A Week on Kauai

Hawaii's oldest island, ringed with white-sand beaches, is small and easy to circumnavigate in a week. But there are so many wonderful things to do and see that you may find yourself wishing you had more time.

Day 1: Arrival & Beach Time

After you settle in at your hotel, head for the beach. If you are staying on the south side, Poipu Beach is your best bet; on the east in the Coconut Coast area, go to Lydgate State Park; and if you are on the North Shore, try Anini, Hanalei, Haena, or Kee beaches.

Day 2: Tour the North Shore

It rains often on the Garden Isle of Kauai, so the first sunny day, head out for the North Shore. Drive all the way to the end of the road to Kee Beach. Plan to hike a little on the famous Kalalau trail in Na Pali Coast State Park -- bring hiking shoes or closed-toed tennis shoes. A half-hour on the trail will give you an idea of the spectacular coastline. The hearty may want to hike all the way to Hanakapiai Beach, a 2-hour trip one-way. After your hike, take a look at Ka Ulu O Laka Heiau at Kee Beach. Head into Hanalei for lunch, and then drive down to Hanalei Bay for a quiet afternoon on the beach, or book at tour with Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens to see one of Kauai's most beautiful (and whimsical) gardens. Plan to have dinner on the North Shore.

Day 3: See Kauai from the Air: Book a Helicopter Tour

Book a helicopter tour for Day 3, but not until 10 or 11am at the earliest, to avoid the bumper-to-bumper commuter traffic. After your tour, head to the Coconut Coast for lunch. After lunch, go back in Hawaiian history at the Wailua River State Park. Since you are already in the area, book a luau at the ResortQuest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa.

Day 4: Hiking Kokee State Park & Waimea Canyon

Get an early start and drive up to the 4,640-acre Kokee State Park, where you will find a range of hiking trails to fit every ability. Birders, hikers, and sightseers will love wandering around this park. You can get lunch at the Kokee Lodge Restaurant, open from 9am to 3:30pm. Be sure to stop by the Kokee Natural History Museum, which is full of great information as well as trail maps. In the afternoon, stop at the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon, with more great hiking. After you've had enough hiking for the day, don't miss the Kiki a Ola (Menehune Ditch) and the Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park on your way out of Waimea town. Tip: A great time to plan this trip to Kokee and Waimea is on a Friday. Since you are already on the west side, you can attend Friday night's Hanapepe Art Night, and the terrific Hanapepe Cafe & Espresso Bar will be open for dinner.

Day 5: Beach Day

Kauai has the best beaches in Hawaii, so you should devote at least 1 day to them. Check out our beach recommendations. If you're not the type to just lie around, you can book a kayak or snorkel tour (I particularly recommend a tour of the Na Pali Coast). If you've had enough sun to last you awhile, then be sure to book a tour at Allerton Garden of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. On your way back from the Garden, stop and marvel at the very unusual Spouting Horn.

Day 6: Getting out of the Rain (or Sun)

It's best to plan for at least 1 rainy day on Kauai, but my rainy-day suggestions are just as much fun to do when it's not rainy. The first thing I would do is book a Hawaii Movie Tour. An air-conditioned van takes you to some of the many spots on Kauai where films have been made, showing you clips of the movie on the spot it was made. Another great rainy-day activity is exploring the treasure-filled Kauai Museum in Lihue, or shopping at Kauai's unique markets.

Day 7: Spa Day

A treatment at a rejuvenating spa is a great way to end your trip. Kauai's best spa is the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. In addition to the fabulous menu of treatments, they have a great area to relax, take a steam or a sauna, or just hang out in the hot tub. On the North Shore, try the Princeville Resort Kauai Health Club & Spa, which is small but very good.