Amazing Things To Do In Volcano, Hawaii

Courtesy of the National Park Service

The Big Island of Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches and size, but most people know the island for its active volcano, Kilauea. Erupting almost consistently since 1983, Kilauea and Volcanoes National Park has drawn millions of tourists and residents to view the cascading lava flows.

Here are my top things to do in Volcano if you come to visit the Big Island:

1. Tour Volcanoes National Park-There are plenty of things to do inside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park which is easily visited by car in just a few hours or may be explored in more depth over several days. Here is a great link to things you can do while visiting this amazing place on our island.
2. Go for a hike. Bring your sturdy shoes, jacket and jeans, water and sunscreen and see volcanic terrain mixed with primordial rain forests. There are scenic trails with a variety of difficulty levels located within the national park. Choose one of many and make a day of it.  (We really enjoyed the Kilauea Iki hike across a crater bed that is still steaming! You can feel the energy of the volcano from here).
3. Go camping: Inside the national park, you can either tent camp or “cabin camp” at Namakanipaio Campground,which is located near the entrance of the national park. You can see the glow of the Halemauau Crater, a nearby lava lake, from this campground, that also has a large stand of old growth eucalyptus trees. (Which I like to lay under with a blanket and watch move with the wind and listen to the rustling leaves. Ahhh)
4. Watch the glow of the Halemaumau crater: Inside the famous Volcano House hotel, you can enjoy a drink, an amazing view, and dinner, as the crater bubbles, steams and glows right in front of you. The rocking chairs in the viewing room are a fantastic place to relax and see the view of a lifetime.
5. Poke a stick in the lava: (I wrote that a few years ago and realize now it is disrespectful to the culture to do that. Bad juju.)
6. Visit Volcano Village: Volcano Village has some great restaurants, art galleries, a skate park and places to stay. People rave about the Kilauea Lodge restaurant and my friend, Gail,  has an exotic tree house bed and breakfast if you want a cool place to stay while you visit!

These are just a few memorable things to do on your trip to East Hawaii.

In celebration of our active volcano, my client, Hawaii Coffee Connection  is proud to feature Volcano Coffee in their line of fine 100% Kona coffee. Hawaii Coffee Connection is offering a special discount through April on their one pound bags of Volcano Coffee, and their Volcano Coffee Company 100% Kona Peaberry Coffee, so even if you can’t visit us soon, you can still get a flavor of the islands!