The U.S. travel destination Kauai (A Hawaiian island), also know as the Garden Isle, is infamous for its exquisite scenery, a wealth of outdoor activities and a full of history. During a visit to this diverse 550 square mile paradise, you will get to experience long beautiful beaches, breathtaking waterfalls and wonderful cool mountain peeks.

Like most anywhere in Hawaii, you will find the traditional luaus, hula dancers and moderate weather in Kauai. There are also many other experiences that are just waiting to be explored if you are willing to migrate away from the norm. You can visit the popular tourist spot at South Shore for the surf, sun and beach, the more secluded North Shore has a more naturist feel like Makana Peak and Waioli Mission House, the history of the West Side with the Russian Fort Elizabeth, The Opaekaa Falls of the Coconut Coast and Lydgate State Park in Lihue/Kalapaki. Kauai is much more than a typical resort island.

The most popular vacation spot is the South Shore. There are plenty of ocean related activities here like lessons in surfing or sand sculpture contests. There is also the National Tropical Botanical Garden, the only botanical garden in the U.S. that is chartered by Congress. It is here you will be able to visit historic Hawaiian stone walls, and abundance of beautiful plant life, tropical flowers and taro terraces.

The North Shore offers a variety of sites that are worth visiting. It is here you will find the Kilauea Lighthouse. Built in 1913, this 52-foot lighthouse has a beam that reaches over 90 miles out to see. For you movie buffs, visit Makana Peak, made famous in the movie South Pacific as “Bali Hai”. You can also visit history at the Waioli Mission House. Constructed in 1837 out of coral limestone, it was restored in 1921. The chimney was placed by the Reverend William Alexander, the first missionary in Kauai.

You can continue your walk through history on the West Side of Kauai. Visit the monument of Captain Cook, the first westerner to discover the islands in 1778. The next stop would be the Russian Fort Elizabeth, the last remaining in Hawaii built circa 1815. It was one of three originally built by a Russian doctor to salvage Russian cargo being held in Waimea.

The Opaekaa Falls on the Coconut Coast is a beautiful 150 foot water fall. Opaeka’a means “rolling shrimp” in Hawaiian and shrimp can be found at the bottom of the falls. Best viewed from a distance, the falls are accessible but will take a hike to get there.

Enjoy the family friendly environment at the Lydgate State Park in Lihue/Kalapaki. A swimming area for children, well kept picnic areas, a long beach and a community playground will keep you and your family busy all day.

A fun filled vacation to Kauai will definitely be relaxing. With a little planning ahead, you will be able to see all that is offered from the Garden Isle.