Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace is a national historic property and the United States' sole formal state palace of royalty. King Kalakaua built the Palace in 1882. Iolani Palace used to be a royal home until the Hawaiian monarchy was toppled in 1893.

Walking through the passageways, it's easy to envisage royal balls with dancing and music in the throne chamber. There are also unique apartments for the royal family, a gorgeous koa staircase, dramatic family pictures, elegant furnishings, and more. The "Imprisonment Room," where the queen was detained under house arrest for five months, is one of the attractions, as is the quilt she created during that time.

You can discover everything about the history of this sacred site – an ancient place of prayer — on a variety of self-guided or docent-led tours.