Visiting Hawaii for the First Time? Here’s What to See and Do

Take a food tour on an island like Kauai or Oahu to sample one of the state's most quintessential meals: the plate lunch. Comprised of two scoops of white rice, macaroni salad, and a hearty serving of protein, this dish serves as one of the best history lessons on how an influx of foreign plantation workers in the 1800s from countries like Japan, Korea, and the Philippines shaped Hawaii's diversity and culinary landscapes.

If you’d prefer to tackle the world of Hawaiian cuisine on your own, try the Loco Moco—it's a local favorite. Other popular Hawaiian dishes include kalua pig, laulau (taro, coconut cream, and protein), chicken katsu, teriyaki salmon, chicken adobo, and lechon (roast suckling pig).

Related: Must-Try Street Food on Oahu

Set on 42 lush acres (17 hectares) of Oahu's quiet northeastern shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is one of the island's most visited attractions. Focused on preserving Polynesian culture, history, and heritage, the PCC offers visitors a chance to learn in-depth about life in six island nations across the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Take a guided walk through the interactive space’s diverse villages; enjoy the only all-Hawaiian luau in the state; savor the Ali'i luau buffet; and watch "Onipa‘a," a tribute to Queen Lili‘uokalani, Hawaii's last ruling monarch.

Molokini is just off the coast of Maui, a sunken Hawaiian volcano that’s an undisputed haven for snorkelers. The partially submerged remains of a cinder cone that erupted approximately 230,000 years ago, created a striking crescent-shaped islet surrounded by some of Hawaii's most transparent, crystalline waters.

Put on some reef-safe sunscreen and book a snorkeling tour to get up close and personal with colorful coral reefs and over 250 species of tropical fish.

Related: Best Places To Snorkel Around the World

Waimea Valley is set across from Waimea Bay on Oahu's North Shore, steeped in ancient Hawaiian history. Visitors to the sacred valley can learn about the numerous cultural and religious sites in the area. Those that prefer to enjoy Hawaiian flora and fauna can explore a 150-acre (61-hectare) botanical garden with over 5,000 different types of tropical plants, including the state's official flower, the bright yellow hibiscus.

A paved path makes it easy for beginners and families to reach the eponymous 45-foot (14-meter) waterfall on foot. Depending on the weather forecast, you can also cool off with a refreshing dip in the plunge pool under Waimea Falls.

Every December to May, the waters surrounding Maui welcome thousands of North Pacific humpback whales. Hop on a whale-watching cruise for a chance to watch these majestic mammals breach the warm Pacific Ocean waters as they make their annual 3,500-mile (5,632-kilometer) journey south from the Gulf of Alaska to breed and nurse their young. The expansive, scenic coastline views of Maui from the boat are an added bonus, and certain whale-watching tours even have an underwater hydrophone so you can hear the whales sing.

The Big Island's activities aren't just confined to its unique black-sand beaches, idyllic beach towns, and Kona coffee farm tours. Head 45 minutes south from Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site home to two of Hawaii's most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

Hike the mile-long (1.6-kilometer-long) Halema'uma'u Trail to the Kilauea caldera floor for an unforgettable sunrise and incredible lava flow views. Have a couple of days to explore? Take a tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to discover even more of its must-see stops.

Booking a helicopter tour is one of the best ways to experience Kauai’s impressive landscape. You'll get a bird's-eye view of the dramatic sea cliffs along the Na Pali Coast, fly over the notable red rock formations at Waimea Canyon State Park, and spot numerous cascading waterfalls (including Manawaiopuna Falls, which you may recognize from the fan-favorite film Jurassic Park).

Prefer to explore by water? A catamaran tour of this magnificent region offers unique, rugged coastline views and the chance to spot spinner dolphins, green sea turtles, and whales during snorkeling stops off the Lehua and Niihau Islands.

Waimea Canyon, on the island of Kauai, is a sight to behold. It easily rivals the best views in America’s most popular national parks but with a fraction of the notoriety—and therefore crowds. Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this 14-mile-long (22-kilometer-long), 3,600-feet-deep (1,100-meter-deep) red-rock expanse is lush, waterfall-rich, and accessible. Most visitors will explore it via the lookouts on Waimea Canyon Drive, though a number of trails can get your boots into this verdant wilderness.

Few spots in America—save maybe Gettysburg or The Alamo—have had more of a political impact on world history than Pearl Harbor, the site of the Japanese attack on the United States on December 7, 1941. Today, this active naval base doubles as a national memorial, where visitors can explore two world-class museums, “visit” the sunken USS Arizona (via the memorial above), explore several other wartime sites, and hear stories from WWII heroes themselves.

With 600 hairpin turns and more than 50 bridges, Maui’s 64-mile (102-kilometer) long Road to Hana is widely regarded as one of the wildest, most scenic drives in the world. You’ll cruise along black-sand beaches, cascading waterfalls, the seven sacred pools of Oheo, magnificent bays, lava tubes, and more—stopping to scope out the sights usually turns this 2.5-hour trek into a 6-hour journey, give or take.

Insider tip: The road can be rough; many opt for a tour to avoid those white knuckles and better soak in the route’s unforgettable majesty.