How to see the iconic Rainbow Tower in Waikiki Hawaii at Hilton Hawaiian Village

ALOHA!

If you regularly watched Hawaii-based TV shows like Hawaii Five-0 or Magnum PI, chances are you’ve seen the Rainbow Tower on TV!

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Waikiki, the Rainbow Tower is part of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which is among the largest beachfront resorts in Hawaii. As a hotel tower, you can actually stay in the Rainbow Tower, with some rooms having views of both the ocean and Diamond Head.

Even if you’re not staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, you can go and get a close-up view of the Rainbow Tower since it’s alongside a public walking path.

Depending on which direction you’re coming from, you can get to it by walking the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon boardwalk or the Fort DeRussy boardwalk! It stands tall right at the lagoon and beach. The best place to see the Rainbow Tower is by walking the Hilton lagoon boardwalk loop.

 

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WAIKIKI IDEAS > MORE LANDMARKS

>> ATLANTIS SUBMARINE FROM HILTON PIER | GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR | HAWAIIAN LUAU

WHERE TO STAY > BEACHFRONT HOTELS | NEAR FORT DERUSSY BEACH

 

 

Waikiki walking route

Head to the Hilton lagoon (aka Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon) and you will see the Rainbow Tower right in front of you! If you’re not staying on-site, start at the hula dancer statues and from there start walking towards the lagoon. Make a loop around the lagoon, and you will be walking straight towards the Rainbow Tower!

 

Stop #1: Rainbow Tower views while walking the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon boardwalk

👆 You’ll get a straight-on view of the Rainbow Tower while walking the short Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon boardwalk loop.

 

👆 Coming from the direction of the hula dancer statues, you’ll walk towards the lagoon. Once at the lagoon, start walking towards the right so you can make a loop. (The Rainbow Tower is to the left, but then you’ll miss out on walking with the straight-on view!)

 

👆 As you’re making a loop around the lagoon, you’ll see the Rainbow Tower and Diamond Head off in the distance!

 

👆 And then you will be walking straight towards the iconic rainbow mural of Hawaii! It’s like a 5 minute walking loop.

 

👆 You can make a stop at the beach to go swimming with views of the Rainbow Tower!

 

Stop #2: Fort DeRussy boardwalk

👆 You can continue your walk on the Fort DeRussy boardwalk, which is a paved coastal sidewalk that connects to the lagoon boardwalk.

 

Stop #3: Outrigger Reef walkway

👆 At the end of the Fort DeRussy boardwalk (and beach) is the Outrigger Reef beachfront resort. On the beach side of the hotel there is a little walkway that juts out into the ocean. Go for a walk out onto it to get more amazing views of Diamond Head! At the end of the walkway is also a common spot to see turtles in Waikiki. (No guarantees though!) At this end of the boardwalk is also where you can make a food stop at Steak Shack for a plate lunch or Tropical Tribe for an acai bowl!

 

 

WAIKIKI ITINERARY IDEAS > Atlantis submarine from Hilton pier | Glass bottom boat tour | Hawaiian luau