Things To Do
Welina Terrace
This is the sushi and cocktail bar at the 1 Hotel, which has the most beautiful view of the island (especially at sunset)! We went here for dinner after we got engaged. The sushi is delicious. Be sure to make a reservation over the sunset hour as the reservations get booked up quickly!
Capt Andy's Napali Coast Dinner Cruise
The Napali coast is a must see while you're in Kauai! We did Capt. Andy's dinner cruise on our first trip, and the food, views and vibes were unmatched. The marina is on the south side of the island.
Rainbeau Jo's
The BEST coffee and the nicest people ever!! A MUST go! Get the Blue Crush Bagel and Sleepy Giant - trust. Beau and Jo, a husband and wife duo, are the owners and are very welcoming. Beau is usually at the counter taking orders and makes the store a lively place!
CJM Country Stables
Take a trail ride along the Kauai coast! A bucket-list item.
Waimea Canyon State Park
The Waimea Canyon is one of Kauai's landmarks. You can drive to several viewpoints or hike along one of the canyon's many trails. Be sure to go all the way to the top lookouts - Kalalau Lookout and Puu Hinahina lookouts are past the main Waimea Canyon lookout and are must sees!
Hanapepe
On your way to Waimea Canyon, we recommend stopping in Hanapepe town and stretching your legs. This is the town that Lilo & Stitch is based off of! You must stop at the Caba food truck and get some lemonade (the Local Ling Hing Mui lemonade is so good - Ling Hing Mui is a salty, sweet and savory dried plum that is very popular in Hawaii), but note that it is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. There's also the iconic swinging bridge, which is worth seeing. While in Hanapepe, we also recommend shopping at the Aloha Spice Company and the Kauai Roastery for some locally grown spices and coffee beans.
Poipu Beach
Turtles and seals like to lay on Poipu Beach around dusk, and the beach is a popular surfing spot for locals. Grab a hotdog from Puka Dog (the famous Kauai hotdog shop) and watch the turtles come to shore, or grab dinner from the Beach House Restaurant and watch the surfers catch some waves.
Poipu Shopping Village
There's a Lululemon in the shopping center that has exclusive Hawaiian leggings, jackets and shirts. We recommend grabbing happy hour at either Merriman's (which has the best truffle fries ever and great Ahi tuna tacos) or Scotty Browns (which has delicious Ahi poke and guava Mai Tais).
Hanalei Bread Company
A MUST do for breakfast! They have the most delicious breakfast sandwiches, toast and sourdough. Skip the coffee and grab an iced coffee from Wishing Well though.
Wishing Well Coffee & Tea
We recommend grabbing coffee from Wishing Well if you're on the north side of the island. If you order an iced drink, then they will serve it in a custom Mason Jar with their logo that you can take home as a souvenir (we use ours for homemade sauces and lunches - they have the lids on the pickup counter)!
Crazy Shirts
Crazy Shirts Hanalei has the only t-shirt of Hanalei Bay (which is where we got engaged and where we are getting married)! They also have clever Kauai chicken t-shirts (which will make sense once you visit the island).