Lyon Arboretum
Founded in 1918 in the Manoa Valley, Lyon Arboretum is one of the most underrated places to visit near Honolulu. The botanical garden and arboretum is now affiliated with the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is a short walk from Manoa Falls, one of the top waterfall hikes on the island.
Originally established and run by the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association, Lyon Arboretum spans 194 acres and is home to over 5,000 tropical plant species, including many that are indigenous to Hawaii.
There are also several plant species that are native to other Pacific Islands and regions around the world. Inside the arboretum, there are trails, educational programs, workshops, and more.
Lyon Arboretum is easy to reach from downtown Honolulu and can also be visited via public transportation.
Lyon Arboretum Visitor Information
Island: Oahu
Address: 3860 Mānoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822
Size: 194 acres
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 3 pm
Ticket Prices: Admission is free (there’s a suggested donation of $10)
Parking: Free parking but spaces are limited
What to See and Do at the Lyon Arboretum
The Visitor’s Center
All visitors are asked to sign in at the Visitor’s Center. There’s a cool gift shop on-site, or you can simply pick up a map while you’re here. There are some beautiful memorial gardens located nearby too.
Garden Areas
Lyon Arboretum is home to various gardens. The Native Hawaiian Garden is a must-visit, as it’s home to endemic and indigenous Hawaiian plants.
There’s also the Bromeliad Garden and Beatrice H. Krauss Ethnobotanical Garden among others.
Inspiration Point
There are some great walks in Lyon Arboretum, but the hike to Inspiration Point is certainly one of the most beautiful. From the top, you’ll get stunning views.
How to Get to Lyon Arboretum from Downtown Honolulu
Lyon Arboretum is around a 15-minute drive from Honolulu. The main route will see you drive along Manoa Road for the majority of the journey.
Public transport also runs to the Lyon Arboretum. You can take the No.5 bus service (Ala Moana – Manoa) from Ala Moana Center and then get off at the last stop.
The journey takes approximately 22 minutes. From the bus stop, it’s around a 15-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
Visiting with a Rental Car
The best way to reach Lyon Arboretum (and visit other attractions on the island of Oahu) is to rent a car.
Luckily, there are some fantastic rental car companies in Honolulu including Enterprise, First Rent-A-Car, and Voyage Rental Cars. Alternatively, you can rent a car straight from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Popular rental companies such as Sixt, Alamo, and National Car are located here.
Your other option is to rent a car in advance using a platform such as Discover Cars. You’ll often get much better rental rates this way and will have a wider selection of vehicles to choose from!
Visiting on a Tour
Unlike many other attractions near Honolulu, there aren’t many package tours running to Lyon Arboretum (where you’ll have transport included).
On-site guided tours currently aren’t available for the general public either, but they do offer tours for schools and organizations. It is a very easy place to visit independently.
Places to Visit near Lyon Arboretum
Mānoa Falls
From the Lyon Arboretum car park, it’s just a short walk to the Mānoa Falls trailhead. This 1.6-mile (2.6 km) round-trip trail will take you through dense rainforest until you reach the waterfall.
Tantalus Lookout (Puu Ualakaa State Park)
Tantalus Lookout is around a 20-minute drive from Lyon Arboretum. From this viewpoint, you’ll get jaw-dropping vistas, from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor. Try to visit on a clear day!
Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve
The majority of Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve is only accessible on foot. There are some fantastic hiking trails here including the Pu’u Pia Trail and the Mauʻumae Ridge Trail (Puʻu Lanipō).