This beautiful park, which King Kalakaua gave to the city and now bears the name of his wife, divides Waikiki from the small residential area on the southwest side of Diamond Head. Kapiolani Park is Honolulu's oldest public park and also the best loved. It contains family attractions, including the Waikiki Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium, but the main highlight for adults is the Queen Kapiolani Garden, which is home to a beautiful assortment of flowering plants. The garden contains plants from Hawaii and other parts of the world, including rare Hawaiian species.

The park is a pleasant recreational area with a large selection of leisure activities available, including tennis courts, picnic areas, and jogging paths. The Queen Kapiolani Bandstand is the finishing point of the Honolulu Marathon held each December.