Going to Hawaii on vacation--the big island. What are the best things to...

[catlady]

...do for non-golfers, non-beach folks? We enjoy walking, bicycling, reading, the arts, nature and animals.

[paki708]

go see the volcano, you can actually go skiing if you wanted to at Mt Kiluea, we have snow at the top, there is a lot of sightseeing to do

[callmebean05]

You could always go for a walk, ride bikes, and read.

[travelinbum05]

There are many places you can visit orchid gardens, see the black sands, visit Volcano National park...it is fantastic. Visit a coffee planttion...have the time of your life.

[2Dots]

Rent a car and drive around the island see the many beautiful waterfalls along the highway. Stop in Kona and visit the coffee plantation. Go to the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes (just wear well insulated shoes and don't drop your camera like I did lol). Rent bicycles in Kona. Take a day excursion over to one of the other islands. Take a helicopter tour of the island. Go on a dinner cruise aboard one of the many yachts. Go to a Luau and a show Talk to a travel agent about what's available. Usually they can get you the best deals for your money AND you are gauranteed reservations.Have fun it's a great trip! But be prepared to spend big bucks, even at McDonalds lol.

[wannaknow]

It's gorgeous! You'll love it. YOU MUST RENT A CAR!!!! There is lots to do. One of the things you MUST do is go to the Volcanoes National Park. It's amazing. Take a jacket, and maybe even a pair of pants to layer; it's much colder up there at high altitude, even though you were hot and wearing shorts earlier at sea level. You MUST take a helicopter tour of the volcano park. It's expensive, but worth every penny! You will never get those kinds of views otherwise, especially if the volcano is erupting!!!Make sure you get to see the Hilo side of the island. It's very green; lots of lush vegetation because it does rain more. You'll see lot of ferns, ginger. There are also beautiful nurseries and orchid farms. A beautiful Japanese garden in Hilo too. Hilo town is quite quaint but hip; several good restaurants and galleries. Up country you have the paniolo (cowboy) country, where the famous Parker Ranch is. Going up Maunka Kea and Mauna Loa also very beautiful. The coffee and Macadamia nuts are grown on the mt. slopes. L See if you can some "REAL' Hawaiian hula. The Big Island is famous for hosting the most prestigious Hula competition every year, "The Merrie Monarch". There are several good halaus there.The Kona side of the island is much hotter and drier. That is where more of the resorts that cater to golfers are. The resorts are built on a huge ancient lava flow, so it's not super green there, only where vegetation has been brought in and is watered (around the resort grounds). Visit Kona town and also the little town of Captain Cook. You can contact the Hawaii Visitors Bureau for more information too. Read and research as much as you can before you go to maximize your time thereHave a great time! I miss my Hawaii very much! Aloha!