Under $100: Waikiki

Before surfing, hiking, snorkeling and sunbathing, fuel up for the day with malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery. The Hawaiian version of the Portuguese confection is a hole-less donut coated in sugar and filled with a filling of your choice. The bakery also serves other pastries, cookies, bread and wraps. Prices start from $1. An acai bowl, filled with frozen acai pulp, honey and a variety of fresh fruit, from Island Vintage Coffee is also an excellent, energizing breakfast choice, priced from approximately $9.

For excellent views of the city, head to Diamond Head State Monument to hike the 1.6-mile trail to the summit of Le’ahi (Hawaiian name for Diamond Head Crater). The hike provides postcard views of the shoreline of southeastern O’ahu and glimpses of passing humpback whales in the winter. The entry fee is $5 per vehicle or $1 per walk-in visitor.

After spending the morning soaking up the sun and building up an appetite, head to Zippy’s or Rainbow Drive-In, popular chains in Hawaii serving simple dishes mixing several ethnic foods for a filling plate lunch. Priced from about $7, plates include two scoops of white rice and macaroni alongside everything from Korean barbecue, chicken katsu, fried mahi mahi, kalua pork and beef teriyaki.

For a sweet treat, head go Waiola Shave Ice. Family-owned and operated since 1940, Waiola is a popular alternative to Matsumoto Shave Ice for those who don’t want to make the hour-long trek to the North Shore. It features more than 30 flavors of fruit syrups for your sno-cone; priced from about $2.

Spend the afternoon enjoying Waikiki’s endless water activities and free beaches. All of Hawaii’s beaches are free and open to the public; all you need is a bathing suit and snorkel or surfboard. Many resorts, restaurants and shopping malls also offer free hula performances to visitors to educate them on one of the most beautiful expressions of Hawaiian culture.

Finish the day with dining and music at Duke’s Waikiki, featuring fresh fish and island favorites priced from $13.95. The restaurant offers live entertainment daily 4–6 p.m. during the week and 9:30 p.m.–12 a.m. on the weekends.