10457 Best Sights in USA

Though most fishing and sail charters use Honokohau Harbor in Kailua-Kona, this pier dating from 1918 is still a hub of ocean activity where outrigger canoe teams practice and race, shuttles transport cruise ship passengers to and from town, and tour boats depart from the docks. Old photos depict cattle being wrangled from the pier to steamers bound for slaughterhouses. Along the seawall, children and old-timers cast their lines and hope for the best. For youngsters, a bamboo pole and hook are easy to come by, and plenty of locals are willing to give pointers. September brings the world's largest long-distance outrigger canoe race, and in October, elite athletes line up on the beach next to the pier to swim 2.4 miles in the first leg of the internationally famous Ironman World Championship triathlon.

Across from the zoo, at the eastern end of Waikiki along what is known as the Gold Coast, this small rectangle of sand is a local-favorite sunning spot for beach lovers of all ages. Although it's usually quieter than the stretches of beach in the heart of town, it's also close to the conveniences of Waikiki. Children can splash safely in its shallow waters, which are protected (for now) by the walls of the historic natatorium, a long-closed, Olympic-size, saltwater swimming arena. Serious swimmers and triathletes also train in the channel beyond the reef here. The Kaimana Beach Hotel and popular Hau Tree lanai restaurant are next door. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

This fairly accessible 8-mile stretch is a favorite local diving spot, though the offshore reef and rocks make it a poor place for swimming. The rusting World War II tanker abandoned in the waters here is an example of how the strong trade winds have propelled vessels onto the reef since at least 1824, when the first shipwreck was recorded. You can wander the sands hunting for shells or other washed-up treasures like glass-ball fishing floats. Indeed, owing to the convergence of Pacific currents, a lot of debris washes ashore here, so it's a great place to show Lanai some love with a bit of trash cleanup (bring a bag and gloves). Photographers take note: you can get great shots of Molokai, just across the Kalohi Channel. Beyond the beach, about 200 yards up a trail past the Shipwreck Beach sign, are the Kukui Point petroglyphs, marked by reddish-brown boulders. To get here, take Highway 440 to its eastern terminus, then turn left onto the dirt road and continue to the end. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; windsurfing.

A sign stating that this is a "freefall slide that starts when a trap door is removed" could be a warning to some, an invitation to others. If you're among the latter, then step into the volcano that's the centerpiece of the park, and begin your ascent. Scaling what seems like endless stairwells, you'll be sprinkled with water dripping from intertwined blue and green tubes twisting overhead. These are Kala and Tai Nui, which are soon to be your ride home. As you climb higher and higher, occasionally you'll catch a wonderful aerial view of the park (as well as neighboring I–4), a vista that reveals just how far you've come—and just how far you'll fall.

When you enter your tube, cross your arms, cross your feet, and then just wait for gravity to do its stuff. When the door drops, so do you, shooting down the slick, splashing tube as it sends you into high, banking corners and spinning around for nearly 25 seconds in a thrilling race (with the person in the opposite tube) to a splashdown finish. For people with disabilities: Guests must be able to climb stairways and exit the splash pool unassisted or with help from members of their party. This ride accepts only the Express PLUS Pass.

A local favorite since opening its first spot in 1986, Kaladi Brothers Coffee has espresso, lattes, baked goods, and more at 12 locations around town, most with free Wi-Fi access.

A bronze statue in this park, the central town square for more than a century, depicts King David Kalakaua (1836–1891), who revived the hula and is the inspiration for Hilo's Merrie Monarch Festival. Erected in 1988, the statue depicts the king with a taro leaf in his left hand to signify the Hawaiian people's bond with the land. The park is surrounded by civic buildings and a war memorial. There is a huge, spreading banyan tree and small fishponds but no picnic or recreation facilities. According to local tradition, families of military personnel often leave leftover floral displays and funeral wreaths along the fishpond walkway as a way of honoring their loved ones.

With a lodge and restaurant, a huge campground, miles of coastline, and easy access from the highway, this beach area is a popular spot. Keen-eyed beachcombers may spot sea otters just offshore. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: walking.

Stocked with grills and picnic pavilions, this 36-acre beach park is great for families. With its extensive lawns and sports fields, it attracts volleyball, basketball, baseball, and tennis players, and it also has a playground, skateboard park, and roller hockey rink. The beach itself is all but nonexistent, but swimming is fair—though you must brave the rocky steps down to the water. If you aren't completely comfortable with this entrance, stick to the burgers and bocce ball. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers.

Five minutes south of the airport in Lihue, you'll find this wide beach and sandy-bottom bay fronting Marriott's Kauai Beach Club. It's almost always safe from rip currents and undertows because it's around the back side of a peninsula, in its own cove. Tons of activities take place here, including all the usual water sports—beginning and intermediate surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and swimming. In addition, two outrigger canoe clubs paddle in the bay, and the Nawiliwili Yacht Club's boats sail around the harbor. Kalapaki is the only place on Kauai where double-hulled canoes are available for rent (at Kauai Beach Boys, which fronts the beach next to Duke's Kauai restaurant). Visitors can also rent snorkel gear, surfboards, bodyboards, and kayaks from Kauai Beach Boys, as well as sign up for surf lessons and sunset boat tours. A volleyball court on the beach is often used by a loosely organized group of local players; visitors are always welcome. Avoid the stream on the south side of the beach; it often has high bacteria counts. Duke's Kauai is one of only a couple of restaurants on the island actually on a beach. The restaurant's lower level is casual—even welcoming beach attire and sandy feet—making it perfect for lunch or an afternoon cocktail. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (limited, no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

Nikhila Narra Davis co-founded Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains AVA with her farming family, and, together with her husband, Greg Davis, they sustainably farm a 140-acre vineyard where they produce estate-grown wines. Nikhila, the winemaker and viticulturist, began experimenting with making her own wine and has now launched her own brand under the label Kalasi Cellars, with a vineyard, tasting room (where they offer a wine and chocolate tasting, inspired by Indian flavors like saffron and cardamom and a small-bites menu of Indian snacks), and boutique winery in northeast Fredericksburg. Sheep keep the grounds free from weeds, and Kalasi Cellars grapes are entirely estate grown, creating the unique distinction of Texas-fruit, single-vineyard wines.

This tiny beach was the site of Kalepolepo Village, the prized property of King Kamehameha III in the 1850s. Here the makaainana (commoners) farmed, fished, and raised taro. Today, community stewards are working to restore the ancient fish pond. The park has shade trees, as well as picnic tables and grills, but it stays pretty quiet. There's only a sprinkling of sand, and swimming in the often-murky waters isn't recommended. Kaleopolepo is just south of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude.

Asia's thrilling water adventure ride mixes the fun of a rafting experience with a solemn message to save pristine lands and animal habitats that are threatened by development. Aboard a round raft that seats 12, you run the Chakranadi River. After passing through a huge bamboo tunnel filled with jasmine-scented mist, your raft climbs 40 feet upriver, lurches and spins through sharp twists and turns, and then approaches an immense waterfall, which curtains a giant carved tiger face. After traveling amid rain forests and temple ruins, you find yourself face-to-face with the denuded slope of a logged-out woodland burning out of control. There are many more thrills, but why spill the beans?

You will get wet—possibly even soaked. Unless you want to wring out your clothing in the nearest restroom afterward, bring a poncho. Better yet, bring a change of clothing in a plastic bag. Nearby lockers can keep bags dry while you ride. If you are pregnant or have heart, back, neck, or motion-sickness problems, sit this one out. For people with disabilities: Guests using wheelchairs must transfer to a ride raft. No service animals. The line moves fast and is rarely one of the longest. To avoid soggy sneakers, bring a pair of flip-flops—you have to wear shoes while on board, though.

A winding road leads down a cliff face to picture-perfect Kalihiwai Beach, which fronts a bay of the same name. It's another one of those drive-up beaches, so it's very accessible. Most people park under the grove of ironwood trees, near the stream, where young kids like to splash and older kids like to bodyboard.  The stream carries leptospirosis, a potentially lethal bacteria that can enter through open cuts. In winter months, beware of a treacherous shore break. Summer is the only truly safe time to swim. The local-favorite winter surf spot off the eastern edge of the beach is for advanced surfers only. Toilets here are the portable kind, and there are no showers. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; surfing; swimming; walking.

This wide, sandy beach has an area set aside for windsurfers and a sheltered area that's good for kids. It's a great spot for watching boats go in and out of the harbor. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Although the mid-1970s Kaluakoi Hotel and Golf Club is closed and forlorn, some nice condos and a gift shop are operating nearby. Kepuhi Beach, the white-sand beach along the coast, is worth a visit.

A natural harbor used by small cargo ships during the 19th century and a favorite fishing spot for locals, Kamalo Harbor is a quick stop worth making to take in the quiet calm and hang out with shorebirds; look for the "Drive Slow" signs just before the highway bends. This area is also the location of St. Joseph's Church, a tiny white church built by Saint Damien of the Kalaupapa colony in the 1880s.

Three steps from South Kihei Road are three golden stretches of sand that are locally, and quite disrespectfully, according to Native Hawaiians, known as "Kam" I, II, and III. Although they're separated by outcroppings of dark, jagged lava rocks, you can walk the entire collective length of them if you're willing to get your feet wet. In the morning, the water can be as still as a lap pool, so the swimming is great. All three stretches also have lifeguards and wheelchair ramps.

The northernmost of the trio, Kamaole I (across from the ABC Store—important to know if you forget your reef-safe sunscreen) has a small parking area, a volleyball court, and a lawn; it's also the only beach on Maui with a beach-access chair for people with mobility issues. Kamaole II is nearly identical except that it has no parking lot or lawn. The last stretch, the one with all the people on it, is 10-acre Kamaole III, a great family beach, with a playground and barbecue grills. The kite-flying here is good, and the terrific breaks attract beginning bodysurfers. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunsets; surfing; swimming; walking.

Honoring the Big Island chieftain who united all the warring Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom in the early 19th century, this statue, which stands with one arm outstretched in welcome, is one of two cast in Paris by American sculptor T. R. Gould. The original statue, lost at sea and replaced by this one, was eventually salvaged and is now in Kapaau, on the Big Island, near the king's birthplace. Each year on the king's birthday (June 11), the more famous copy is draped in fresh lei that reach lengths of 18 feet and longer. A parade proceeds past the statue, and Hawaiian civic clubs, women in hats and impressive long holoku dresses, and men in sashes and cummerbunds honor the leader, whose name means "The One Set Apart." 

The 3,640-foot-tall butte is part of a mountain chain that was here long before the lava flows of the Columbia basin erupted millions of years ago. The park has great views of the Palouse hills and Idaho's snowcapped peaks to the east, as well as eight primitive campsites, a picnic area, and a 1-mile trail to the top of the butte.

Overlooking the Sampit River from a bluff is this sprawling historic home (circa 1769) that's notable for its collections of regional antiques and furnishings and its Chippendale and Duncan Phyfe furniture, Royal Doulton vases, and silver. Events at the Kaminski House include summer outdoor concerts on the lawn.

One of the most stately residences in southern Utah, this 1890s redbrick gingerbread Victorian home in the center of town is surrounded by herb and flower gardens and contains many of the original owners' furnishings. Guided tours are offered throughout the day, and historical demonstrations are presented from time to time. Visits provide an interesting look at pioneer life in the Southwest.

Windsurfers, kiteboarders, joggers, and picnicking families like this long, golden strip of sand bordered by a wide grassy area with lots of shade that is within walking distance of Kahului Airport. The winds pick up in the early afternoon, making for the best kiteboarding and windsurfing conditions—if you know what you're doing, that is. The best spot for watching kiteboarders is at the far left end of the beach. A picnic paired with surf-watching makes a great option for a farewell activity before getting on a departing flight. Amenities: lifeguard; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: walking; windsurfing.

Stone masons are rebuilding the walls of this largely intact 13-acre Hawaiian village dating back to the mid-1400s. Fishponds, taro patches, a temple, and a festival arena eventually will be restored, serving as a cultural learning center for residents and visitors. You can walk around the outside and check out the statues and signage; restoration is in phase three and the interior is set to open in 2025.

Hawaiian sandalwood, olive, and ebony trees characterize Hawaii's largest example of a rare native dryland forest. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers at the Nature Conservancy and a native Hawaiian land trust, the 590-acre remnant forest is protected from the axis deer and mouflon sheep that graze on the land beyond its fence. More than 45 native plant species can be seen here. A short, self-guided loop trail, with eight signs illustrated by local artist Wendell Kahoohalahala, reveals this ecosystem's beauty and the challenges it faces. The reserve is adjacent to Kane Puu, a sacred hill dedicated to the Hawaiian god of water and vegetation.

This ride is inspired by the intergalactic creatures that make an occasional appearance in Springfield. About a dozen flying saucers encircle a towering statue of Kang (or Kodos), the one-eyed, fang-toothed, octopus-tentacled alien. Once you've climbed into your saucer, the spinning ride takes flight and whirls you and your copilot around Kang (or Kodos). Kids who love the opportunity to take the controls raise and lower the craft in hopes of avoiding the jets of water shot from surrounding poles. It's a pleasing, fun, low-thrill ride.

The Kansas City Zoo includes a 5,000-acre African-plains exhibit.

The Kansas Speedway hosts NASCAR's elite Nextel Cup Series, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series, and the IndyCar Series. The Legends, a shopping and entertainment district, has grown up around the track.

The Victorian-style bandstand, built in the late 1890s, is Kapiolani Park's stage for community entertainment and concerts. Founded by King Kamehameha III in 1836, the Royal Hawaiian Band is the nation's only city-sponsored band and performs free concerts at the bandstand as well as at Iolani Palace and the center stage at Ala Moana Center. Visit the band's website for concert dates ( www.rhb-music.com), and check event-listing websites and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser—Oahu's local newspaper—for information on other coming bandstand attractions.

From far away, this spot looks like a sea of coconut trees. Closer up, you can see that the tall stately palms are planted in long rows leading down to the sea. This is a remnant of one of the last surviving royal groves planted for Prince Lot, who ruled Hawaii as King Kamehameha V from 1863 until his death in 1872. The grove is planted on private property, so stay outside of the perimeter fence.