I don’t know if it gets much better than Hawai‘i. Truly, it’s a magical place, and I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the world quite like it. There is so much to see, do, and explore, and it’s an ideal destination for an active family who wants to spend time soaking up the beauty of the islands. We just returned from a trip with two teenagers. We visited O’ahu and the island of Hawai‘i (the Big Island). Here are some can’t-miss things to do with your family on the Big Island.
Summit Mauna Kea for an unbelievable sunset and stargazing experience
If you like stars, sunsets, tall mountains, and a little Hawaiian snow for good measure – put the Mauna Kea Summit Tour on the top of your list. From the tallest mountain in the islands, Mauna Kea (which measures in at 13,803 feet), you’ll find yourself looking down on the clouds and surrounded by observatories that look they just walked out of a sci-fi film as the sun sets in what will probably be the most spectacular sunset you’ve ever seen.
The trip itself is on the expensive side and always takes about eight hours to complete, but it is worth every penny. Here is the tour we booked, which included a stop at a secluded location on the way down the mountain to view the stars in one of the clearest night skies I’ve ever seen.
What to know before you go:
You probably need to book a tour to visit. The road to the summit is dangerous and requires a certain type of vehicle, and is often closed (in fact, we thought it was going to be closed when we arrived due to fog and we had to sit at the visitor’s center for about an hour waiting to see if we got cleared to go).
It is very, very, very cold. Our tour provided jackets.
It is very, very, very high up! We stopped to acclimate at the visitor’s center. I was really worried I was going to get altitude sickness, but I was fine (maybe a little light-headed, but it was manageable!). Due to the altitude, our tour company excluded kids under the age of 13 and adults 80+.
Also, the porta potty situation sucked. Use the restroom at the visitor center.
Ride along the windswept mountains for a panoramic ocean view from the back of a well-trained horse
Up for adventure? Book a trail ride! While there are several outfits that provide trail rides, we chose Paniolo Adventures. I chose this facility based on the scenic pictures of the rides, the well-fed horses, and the positive reviews. It did not disappoint – horses were well taken care of and safe, the ride was stunning, and the guide was helpful and kind.
What to know before you go:
This ride is so windy! They have jackets available, and I recommend one if you don’t bring your own. It was probably 15 degrees cooler on the ride than it was at our hotel. You will also be required to wear boots, so bring tall socks (you can bring your own boots, but if you’re trying to save on suitcase space and cowboy boots don’t fit into your “packing for a beach vacation” vibe, they have plenty to borrow).
We stayed at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, and the drive to the ranch was about 40(ish) minutes. I partnered with Discover Cars to get a car for this trip, and I think this trip would have been hard to do without a rental car. Ubers are available all over the island, but the Big Island is, well…big. And having a car freed us up to do whatever we wanted, whenever. We were happy with our Discover Cars experience – we picked up our car at the rental place right next to the airport, and the whole process was easy peasy. There were six of us, and a ton of luggage. We went with a van and that was the right choice.
Absorb the culture of the islands (and eat really, really well) at the Mauna Kea Luau
We initially weren’t sure if we wanted to do a luau, but we ended up buying tickets to the Mauna Kea Luau, which I had seen recommended online. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is stunning, and worth a visit on its own just to sneak a peek at this spectacular resort. The luau was overlooking the ocean, and it did not disappoint.
Rich with culture and talented performers, you’ll experience the story of the Hawaiian Islands told through the beauty of hula. And did I mention the food yet? It was a lot. And when I say there is a lot of food, I mean…there is a lot of food.
What to know before you go:
There is an option to purchase VIP tickets. The VIP tickets get you to the front of the line, better seats for the show, and I think an extra cocktail, too. While it would have been nice to be closer to the show, our seats were just fine.
Buy your tickets through the Mauna Kea website, here, versus a third party seller. They’re cheaper that way.
Take a swim at the Big Island’s most beautiful beach, Hapuna Beach
OK, I can’t technically say this was the most beautiful beach on the island because I didn’t see all the beaches (next time!). However, the reason we chose the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort was because the internet has pretty unanimous feelings that Hapuna Beach is the best beach, and after spending time on Hapuna Beach, I am inclined to agree!
One cool thing about Hawai‘i is that all beaches are public beaches. So that means no swanky resort is hoarding the best beach. Anyone can visit any beach, so even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, you can still enjoy the stunning warm waters and white sands of Hapuna Beach.
We spent four days on the Big Island. I’ve visited O’ahu, Maui, and now the island of Hawai’i and I think next time I go back, it will be to the Big Island (or maybe an island I haven’t visited yet). There is so much to see and do, I feel like we barely scratched the surface!
What did we miss? Anything else we should have squeezed into our trip? And if you have any questions, let me know!
If you can’t make it to Hawai’i, I have some stateside recommendations, too! Carlsbad is a beachy town in California with a chill vibe and lots going on. If you’re in Texas, I like Corpus Christi and Port Aransas! If you’re in Florida, you’ve got to visit the keys.