Visitors interested in an engaging and unique Kauai vacation should most definitely do their research prior to arriving in the islands. Because Kauai has so many interesting things to do, it is essential that tourists plan out what destinations they’d most like to see while in Hawaii. Calculating a top ten list of things to do is the best way to prioritize plans while on Kauai. The biggest must-see is Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park. Both beautiful areas feature exquisite volcanic flows and miles of hiking and sightseeing. An alternative to hiking into the park an canyon is to take a helicopter ride. Another attraction is a tour of the Na Pali Coast by boat or zodiac. The steep cliffs along undeveloped coastline are simply amazing.

Limahuli Garden and Preserve is over 1,000 acres and covers several distinct ecological zones. Movie tours of the island are also popular and feature the sights and sets from several popular films, including Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Gilligan’s Island, Fantasy Island, and about 30 others. A ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway should also be in store in order to explore a journey through the historic backcountry and the fields of sugar, pineapple, banana, papaya, coffee, and flowers.

With a population of about 6,000 residents, Lihue is the county seat of Kauai County in the state of Hawaii and is the second largest town on the island of Kauai. The town is served by the Lihue Airport and Nawiliwili Bay. The island’s largest shopping center, Kukui Grove Center, which is home to the island’s only big department store, Macy’s, as well as K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Costco, is also located there. However, Kauai has a history of being very strict when it comes to approving major developments and having large corporations and global chains trying to establish themselves on the island in order to preserve Kauai’s beauty, something that would be threatened by overdevelopment.

Although Lihue offers a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities, the town of Kapa’a, located just north of Lihue, is the major tourist center due to its large concentration of hotels and tourist-oriented shops. Nevertheless, Kauai is most perhaps most popular for its outdoor activities such as snorkeling, diving, hiking, kayaking, and swimming. Some of the popular natural attractions in the area include the Alakai Wilderness Area, Hanalei Bay, Ke’e Beach, Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, Na Pali Coast Stae Park, Wailua River, Waimea Canyon, and Princeville North Shore.