| Hawaii is called The Big Island, and there is big fun to | | | | Crater Rim Drive. This is an 11-mile road that circles |
| be had on a family vacation to Hawaii. Here are some | | | | the edge of the Kilauea Caldera (large pit crater) in |
| not-to-be-missed Hawaiian destinations. | | | | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Scenic vistas and |
| Waipio Valley. This state seems to have panoramic | | | | hiking abound! If you are visiting this national park and |
| vistas around every corner, so it can be easy to miss | | | | can only do one thing, choose this scenic drive and |
| the breath-taking views across Waipio Valley. | | | | you can't go wrong. Depending on how many times |
| Located along the Hamakua Coast on the | | | | you stop, this tour can take between one and three |
| northeastern coast, this is the largest of the 7 valleys | | | | hours to complete. This is definitely a drive well |
| on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains. This is | | | | worth making if you have the time in your itinerary. |
| nature at its finest, having carved, over time, this | | | | Hiilawe Falls. Located along the Hamakua Coast, this is |
| massive valley filled with amazing cliffs and | | | | the most famous waterfall in Waipio Valley. It is also |
| spectacularly beautiful waterfalls. The road down to | | | | the tallest of all falls in the state, one of the tallest in |
| the valley is very steep and narrow, and driving is | | | | the entire world, and plunges over 1000 feet. This |
| not encouraged (and certainly not without 4-wheel | | | | waterfall shares the same cliff as the Hakalaoa Falls |
| drive), but walking and hiking are great alternatives. | | | | which is currently dry. You can see this amazing spot |
| Akaka Falls State Park. Amid a setting of tropical | | | | by helicopter, a very popular way of viewing the |
| foliage and flowers, just a mere 20-minute drive from | | | | falls, or by hiking or riding down (4-wheel drive) to |
| Hilo, you will find the gorgeous Akaka Falls which | | | | the floor of the valley. I would call this one of the |
| plunges a sheer 442 feet down black volcanic rock. | | | | do-not-miss spots of your family vacation to Hawaii! |
| As a bonus you'll also enjoy the neighboring Kahuna | | | | Hilo. Located on the Hilo Bay, this charming historic |
| Falls which tumbles about 100 feet. The falls are best | | | | city is the island's largest city and boasts beautiful |
| viewed in the morning around 8 to 10 a.m. when the | | | | orchid gardens, quaint shops, open-air markets, parks, |
| sun will hit them exactly right. If you arrive too late | | | | museums, festivals, fairs, farmer's markets, and |
| or too early, you'll find the falls to be in complete or | | | | many more interesting places to visit. This is known |
| partial shade which will make taking a great picture | | | | as the wettest city in the US, and is always lush, |
| (which of course you must do( difficult. For the | | | | green, and pretty. |
| absolute best photographs of the falls, take your | | | | Kamuela Museum. This family-owned museum and |
| photos on a cloudy day when no sun is directly | | | | popular tourist attraction looks like someone's home! |
| hitting anywhere on the falls. | | | | It is a privately-owned museum and contains a |
| Kaimu Black Sand Beach. There are many other black | | | | delightful assortment of items collected over many |
| sand beaches in Hawaii, but Kaimu, a shimmering | | | | years. This museum is full of Hawaiian artifacts and is |
| obsidian sand beach, is very picturesque and is | | | | well worth a visit. |
| probably the most impressive. It may also be the | | | | Add these interesting and scenic stops to your |
| blackest, and if you walk along the beach you may | | | | family's next vacation to Hawaii and don't forget your |
| want to wash your feet before getting back in your | | | | camera for some spectacular photo memories! |
| car to resume your trip. Bring your camera of course. | | | | |