traditional Polynesian navigation methods as well as current astronomical phenomena. Some programs are designed specifically for children. Special Saturday evening shows include the opportunity to head out and see the stars from the museum’s viewing deck.

Ways to explore

Whether you opt to visit the Bishop Museum on a self-guided tour or as part of an organized tour through other of Honolulu’s top sites, you’ll be glad you stopped by for a dose of Polynesian culture. For a casual visit, plan to spend one to three hours to get a solid feel for the museum; for those with a deeper interest, four or more hours isn’t unreasonable given the museum’s size and extensive collection.

Accessibility

Accessible to people using wheelchairs

Age limits

None

What to pack

Credit card (the museum does not accept cash), camera

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, light sweater or jacket for air conditioning inside the museum

Not allowed

Flash photography, touching the artifacts

Amenities

Restrooms, café

Address 

You have several options for getting to the Bishop Museum, including driving, taking a taxi, or using public transportation.

Driving

If you’re driving from downtown Honolulu, take H‑1 West toward Hālawa. From there, exit onto Likelike Hwy (HI‑63) at Exit 23B. Continue on Likelike Hwy to Bernice Street, then turn right into the parking lot at 1525 Bernice St for parking.

Public transportation

Take bus route 2, 2L, 60, or 61 and get off at the Likelike Hwy and Bernice St stop. From there, it’s around a 5-minute walk to the museum.

Best times to visit

Visiting the museum in the morning, close to opening, will offer the least crowded experience.

Best days to visit

While the museum is open daily, the best times to visit to avoid crowds are on weekdays (Monday-Thursday).

Best months to visit

The best months to visit Honolulu are generally June through August, when the weather is most pleasant.

Special events

The annual Hawaii's Finest Music Festival, showcasing some of the islands' top talent, is held at the Bishop Museum in August.