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Bishop Museum is a good option for a day when you want to learn about Hawaiian history and culture, not just enjoy the ocean and shopping. It is in Honolulu but not in the Waikiki hotel district, so estimating your travel time and your time at the museum separately makes it easier to plan.
Pay particular attention to the difference between the 5 p.m. closing time and the 4 p.m. last admission, and to fluctuating admission prices. Don’t rely on the fixed prices or free family days found in old travel articles; check the official booking information for the day you visit.
Address, hours and last admission
| Item | Officially listed information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI 96817 |
| Regular hours | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily |
| Last check-in for general admission | 4 p.m. |
| Closed | Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day |
The museum states that visitors arriving after 4 p.m. may not be admitted. Even if you only want a quick look just before closing, plan around the admission check-in time first.
Check prices by “visit date” and “category”
The official ticket page explains that prices vary by day and demand. There are categories such as general, seniors 65 and older, ages 4–17, Hawaii residents and military, and even members may have to pay extra for special exhibitions. At the time we checked, several price tables were shown on the same page, so use the total after selecting your visit date on the booking screen as your final reference.
The museum also clearly states that Family Sundays have been discontinued. Don’t assume that free days mentioned in past articles are still offered. The museum says it accepts payment by credit card only.
Besides the official website, the ticket booking site Tiqets also sells admission tickets (See Bishop Museum tickets on Tiqets, PR). Check category prices such as Hawaii resident and military rates in the official information, and compare prices and cancellation terms on the purchase screens before choosing.
Parking and getting there from Waikiki
Official parking fees are $16 per vehicle for non-residents and $8 for Hawaii residents. The museum says members with the designated sticker park free. Parking is first come, first served, and you pay according to the signs on site. Parking is not necessarily included in the admission price.
For public transit, the museum lists the Route 2 bus from Waikiki and walking routes from around School Street and Kapālama. Check the actual service, drop-off points and return service with the transit operator on the day of your visit. Don’t apply driving times to the bus; leave extra time that includes waiting and walking.
The order of exhibits and the planetarium
The museum features exhibits and programs on the cultures of Hawaii and the Pacific, natural history, voyaging and more. If a planetarium show is your goal, first check that day’s planetarium times and the conditions for buying tickets on site. Don’t assume regular admission alone will get you into the show you want; check for additional fees and availability as well.
Our editors’ suggestion for visiting with kids is to first pick one theme your child is interested in, and to take a break between the history exhibits and the hands-on science activities. Rather than rushing to see the whole museum, take time to talk about tools or models that catch their eye, asking “What do you think this was used for?” This also gives them a reason to read the exhibit descriptions.
If you are planning a half day
- Before you leave, check the price on the booking screen and that day’s programs.
- After entering, check the times of the shows or talks you want to attend.
- Fill the time before and after them with exhibits and breaks.
- If you add grocery shopping for refrigerated food, do it after the museum and then head home.
This order is a sample plan by our editors, not a tour set by the museum. Make it a plan you can cut short depending on your companions’ interests and energy. It is also a good idea to look at how it differs from the Honolulu Museum of Art and Japanese American cultural facilities, and to choose the one museum that fits your purpose rather than cramming many facilities into one day.
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How to visit the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)
Official information and sources
Information checked: October 15, 2026. Hours, prices and terms of use may change. Please check the official information as of the day you visit or buy.
- Bishop Museum: Visitor information
- Bishop Museum: Admission tickets
- Bishop Museum: Directions and parking
This article is also available in Japanese.
Featured photo: Sdkb / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0, taken in 2025. Used with a title band added; the modified image is shared under the same license).
