Shangri La Museum

The Shangri La Museum houses one of the world's finest Islamic art collections inside tobacco heiress Doris Duke's 1930s oceanfront mansion. The collection spans 1,400 years and includes ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and architectural elements from across the Islamic world, all displayed within rooms Duke designed to complement each piece. You must book guided tours in advance through the Honolulu Museum of Art. Tours run Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM and include round-trip shuttle transportation from downtown Honolulu. The two-hour experience combines art appreciation with architectural history as you move through Duke's former home, preserved exactly as she arranged it. Duke's eye for beauty created surprising connections between Islamic artistic traditions and Hawaiian island living. The mansion reveals how she integrated Damascus room panels, Persian carpets, and Moorish tiles into a home designed for tropical entertaining. Tours move through multiple indoor rooms and outdoor terraces with ocean views. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection for the garden areas. Morning tours starting at 8:30 AM or 9:30 AM provide better natural lighting for viewing intricate details in tilework and manuscripts. No parking exists at Shangri La itself. You meet your tour group at the Honolulu Museum of Art downtown, where paid parking is available in nearby lots and street meters. The tour fee covers transportation and access to all house areas and grounds. Children under 12 cannot attend due to the delicate historic furnishings and artwork throughout the home.