Things to Do on Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai, nicknamed the "Garden Isle," is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands as well as the fourth largest in the Pacific chain and has a natural beauty that is a shutterbug's delight year-round. Whether you are slipping off for a blissful romantic escape with your beloved, a family vacation, or an ecological tour by land, sea or air, you'll have no shortage of memories to bring home in photographs and stories.
Movie Magic
Kauai has been the exotic backdrop of numerous TV shows and movies, such as "Gilligan's Island," "Fantasy Island," "South Pacific" and "Jurassic Park." Companies like Hawaii Movie Tours will scoot you around in style by van, bus or helicopter, feed you lunch on the beach, and give you the insider scoop on the behind the scenes action.
Plantation Life
Step back in time on a sugar plantation tour at the Kilohana mansion or Koloa, a restored 1800s community that contains some of the oldest churches on the island. Hop a ride on the Kauai Plantation Railway, enjoy dinner and a show at the Kalamaku Luau, or treat yourself to a carriage pulled by Clydesdale horses.
Fore!
Kauai's golf courses--many with ocean views--frequently grace the covers of golfing magazines, host LPGA and PGA tournaments, and are regarded as some of the best in the world.
Hiking Trails
Whether you are a beginning hiker or a seasoned pro, Kokee State Park, Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast have multiple levels of trail experiences. Bird-watchers, sketch artists and photographers will find no shortage of surprises around every turn. Pack a picnic dinner and watch the sunset on Poipu Beach or Hanalei Bay.
Botanical Gardens
The National Tropical Botanical Gardens maintain four gardens on Kauai as well as three nature preserves. In addition to public tours of the beautifully landscaped collections, you can take seasonal classes, attend lectures, and learn what Kauai is doing to protect its endangered species of plants.
Shopping
Kauai has everything from roadside souvenir stands to kiosks to boutiques to open air shopping malls. Popular venues include the Coconut Marketplace, Kukui Grove Center and Kapaa Village. In addition to shops and ethnic eateries, many of the larger facilities also offer live shows, hula classes and instruction in Hawaiian arts and crafts.
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