First timers in Kauai--would love advice/suggestions
 

Our best trips have always begun with the good advice and suggestions from Fodorites, so we're hoping you'll help guide us for this one. We are heading to Kauai December 21-January 3. We've both been to Oahu and DH has also been to Maui and the BI, but neither of us has been to Kauai. We're staying at the Sheraton Kauai and will have a car. We'd love your thoughts on must-see sites, restaurants, what to pack, etc. We love good food--both local/low-key and fine dining, cultural activities, history, bicycling, etc. Thanks for any and all advice!

Take a drive to the North Shore at least once. Visit Limahuli Gardens. Stop in Hanalei and take a walk along the Bay. Stop at Haena Beach Park (before Ke'e). Park the car. Get out. Walk along the beach to the right for about ten minutes towards the point. Don't turn around! Just before the point, turn around and look back towards where you came. One of the great views in all the world...if it's not raining. :)

Wonderful! Thank you so much! Any thoughts on where to spend Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve (restaurants)?

Love the North Shore trip described by Wekewoody!

Another amazing sight is to drive west and north up past Waimea Canyon to Kalalau overlook. Sometimes it is too cloudy to see much at the top, but if the clouds break it is a spectacular view.

As you no doubt know, there is no road all the way around the island. These 2 views are at the 2 ends of the road that almost circles the isalnd.

You will have a wonderful time. My must sees every trip are:

1. Trip to North Shore (check the weather) as described by wekewoody. Also stop at Kilauea Lighthouse on the way there. I also loved Limahuli Gardens, we did a self guided tour and they give you a very informative booklet. There are also guided tours.

2.Trip up to Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Park. Go to Koke'e first and try and get there somewhat early, as the Kalalau Lookout gets cloudy mid to late morning. Then stop at the Canyon on the way down.

3. Na Pali Coast boat trip - book early if you decide to do this, if the weather is too rough to go out, you can rebook a later date with the company. Unlikely to get in any snorkeling that time of year but you may get lucky. You don't take the tour for the snorkeling anyway. I have been out with both Captain Andy and Holo Holo, both are good outfits.

Consider taking a helicopter on a clear day. Jack Harter or Blue Hawaiian are good companies with experienced pilots.

If you like to snorkel - stop at xxx (fooey - will remember the name in a minute - ahh yes - Lydgate) just before you get to Kapaa and enjoy thar beautiful area - which should have a lifeguard. Also - snorkel at Ke beach - but again - check with the lifeguards and ask about the conditions that day at the various beaches, etc.

You can also find snokeling spots around Poipu - Lawai beach, etc - and check out renting equipment from the Snorkel Bobs or other such companies.

Fabulous! I'm assuming we don't need to dress up while we're there? I've made the mistake of taking too many dressy clothes to resorts and wound up wearing the same casual clothes the entire time.

Lydgate sucks. Skip it unless you have kidlets.

You can get by with very casual dress in Hawaii.

Weke - why do you say that?

tomsd, I say it because it is my opinion and my experience. That okay with you?

Geesh Weke - just asking - for some better info. I have not been since it was rebuilt/redesigned - but we have had fun there - and it seems like a good place for families.

My trip report

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...i-oct-2012.cfm

Tomsd - from what I read on TA, a year or more ago the county dredged the pond at Lydgate and apparently did a poor job as the circulation of the water is reported to be murky at times.

Ke'e is liable to be rough that time of year unless the OP gets lucky. Hanalei is sometimes calm but no snorkeling there, or maybe Anini which is partially protected by a reef. Otherwise their best bet will probably be Poipu Beach Park or Lawai.

Thanks jsime. Have been to Ke in the winter and it was flat/calm but agree - you have to make sure each time you go.

Thank you all so much! Great advice and we appreciate it!

Restaurant suggestions:

In Poipu
-Keoki's Paradise (we like eating in the bar around happy hour)
-Tidepools at the Hyatt
-Joe's on the Green for breakfast
-We like The Beachhouse for lunch, buty you will share the veiw will all the beachgoers hanging out on the grass.
-Red Salt at the KoaKea Hotel. You could walk from the Sheraton.
There are a bunch of newer restaurants in the area that I haven't eaten at. Do some research.

In Lihue:
Hamura's Saimin: Great saimin and chicken/beef skewers complete with sloping linoleum counters.

Princeville:
-The Tavern by Roy: Great sunsets from this semi-casual place at the Princeville Golf Club.

Hanalei:
-Baracuda
-Postcards Cafe
-Kauai Ono: Gourmet Food Truck set menu dinners Wed. and Thur. nights. www.kauaionno.com
-Pizza Hanalei
-Hanalei Wake-up Cafe for breakfast
-Tropical Taco...now open for dinner
-Tahiti Nui for fucky, divey drinks and pu-pus.

Haena
Mediterrean Gourmet

I meant to write FUNKY! LOL.

We also love the (Hanalei) Dolphin: Sometimes we buy fresh Mahi Mahi from their case to take back to the condo and make fish sandwiches for lunch the next day. :)

http://www.hanaleidolphin.com/index.htm

Holy Poipu: The Dolphin has now opened a branch down there. :)

We also used to love a place in Waimea town - on the way to the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" - as Mark Twain called Waimea Canyon - but sadly - I don't think it's open anymore.

Our friends from Waimea town took us there (the family has lived on Kauai since the 30's - and the 67 year young grandparents wore us out showing us the many beaches on Kauai during our first trip to Kauai in '74) - and it was a combo - Asian/Island food - called Greens? It had the best Chinese Pepper Chicken I have ever tasted - to die for.

There are some other cute places to stop and have a snack/lunch - in this usually undiscovered little jewel (Shave Ice, Shrimp and Taco places, etc) - and they also have a fun/hanging bridge you take to walk across a river - called the Menehune Ditch.

And if you want to take Captain Andy's Catamaran - http://www.napali.com/ and http://www.napali.com/coast/ or another company out of nearby Port Allen - it's a great cruise up the incredibly beautiful Na Pali Coast. The Cats ride smoother than single hull - but in any event - go on a calm day - unless you are fairly "salty". We went scuba diving but you can also snorkel from these boats.

https://www.google.com/#q=restaurants+in+waimea+kauai

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...ea-TG-C-1.html

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/waimea-swinging-bridge.html