If you think of Hawaii as only beautiful beaches and cliffs, think again. Somewhere in there is a majestic palace that once housed monarchs and has now turned into a nice tourist destination on the island. This in none other than the Iolani Palace.
Declared as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Iolani Palace was the only royal palace used as the official residence of reigning monarchs in the United States. There were two monarchs who governed the Island while residing in the Iolani Palace, namely King Kalakaua and Queen Lili’uokalani.
In 1893, the monarchy of the rulers was overthrown and the palace was converted into the capitol building of the Provisional Government, Republic, Territory and State of Hawaii until the year 1961. Today the palace is open to the public as a museum since its restoration in 1978.
The overall architecture of Iolani Palace, from the gates to the pillars of the main building, is just amazing. It is intricately designed and very royal-looking, even up to this day when it is used as a museum. Since it is also a historical site in Hawaii, a trip here will also be a nice learning experience that young children must go through.
After you have bathed in the sun and soaked in the warm waters of Waikiki beach, it is highly recommended that you go visit the Iolani Palace. You will be toured around the entire museum by a guide or you can also go by yourself. Brochures are available at the front desk for your convenience.
Schedule a trip to the museum ahead of time to make sure that you have a slot in the tour. Secure your passes early and be on time on the day of your visit. Observe proper decorum while inside the museum and remember to respect each and every display found there.