5 of the Coolest Places to Visit in Hawaii

Between its impeccable weather, diverse tropical landscape, pristine beaches, unique traditions, and welcoming locals, it’s no surprise that Hawaii continues to be one of the top destinations in the US for vacationing. Its many islands offer so much to travelers, including an assortment of unique experiences that make it nearly impossible to choose just one city to visit. Knowing where to stay in Hawaii is all up to your personal preference and travel style, but here are our top five picks to create a lifetime of vacation memories:

1. Lahaina, Maui

Located in West Maui, Lahaina is one of the best spots in Hawaii for its diverse attractions, starting with its beaches. Ka’anapali Beach is ideal for all things water sports—paddle boarding and windsurfing are just to name a few, while Napili Beach’s crescent shape is great for snorkeling and calmer waters. The water activities don’t end there, either! Try out the other preferred water excursions available like parasailing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and whale watching where you might see North Pacific humpback whales during their migration.

Lahaina is a dynamic area with plenty of ways to also spend your time on land. Front Street is located along the ocean and offers a fun downtown experience with dozens of boutiques, surf shops, galleries, restaurants, spas, and bars while Lahaina’s historic district has a number of museums, historic sites, and walking tours available to get a true taste of local culture.

The fun doesn’t stop on the coast. When staying in Lahaina, you should also take advantage of all that West Maui has to offer, including its many tours that often visit places like the Nakalele Blowhole, the Olivina Tidal Pools, the Makamaka’ole waterfall, ziplining in Ka’anapali, and so much more!

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2. Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii

Get to know the Big Island by staying on the west coast in beautiful Kailua-Kona. Here, you’ll receive the true Hawaii vacation experience all while learning about the traditions and culture of Hawaii natives. Make a reservation for a luau, visit the seven local farmers markets, hang out in Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, and visit the many local farms to see what is being grown and created for everyday use like vanilla, honey, coffee, and chocolate.

For those searching for the perfect place to bask in the sand and surf, be sure to check out Kiholo Bay for swimming, Kuki’o Beach to see the green sea turtles and lava rocks, and Kika’ua Point Beach which functions like a lagoon and has impressively calm waters. When you want to venture into the water a little more, there are plenty of snorkeling and diving opportunities including Manta Ray night dives.

Kailua-Kona is also widely known for the many local businesses offering tours and excursions. There are coffee tasting tours, waterfall tours, volcano tours, dinner cruises, submarine tours, fishing tours, ziplining tours, hiking tours, helicopter tours, dolphin encounters, ATV tours, sailing tours, and even sunset and star tours at the top of Mauna Kea Summit!

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3. Princeville, Kauai

For those who are looking to see the jungles of Hawaii in full force, Princeville could be the ideal place to visit. From the mountains and cliffs to the beaches, there are endless outdoor excursions to take part in while in the area like the many available Jurassic Park-themed tours, availability at Princeville Makai Golf Club, riverboat tours on Wailua River, and the various helicopter tours that allow you to see all the beauty of Kauai.

One thing Princeville is not short on is impeccable beach options. Hideaways Beach, Sealodge Beach, Puu Poa Beach, Anini Beach, Hanalei Beach, and Kauapea Beach are just a few spots to choose from that are loved for their calm waters, snorkeling, and ample space for different size travel groups. You also won’t want to miss seeing Queen’s Bath tide pool during your exploration of the coast!

When you’re on the hunt for a good meal, Princeville Center is the place to visit with a variety of dining options, shops, and other businesses. Not only will you be able to relax and shop to your heart’s content, but you’ll also be supporting small businesses and artists who want to share their talents with others.

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4. Kihei, Maui

Positioned on Maalaea Bay, Kihei is a preferred destination for many who love the attractions the area has to offer. For our conservationists, the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary will teach you all about the North Pacific Humpback Whales and their Hawaiian habits, experience one of the few remaining wetlands in Hawaii and its native inhabitants at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, and learn more about reef protection at the Maui Ocean Center.

Take all of your new nature knowledge with you across Kihei as you utilize the many water activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and diving. Two popular tours include snorkeling at Molokini Crater and Turtle Town where you can respectively observe Hawaii’s beautiful marine life and hopefully catch a glimpse of your favorite sea creatures. For those who want to stay a bit closer to land, we suggest hanging out on any of the Kamaole Beach Parks, Mokapu Beach Park, and Maalaea Beach.

Like other popular vacation spots in Hawaii, Kihei has plenty of dining, drinking, and shopping options available to its visitors. Kihei Kalama Village offers a fun mix of gift shops, beach necessities, locally made items, and jewelry stores where you can find souvenirs to remember your trip by, as well as a selection of restaurants ranging from quick bites to upscale dining where you can enjoy delicious local seafood dishes made with fresh ingredients.

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5. Honolulu, Oahu

When many think of a Hawaii vacation, Honolulu comes to mind because of its many local attractions. Waikiki Beach and the Waikiki neighborhood is a fan-favorite with many nearby shops, dining options, and nightlife surrounded by a number of hotels and resorts. The excitement doesn’t stop in this neighborhood, either! Other areas of downtown Honolulu offer the same fun with a variety of restaurants, cafes, food trucks, bars, nightclubs, shops, and so much more!

You’ll want for nothing with all of the outdoor excursions at your disposal including trips to Manoa Falls, the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail, Koko Crater Trail, and Diamond Head State Monument. For those who want to appreciate and understand more about the history of Oahu, you should visit Pearl Harbor, the USS Missouri Memorial, the Polynesian Culture Center, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, and Iolani Palace.

Last but certainly not least, we can’t forget about some of the best beaches in Honolulu! Kahanamoku Beach gives you a well-rounded experience with water great for surfing, swimming, paddleboarding, and sunbathing while Kaimana Beach has a snorkeling reef and Ala Moana Regional Park has a quiet surf with tennis courts and a pavilion you can utilize!

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Find Other Places to Visit in Hawaii on SMTN.com

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