Public Botanical Garden Built Into the Lush Slope of a Valley

[ 3860 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822 ]

Lyon Arboretum is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those with an appreciation for all things green. With its easy-to-navigate trails and proximity to the famous Manoa Falls, this spot makes for an ideal day trip.

As part of the University of Hawaii, the Lyon Arboretum is a living museum showcasing more than 6,000 taxa of tropical and sub-tropical plants across 200 acres. It's free to the public and arranged into various thematic gardens, such as the Hawaiian Native Plant Garden, the Bromeliad Garden, and the Orchid Garden, offering nicely marked trails to explore unique flora.

Visitors are asked to sign in at the Visitors Center, where they can pick up a map, visit the bathrooms, and check out the small-but-groovy gift shop. The downhill gardens include the Betty Ho Memorial Garden, featuring a collection of antique Chinese pots and colorful bromeliads, and the Young Memorial Garden, where a cool and shady gazebo awaits.

Other areas of note include the Native Hawaiian Garden, where a collection of indigenous and endemic Hawaiian plants collected from the wild on Oʻahu grow 500 feet in the air to encourage their use in landscaping. Visitors can also head up a slope to Inspiration Point, where a lush panorama makes the trek worthwhile. This is a great place to rest and have a picnic! Or visit the Cycad Forest, where the ancestors of these unique cone-bearing plants thrived among dinosaurs.

Although nearby Manoa Falls is more famous, Lyon Arboretum has its own waterfall: ʻAihualama Falls. To get here, follow the main trail all the way back into the valley. The trail becomes more rugged farther into the forest and can get quite muddy. Visitors should also note that unless it has rained recently, very little water flow is expected from ʻAihualama Falls.

Don't miss the chance to explore Lyon Arboretum's rich collections and immerse yourself in Hawaii's lush rainforests. Make a reservation for a leisurely walk through the arboretum (reservations can be made here) and follow up with a visit to Manoa Falls.

For those looking to explore more of the neighborhood, check out the can't-miss Fendu Boulangerie. This bakery in Mānoa Valley offers a taste of Europe in Hawaii with its fresh-baked bread and delicate pastries. And there is nothing like sinking your teeth into a warmed-up dessert after a satisfying trek!