Hawaii: Kid friendly destination

Now that I am a new mommy, I am always on the hunt for places to do things with my two year old..and the LAST place HE wants to be is in his car seat to get there...which is why when people ask me about where to stay in hawaii..my question is YOU GOT YOUNG KIDS? STAY IN WAIKIKI...and here's why...everything is pretty much in walking distance from one of the many hotels to fit all price ranges.

The zoo and aquarium as well as diamond head and kapiolani park are all within walking distances of each other...and that beautiful calm beach stretches the entire stretch of waikiki so pick one spot for the whole vacay or move around from one patch of sand to another...it is all there for the walking.

here are some of my favorite FAVORITE off the beaten places in Waikiki..

MAI TAI at the ROYAL HAWAIIAN HOTEL: First of all the hotel is PINK what child doeasn't want to look at an entire building that is the color of contton candy? And it is one of the oldest hotel's still standing in waikiki so it gives you this bygone feel for another place in time. The Mai Tai isn't a raucous bar to meet singles..it has a laid back family affair feel just steps from the water...the virgin chi chi's are my fave..and if you go in the evening you get to see some great hula up close ( I used to gig here pre-miss universe days).

88Tees on KALAKAUA BLVD: Now this place is a little GEM...forget all those t-shirts you see on every corner these t-shirts are cool hip and  unique...AND if a Japanese tourist see's you wearing one..they will instantly think you are a rock star..these shirts are status symbols in Japan because you have to be able to AFFORD to come to hawaii and buy them, they don't sell them online..the shirts all have some kind of hip hawaii saying on them and are so CUTE...ask for Loukie she owns the joint..and try to find my picture somewhere on the "wall of fame" . 88 tees is upstairs of Aloe Hawaii on Kalakaua next to The Coldstone Creamery...blink and you'll miss it!

The KAPI'OLANI BANDSTAND: Think of Kapi'olani Park at the base of Diamond Head as the Central Park of O'ahu..there are archery courses, bike paths, rugby and soccer fields...just acres and acres of grass to run willy nilly..but near the Honolulu Zoo side is the Kapi'olani Bandstand..where many outdoor free concerts are held..it has a great little pond surrounding it with wonderful statues for kids of all ages to frolick around..

The best thing about it all...NOT hearing kids SCREAMING in a car seat...just pop them in a stroller or on your shoulders and amble along..think of it as cardio so you can EAT that extra large plate lunch!