Travel is the best. It changes you physically and psychologically. You become a well-rounded person from being exposed to different cultures and worldviews. One of the absolute best places and one of the most popular traveling hot spots in Hawaii.
Everything is divine, but here are 6 places you absolutely should not miss out on during your visit to Hawaii.
6 Amazing Places You Should Not Miss When Visiting Hawaii
The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
Standing on the gravesite of 1,177 men at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is a sobering but necessary experience of a historical moment in history.
It is the site where World War II started for America in 1974, December 7th. Over 2 million visitors from all over the world come to this memorial site every year, boarding a US-operated boat that transports them to the site, built over the remains of the sunken battleship.
Visitors are also transported to the Pacific Aviation Museum where they can see WWII artifacts and simulate landing an airplane on an aircraft carrier.
Again, visitors can experience other attractions, like exploring the USS Oklahoma, USS Utah, and USS Missouri Battleship.
The Waimea Canyon
Featuring rugged cliffs in breathtaking shades of red, green, brown, and orange, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” is a must-see.
Found on the west side of the island of Kauai, the Waimea Canyon is incredible at 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and 3,600 feet deep.
You can marvel at the canyon best by driving to the Puu Hinahina lookouts or by hiking the Kukui Trail.
The landscape also features several stunning waterfalls and the hiking trails are challenging but worth it!
According to the expert travel guide at expertvagabond.com/kauai-things-to-do: “high elevations mean the temperature changes noticeably from the bottom as you head to the top. So bring a rain jacket or windbreaker.”
The Kona Coffee Farms
It doesn’t matter whether or not you love coffee, the beautiful Kona coffee farms will be a worthy sightseeing adventure.
While you can’t visit all the many farms on the Big Island, choosing a few and going tasting is an amazing experience.
Kona coffee beans are unique in their flavors, rich in Hawaii’s agricultural roots.
Learn how the beans are harvested and processed while taking in the delights of each coffee farm and mill destination.
The Waikiki Beach
Today, Waikiki is a lovely beach town covering 1.5 square miles and the location of luxury resorts, a variety of restaurants, hotels, and vibrant nightlife.
Waikiki means spouting waters after the freshwater rivers that flowed into the ocean. Waikiki began as a Hawaiian royalty vacation spot and soon became a celebrity hotspot, attracting old Hollywood stars like Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Amelia Earhart, and Elvis Presley.
While the main attraction is the stunning beach where you can take surfing lessons and learn to ride the waves, the town itself holds adventure. Waikiki has a vibrant nightlife scene, for example, with live music and happy hour.
Also, you can visit the Waikiki Aquarium, the Honolulu Zoo, or see the famous Duke Kahanamoku statue (a celebrated Hawaiian hero, and a master waterman).
The Haleakala National Park
Do you love to watch the sunset and the sunrise? At over 10,000 feet above sea level, the Haleakala National Park has some of the most dramatic sunrises and sunsets in all the islands.
The almost two-hour drive to the summit from Kahului is worth it.
Further, highly trained park experts are ready to answer all your questions about geographical, cultural, and natural history.
The hikes and camping trips are also very popular, the most popular trails being The Kaupo Gap, Kipahulu, Sliding Sands, and Halemauu.
Again, visitors get to take part in guided activities like outdoor classrooms, science projects, and demonstrations.
Note that because of the high elevation, the weather is unpredictable. Temperatures drop, so bring something warm as protection against the cold.
Hilo Farmers Market
The Hilo Farmers Market is at Big Island and is one of the best open markets in Hawaii.
Local vendors gather at the market every week to sell everything from seafood to produce, to clothing, to art.
Both locals and visitors go to this farmers’ market to find authentic Hawaiian products like bananas, pineapples, papayas, jaboticaba, bongo drums, tropical flowers, and local handmade jewelry.
The market is a delightful, colorful selection of some of the best things, particularly food, to buy in Hawaii. Also, remember to get there bright and early for the best choices and the best deals, don’t be afraid to bargain.
Hawaii’s sunny climate and relaxing atmosphere make it one of the perfect places to visit. With dramatic sunsets, sprawling canyons, beautiful beaches, and historical sites, it’s no wonder that these islands have dominated mainstream travel for as long as it does.
