Hawaii is called The Big Island, and there is big fun to be had on a family vacation to Hawaii. Here are some not-to-be-missed Hawaiian destinations.

Waipio Valley
This state seems to have panoramic vistas around every corner, so it can be easy to miss the breath-taking views across Waipio Valley. Located along the Hamakua Coast on the northeastern coast, this is the largest of the 7 valleys on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains. This is nature at its finest, having carved, over time, this massive valley filled with amazing cliffs and spectacularly beautiful waterfalls. The road down to the valley is very steep and narrow, and driving is not encouraged (and certainly not without 4-wheel drive), but walking and hiking are great alternatives.

Akaka Falls State Park
Amid a setting of tropical foliage and flowers, just a mere 20-minute drive from Hilo, you will find the gorgeous Akaka Falls which plunges a sheer 442 feet down black volcanic rock. As a bonus you’ll also enjoy the neighboring Kahuna Falls which tumbles about 100 feet. The falls are best viewed in the morning around 8 to 10 a.m. when the sun will hit them exactly right. If you arrive too late or too early, you’ll find the falls to be in complete or partial shade which will make taking a great picture (which of course you must do( difficult. For the absolute best photographs of the falls, take your photos on a cloudy day when no sun is directly hitting anywhere on the falls.

Kaimu Black Sand Beach
There are many other black sand beaches in Hawaii, but Kaimu, a shimmering obsidian sand beach, is very picturesque and is probably the most impressive. It may also be the blackest, and if you walk along the beach you may want to wash your feet before getting back in your car to resume your trip. Bring your camera of course.

Crater Rim Drive
This is an 11-mile road that circles the edge of the Kilauea Caldera (large pit crater) in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Scenic vistas and hiking abound! If you are visiting this national park and can only do one thing, choose this scenic drive and you can’t go wrong. Depending on how many times you stop, this tour can take between one and three hours to complete. This is definitely a drive well worth making if you have the time in your itinerary.

Hiilawe Falls
Located along the Hamakua Coast, this is the most famous waterfall in Waipio Valley. It is also the tallest of all falls in the state, one of the tallest in the entire world, and plunges over 1000 feet. This waterfall shares the same cliff as the Hakalaoa Falls which is currently dry. You can see this amazing spot by helicopter, a very popular way of viewing the falls, or by hiking or riding down (4-wheel drive) to the floor of the valley. I would call this one of the do-not-miss spots of your family vacation to Hawaii!

Hilo
Located on the Hilo Bay, this charming historic city is the island’s largest city and boasts beautiful orchid gardens, quaint shops, open-air markets, parks, museums, festivals, fairs, farmer’s markets, and many more interesting places to visit. This is known as the wettest city in the US, and is always lush, green, and pretty.

Kamuela Museum
This family-owned museum and popular tourist attraction looks like someone’s home! It is a privately-owned museum and contains a delightful assortment of items collected over many years. This museum is full of Hawaiian artifacts and is well worth a visit.

Add these interesting and scenic stops to your family’s next vacation to Hawaii and don’t forget your camera for some spectacular photo memories!

If you are ready to take a great trip to Jamaica, your best bet is to search for discounted airline tickets. Many people cruise to Jamaica, but this can get prohibitively expensive if you are on a budget. Further, a flight to Jamaica from most places in the United States takes mere hours, leaving you free to explore the island at your leisure for the remainder of your vacation. There are a number of websites that you can explore to find your least expensive tickets at different seasons throughout the year.

To travel inexpensively you must plan early. You may need to do some searching, but you can find good budget travel planning web sites to assist you. If your children are very young, an overnight flight may be a good idea for them, so don’t overlook the cost saving benefits of a redeye flight if you live far enough away to make this a viable option.

Frequent flyer rates can help decrease or even negate the price of your flight, but don’t underestimate their power at the hotel as well. Did you know that some hotels or motels give you discounts for your miles? Prices at hotels change by the season, so check out the hotel prices during the off season for your best deal. While you may wish to travel during the summer when your kids are out of school, consider that this is also a prime vacation time for college students and many others, and prices may increase dramatically. If you look for off-season vacation specials, and travel either to or from the hotel during the week instead of the weekend, the rates will tend to drop a bit.

Online, you can use a travel website to find deals, or check out hotel guides to Jamaica online. This can offer an advantage over a direct call to the hotel’s front desk, because many of them post better prices online as they are trying to encourage customers to use their online booking services. Conversely, you may want to double-check with the hotels directly after you see a rate quoted on an unrelated discount travel site, to see if the rates that the actual hotel quotes you are better than those offered on the online travel websites.

If you are truly feeling adventurous, check out some of the many bed and breakfast inns Jamaica has to offer. You will find a wonderful way to vacation with your family in a comfortable and exciting atmosphere. B&Bs, as they are typically called, allow you to room in private, usually quite ‘homey’ quarters while having home-cooked meals with all of the other guest residents of the bed and breakfast. Breakfast, as the name implies, is included and sometimes other meals can be purchased as well. You can learn much more about the Jamaican culture by mingling with the Jamaican people, and there is no better way to do this than at a B&B in Jamaica.

Finding the best places to shop can be a challenge without the aid of a local guide. Ask around for the best stores, the best deals, and even a local grocer. If you are willing to prepare basic meals for your family, even just one meal a day, then you may be able to save a great deal of money on your Jamaica vacation as well. Of course, your lodging accommodations will determine whether you have the flexibility to prepare meals. If you are in an apartment or a condo you can take advantage of this cost-saving option rather than staying in a hotel.

Take time, also, to consider what area of the island attracts you, and where you want to spend your vacation. The places that are often crowded with tourists may have more amenities, but they are also likely to have higher prices. Visit some of the smaller local towns to get a true Jamaican flavor and a taste of paradise for your whole family without breaking the bank. You can have a wonderful vacation without visiting one of the resort towns; just think of all the things that there are to do in your own hometown and the surrounding areas outside of your nearest major metropolitan area!

There are plenty of activities for you and your family to enjoy in Jamaica without spending a penny. Enjoy the beach and swim in the sea for hours – or even days on end – if that is what your family loves to do to relax. You can listen to local musicians play (tips are appreciated) and take walks through the town to see all of the local points of interest. Check ahead of time to find out if any local museums are operating in the area – some of them may have free admission!

Planning is essential. If you plan ahead, you can get a great deal on a Jamaican vacation for your entire family that will offer you sunshine, sand, beautiful waters, culture, cool evening breezes and a unique flavor that is only Jamaica.

Author: Stephanie Larkin.

About the Author
Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to vacations and the travel industry such as Jamaica Travel | Holidays in Jamaica