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Kau Coffee Mill

Globally, Kau coffee may not have the same ring to it as Kona coffee does, but on Island many say the coffee produced in Kona’s southerly neighboring district is just as good. Kau Coffee Mill, perhaps the largest and most outward facing of the plantations in Kau, takes its beans from branch to brew onsite with regular scheduled tours of its volcanic-soil loving plants, drying mill and roastery. Should you miss the tour, the company offers a big glass window into its drying and roasting production facilities, visible anytime during business hours.

Inside the small but bright and cheerful gift shop is the best part: Tastings of their estate brews and locally-produced macadamia nuts. Among the most popular varieties here include their Peaberry and the unique coconut caramel crunch or macadamia nut-flavored roasts. While you’re tasting, be sure to gaze up at the coffee-themed murals that line the upper walls, or read about noteworthy locals on the Kau Coffee Farmers' Wall of Fame. There’s plenty of coffee to take home, including their 100% estate grown coffee in single-use cups for your coffee maker.

Practical Info

Kau Coffee Mill is located north of the town of Pahala off Wood Valley Road. From the Belt Road, turn inland at Kamani Street, following Pikake Street—which forks left into Wood Valley Road—for about three miles. The mill is open daily from 8:30am until 4:30pm, except on major holidays. Daily tours are free and run at 10, noon and 2pm.

96-2694 Wood Valley Rd, Pahala, Hawaii 96777, USA

Daily 8:30am-4:30pm

From $ 180

Kendall Square

Since the city’s inception, Kendall Square has served as a transit hub for travelers venturing between Boston and Cambridge. In 1793 this Massachusetts icon offered the first direct wagon route between these cities and today, it’s become a thriving industrial center. Tech firms and offshoots of nearby MIT have made Kendall Square their home, but travelers will also find plenty of accommodations, restaurants and shopping in the vicinity as well.

Visitors can wander the busy farmers’ market seeking out fresh produce and homemade goods, then hire a canoe or kayak and paddle through the Charles River before touring the Constellation Center. In warmer months live concerts take place in early evenings and in cooler months an outdoor ice rink offers a winter wonderland of fun.

Practical Info

Kendall Square is located at the intersection of Main Street, Broadway, Wadsworth Street and Third Street. The popular business district, which goes by the same name, is east of Portland Street, northwest of the Charles River and north of MIT. The Red Line subway and the Kendall/MIT Station are located in the square and it is accessible using the 68, 85 and CT2 buses.

Main Street, Broadway, Wadsworth Street and Third Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

From $ 150

Kealakekua Bay

The marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay ranks among Hawaii’s most scenic spots for snorkeling, swimming, and hiking. The beautiful bay, home to spinner dolphins and backed by green mountain slopes, was the site where Captain James Cook landed—and was later killed—on the Big Island in 1779, forever altering the history and culture of the archipelago.

The Basics

Kealakekua Bay is one of the most popular day trips from Kailua-Kona. Most visitors arrive by tour for snorkeling, kayaking, dolphin watching, or learning about the site’s historical significance over a Hawaiian-style meal. The protected waters are often ideal for swimming, often alongside dolphins, tropical fish, and a range of other marine life. Don’t overlook the Captain Cook Monument, a white obelisk commemorating Captain James Cook, who was killed in a skirmish with Native Hawaiians in February 1779.

Things to Know Before You Go

Kealakekua Bay is a must-visit for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
A small park near the beach offers a picnic pavilion, restrooms, and a water fountain.
Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat.
No lifeguards are on duty in the bay, so swim at your own risk.
Most snorkeling tours include all necessary snorkel gear.

How to Get There

Kealakekua Bay sits on the Big Island’s western Kona Coast, within the protected Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. If you don’t have a rental car to drive there yourself, the easiest way to visit is through an organized tour from Kailua-Kona.

When to Get There

Since much of the appeal of Kealakekua Bay lies in its turquoise waters, plan to visit on a warm, sunny day. For the best chance to spot spinner dolphins near the shore, opt for an evening cruise along the Kona Coast.

Kayaking to Kealakekua Bay

Due to the growing popularity of Kealakekua Bay (and the risk that popularity poses to the underwater ecosystem), kayakers wishing to land boats along the shoreline have to get a permit ahead of time. Most guided kayak tours and kayak rentals already include the necessary permits, but it’s a good idea to check.

Kaawaloa Road, Kealakekua Bay 96750, USA

Free

From $ 70

Keswick Vineyards

The Virginia land on which Keswick Vineyards stands was handpicked by the Schornberg family, who still owns and operates the estate today. Spread across 400 acres, a historic mansion serves as the center point for the estate. The scenic surrounding vines produce some of the area’s best grapes, which are then hand picked and hand sorted to ensure top quality. Their process emphasizes quality ingredients and a minimalist approach to winemaking. As such, the grapes undergo very little manipulation, using natural yeast and no filtration.

The vineyard’s location allows for nice views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tours give valuable insight into the winemaking process and the unique geography of the area. The tasting room has a relaxed feel, with the courtyard and porch open as weather permits and games and activities typically present. The winery is known for producing award-winning wines; their Chardonnay, Viognier and Heritage wine are particularly tasty.

Practical Info

Located just east of Charlottesville, Keswick is part of the Monticello Wine Trail. It’s about a 15 minute drive from the city. Tastings are available daily; the fee is $10 per person. Picnic facilities are available seasonally and are highly encouraged for use.

1575 Keswick Winery Drive, Keswick, USA

9am-5pm

Tasting fee is $10

From $ 250

Kekaha Kai State Park (Kona Coast State Park)

With much of its coastline covered in jagged black lava rock, Kona is not well known for its beaches. However, a few locales offer the unspoiled white sand oases that typify Hawaii, including the palm-lined stretches at Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park. The best beachy parts are located more than a mile down a bumpy road through the remnants of a jumbled lava flow. Signs calling stretches “unimproved” are an understatement. Hualalai Volcano, looming behind the park, oozed these paths to the sea between the late 1700s and 1801. To truly appreciate the ocean dip awaiting you (and to satisfy many rental car agreements), hike the 1.6 miles in instead. When you arrive seaside, the small facilities—including limited parking, toilets, showers and an on-the-beach picnic area will be straight in front of you. But, to get to the larger stretches of white sand, you’ll need to continue on, turning right at the signs before the toilet blocks to reach Mahai’ula Bay. Here, it’s not uncommon to spot sea turtles, and the bay’s offshore rolling waves make this a fun spot for bodyboarding, surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. For an even more secluded spot, follow the trail behind the old buildings at the north end of Mahaiula to the double-arched Makalawena Beach.

Kekaha Kai State Park’s 12-acre grounds also feature access to a 4.5-mile coastal jaunt to Kua Bay along the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, including the Puu Kuili cindercone with sweeping shoreline views.

Practical Info

Kekaha Kai State Park (Kona Coast State Park) is located off Highway 19 north of the Kona Airport between mile markers 90 and 91. Visitors with smaller vehicles should park where the pavement ends shortly after the turn off and hike in— be sure you have adequate water and sun protection. 4WD vehicles can attempt the road and park closer to the beach. The park is free and open to the public between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Note that the nearest equipment rentals (snorkel, surf gear) are shops in Kailua-Kona.

Hwy 19, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA 96740, USA

Open daily 8am-7pm

From $ 65

Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center has been hurtling humans and shuttles into space since 1968 and is still a primary site for NASA launches. Parts of the sprawling campus are open to the public with daily tours offering opportunities to interact with real astronauts, test your skills with a simulated space flight, and see artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.

The Basics

The campus is made up of several “mission zones,” all accessible with admission. See the Rocket Garden, filled with historic engine replicas and full-size Titan rockets; the Space Shuttle Atlantis; and the Early Space Exploration Hall, where you’ll find hands-on exhibits highlighting the pioneers of spaceflight and the global race to the moon. On-site bus tours depart every 15 minutes and narrate a two-hour route to several launch sites, including those used by the techy space explorers at SpaceX, and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you can navigate astronaut artifacts and walk beneath a 363-foot (110-meter) rocket from the Saturn V mission. Visit on a day trip from Orlando, or opt for an Ultimate Space Pass that includes a tour of NASA’s launch headquarters, lunch with an astronaut, two IMAX movies, the Shuttle Launch Experience, and free time to experience the center’s exhibits and galleries.

Things to Know Before You Go

There’s lots to see and do at Kennedy Space Center, so plan on spending a full day here.
The space center one of the most popular family attractions in Florida.
The bus tour is included in general admission but stops running 2.5 hours before closing time.
Choose a helicopter tour over the Kennedy Space Center for a bird’s-eye view of the sprawling facility.

How to Get to the Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center visitor complex is adjacent to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Titusville, 45 minutes from Orlando by car, on the eastern side of the Intracoastal Waterway. There is no public transit to the center, but several tours include transport to the Space Center from Orlando. There’s plenty of on-site parking, though only multi-day tickets include the cost of parking.

When to Get There

Because there’s so much to do, it’s best to arrive as close to the daily 9am opening time as possible. Closing times vary seasonally between 6pm and 8pm. The center is seldom crowded (except on launch days), but you can avoid large field trip groups by visiting on a weekend.

How to See a Rocket Launch From the Kennedy Space Center

To count down and feel the rumble of lift-off just a few miles away from a real launching rocket, you’ll have to time your visit just right, as only a handful take place each year. The visitor center offers the closest viewing stations for shuttles and rockets blasting off from the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, and has four designated spots for lawn chairs (some of the spaces require tickets, which typically go on sale two weeks prior to launch).

SR 405 between Range Road & East Avenue SW, Titusville, Florida, USA

Daily 9am–5pm

Varies

From $ 55

Kapalua

Situated on Maui’s northern tip past the sweltering shores of Lahaina, Kapalua is a luxurious enclave of beaches, golf, tennis and resorts. The signature beach—Kapalua Bay—has been voted America’s best, and the Plantation Golf Course regularly hosts the best in professional golf. Snorkel with sea turtles and colorful reef fish at hidden Namalu Bay, or hike the Village Walking Trails that climb their way up the ridge. Wherever you stand in Kapalua, the island of Moloka’i dramatically sits on the not-too-distant horizon, and whitecaps fleck the Pailolo Channel that separates the two islands. In winter, locals flock to Fleming Beach Park for the bodysurfing and waves, and secret, white sand Oneloa Bay is a sanctuary of footprints and silence. And, even though tony Kapalua is only 20 minutes from Lahaina, its exposure to the trade winds means it’s always cooler just a few minutes up the road.

Practical Info

Kapalua is located 10 miles north of downtown Lahaina. There is public parking at Kapalua Bay and DT Fleming Beach Park, and early mornings are always calmest before the afternoon trade winds pick up. The exposure to the wind means an increase in rain, although the showers usually only fall as short, passing bursts.

Kapalua, Hawaii, USA

From $ 131

Kenai River

Flowing 82 miles from the Kenai Lake and mountains all the way to the Cook Outlet of the Pacific Ocean, the scenic Kenai River is known as the most famous sport fishing destination in Alaska. With King or Chinook salmon, red salmon, silver salmon and pink salmon running seasonally, the salmon-rich waters are the main draw to the area. The world record for the largest salmon ever (97 pounds!) was caught here. King salmon return from the ocean to the streams where they were born, with upwards of 45,000 in the river in July alone. There are also rainbow and steelhead trout, Dolly Varden, and northern Pike, as well as other Alaskan wildlife such as moose, bald eagles, and bears.

The Kenai River itself is a glacial stream with clear, turquoise waters surrounded by tall forests and golden meadows. There is also a section of the river that offers whitewater rafting, flowing into Kenai Canyon and out to Skilak Lake.

Practical Info

The Kenai River is located in south central Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula. The drive from Anchorage is around 3 hours.

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, USA

From $ 175

Kaumahina State Wayside Park

This 7.8-acre park is a popular stop along the Road to Hana, with several hiking trails, covered picnic facilities and scenic views of the coast. There are dozens of native Hawaiian plants and birds to see as you walk through the forested area, so take a break from the drive and get some perspective from an overlook of the Ke’anae Peninsula and the nearby village.

There are several scenic spots to catch views of the bright blue sea and the winding coastline. Trails lead down to the ocean and loop back around, so there’s space to stretch your legs while enjoying the tropical environment here. Bring your walking shoes, your camera or binoculars and a picnic to enjoy some time at this park on your way up to Hana.

Practical Info

Kaumahina State Wayside Park is located on the north coast of Maui, 28 miles from the Kahului Airport at mile marker 12 along the Hana Highway. It is open from 6 am to 6 pm daily and has restroom facilities.

Maui, Hawaii, USA

6 am to 6 pm daily

From $ 125

Kapiolani Park

Even as early 1877, the Hawaiian Royalty recognized the need for preserving open space. With the city of Honolulu rapidly growing, King David Kalakaua—the last reigning King of Hawaii—allocated 130 of Waikiki’s acres towards a park for the people of Hawaii. Naming it after his beloved wife—Queen Kapiolani—the park today offers sprawling green fields for locals, visitors, and families.

In addition to the soccer fields, tennis courts, and jogging paths, the park also houses the Honolulu Zoo and public art shows on the weekends. For special events, the Waikiki Shell is a performance venue set in the middle of Kapiolani Park, where some of the world’s largest musical acts will throw concerts, benefits, and shows just minutes from Waikiki Beach. The Honolulu Marathon—held every December—usually finishes at Kapiolani Park, and even during other times of the year, this is a happening place for Honolulu residents to escape the city rush.

Practical Info

Kapiolani Park is on the eastern edge of Waikiki between Kalakaua Avenue, Monsarrat Avenue, and Paki Avenue. There is free parking and metered parking along the streets bordering the park, as well as next to the Honolulu Zoo. Hours for the zoo are from 9am-4:30 pm daily, and the zoo admission fee is $14/adult and $6/child.

3902 Paki Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

From $ 80

Kauai Coffee Company

There was once a time when the island of Kauai was awash in waving green sugar. When the last mill closed down, however, in October of 2009, the island was left searching for a new crop to step in and fill the void. Luckily for island plantation workers and caffeine lovers worldwide, coffee is starting to pick up on Kauai where the sugar cane industry left off.

Nowhere is this more evident than at Kauai Coffee Company in the town of Kalaheo, where over 4 million trees on 3,100 acres officially make this the largest coffee farm found anywhere in the United States. Take a guided tour through the coffee fields to learn the production process, or sample from over 20 different coffees at the large tasting room on site. Every bean that’s served and sold is grown right here in Hawaii, and when you’ve gotten enough of a buzz for the day, look out at the rows of waving green leaves that disappear over gentle hills to the tropical shoreline below.

Practical Info

The tasting room at Kauai Coffee Company is open from 9am-5:30pm in summer, and 9am-5pm, daily. Admission, tours, and tasting are free, and the plantation is located about 30 minutes from the Lihue, 20 minutes from Poipu, and an hour from Hanalei.

870 Halewili Rd, Kalaheo, Hawaii, USA

From $ 135

Kaumana Caves

Created by lava flow from Mauna Loa in 1881, the Kaumana Caves are located near Hilo. Legend says Princess Ruth sat in front of the lava flow praying to the goddess Pele to save the city and the flow stopped just in the nick of time.

Concrete stairs (that visitors say can be slippery) lead down through the skylight to the entrance. The caves’ exterior is full of thick and lush foliage, while the inside is loaded with lava rock.

You can explore the area near the mouth of the caves in a fairly quick visit, but if you are the explorer type, you’ll need to come prepared and have some time. The lava rocks can be slippery and sharp, and the caves get dark quickly.

You’ll need good sneakers or hiking shoes and a good flashlight. A headlamp is even better since it keeps your hands free. The rocks can be sharp; gloves will protect them from scrapes and cuts. Headroom can get tight at times, and some who have trekked through say a hardhat and knee pads are something to think about too. Expect the caves to be cool and damp, so dress accordingly.

Practical Info

To get to the Kaumana Caves from Hilo, make a left on Waianuenue Avenue and in a little over a mile, another left onto Kaumana Drive. It will take about 10 minutes. Entrance is free, and parking is located across the street. Picnic tables and restrooms are available.

Kaumana Caves Co Park, Hilo, Hawaii 96720, USA

From $ 225

Kenai Fjords National Park

Encompassing 1,047 square miles (2,711 square kilometers), Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park is named after its numerous glacial-carved fjords—beautiful ice valleys that sit below sea level. The fjords run down the mountains into the iconic Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States with 40 tidewater glaciers flowing into it. The stunning landscape is also a wildlife-watcher’s dream, thanks to its abundant marine animals, birds, and other native wildlife.

The Basics

The most popular way to visit the park is on a glacier cruise. This is the best way to see the largest variety of marine wildlife, as the park’s icy waters and dense woodlands are home to numerous species of native animals. Adventurous visitors can take an aerial tour of the park, kayak on the fjords, hike to the top of the 8.2-mile (13.2-kilometer) Harding Icefield Trail, explore the trails around Exit Glacier, and go fishing in the park’s backcountry.

Things to Know Before You Go

To visit the park on a cruise, choose a full-day or a half-day excursion.
Many cruises offer a buffet lunch option; sample Alaska salmon and other local delicacies for an upgraded price.
Be sure to bring a camera to snap memorable photos of Resurrection Bay’s rugged coastline and wildlife.
Even in summer, the weather can be fickle. Be prepared by bringing a light hooded jacket, or warmer layers in cooler months.
Most fjords cruises are wheelchair accessible, but it’s best to check in advance.

How to Get There

Kenai Fjords National Park is located just outside of Seward in southcentral Alaska, 126 miles (203 kilometers) south of Anchorage. By car, take Seward Highway (AK-1) south from Anchorage. It will become AK-9 around mile 35 (87 miles/140 kilometers from Anchorage), with AK-1 heading to Homer and Kenai. Continue on AK-9 to Seward. The Alaska Railroad connects Anchorage to Seward during the summer months (May through September).

When to Get There

The best time to visit Kenai Fjords National Park is between May and September, when the weather cooperates to provide views of the surrounding glaciers (including the impressive Bear Glacier) and mountains—and to be warm enough for visitors to want to be outdoors. Although the park is often inaccessible during the winter months, Seward is accessible year-round via the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway.

Wildlife in Kenai Fjords National Park

A cruise is the best way get your fill of wildlife viewing, as the park’s waters and forests are home to mountain goats, black bears, bald eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, puffins, porpoises, and humpback and orca whales. Along most cruise routes you’ll have the chance to see abundant wildlife like whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, eagles, mountain goats, and many types of seabirds. Cape Resurrection, at the end of Resurrection Bay, is home to both Steller sea lions and thousands of nesting seabirds. Most boats stop close to the sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, providing excellent photo opportunities.

Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, AK, USA

From $ 93

Kawaiahao Church

Often referred to as 'the Westminster Abbey of the Pacific,' this historic stone church was the first of its kind to be built on the island of Oahu. Prior to its construction in 1843, Christian missionaries held weekly sermons in small, pili grass huts, but the Hawaiian royalty rapidly embraced Christianity and a long lineage of Hawaiian royalty has worshipped here at the church. Not only is King Kamehameha II buried on the grounds, but this is where Kamehameha III uttered the phrase that would eventually become the state motto: "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono"—"the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness."

When it was completed, Kawaiahao Church was unlike any structure that had previously been built on Oahu. Over 14,000 coral blocks were carved from offshore reefs, and it's estimated that over 1,000 workers took nearly six years to completely finish the church. Today, the structure is an architectural highlight of Honolulu’s historic quarter, where visitors can also find 'Iolani Palace and the King Kamehameha statue, in addition to the current state capital.

Practical Info

Sunday mass is held at 9 a.m. and is partially conducted in Hawaiian. There are also prayer services on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. Visitors can also stop by to visit the grounds and take photos of the church from outside.

957 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA

Sanctuary open daily 8am-4:30pm

From $ 51

Kauai Cruise Port

Known as the Garden Isle – it’s the greenest of all the islands – Kauai lies at the northern end of the Hawaiian chain. Kauai’s scenery is so spectacular, it’s been featured in dozens of movies, from Jurassic Park to The Descendants to Tropic Thunder. Shore excursions include film location tours, as well as tours to Waimea Canyon, the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific.’

How to get to Kauai

Ships dock in Nawiliwili Harbor on the island’s southeast coast, near the town of Lihue. A rental car is the best way to get around if you aren’t taking an organized tour.

One day on Kauai

Spend your day on Kauai getting back to nature. Start with a drive from Lihue a couple of miles north to Wailua River State Park. Here you’ll find Wailua Falls, a pristine triple waterfall. Then head south, back through Lihue, to the south coast of the island.

Make your way to the National Tropical Botanical Garden, which is really made up of two gardens: Allerton and McBryde (the third garden, Limahuli, is located on the north shore). See an astounding array of tropical plant life as you explore the two expansive gardens, which can be reached by bus from the visitor’s center.

End your day at Poipu Beach, near the botanical garden. Stretch out and relax on this stretch of sand that’s often considered one of the top beaches in Hawaii.

Port Information

The currency in Hawaii is the US dollar. English is the official language, as is Hawaiian, which many locals also speak. The Aloha Center, a block from the cruise dock, offers a coffee shop and arts-and-crafts souvenir shopping.

Nawiliwili Harbor, Lihue, HI, USA

From $ 69

Karl Strauss Brewing Company

As the longest operating brewery in San Diego, Karl Strauss has quite the legacy in the burgeoning brewery scene of the city. It is often credited as the brewery that began the craft brew craze of San Diego County. Yet it’s not only locally recognized — the team continues to make some of the best beers in the country. Karl Strauss beers have won nearly 100 medals since 2009 alone, and has taken top honors as the best mid-size brewery at the Great American Beer Festival.

Their brewpub in downtown San Diego was the city’s first, opting for stronger handcrafted flavors against the light, mass-produced popular American beers. Today they’re making several different types of beers, including their popular San Diego-style IPA. The amber ales, pale ales, wheat ales, and stouts also receive high praise. As a founder of the San Diego brewing scene, it is recognized as an essential stop on any beer tour of the city.

Practical Info

The main tasting room is in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday from 2pm for tastings or sipping in their beer garden. There are five other brewery locations throughout the city of San Diego, and a few others spread out Southern California.

5985 Santa Fe St., San Diego, California 92109, USA

Weds-Sat from 2-8pm

From $ 85

Katmai National Park

Remotely located in Southwestern Alaska near Kodiak Island, Katmai National Park is one of the foremost places to see Alaskan brown bears, which come to feast on summer salmon runs. Covering more than 4 million acres, the park has one of the largest populations of brown bears in the world. There are 15 different volcanoes to explore, some of which are still active and releasing steam. In fact, the park was established to preserve the area round Mount Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes after volcanic activity devastated the land in the early 1900s.

Hiking, kayaking, and canoeing among the crystal-clear waters are coming activities here, and bear-watching is best at the park’s Brooks River Falls. The many wild rivers and lakes not only draw bears but also sport fisherman, both of which are after the area’s five varieties of Pacific salmon as well as pike, rainbow trout, and Arctic char. The park’s location provides access to some of North America’s most remote wilderness.

Practical Info

Katmai is open year-round, but facilities at its main hub Brooks Camp are only available during summer months. Entrance to the park is free, though camping and lodging fees are $5 and $10 respectively. For extended visits, special arrangements must be made, as Katmai not connected by any major roads. Most reach the area by floatplane. Day trips can be arranged from Kodiak, Homer and Anchorage.

Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA

Park open year-round, facilities open summer only

From $ 680

Kemah Boardwalk

The town of Kemah sits on the shore of Galveston Bay on the Gulf Coast of Texas, and its boardwalk is one of its main attractions.

Built in 1999, the Kemah Boardwalk is an entertainment and amusement park right on Galveston Bay. The boardwalk transformed what was once a small fishing community into a popular tourist destination. The town is considered part of the “greater Houston area,” as it's just 20 miles east of the big city, but it's a popular draw for visitors from elsewhere in Texas, too.

The Kemah Boardwalk features 15 different amusement park rides – including a 96-foot-tall roller coaster, a 140-foot free fall ride, a zip-line over the boardwalk, a double-decker carousel, and a 65-foot Ferris wheel. You can also take speedboat trips into the bay, and visit the Stingray Reef to touch and feed live stingrays.

Practical Info

Kemah is roughly 198 miles from Austin. The rides on the Kemah Boardwalk are open Monday-Thursday from 12-9pm, Friday from 12-11pm, Saturday from 10:30am-11pm and Sunday 10:30am-10pm. There's no entry fee to walk through the boardwalk. You can buy individual ride tickets for $3.50-$6 (depending on the ride), or all-day ride passes for $17.99 (for those under 48”) or $22.99 (for those over 48”).

215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, Texas, USA

Vary

Varies

From $ 59

Keauhou Bay

Before the golf courses, condos and luxurious resorts, sleepy little Keauhou Bay was the birthplace of a king. In 1814, when Queen Keopuolani gave birth here, it was first believed that her infant son had died a stillborn death. When a priest managed to revive the infant by placing him upon a stone, the child would live to be Kamehameha III—the longest ruling monarch of Hawaii.

Today the Kauikeaouli Stone is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the bay is also the launching point for snorkeling tours to Kealakekua Bay. At night, dozens of manta rays visit Keauhou to feed on schools of plankton, and twilight snorkeling tours and evening scuba dives have become some of the most popular activities on the Big Island. In addition to snorkeling and diving, standup paddle and kayak rentals are available at the oceanfront park.

Practical Info

Keauhou Bay is located seven miles and 15 minutes south of downtown Kona. There is parking available on Kamehameha III road, and Keauhou Beach Park has showers, restrooms and a small black sand beach. Swimming, however, is not advised due to the high level of boat traffic.

Keauhou, Hawaii, USA

From $ 115

Kerry Park

Perched on a slope atop Queen Anne Hill is Kerry Park and one of the best views in Seattle. Not only can you see the buildings of downtown, but also Bainbridge Island, the iconic Space Needle, and the boats crossing Elliott Bay. On a clear day, it is even possible to see the summit of Mount Rainier in the background.

The park is a peaceful open space to soak up the views, and is popular with photographers. It’s particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset, or just after dusk when the city lights have emerged. Many of the photographs you see of the Seattle skyline are taken at this park. There’s a steel sculpture titled “Changing Form” in the center of the park that’s also worth seeing.

Visit the park on a multi-hour tour of Seattle to hit all the highlights of the city, including the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.

Practical Info

You’ll find Kerry Park at the corner of 2nd Avenue W. and W. Highland Drive. Free street parking is typically available. Opening hours are from 6am to 10pm daily.

211 W Highland Dr, Seattle, Washington, USA

6am–10pm daily

From $ 42