4. Wander the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Kauai

Waimea Canyon has the kind of raw beauty that’s so picture-perfect, it can lure you into abandoning any other plans you had for the day. Situated on Kauai’s west side, the geological marvel—roughly 13 miles long, 1.5 miles wide, and 2,750 feet deep—boasts rugged cliffs in brilliant hues of red, green, brown, and orange. To see the wonder for yourself, take Waimea Canyon Drive (Highway 550) to Waimea Canyon and Puu Hinahina Lookouts. Or go deep into the gorge by hiking the challenging 2.5-mile Kukui Trail. Located between mile markers 8 and 9, the steep path drops 2,200-feet in elevation to the canyon floor and delivers you to Wiliwili Campground, ideally situated next to the Waimea River and punctuated by java plum, monkeypod, and native wiliwili trees.

Travel Tip: Check the weather before you go, since a cloudy day can drastically limit your views.