I absolutely love Kauai, and my family and I visit there quite often! My husband teases me because I book flights there almost every time there’s a sale on Southwest Airlines. I always say, “We can always cancel if we change our minds,” knowing full well that I won’t. 😂
Our son shares the same love for Kauai, and for a while, he believed that we were flying there every time we went to the airport.
I thought I’d share some information about the island to help others plan their trip, including recommendations on where to stay, eat, what to do, and tips to make the most of their experience. Since we usually travel with our son, most of my suggestions are kid-friendly.
If you’ve never been to Kauai before, some of the more popular locations to stay on the island are Princeville and Hanalei on the north side, Kapa’a and Lihue on the east side, Poipu and Koloa on the south side, and Waimea on the west side.
Princeville
I’m in awe of the scenery every time I go to Princeville. Everything is lush green, and waterfalls can be seen from almost anywhere. This is my favorite area to stay on Kauai!
Places to walk and exercise
I don’t know about you, but I like to start my days off with a run when I’m on vacation, mainly to counteract the calories from eating and drinking, but I’ll keep telling myself it’s because I like to be healthy!
Regardless of my reasons for exercising, in the heart of Princeville, there’s a large golf course with wide paths that are perfect for walking or running. Most of the resorts and hotels in the area surround the golf course, so it’s easy to access.
The path also leads to the Princeville Center, a playground, and outside exercise equipment. I’ve never tried the exercise equipment, but kids get a kick out of it!
Besides walking around the golf course, you can easily walk to Queen’s Bath, explore neighborhoods and other resorts, or go to 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay to check out the stunning views of Hanalei Bay and grab a drink or bite to eat.
If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, try walking down to the beach located at the base of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. There are stairs that you can use to access the beach. I did this a few times with my son in a baby carrier when he was eighteen months old, and it wore me out!
Princeville Shopping Center
If you’re looking for shopping options in Princeville, you’ll have plenty to choose from at the Princeville Shopping Center. You can even find a gas station, post office, and UPS there. I find the UPS particularly useful when I need to ship items back home after buying too much stuff.
When it comes to grocery shopping in Princeville at Foodland, it can be expensive, and the store is often crowded. To save money, I prefer to stock up on groceries at Costco and Safeway in Lihue before heading north for my stay. We still end up shopping at Foodland when we need addtional items – they have a great selection of food, drinks, toiletries, sunscreen, medicine, and more.
For those of you with a sweet tooth, there’s also an ice cream parlor and shave ice. Both are so good and yet another reason to go for a run around the golf course!
Princeville Playground
Our son enjoys spending time at the playground, and I love it, too, because it helps him burn off some of his endless energy. Though the effect is not long-lasting, I’ll take any opportunity to get a little bit of rest.
The playground is located right behind the Princeville Center, making it easy for me to stroll over whenever my son wants to play.
Anaina Hou Community Park
Anaina Hou Community Park is one of the coolest parks, and it’s just a short drive to Kilauea.
We discovered it back when our son was a toddler, and it has a large playground, miniature golf, and food. The playground is unique and has a separate area for toddlers, which I appreciated even though my adventurous toddler still ended up in the big kid area.
Beaches nearby
Tunnels Beach, Hanalei Bay, Secret Beach, and Anini Beach.
Besides the Beach
Hanalei town, Kilauea shops and lighthouse, Queen’s Bath, and Napali Coast.
Restaurants
Tahiti Nui, Avalon Gastropub, Hideaway Pizza Pub, Sandwich Isle, and Tiki Iniki – mostly for late-night drinks, and by late I mean 9 pm, but they are open until 11 pm. 🤣
Resorts
There’s no shortage of resorts to try out in this area. We have stayed at Bali Hai Villas, and my parents have stayed at Ka Eo Kai.
Things to consider
A minor drawback of choosing to stay in Princeville is that it’s located 45 minutes away from the airport. Although it may not be a dealbreaker, it’s important to keep in mind when planning your trip, especially if you have kids or plan to visit places like Waimea, which is quite a long drive.
One solution to this is to consider splitting your stay between two locations on the island, like Princeville and Kapa’a. This way, you can enjoy Princeville’s scenic beauty and easily access the other side of the island from Kapa’a. Additionally, Kapa’a is close to the airport, making it convenient for when it’s time to head home.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the reason why everything is so lush and green in Princeville is that it rains a lot. While this hasn’t been a problem for us, it’s always a good idea to pack an umbrella for those rainy days.
Kapa’a
Resorts with games, hammocks, trails for adventures, and a secret ocean pool are why Kapa’a is at the top of my son’s list of super cool places to stay in Kauai.
Royal Coconut Coast
Are you cuckoo for coconuts? If so, you’ll love the Royal Coconut Coast with its abundant palm trees and beautiful ocean views.
The coast is lined with a variety of resorts, making it easy to find the perfect one for your vacation. We enjoy staying there because of the numerous activities to keep our son entertained, making parenting a breeze. It’s also easier to explore all sides of the island from this location, and it’s only a 15-minute drive from the airport.
There are so many things to do just outside of the resort. Some resorts offer outdoor games, hammocks, and paths for family adventures or exercise
Another advantage is the paths are away from busy streets, so I don’t have to remind my son to stay out of the street repeatedly.
It’s also a quick walk to Longs Drugs, restaurants, and the Coconut Marketplace from the resorts in this area. Safeway is only a few minutes’ drive away, while Costco is about 20 minutes by car.
Lae Nani Beach Pool
Shhh…this is a secret! Not really, but we were so happy to stumble across this ocean pool at the edge of the Lae Nani Resort.
There are large boulders that protect the pool from the rough surf, and it provides hours of entertainment 🙌.
The water is actually much warmer than the resort pools, and there’s more for kids to explore, like sand crabs, sea shells, and other ocean life.
On our way back to the resort, we like to stop at Lava Lava Beach Club for some oceanfront food and drinks.
Coconut Marketplace
Looking for a delicious gourmet coffee or latte in the morning? You can take a quick walk to Island Country Market in the Coconut Marketplace. The market offers a variety of retail items, and my son was thrilled to find Pikachu shades there!
My family and I visit the Coconut Marketplace almost every day, enjoying the large grassy areas and the fun of playing on the stage.
It’s also convenient for dining, grabbing drinks, and shopping.
If you want to try something new, such as hula dancing, lei-making, or learning how to play the ukulele, check out the classes on the event calendar while you’re there! It’s an entertaining and affordable way to try something new.
The Coconut Marketplace also offers free concerts, hula shows, and a farmers’ market.
Lydgate Beach Park
Back to wearing out little ones, another way to burn some energy is to head over to Lydgate Beach Park, just a 5-minute drive from the resorts.
There’s a large playground and a huge protected pool in the ocean for kids to swim safely. Older kids will also love boogie boarding just outside the pools.
Fun things to do
In the Water – Lydgate Beach, Lae Nani ocean pool, Wailua River.
Out of the water – Kilohana Plantation, Old Town Kapa’a, Smith’s Family Fern Grotto Tour, Lydgate Beach Park Playground, Wailua Falls.
Restaurants
Kauai Beer Company, Mariachi’s, Lilikoi Bar & Grill, Scorpacciata Restaurant & Bar, Dukes Kauai, Lava Lava Beach Club, Bobby V’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, and Napali Brewing Co.
Resorts
Our favorite resort to stay at on the Royal Coconut Coast is the Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy. If there are no rooms available, don’t worry, there are several resorts next to it.
Things to consider
The ocean is rough in this area, so there aren’t many swimmable beaches, but it’s a piece of cake to access beaches on all sides of the island.
Lihue
Let’s meet halfway. Lihue is located near the airport and provides easy access to all sides of Kauai. It’s a nice area with fantastic views, shops and restaurants.
We stayed at the Banyan Harbor Resort, which I enjoyed, despite having to cross a busy road to get to the beach, which isn’t ideal with little kids.
A nice advantage of staying in Lihue is that driving to Costco and Safeway only takes a few minutes.
Kalapaki Beach
After surviving the walk across the road (it’s really not that bad, lol), you can walk to Kalapaki Beach, which is great for boogie boarding. If you need gear, there’s a rental booth at the edge of the beach, and the prices are reasonable.
Behind the beach are restaurants, shops, and the very large Royal Sonesta Hotel, which is fun to explore.
On one of my morning runs, I went to the end of the beach and found an elevator to the Kauai Lagoons. At the top, there were lots of paths and viewpoints. This was my go-to spot for running, and I never ran out of pathways along a golf course and other hotels.
Places to explore
Kalapaki Beach, Lydgate Beach Park Pools, Kilohana Plantation, Smith’s Family Fern Grotto Tour, and Wailua Falls.
Ready to eat?
Kauai Beer Company, Mariachi’s, Lilikoi Bar & Grill, Scorpacciata Restaurant & Bar, and Dukes Kauai.
Resorts
The Banyan Harbor Resort worked out well for us, and I would stay there again.
South and West Shores
Oddly enough, we’ve never stayed on the south or west side. I know a lot of people prefer these sides of the island because of the drier climate, but it’s very similar to where we live in San Diego. Now don’t get me wrong, San Diego is beautiful, and so are these locations, but we prefer to experience something different when traveling.
So, I can’t help you too much here, but I can tell you about some things to do. Staying on the south side will make visiting Waimea Canyon a breeze, but you’ll have a long drive in store if you want to see the island’s north side.
Aside from Waimea Canyon, there are other places to check out, like the Grand Hyatt Resort and Spa in Poipu, Old Town Koloa, Old Town Poipu, Spouting Horn, Hanapepe, and don’t forget to grab some delicious brews and food at Kauai Island Brewing Company.
Decision time
Are there specific destinations on the island you want to be close to? Do you want easy access to all sides? Or is weather a factor?
No matter where you stay, this island is AMAZING, and you’ll love it! You really can’t go wrong with any location.
Still can’t decide, “test the waters” and try staying in multiple places in Kauai. Splitting up your trip can be a great way to experience the island. If you do this, I recommend staying in Kapaa or Lihue last so you have a quick trip to the airport when it’s time to snap back to reality. 😥
If you need help planning out your beach visits and activities based on location, download my Summary of Kauai Recommendations by Location.
Related posts to help you plan a trip to Kauai
- How to Visit the Best Beaches in Kauai
- What are the Best Non-Hiking Things to Do in Kauai?
- What are the Best Hikes in Kauai for Recreational Hikers
- How to Find Family-Friendly Resorts in Kauai
- Best Stores for Grocery Shopping in Kauai
- Kauai Recommendations Quick Guide
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me or email holly@howtoholly.com.
For updates on new content, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.