Hawaii Travel Guide

Hawaii Travel Guide

Imagine yourself on a gorgeous beach with the sun on your face and a tropical drink in your hand. Hawaii has this and so much more waiting for you! You can experience a piece of Hawaiian culture at a Lu’ua, surf the blue waters, watch lava flow, and hike a variety of landscapes, including a crater.

Maui

The Big Island

Kauai

Oahu

USA Travel Ideas

Here are more ideas of things to see and do in the USA.

Top Experiences in Hawaii

Beaches. Surfing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, spotting sea turtles and seals, or laying back and enjoying the sand and the sun are all fun ways to experience Hawaii’s beautiful and diverse beaches.

Haleakala National Park. This park has many trails, including the Sliding Sands Loop, the combination of the Sliding Sands Trail and the Halemau’au Trail that forms an 11-mile point-to-point hike that provides ever changing views of the Haleakala crater.

Maui Lu’au. Dine on traditional Hawaiian foods, enjoy the live music, and go on a cultural and historical journey as you watch the hula dancers dance to the beat of the Hawaiian drums for an unforgettable experience.

Pearl Harbor. You can visit the USS Arizona Memorial, tour Battleship Missouri, visit the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and go aboard the USS Bowfin submarine.

Kauai Helicopter Ride. Fly over countless waterfalls, peer down at beaches and small towns on the island, soar over Waimea Canyon, and the best part, fly along the stunning Na Pali Coast for a thrilling way to see Hawaii’s stunning landscapes.

Waimea Canyon State Park. Hike the canyon trail or drive to viewpoints of what is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Kokee State Park. View Kalalau Valley and hike trails such as the Awa’awapuhi Trail and Nua’lolo Trail to cliffs overlooking the Na Pali Coast.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. See lava flow from Kīlauea volcano, hike over a solidified lava lake on the Kīlauea Iki Trail, walk through Thurston Lava Tube, and drive along the edge of a crater all in one national park.

Wai’anapanapa State Park. Along with its beautiful black sand beach, you can also crawl into a sea cave, hike along the dramatic coastline, and see if you can spot the sea arch.

Best Time to Visit Hawaii

Visiting Hawaii anytime from April to September will have more moderate temperatures and weather, with the earlier months near April having temperatures near the 60s and getting warmer toward the high 80s as the summer months go on.

While traveling to Hawaii during the late spring and summer helps to avoid the heavy rain season, rain is always a possibility since Hawaii is in the tropics. It can also be colder if you plan on hiking mountains and to volcano summits, so a pair of long sleeves, pants, or a light jacket might be needed.

Hawaii tends to have more visitors during March and around July, so the months from October through February may be better for traveling for cheaper rates and avoiding crowds in popular areas.

More Travel Inspiration

US National Parks

The US National Parks make an excellent travel destination, whether you are planning a cross-country road trip or a weekend getaway. In our guide to the national parks, get detailed trip planning information, advice on which parks to visit by season, and itineraries to help simplify your travel planning process.
Plan Your National Park Trip
Glacier National Park

Visit More of the USA

Learn more about places to go and things to do in the USA in our United States Travel Guide.