A trip to Hawaii doesn’t have to be just a book on the beach and a lazy day in the waves. There are a wide variety of attractions for the whole family.

Here are our top picks for fun, moving, and educational activities on the island of Oahu:

1) Pearl Harbor Memorial. The attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 11, 1941, the “day that will live in infamy,” led directly to America’s involvement in World War II. In the attack, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Arizona sank to the bottom of the harbor, where it remains today as a memorial to the lives lost. Guided tours are available, and a film of the actual event plays regularly in the museum. For a truly moving and quiet moment, stand above the steady drips of oil that still bubble upward from the sunken ship. Flowers always float on the gentle waves.

2) Polynesian Cultural Center. Before Captain James Cook and the first Europeans arrived, Hawaii was already a rich and vibrant community. This recreated village brings the native culture back to life, and offers visitors everything from native craft-making demonstrations to an extravagant luau and dinner show. The center is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving native Hawaiian traditions and to providing educational opportunities to nearby Brigham Young University students.

3) Ecological Nature Tours. Hawaii is home to tremendous biodiversity and a large number of species of plants and animals that exist nowhere else on earth. There are now a wide range of tour options available for exploring the hidden corners of the island and learning about the native flora and fauna, as well as island history. Some tours will include archaeological sites of ancient villages, historical sites, and even movie locations such as Jurassic Park. The more adventurous visitors can choose a hiking tour, or take a private van for a more relaxing experience.

Submarine Adventures. Experience Oahu from the fish’s point of view – without scuba gear. The underwater version of a nature tour is experienced in submarines specially designed for the purpose. They dive off the coast of the island and tour through reefs, schooling fish, and wrecks of ships and airplanes. The tours are narrated by guides who point out and explain the local marine life, as well as the geological history and formation of the island. These adventures last about an hour and a half, and can often be combined with a dinner cruise