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Things to Do, Places to Eat In Paradise on the Big Island of Hawaii
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items This is a list of all of my family's favorite things to do and places to eat on the Big Island of Hawaii. Some are popular tourist spots some are smaller less known. I hope you can find the same joy in these as we do.
Map
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Activities
Good Eats
Activities
Fun things to do while visiting Paradise
Amazing experience with a great crew. We were able to view so many mantas up close. I highly recommend this to anyone traveling to the Big Island
Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour | Fair Wind Cruises
Awesome way to learn so much about the Big Island included many areas you may never know existed. You can have this steaming through your car radio with music playing and the music will lower when an area of interest comes up. Well worth the money to...
Audio Tour Guides | GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide)
Really interesting experience. We have done this tour twice with my son when he was 2 and again when he was 6. We had a great time both trips. You get to experience seahorses in different stages of life and learn a lot about a small but important cre...
Ocean Rider Inc
Great golf course, especially the Beach Course. You get an amazing view of the Pacific and if you're like me, you get to donate a ball or two to the ocean. The course has excellent rental clubs if you are not looking to travel with your own and for a...
Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf
This is a really unique experience on the Big Island. It is especially convenient if you are staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Village as it is on their property. We had a great experience with our 2 and 6 year old boys. They had so much fun learning about the dolphins and then getting to interact with them. You can tell the trainers are experts and really care about the dophins. It truly is a memory making activity and I would highly recommend it to anyone that loves dolphins and wants to learn more about them.
Dolphin Quest
Excellent site to see the Kilauea caldera and see the nature that can grow on an active volcano. We were lucky enough to see an active vent during our last time. That gave us truely once in a lifetime pictures. We also walk through the Thurston Lava tube and steam vents. We booked our tickets online the day before we went so we were able to get there early and avoid the lines. If you are traveling to Maui and the Big Island, the National Parks Service does offer a Hawaii package that give you access to the three national parks on the islands. This is definitely a worth while investment. One last suggestion it to bring a jacket or sweatshirt, even if you are going in June. It can get chilly with the wind that high up.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Good Eats
Great food choices especially when traveling with kids.
Great location to enjoy dinner not tied to a resort. Great food and beer choices and many times there is live music. We eat here at least once if not more every trip to the big island. Highly recommended, especially if traveling with kids.
Tropics Ale House - Waikōloa
Amazing breakfast location with large portions and a great selection. I highly recommend the pancakes with macadamia nut syrup. If you have a big appetite, you can try to tackle the Sumo menu. While eating, you'll randomly hear a gong and a yell of sumo. That's someone ordering from that portion of the menu.
Ken's House of Pancakes
Great place for breakfast or lunch. Huge portions of delicious food. Different types of Moco Loco including one with Chicken, pork, spam and burger. So delicious, we make sure to go here at least once per trip. Only thing to remember is they are cash only, so make sure you have cash before you arrive. They do have an ATM on site if necessary.
Hawaiian Style Cafe
I know the first thing you might say is that this isn't a restaurant, but it still is one of my favorite places to get a meal or snack food while I am on the Big Island. Located in the Queen Market in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area, it's walkable if you are staying at the Hilton Waikoloa village, the Marriott, or any of the many timeshare/condos in the area. They have a hot food counter, a sushi area and a small grocery market all together. Some of my favorites are the Moco Loco from the counter or the varieties of Musabi they offer on a daily basis. They also have fresh coffee that is delicious and usually has a Kona brew available. I have been know to walk here to get breakfast to bring back to the room or dinner after a long day driving around the island. If anyone tells me they are traveling to the Big Island, I make sure to tell them to stop at the Island Gourmet Market.
Island Gourmet Markets at The Queen's Marketplace
This falls into both categories, fun activities and good eats. The Legends of Hawaii Luau is always a great show with great food. I have attended this luau 3 times and it never gets old. We have sat in the standard seating and the premium seating. Both offer a great view to the show, with the premium, you are closer to the stage and get food faster. There are always plenty of choice for both food and drinks and I have never not left completely full. The performers in the show always do a great job and make the show very enjoyable. I would highly recommend seeing this show if you are on the Big Island and if you're staying at the Hilton, it's only a short tram ride away.
Legends of Hawaii Luau