Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Plan on a full day to visit Kilauea, the Big Island’s active volcano and the centerpiece of the 359-square-mile Volcanoes National Park. It is the most visited attraction in all of Hawaii, drawing about two million people annually. The current eruption began in 1983, and you’ll get a firsthand look at the devastation of entire towns and even some historical landmarks. If you go by car, stop by the Kiluea Visitor Center for up-to-the-minute lava-flow information and learn more about the volcano and its history. There are sixty miles of paved roads in the park, and it will take you more than a day to see it all (not including travel time from your resort). There are also 150 miles of hiking trails, many of which will take you through old lava fields and around crater edges. Tip: The best way to see the volcano in the shortest amount of time is by helicopter.