Kohala Coast · $$$$$ — Oceanfront 3rd carved from lava
Road trips · Hawaii
Hawaii road trips & hidden gems.
Hawaii is islands of green sea cliffs, black-sand beaches, volcanoes, and the best snorkeling in the country. It’s year-round, with winter swells on the north shores and whales offshore. Aloha is real.
Best time to visitYear-round (winter for whales & surf)
Don’t missThe Road to Hana on Maui
Gem Hunt nominees10 candidates
Hikes12 curated
Scenic drives3
Gem Hunt nominees
What locals say you shouldn’t miss.
Community-nominated candidates. Add yours and vote to help choose the first published finalists.
Pololu Valley
A dramatic green-cliffed valley at the end of the road on the Big Island's Kohala coast, with a steep switchback trail down to a wild black-sand beach.
Halona Beach CoveA small turquoise cove tucked between lava cliffs on Oahu's southeast shore near the Halona Blowhole — a scenic, quieter stop along the windward drive.
Waipio Valley OverlookA sacred, taro-farmed valley below 2,000-foot Big Island cliffs laced with waterfalls — best taken in from the dramatic overlook, with descent often restricted.
Makapuu Tide PoolsA lesser-known stretch of Oahu's eastern coast drive with quiet snorkeling, coral, and frequent sea turtles, plus tide-pool walks beneath the cliffs.
Ko Hana DistillersA small agricole rum distillery down a back road in Kunia on Oahu, pressing heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane — a tasting-room detour few visitors find.
Honomalino BayA secluded south Kona cove on the Big Island reached by a short coastal walk, with a salt-and-pepper beach fringed by coconut palms and calm snorkeling water far from the resort strip.
The big ones
National parks in Hawaii.
The bucket-list landscapes — when to go and what not to miss.
Explore by interest
Everything else worth a stop in Hawaii.
Start with a few highlights, choose one interest, or explicitly open the full state guide.
Showing Hikes and Scenic routes highlights. Choose a category or Show all for the full state guide.
Scenic drives
Scenic routes through Hawaii.
Boots on
Best hikes in Hawaii.
From family-easy to bucket-list — trails worth the detour, great for the RV & camping crew.
Devastation Trail
a short, paved volcanic walk through the cinder-blasted landscape of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption; check eruption, vog, and parking conditions before leaving
Diamond Heada crater-rim climb over Waikiki
Kalalau Trail (Na Pali)a cliff-edge coast trail to a hidden beach; permit beyond Hanakapiai
Kalaupapa Trailswitchbacks down Molokai’s sea cliffs (permit)
Kilauea Iki Traila rainforest descent onto the hardened lava lake of Kīlauea Iki, then a surreal walk across the 1959 crater floor
Koko Crater Railwaya brutal old railway-tie stairmaster
Bucket-list wonders
Scenic landmarks in Hawaii.
The iconic slot canyons, overlooks, and rock formations — and how you actually get to visit each one.
Raise a glass
Breweries, distilleries & wineries in Hawaii.
The trip-worthy taprooms, distilleries, and wine country.
Big Island Brewhaus
an upcountry Big Island brewery-and-taqueria.
Koloa Rum Coa Kauai rum distillery with tastings and a plantation setting.
Kona Brewinga Big Island brewpub (Longboard Lager) on the Kona coast.
Maui BrewingHawaii’s largest craft brewery (Bikini Blonde), with island ingredients.
Maui Winea ranch winery on Haleakalā’s slopes known for pineapple wine.
Where to eat
Road-trip dining in Hawaii.
Restaurants, diners, and food halls that fit the drive — curated by town, not scraped from a phone book.
Kono's Northshore
Casual Haleiwa Harbor spot slow-cooking kalua pork twelve hours, stuffed into its signature breakfast burritos and Bomber rolls since 2003.
Matsumoto Shave IceNorth Shore landmark since 1951 serving ultra-fine shave ice in dozens of flavors, a rite of passage for anyone touring Oahu's surf coast.
Ted's BakerySunset Beach bakery and plate-lunch counter on the North Shore, home of the original chocolate haupia cream pie and hearty local plates.
Braddah Hutts BBQ GrillA Hana plate-lunch favorite for travelers who want a hearty end-of-road meal before turning around or staying overnight.
Coconut Glen'sCoconut-based ice cream in the Hana jungle, exactly the sweet little reward a Road to Hana turnaround needs.
Hana FarmsA Hana-end stop with farm-stand energy and wood-fired food after the waterfall crawl.
On two wheels (road)
Best cycling in Hawaii.
Scenic road rides, iconic climbs, and car-free rail-trails.
Sand & surf
Best beaches in Hawaii.
Family sand, surf breaks, wild shores — find your vibe.
Ala Moana Beach Park
a protected Honolulu lagoon and local picnic beach between Waikiki and downtown.
Big Beach (Makena)a vast, undeveloped golden beach on south Maui.
Hamoa Beacha lush Hana crescent backed by sea cliffs and palms.
Hanalei Baya wide Kauai crescent beneath waterfall-streaked mountains and a historic pier.
Hanauma Baya protected volcanic bay that’s Oahu’s premier snorkel spot.
Hapuna Beacha long, wide white-sand beach on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast.
Chasing water
Best waterfalls in Hawaii.
From roadside stops to bucket-list hikes — easy ones flagged for the RV & family crew.
Hiilawe Falls
one of Hawaii’s tallest, seen deep in the lush Waipio Valley.
Waipoo Fallsa towering fall seen across Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific".
Akaka Fallsa towering plunge into a Big Island rainforest gorge.
Waimoku Fallsthe Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest to a soaring Maui fall.
Hanakapiai Fallsa towering reward deep up the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast.
Wailua Fallsa double cascade on Kauai made famous by an old TV intro.
Tee it up
Public golf you can book in Hawaii.
Lahaina · $$$$$ — Maui's Tournament of Champions host
Lihue · $$$$ — Hawaii's longest oceanfront stretch
Lahaina · $$$$ — West Maui championship resort golf
Lahaina · $$$$
Makena · $$$$ — South-Maui golf beneath Haleakala
Beacons
Lighthouses in Hawaii.
Plan the Hawaii trip
Get the scenic route, the stops, and the timing.
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Where to stay
Find a place to stay near Hawaii.
Hotels, cabins, and rentals close to the action — compare and book for your trip.
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