Most people are traveling from either from Princeville, Kapaa and the Poipu areas. The best way to see the Canyon is to incorporate other activities as the lookout does not take that long to view. It is a long ride for a view.
Some of the activities we have incorporated are stopping at the Kauai Coffee Company store on Route 540 right off of route 50, also known as Kaumualii Hwy. At least w sampled some excellent “free” coffee.
Not too far away is the small the artistic town of Hanapepe. Walking across the “Swinging Bridge” is a popular tourist activity.
Hanapepe is known for its art and boutique shops.
We enjoyed going into “ Jacqueline” and seeing “The Aloha Shirt Lady” as she sewing her famous Hawaiian shirts. Jacqueline is actually quite nice. She is actually friends to Tom Selleck. She will only close if she does not have a generator during “Hurricanes and Tsunamis.”
Not too far away is Port Allen. Some people stop and view the old “Russian fort” by the roadside. We found “Glass Beach,” in Port Allen to be interesting.
We have our picture in front of the statue of Captain Cook in the town of Waimea. The statue is a replica of him from the town of Whitby, England. It was in the Waimea area where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii. A few years later he would die in Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island.
We like traveling Route 552 up the canyon as you are on the inside of the two lane road. Coming back we take 550 as the views are quite spectacular as you are coming down the ridge. My wife, who is afraid of heights, can tolerate this road. We just go a little slower.
Mark Twain once called Waimea Canyon, “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The views are magnificent. You may see several waterfalls and helicopters around. There is a bathroom by the parking lot. It can get cold by the viewing area, so we recommend a jacket.
I think one of the best views of all Hawaii is the Kalalau Lookout. Continue on the paved road for several miles and you will come to it. A short ways from the Kalalau Lookout is the Pu’u O Kila Lookout, and some people think those views are even better.
By viewing these lookouts will give you a sense why people love Kauai. Taking a helicopter, a boat ride even hiking the Napali coastline will give you other reasons why Kauai is so spectacular. But, for many, the lookouts at Waimea are what most people see.
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