Readers' Choice Awards - Best Family Attractions In Hawaii

More than a tropical haven for couples and surfers, Hawaii is also an excellent destination for families seeking opportunities for adventure, learning, and creating enduring memories together. A wide range of kid-friendly activities await among the stunning natural landscapes and vibrant culture. Even better, parents will discover options suited for multiple age groups and interests.

Islands curated a list of the 15 best family attractions in Hawaii. In addition to being highly-reviewed, these spots were chosen with variety in mind, allowing travelers to tailor their itineraries to the needs and passions of each family member. To pinpoint the best of the best, we turned to you in our latest round of Readers' Choice Awards. Based on your votes, we identified the nine standout picks, including the attraction that claimed the top spot. From toddlers to teens, you're bound to discover exciting options for your next family vacation in Hawaii.

There are many tourist traps to skip when you visit Hawaii, but one popular option that actually lives up to the hype are the Hawaii Glass Bottom Boats in O'ahu. For families wanting a glimpse of Hawaii's underwater world — without getting wet — these concealed, yet vibrant boat tours offer the perfect adventure. From private charters to sunset cruises to an hour-and-a-half-long fireworks cruise, this tour company has a robust list of offerings suitable for every kind of outing.

Traversing both Oahu's South Shore and Ko Olina, these boats treat passengers to panoramic ocean views and an unforgettable peek beneath the waves through crystal-clear viewing ports in the boat's floor. As the vessel glides over coral reefs and sunken ships, kids and adults alike can spot sea turtles, tropical fish, and maybe even a reef shark or two — all from the comfort of their seats.

Glide into Hawaiian nature with Kauai Backcountry Adventures, a mountain tubing and zipline company that is one of the best family attractions on the island nicknamed "The Garden Island." Grab your bathing suits, your helmets, and the whole family — from the youngest member to the oldest — for an adventure down an old sugar plantation irrigation system. These water-filled burrows were dug by hand in 1870 and today serve as a lazy river-style cruise through the gorgeous Kaua'i forests.

For something a bit faster than an inner tube, you can also get strapped into a zipline to fly high among the birds. Starting atop a mountain, you'll make your way safely down to the valley by passing through an authentic bamboo grove. You and your family can make long-lasting memories while also pushing the envelope and introducing some adrenaline into your beach vacation. All the while, you and your crew can also rest easy knowing that Kaua'i Backcountry Adventures prioritizes ecological health and seeks to preserve the natural environment around its irrigation system and mountains.

One of the best islands to live on in Hawaii is the Big Island, thanks to its beautiful beaches, slow-moving lifestyle, and the abundance of educational opportunities for children. Just because you're a visitor to the island, though, doesn't mean that you shouldn't take advantage of amazing sites like the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center. With a focus on our night skies, this center invites small travelers to engage with Hawaiian history.

As the only planetarium in the state with programs specifically curated with young children in mind, you can trust that your kids will be educated on Polynesian navigators and ancient astronomers in ways that they are able to digest. And the excitement doesn't stop when you land back on Earth. In the planetarium gardens, visitors are invited to walk the Canoe Plants pathway and discover Hawaii's native plant life, as well as those plants which were brought to the islands by early Polynesian travelers. From the inside to the out, this Astronomy Center is ideal for parents who believe education never stops, even when you're on vacation. 

Looking to take family photos against a classic Hawaiian landscape? Head to Waimea Canyon State Park in Kauaʻi. This expansive park area is rife with natural beauty and offers views that will take your family's breath away. Visitors will catch glimpses of Waimea Canyon, a 3,500-foot deep gorge that has been nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Thanks to the land's red soil, the water has been dyed a slight crimson color.

This spot is not only perfect for photoshoots; Waimea Canyon State Park is also ideal for long, scenic drives, family picnics, and leisurely hikes that allow you to take in every detail of the rich Kauaʻi woodlands. Kids will delight in identifying local vegetation along the Iliau Nature Loop (don't worry, identifying labels are included), while thrill-seekers will be intoxicated by the views off the 2,000-foot drop of the Kukui Trail, which carries you up only to bring you back down safely at the Wiliwili Camp site located on the canyon floor.

And if hiking isn't active enough for you, why not cap off your adventure with trout fishing? Young travelers will never forget their first catch in the beautiful, rushing waters of Hawaii. For only $5.00 per person (for non-Hawaiian residents), you can experience all this and more. And if you have children who are three or under, they can even enter the park for free, making this one of the most unmissable and affordable destinations in the Aloha State.

If your family is curious about Hawaiian history, volcanoes, or ancient Polynesian wayfinders, then Bishop Museum in O'ahu is a must-visit. Founded in 1889, this is the largest museum in the state of Hawaii. Sneak an educational visit to this interactive spot in between your beach days, boat rides, and fishing expeditions, and your curious little ones are sure to thank you.

Kids will love the interactive Science Adventure Center, where they can learn about volcanology and oceanography, while parents can appreciate the Bishop Museum's collection of royal artifacts and historic photographs. The museum's planetarium is another hit, with family-friendly shows that highlight traditional Polynesian navigation and stargazing. Exhibits are thoughtfully designed to be both educational and engaging for all ages, making this a great stop for a morning or afternoon out. Whether you're escaping a rainy day or seeking a richer understanding of the islands beyond the beaches, this underrated gem offers a meaningful, hands-on experience the whole family can enjoy together.

As beautiful as Hawaii is, beach fatigue is real. If you find that you and your little ones have had enough of the sand in your shoes and sunscreen in your eyes, then perhaps something away from the shore is in the cards. Head to Lanai Cat Sanctuary, an animal lover's dream, nestled in the heart of the sixth-largest of the Hawaiian islands.

Sprawled across 4 acres, Lanai Cat Sanctuary is the home of over 700 rescue cats, all of whom are available to be adopted. With cat towers, bird baths, and picnic tables and chairs that are perfect for both humans and furry creatures to perch on, this grassy area is a charming spot where visitors can take a break from the busy beach days. Cuddle up with adorable tabbies, shorthairs, and more, all the while knowing that you're supporting a local charity.

Lanai Cat Sanctuary is open 365 days a year and endeavors to stop the suffering of the islands' homeless cat population. Although each rescue cat is provided with food and medical care, it's cat-loving visitors who provide the love and pets that enrich these four-legged creatures' lives. With no food or drink available on site, it's up to you to pack your picnic. But with enough sandwiches, beverages, and sunshine, there's nothing more memorable than spending the day with your family at this open-air cat playground. Give back to the local community while also receiving some pet therapy. 

Whether you're looking to go horseback riding in the Hawaiian jungle, see the iconic forest filming location for "Jurassic Park," or embark on a sightseeing tour via zipline, Kualoa Ranch has got you covered. With its connection to Hollywood history and astonishing natural beauty, a family trip to this unique ranch is one of many amazing experiences you can only have in Oahu. 

It wasn't Hollywood producers who discovered Kualoa, though. This site used to be a royal residence for Ancient Hawaiian leaders and was recognized as a pu'uhouna, a royal academy where future rulers were taught how to engage in combat as well as social rules on how to behave as a royal. Fast forward to today, and the 4,000-acre private nature reserve is most famous for having served as the backdrop in over 50 Hollywood films, including "Jumanji," "Jurassic Park," and "50 First Dates." 

On top of being a working cattle ranch, this beautiful and historically significant location is heaven for an outdoorsy traveler. Kualoa Ranch employs knowledgeable guides to take vacationers around the premises, and the best part? You get to choose your mode of transportation; will it be a mountain bike, a Jungle Jeep, a horse, an ATV Raptor, a boat, or a zipline? The possibilities are many. If you want to keep it old school, walking tours are just as scenic. For ocean lovers who want to spend time near the water, kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach volleyball are also available.

One of the best island destinations for whale watching is Maui, the second-largest island in Hawaii. Travel between November and March, and you are in a prime position to witness a pod of North Pacific humpback whales mid-migration as they swim from the cool Arctic to the warmer waters of the Pacific archipelago.

Water spurting from blowholes, fins slapping on the water, and flukes gliding just above the surface — there's so much to see when you go whale watching, and that's why the tour company you choose matters. To ensure the best whale watching experience for you and your family, book a tour with PacWhale Eco-Adventures, one of the most-awarded ecological tours on the island of Maui. With over 30 years of whale research and conservation under their belt, the team at PacWhale lives and breathes marine life.

Book a slot in early November to experience the unique "Welcome Home the Whales" cruise, which is designed to follow the whales' migration route as they enter the Maui perimeter for the season. You won't just be gliding through any old beach in Maui, though. No, a tour with PacWhale will take you to one of the two certified best spots for whale watching on the island: Maʻalaea and Honuʻula Bay. And while humpbacks are the most common breed, if you're lucky, you just might be able to snap a photo of a melon-headed, short-finned pilot, pygmy, or even the endangered false killer whale, as well.

Family vacations are about more than getting that perfect Christmas card photo. When you bring your children to new places, you have the unprecedented opportunity to instill in them a curiosity for the surrounding world and an appreciation for different histories, cultures, and ways of life. There's no destination in Hawaii that better facilitates this kind of experience than the Children's Discovery Center in O'ahu.

With a focus on Hawaii's distinctive landscapes, the center uses interactive exhibitions to bring the islands' shores to life for children who are too young to don hiking boots or strap into ziplines themselves. Through exhibitions titled "Rainforest Adventures," "Hawaiian Rainbows," "Your Town," and more, children ages 5 and under can simulate picking pineapples, flying airplanes, running a general store, and boating down a rainforest river. Not only do these exhibitions engage all five of the senses, but they also bring Hawaiian history and way of life to the forefront of children's imaginations, creating core memories that will last a lifetime.

From Maui to Big Island, Hawaii is packed with family-friendly attractions that entertain and inspire. Every option explored above has garnered high praise, both overall and from travelers on vacation with their children.

To determine which of our original Hawaiian family attraction picks rises above the rest, we invited readers to cast their votes for their favorites. Based on the results of the poll, we pinpointed the nine choices that had received the most votes. The resulting list is organized from least to most votes received, with the Children's Discovery Center taking the No. 1 spot. Thank you to all of our readers who participated, and keep an eye out for more Readers' Choice polls in the future.

View the Islands Contest Rules for more information.