This was the former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty but was later on converted into a museum run by the Daughters of Hawaiʻi.

It now showcases various artifacts coming from the era of King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiolani, featuring beautiful koa wood furniture, portraits, Hawaiian quilts, and many other royal items.

Parker Ranch was founded in 1847 and is Hawaii’s oldest business and second largest private landowner.

The Parker Ranch Center, on Mamalahoa Highway (19) in Waimea offers a trip back through time at the small museum which chronicles the evolution of the Hawaiian cowboy.

The museum is open Monday thru Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $6.50. (808-885-7655)

If you are interested in seeing how the ranch owners spent their days and nights take a side trip to the Parker Ranch Historic homes, Mana Hale and Puuopelu. Inside you will find traditional Hawaiian artwork, quilts and koa woodwork. Both homes are open Monday thru Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $8.50.

For those who want to enjoy the great outdoors, Parker Ranch offers 45-minute wagon rides, horseback tours, ATV tours, and hunting access.

The Visitor Information Center is located below Hale Pohaku on Maunakea. The Visitor Information Center is at 9,200 ft elevation on the Maunakea Access Road

Daily hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Waipi’o Valley Lookout is a secret gem on the north portion of the Big Island. The lookout is great for a quick visit or one of the steepest hikes on the island!

From Kona: 1 hour and thirty minutes – there are two routes to reach the lookout and I recommend taking the route along the coast – beautiful view out over the ocean! Then on the way back take the route that goes through the mountains. You will see the vast variety of what the Big Island has to offer on one trip out.

This is one of the most renowned Black Sand Beaches in the Hawaiian islands; distinguished for its aqueous geology, basaltic beauty, endangered species of wildlife and Hawaiian history.

Despite the presence of beachgoers, the black shore is often peppered with large Green Sea Turtles (honu) and Hawksbill Turtles (honu’ea).

This is the is the southernmost point of land in the United States. It is even further south than the Florida Keys!

South Point has also gained a reputation among thrill seekers as one of the best places to cliff jump in Hawaii.

From Kailua-Kona: 95 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2.5 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2.5 to 3 hours).

Fun Fact: this is where Erickson proposed

The park is about 11 miles (18 km) north of Hilo.

Pleasant self-guided walk through lush tropical vegetation to scenic vista points overlooking the cascading Kahuna Falls and the free-falling ‘Akaka Falls, which plunges 442 feet into a stream-eroded gorge. The 0.4-mile loop footpath requires some physical exertion. (65.4 acres)