Big-Island

One of only four green sand beaches in the world, located at the southernmost point of the United States. The green color comes from olivine crystals in the volcanic cinder cone that surrounds the beach. Reaching it requires a 5.5-mile round trip hike across windy grassland or arranging a local shuttle ride. The beach sits in a cinder cone amphitheater with dramatic cliffs and crashing waves. The green sand is genuinely remarkable and kids love collecting (and then returning) the tiny green crystals. Swimming is rough and not recommended.

A 500-year-old lava tube you can walk through inside Volcanoes National Park. The paved trail descends through a tree fern forest and enters the illuminated tube which stretches about 600 feet long and is large enough to stand upright. Kids are thrilled by the idea of walking through a tunnel made by flowing lava. The tube is lit but a flashlight enhances the experience. The surrounding fern forest is prehistoric-looking and adds to the adventure. The whole loop takes about 20 minutes and is one of the most popular stops in the park.

A lookout point at the top of a dramatic 1000-foot cliff overlooking the Valley of the Kings, one of the most sacred and beautiful valleys in Hawaii. The view from the top is breathtaking with black sand beach, waterfalls, taro fields, and sheer green cliffs. The valley was once the political and religious center of ancient Hawaii. Driving down into the valley requires a 4WD vehicle on an extremely steep road, but the lookout itself is a simple walk from the parking lot. The scenery alone makes it one of the Big Island must-see stops.