This 10-room historic house and museum details the reigns of King Kalakaua and his sister Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii's final monarchs. Recent travelers appreciated this unique glimpse into Hawaii's culture. And though visiting the 'Iolani Palace is pricey, it's your only chance to tour a royal residence on American soil. The palace's powers-that-be have a number of semi-strict rules in place to preserve the home. You'll have to savor the memory of 'Iolani's royal china and glittering gems in your mind — picture-taking is forbidden. Kids younger than 5 are delegated to the basement and not allowed on the first and second floors, so plan ahead if you're traveling with young ones. Finally, you will have to wear cloth booties to keep from scuffing the fancy koa wood floors. Still, the palace is a treat for anyone interested in the history of the Hawaiian monarchy. Following the tour, be sure to swing by the gold and black statue of King Kamehameha that stands across the street. You'll find the 'Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. Guided tours, which cost $21.75 per adult, take place every 15 minutes between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You can also opt for a self-led audio tour for $14.75. Both tours last about one hour. Visit the palace's website for more information on specific hours of operation and fees.

Iolani Palace stands for absolute opulence. The gorgeous palace with its exquisitely furnished rooms is a real sight to see and a popular tourist attraction in Honolulu. If you want to be taken back into a luxurious and extravagant era of royals and riches, this is the perfect place to be. This place was the seat of the Hawaiian Monarchy and the grandiose look of those times has been preserved very well. The Blue Room and the Throne Room are the highlights of this place. The Dining Halls and Private Suits are worth seeing as well. If you take a guided tour, you will be able to learn a lot more about the history of Hawaii as well as several fascinating anecdotes about the rooms. Moreover, there are a lot of events that keep taking place at the palace to keep a look out for those. This place is as interesting as it is beautiful and a definite must-visit. Be sure to explore the palace thoroughly. Honolulu’s most opulent attraction, the Iolani Palace Tickets indeed find a lot of takers, for more reasons than one. Hence, it is a wise thing to buy tickets for Iolani Palace in advance, as there are high chances if these being sold out. You can check out our tickets segment to avail some good deals on Tickets for Iolani Palace. Tours that include Iolani Palace ticket prices are definitely a good bargain, on the whole! Also, visit the popular attractions in the city by following Honolulu itinerary 4 days.

Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy, is a marvel of opulence, innovation, and political intrigue. Meticulously restored to its former grandeur, this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu tells of a time when their Majesties, King Kalākaua, who built it in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili‘uokalani, walked its celebrated halls.*Reportedly haunted by the former Queen who wears black and smells of smelly cigars...

The ancestral home of the revered Kalakaua Dynasty sits nestled in the midst of the Honolulu downtown. Contrasting with the modern builds all around, this 19th-century palace oozes a Francophone, Italy

The grand koa wood staircase was shining with a new coat of oil as the focal point of the room; it’s beautiful curves lead the eye gently from the second floor down to the first floor. Men and women dressed in ornate gowns and neck-restricting tuxedos floated around the staircase receiving each other with a proper handshake or curtsy. The party was just beginning as horses pulled up to the ultra modern palace depositing people of stature out of their buggies. The year was 1882 in the island nation of Hawaii. Even though I like to live in the present, I couldn’t help but imagine the past as I was led through the Iolani Palace in Oahu. The docent painted a perfect picture of arriving at a ball in the mid 1880’s – the sites, sounds, and even the dinner entries that would be served. After the docent led tour you can have the pleasure of saying the you've been in the only palace in America! More Info: Iolani Palace Tour Information: Guided Docent Led Tours – Adults: $20 Children $6. This tour is available from Monday through Saturday 11:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Be sure to check the times and costs on the website which will have up to date information and details. Get all of the details including great historical information, information on the restoration, and learn about upcoming events on the Iolani Palace website: www.iolanipalace.org. By Sherry Ott, AFAR Ambassador

The nearly 140-year-old Iolani Palace served five Hawaiian kings. The palace also had electricity and telephones installed several years before the White House. Step into the fascinating history of the Hawaiian kingdom and its people with a visit to Iolani Palace. The palace is located in the heart of Honolulu and today is adjacent to the state capitol building. A tour of the palace includes a visit of the first and second floors and basement of Iolani Palace as well as the accompanying barracks and the manicured royal grounds. There are self-led audio tours available, but for a richer experience, reserve a docent-guided tour.