Favorite things to do in Kauai . . .

on a budget! This is our 1st trip to Hawaii %26amp; we%26#39;re fortunate to spend 2 wks, so time isn%26#39;t the issue just the $!

Leaving June 24 - - so let me hear some great ideas!

Favorite things to do in Kauai . . .

There are all the obvious freebies...Kilauea Lighthouse, Spouting Horn, Waimea Canyon, the Arboretum, all the different waterfalls. And there are some less well known tours...Kilohana Plantation (free), self-guided tour at Limahuli gardens ($10), Waioli Mission House (donation), Grove Farm Homestead($5 but reserve spot now!)

I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll get many more ideas from other posters. Have Fun, Harry

Favorite things to do in Kauai . . .

My favorite cheap things to do are:

1. The beaches

2. Bicycling (Rentals aren%26#39;t all that cheap, but I%26#39;ve got my own so it is cheap for me :)

3. Polynesian shows at Poipu shopping villiage and I%26#39;m sure else

4. Hiking in Waimea Canyon and the arboretum

5. Watching the sunset with my wife

Snorkeling is my # 1 favorite thing to do on Kauai! Then sitting on the beach enjoying the view, or even reading.

Photography is also a high priority of mine----easy to spend lots of time doing that in Kauai!

We aren%26#39;t fanatical hikers, but do enjoy many of the easy trails around the island.

If you%26#39;re a golfer, there%26#39;s a ';raw'; course down by Spouting Horn that is really cheap---something like $15.

Tour a resort and get a buy one, get one free activity---even applies to a helicopter tour or diving trip.

Even just hanging out at the pool and jacuzzi is something we enjoy doing.

1. Watch for ukelele and slack key concerts or competitions.

Go to slack key demonstration in Hanalei on Tuesdays...see schedule in ';Kauai Gold'; or Garden Island News.

2. Watch for music festivals with singing groups, hula, uke and slack key. Check schedule for Mokihana Festival dates. Check Kauai Community College (just north of Kilohana Plantation) theater schedule for local events.

3. Window shop in Hanapepe and Hanalei. Go to a Hawaiian craft store in the Nawiliwili Harbor area near old sugar mill site. Just opened recently. Stop at Lung shops in Kilauea on way to the lighthouse.

4. If you do not intend to do a luau, do try a local plate

with kalua pig, laulau, katsu chicken, rice and poi. Try saimin at the world renowned Hamura%26#39;s on Kress St. in Lihue. Try a Japanese bento box to take home or to the beach. Try ';loco moco'; on breakfast menus. Try oxtail soup for lunch at Tip Top Restaurant in Lihue on Akahi St.

5. Go the Kauai Museum on Rice St. in Lihue next to City

Hall, for island history and cultural development.

6. Check out every beach...no two alike. My favorite is Anini for its privacy, peace and tranquility but you must drive to the very end of Anini Rd. about two miles beyond the Kauai Polo Club and County campground, by the residences and rental cottages. I think it is not far from your hotel. Look for Niihau

(sounds like knee-e-how) shells at water%26#39;s edge. Later stop by a jeweler and ask to see a selective of Niihau necklaces (truly beautiful and very expensive).

I don%26#39;t know where your interests lie but here are some changes of pace between your golfing and diving activities.

Early in your trip stop by Hilo Hatties in Lihue (corner of hwy 56 and Ahukini Rd). Presuming that you find something to buy, ask for their coupon sheet at check-out. Last week there were several buy-one get-one offers including dining and activities. One of the activities was the McBryde Garden at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens (NTBG) just west of Koloa--usually $15 pp. The gardens are beautiful and well worth the trip. Just the tram trip back to the gardens was fabulous. NTBG also has free gardens you can wander through near their gift shop that are very interesting. It is very close to spouting horn. Have fun!

Favorite Things to Do on Kauai... Too many to list...

My suggestions starting North to South/West:

Hike into Hanakapiai and explore lava tubes in summers

Swim at Ke%26#39;e Beach, if not too crowded

Poke around Maniniholo Dry Cave

Have a picnic lunch on the pier on Hanalei Bay

Trek over the Lava Rock to swim at Queen%26#39;s Bath

Swim at Anini Beach (Picnic lunch, toss frisbee)

Visit Kalihiwai Beach %26amp; Secret Beach (same road)

Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens (Wailapa Rd)

Kilauea Lighthouse and Crater Hill Hike (if offered)

Sunshine Farmer%26#39;s Markets for fruit/vegies (various locations)

Sleeping Giant Trail and/or Kukui Trail at Arboretum

Smith%26#39;s Luau - combined with last Fern Grotto trip of the day

Tropical Bi-Planes (Airport) Fly up the North Coast

Lunch at Dukes / Marriott, walk the path by golf course

Mahaulepu Beaches Koloa/Poipu and hit Spouting Horn

Pacific National Tropical Gardens (Lawai)

Kukuiolono Japanese Garden, short strolling trail

Holoholo Boat Tour Sunset Cruise or Niihau Supertour

Salt Pond Beach Park, swim and picnic

Hanapepe Town, Art Galleries, Swinging Bridge

Waimea Canyon Drive to Kokee for Hiking (Great trails!)

Shrimp Station in Waimea back from Kekaha or Polihale

We arrive June 22nd for 4 weeks. Maybe we%26#39;ll see you around!

(My husband is a teacher too - leaving the day school%26#39;s out ;-)

just wanted to thank the contributors to this thread because it%26#39;s succinct and VERY printable! yay!

My 2 kids and I headed to Kauai on the 25th of June - so if you see someone bopping around on the beach who couldn%26#39;t possibly be the mom of 2 such cute kids, that%26#39;s me! Have a great trip all!

I%26#39;ll be the dad with the 2 unbelievably cute kids! By the way, nice spiral galaxy!!

Savage Shrimp has the best shrimp on the island, better than Shrimp Station. Their prices are the same, $11 per plate. The shrimps at Savage Shrimp is bigger and tastier, but not de-veined. The shrimps at Shrimp Station doesn%26#39;t taste as good but they are de-veined. Savage Shrimp is a yellowish/green truck parked on the side of the road in Poipu, pass the bridge on the way to The Beach House Restaurant. She is only there around 11am-1pm.

Another great free tour is to the Hindu Monastery. They only offer tours once a week.

I am willing to bet we%26#39;ll probably see you at Lydgate and/or Kamalani, huh kwils! How old are yours? My son is 8, daughter is 4 - they are really looking forward to the trip!

...and thank you! I like my galaxy too! - it%26#39;s actually 2 - the big one is colliding with and consuming the smaller one - very cool Hubble image!