Grove Farm Sugar Museum

Set within the historic Grove Farm Plantation — a 100-acre property that was once home to one of Hawaii’s most prominent sugar families — this Lihue museum brings the island’s plantation era vividly to life. Exhibits housed in the original plantation buildings trace the full arc of sugar’s influence on Kauai’s economy, culture, and daily life, while a fully restored steam locomotive carries visitors through the former cane fields for a tangible sense of what that world once looked like.

The restored plantation house is the highlight: original furnishings, artwork, and artifacts intact, offering a rare window into how the planter class lived at the industry’s peak. Throughout the year the museum hosts talks, workshops, and special events including the annual Plantation Days celebration with live music, cultural performances, and traditional Hawaiian food.

Open daily 10am–2pm. Admission is reasonably priced.

Location: Lihue (13.5 miles from Poipu)

Kamalani Playground

Think back to your childhood jungle gym — now make it much, much bigger and far more interesting. Kamalani Playground at Lydgate Park is one of those places that earns genuine wonder from kids and adults alike, and the story behind it makes it even better.

Built in 1994, the playground was designed by Bob Leathers after consulting with children across the island about what they actually wanted — and then constructed almost entirely by 7,000 Kauai volunteers who showed up and built it together. That community spirit is written into every beam. The structure is largely wood rather than the plastic and metal of modern playgrounds, woven through with ceramic art and Hawaiian woodcarvings that give it the feel of something handmade and alive. There are swings, slides, bridges, mazes, and hidden passageways that reward exploration, with sawdust-padded grounds underfoot and shaded seating for the grown-ups who need a breather.

The setting adds to it: a large soccer field, a beachside pavilion, and Morgon’s Ponds all within walking distance. It’s also conveniently close to Lihue Airport, making it an ideal stop for burning off energy before a flight or killing time before an early check-in.

Location: Wailua (18.9 miles from Poipu)

Opaeka’a Falls

This 151-foot waterfall is one of the island`s most accessible major waterfalls since it can be viewed from the road. At mile marker 6, Route 580 heads inland for three miles (5 km). Route 580 is called Kuamoʻo Road at this point, and it is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the Opaekaa Falls parking lot and overlook (on the right-hand side). Route 580 goes through a notch in the ridge that the Wailua River has eroded.

The waterfall is located on the Opaekaa Stream in Wailua River State Park. Opaekaa means “rolling shrimp,” opae means shrimp, and kaa means rolling, which were once abundant in the stream. Walk uphill from the Opaekaa lookout and across the road for another great view of the Wailua River valley and the interior plains beyond. From this vantage point, you can get a good look at where Raiders of the Lost Ark was filmed, along with Jurassic Park and Outbreak. If you look to the right, you can also get a good look at Kamokila Hawaiian Village.

The falls flow year-round. Most of the time, it falls in a double cascade but the two sides may become one after a heavy rain. The falls are at their best in full sunlight (late morning usually).

Note: You may hear about a “hidden” trail to the falls that begins beyond the overlook, right around the two-mile marker past the guardrail. There are no state-maintained trails to either the top or the bottom of the waterfall from the Kuamoo Road overlook.

Location: Kapaa (20.8 miles from Poipu)