Family vacations hawaiian vacation planning

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

When the thought of an exotic or tropical vacation arises, Hawaii is often at the top of the destination wish list. The islands have beaches, active volcanoes, fantastic food, and any visitor would be hard pressed not to find something to adore about Hawaii. As with any vacation, knowing ahead of time what kind of dining and lodging is available on the various islands is a definite plus. It will save time when meal time comes around to know what is offered and where it is located on the island.

Research before a trip to Hawaii is very necessary. There are regulations on things coming into Hawaii including some foods, plants, and even pets. It is imperative to know ahead of time what quarantines are needed for pets and which foods will have problems getting past the airport checks. The penalties are high and can be avoided with prior research.

Hawaii is made up of six major islands. Often visitors will want to have Oahu as the island on which to stay. This is where many of the more well known places are found, including Waikiki and Honolulu. The traveler will reach the island by flying into Honolulu International Airport. The flight to Hawaii will take about five hours if leaving from California or approximately ten hours if departing from the east coast.

There are many activities to do and things to see on the islands. On Oahu, the tourist will find the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium for family fun. The zoo is located between Diamond Head and Waikiki. Admission cost for ages 13 and up is $6.00. Admission for the Waikiki Aquarium is $9.00 for adult admission.

This island offers much shopping and fabulous dining and entertainment, as well as resort areas. Lodging in the Waikiki area is plentiful. This island offers over one hundred miles of white sandy beaches and many golf opportunities and other forms of outdoor sports and exercise. Most tourists will want to visit the Pearl Harbor/ USS Arizona Memorial. There is no admission fee for this attraction run by the National Park Service.

Near downtown Honolulu, be sure to stop by Oahu's own Chinatown. Another point of interest on this island is the sole royal palace found anywhere in America, that of King Kalakaua, and called the Iolani Palace. The grand tour's admission cost is $20.00 for adults, and the tour will last about an hour and a half. Admission for children ages 5 to 17 is $5.00 and children under 5 are not admitted for the palace tour.

If shopping is an interest, plan to visit the Ala Moana Center. It is open air and has more than 200 restaurants and stores. The Center is found near Waikiki. The 42-acre Polynesian Cultural Center is another attraction that most visitors to the islands will not want to miss. This is a great place to experience a luau if that is part of your itinerary. Ticket prices vary widely so that each visitor will be able to plan their desired activities to fit the budget. Oahu is home to many parks and things to see and do. One thing a visitor will want to see is the infamous Diamond Head, Hawaii's state monument.

Another destination on the islands is Maui. This island, too, has beautiful beaches and many golf courses. There are various major resorts on the island as well. Tourists will see Mount Halekala, a dormant volcano, and also an old whaling village and museum. Maui is a choice destination for the visitor interested in the history and culture of the islands. For the wind surfing enthusiast, Maui is the island to visit.

Other things to see on Maui include the floating museum with whaling as a theme, called Brig Carthaginian, and the shopping and dining area of Front Street, Lahaina. If you would like to take a scenic railroad trip, try the Sugar Cane Train found on Maui. Rates to ride the train are $15.95 round trip for adults. A dinner train (Thursday evenings only) is also available for $69.00. Most visitors will enjoy the Maui Arts and Cultural Center on this island, or perhaps one of the state parks.

The Big Island of Hawaii covers over four thousand square miles. This is the island on which the traveler will find an active volcano, Kilauea. As with most of the other Hawaiian Islands, there are plenty of activities to do on the Big Island. Photographers are delighted with picture taking opportunities that cover rain forests to lava flows. Be sure to see Akaka falls on this island, the Botanical Gardens, many spectacular waterfalls, Lava Tree State Park, and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The island of Kauai covers over 500 square miles and is packed with breathtaking scenery and abundant plant life. As with all the islands, the beaches are one of the main attractions. Other things to see on this island are the spectacular cliffs and waterfalls, the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge, Kauai Museum, Waimea Canyon, and Smith's Tropical Paradise. Another point of interest is the Fern Grotto, reached only by boat, and a place to keep in mind if considering a Hawaiian wedding.

The second to the smallest Hawaiian island is Molikai. Perhaps the largest draw to this island is the three volcanoes and also the highest sea cliffs into the world. Also found on this island is a huge beach, Papohaku. This is another area in which travelers must research in advance. Many swimming and snorkeling spots on the islands are very safe generally, but at certain times of year they are extremely dangerous due to the very strong rip tides. Another draw to this island is the Molokai Ranch Wildlife Park, home to many animals that are native to Asia and Africa. Picture-taking safaris are offered. Visitors may also enjoy the Rodeo Arena found on the island. A well preserved Hawaiian temple, Iliiliopae is located on Molikai.

Measuring only 140 square miles, Lanai is the smallest island of the six Hawaiian Islands. Most activities on Lanai are connected with one of the resorts on the island, but that is not to say that the traveler won't experience a memorable vacation and unforgettable dining here. There is an airport on the island and many opportunities for water sports and of course, the beaches with their white sand are always enjoyable.