Calling all history buffs and museum lovers! If you love learning about Hawaii’s fascinating history, culture, traditions, and more, you’ll want to plan a visit this massive museum in Hawaii where you’ll find a large collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens, the oldest planetarium in Polynesia, and so, so much more. Nestled just outside downtown Honolulu in the Kalihi neighborhood, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum deserves a spot on everyone’s Hawaii bucket list — whether you’re interested in Hawaii’s culture or volcanic origins.

Designated as the Hawaii State Museum of Natural and Cultural History, there is so much to explore at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum that you’ll want to spend the entire day exploring.

Mike/Flickr The museum’s Hawaiian and Polynesian Halls have both been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Founded more than a century ago in 1889, the Bishop Museum was built by Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum/Facebook Princess Bernice was the last legal heir of the Kamehameha Dynasty, which had ruled the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi from 1810 to 1872.

As soon as you enter this massive museum, you won’t know where to look. Kids and adults alike are sure to have a blast at this one-of-a-kind museum.

Ray S/Flickr Prized koa wood display cases line the walls of the Hawaiian Hall, and in total, the wood is worth more than the original Bishop Museum buildings.

The Hawaiian Hall is also home to a complete sperm whale skeleton accompanied by a paper-mache body suspended from the ceiling.

Joel Bradshaw/Wikipedia Talk about impressive!

The Bishop Museum’s most impressive claim to fame is that it features the world’s largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens.

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum/Facebook If you want to learn about the history and culture of Hawaii, this is the place to go.

Besides the comprehensive exhibits of Hawaiiana, the museum is home to more than 24 million natural history specimens.

Mike/Flickr More than 13.5 million specimens are found in the entomological collection — making it the third largest insect collection in the country.

The Castle Memorial Building houses all of the major traveling exhibits that come to the Bishop Museum from institutions across the globe.

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum/Facebook From the current “TRAVELLING BRICKS: An Exhibition Made of LEGO® Bricks” to exhibits about dinosaurs and ice-age mammals, the science of roller coasters, and the creatures that reside in the abyss of the world’s oceans, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.

But that’s not all you’ll discover at the always-impressive Bishop Museum.

Ken Lund/Flickr Throughout the museums 8-acre complex, you will discover the Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium, an educational and research facility devoted to the astronomical sciences that also happens to be the oldest planetarium in Polynesia and the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, where keiki will love learning about marine science, volcanology. There is also a visitor’s center, gift shop, and library.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t let this year slip by without experiencing the largest museum in Hawaii for yourself.

Brett Neilson/Flickr Whether you’re beating the heat, escaping the rain, or just want to immerse your family in the history of the Hawaiian Islands for the day, the Bishop Museum in Hawaii is a must-visit.

Address: 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI, 96817

Mike/Flickr

The museum’s Hawaiian and Polynesian Halls have both been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum/Facebook

Princess Bernice was the last legal heir of the Kamehameha Dynasty, which had ruled the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi from 1810 to 1872.

Ray S/Flickr

Prized koa wood display cases line the walls of the Hawaiian Hall, and in total, the wood is worth more than the original Bishop Museum buildings.

Joel Bradshaw/Wikipedia

Talk about impressive!

If you want to learn about the history and culture of Hawaii, this is the place to go.

More than 13.5 million specimens are found in the entomological collection — making it the third largest insect collection in the country.

From the current “TRAVELLING BRICKS: An Exhibition Made of LEGO® Bricks” to exhibits about dinosaurs and ice-age mammals, the science of roller coasters, and the creatures that reside in the abyss of the world’s oceans, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.

Ken Lund/Flickr

Throughout the museums 8-acre complex, you will discover the Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium, an educational and research facility devoted to the astronomical sciences that also happens to be the oldest planetarium in Polynesia and the Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center, where keiki will love learning about marine science, volcanology. There is also a visitor’s center, gift shop, and library.

Brett Neilson/Flickr

Whether you’re beating the heat, escaping the rain, or just want to immerse your family in the history of the Hawaiian Islands for the day, the Bishop Museum in Hawaii is a must-visit.

The Bishop Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $24.95 for adults, $21.95 for seniors 65 years and older, $16.95 for children 4 to 17 years old, and free for children under four. Discounts are available for kama’aina and military members. For more information about current exhibits, admission, and more, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.

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