1st time--Can't Miss???

It%26#39;s our 4th time to Hawaii but lst time to Kauai. We will be there in early July for only 3 or 4 nights. Staying at the Marriott, Lihue, 2 adults and 2 older teens.

What food/activities shouldn%26#39;t we miss.

We have already done a few luau%26#39;s and probably will have one at our resort on BI.

We like to snorkel, drive, see plants/flowers, ocean.

Not much for hiking.

1st time--Can't Miss???

Try searching the forum for ';must see'; and ';must do.'; There have been tons of great lists posted.

Definitely take a trip all the way up Waimea Canyon.

Do a helicopter tour if you can, or at least a boat trip up the Na Pali Coast.

Drive north all the way to the end of the road at Ke`e Beach.

Hike the Hanakapi`ai Trail (first part of the Kalalau.)

Try Lappert%26#39;s Ice Cream, shave ice from Jojo%26#39;s Anuenue in Waimea, Shrimp at the Shrimp Station in Waimea, banana pancakes with coconut syrup.

Snorkel at Lawai, Po`ipu, Tunnels, Anini and Ke`e.

Kayak the Wailua, Hanalei or Huleia Stream.

Gardens: McBryde, Allerton, Limahula, Na Aina Kai.

There%26#39;s SO much to do here you%26#39;re going to want to come back.

1st time--Can't Miss???

Thanks PZP, I am sure we will want to return for longer. I know 3 to 4 nights won%26#39;t do it justice. But, couldn%26#39;t give up returning to Kona Village (and I%26#39;m glad cause they are closing for renovations in September!) and our girls don%26#39;t remember Maui.

Just ordered and received the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, so I will do some planning.

I%26#39;m not in such great hiking shape! How difficult is the hike you recommended?

Is all the food you mentioned easy to get to from the Marriott?

In addition to what PZP said.... My teenager%26#39;s loved the surf lessons. Well 3 out 4 did. The Zodiac boats were pretty fun too. Ziplining also. The bridge in Hanapepe was dorky but the kids had fun. The loved the Puka Dogs in the Poipu Shopping village. Watching the sun set from the Salt Ponds. Seeing Spouting Horn.

Don%26#39;t judge the Hanakapi`ai hike by old, out-of-shape me. I%26#39;d say on a good, dry trail it%26#39;s only moderately strenuous. Somewhat difficult if it%26#39;s wet.

Thanks again,

Where did you do the surf lessons.

And what are the zodiac boats.

Looks like we will really have to pick and choose.

Are there dinner places that are good and reasonably priced easy to get to from the Marriott. We don%26#39;t like venturing far after a long day, trouble parking, etc. Anything walking distance??

My ';can%26#39;t miss'; choices-

1-Helicopter tour (gotta be number one)

2- Drive to the end of the road on the north shore. Lots to see along the way, and when you get there, you have Ke%26#39;e beach, and the trailhead for the Kalalau Trail. You could let the teens hike it while you relax on the beach, just make them promise not to try swimming at Hanakapia%26#39;i beach, if they go that far.

3-Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookout.

4- Snorkel- lots of choices of where to snorkel. In July, the north shore will be calmer for snorkeling. Try Tunnels and Ke%26#39;e.

The UKG will give you lots more to think about.

TX:

Your kids can take surfing lessons right in the bay by the Marriott. The pool at The Marriott is great.

Your teens would also like the ATV ride I am sure. Mine sure did.

www.hawaiiwebdesign.com/kauai_atvtours.htm

www.hawaiiwebdesign.com/kauai_surfing.htm

Take a drive to the North Shore and they could surf there as well. I bet they will love the town of Hanalei.

http://www.kauaidiscovery.com/virtual_kauai_tour/hanalei+princeville+kilauea/Pier_at_Hanalei_Bay/

Great boogie boarding, snorkeling and surfing.

Dukes Restaurant next to the Marriott is one my kids favorite, and mine too. If you go to Poipu try a Puka Dog in the Poipu Shopping Center.

Just a few ideas here.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas!

Have to run these choices by the family!

My girls love water and are strong swimmers but never lived near ocean--wonder how they%26#39;ll feel about surfing.

My husband could/would hike with the girls, I just have a bad knee and tend to be wimpy, lol!

They just ziplined in Mexico--Jury is still out on who would do it again!!!

What%26#39;s a puka dog??

Restaurants within walking distance of the Marriott:

Duke%26#39;s (as mentioned)

Duke%26#39;s Barefoot Bar (downstairs of Duke%26#39;s)

Kalapaki Joe%26#39;s and lots of others in Harbor Mall across the street. (The Thai place isn%26#39;t great.)

JJ%26#39;s Broiler - good for lunch outside, not so hot for dinner

Beach Hut - good burgers %26amp; fries; good, basic breakfasts

There%26#39;s an easy trail from the back edge of Ke`e Beach. It goes up the hill overlooking the beach to an ancient heiau and halau hula dedicated to Laka, patron goddess of hula. You can see the beginning of the Na Pali coast from there, and there are great views down Ke`e Beach and looking down on the reef.

A puka dog is served in a roll that looks like a cylinder with the top open. You put condiments down into the puka (hole).

There%26#39;s a gelato place in the same little shopping center.