13 Lovely Things to Do in Līhuʻe, Kaua’i (+ Map & Tips!)

Looking to visit the beautiful island of Kaua’i? In this guide, you will find information that will help you plan your trip to Līhuʻe, one of the top destinations on the island.

This travel guide helps you find the best things to do in Līhuʻe, the perfect place to base yourself for a trip around the Garden Isle.

Līhuʻe is very underrated, and you can find many cool things to do in town. While it can come off a bit sleepy initially, there are delicious food options, museums, and even some of my favorite Kaua’i tours here. And most importantly, an array of hotels that will accommodate most budgets.

Near some of these popular Līhuʻe attractions, you will find cool coffee shops, craft beer bars, and more. In this guide, I am listing some of the coolest places I discovered in the city!

So, if you’re looking for what to do in Līhuʻe, I hope this guide helps you plan your Līhuʻe bucket list accordingly!

Best Things to Do in Līhuʻe

1. Go on a Nā Pali Coast helicopter tour.

If there is one thing you must do (and save money for) in Līhuʻe, it is to take a Nā Pali Coast helicopter tour. You can do this right from the Līhuʻe Airport and it is around 50 minutes long.

The journey will glide you over the Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Mount Waiʻaleʻale (the rainiest place on Earth), and a few other jaw-dropping sites.

You can either drive your rental car to Līhuʻe Airport or get an Uber/Lyft. It is one of the coolest things I have ever done on my travels anywhere on the planet! And, hands down, the most beautiful scenery I have ever witnessed. I sincerely mean this!

>> Click here to check Nā Pali Coast helicopter tour rates and availability

2. Visit Wailua Falls.

One of the best quick trips from Līhuʻe is the iconic Wailua Falls.

These falls are located on the South Fork of the Wailua River and they cascade 173 feet down into a beautiful pool of water below. Visiting is a must for every Līhuʻe bucket list!

You can’t really walk down to the pool below (well, there is a trail but it is not advised for most people), so you will need to check out the waterfall from above. Luckily, the parking lot is right next to the double waterfall.

You don’t need much time at the falls—maybe 20 minutes maximum.

3. Peruse the Kaua’i Museum.

The Kaua’i Museum was opened as a museum of art and history in 1960 and it is one of the top attractions in Lihue today!

If you make the journey inside, you can learn more about Captain Cook and his exploration (err… colonization) of the Hawaiian shores, as well as a bit about the Hawaiian monarchy.

There is also an area where you can learn more about the volcanic history of Hawaii.

Inside the museum, you can find tools that Native Hawaiians used in their daily lives, as well as murals on the walls that depict the history of Kaua’i. Another popular exhibit in the museum is the ruins from the 1824 shipwreck in Hanalei Bay.

The museum is open from Monday to Friday (9 am-4 pm) and Saturday (9 am-2 pm). It is closed on Sundays. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, and kids under 7 are free.

4. Enjoy a coffee at Aloha Roastery.

I am constantly on the hunt for delicious coffee, and nothing was more delicious than a flat white at the Aloha Roastery in Līhuʻe!

This Kaua’i coffee shop was bright and airy with a minimalistic design and I loved every second of it! Aside from coffee, you will also find pastries, merchandise, and plenty of tables to sit at.

It is also a great place to pick up a bag of beans if you’re traveling with an Aeropress and grocery store coffee just won’t cut it.

They are open Monday through Saturday from 6 am-3 pm and are closed on Sundays. Aloha Roastery has a second location in Wailua.

5. Head out kayaking on the Wailua River.

Another one of my favorite experiences in Kaua’i was kayaking on the Wailua River! This is a fantastic tour for everyone (of all ages!).

The meeting point is at Coconut Marketplace, a bit up the road in Kapaʻa. Once briefed and dressed for your tour, you will head to the river by bus and set out for an exciting half-day trip!

The Wailua River is easy to navigate and once you get to your destination, you will pull off onto a river bank and do a short hike (pretty easy) to the Secret Waterfall (Uluwehi Falls).

It is not a secret and others will most definitely be there. But it is beautiful and you can swim in it! The hike is easy but it does involve a few river crossings, so wear waterproof shoes.

>> Click here to check Wailua River kayaking rates and availability

6. See the Fern Grotto.

On the eastern side of Kaua’i is the famous Fern Grotto. This cave is a natural lava rock grotto that has a lot of vegetation growing in and around it.

Historically, it was significant to Hawaiian royalty, but around 50 years ago, riverboat tours started there. Today, you can find it on the south fork of the Wailua River, and you can only reach it by boat or kayak.

Taking a boat tour to the grotto takes about 1.5 hours, and it gives curious travelers a chance to check out the geological wonder!

7. Savor a ginger beer at Aloha Ginger Beer.

One of my favorite discoveries in Līhuʻe was the Aloha Ginger Beer Company.

The hand-crafted ginger beer is made with ginger grown directly on the island; it was so delicious that I went back multiple times when on Kaua’i!

When you go inside their shop, you will find several taps with different styles and flavors of ginger beer.

Some are even made with local spices and fruits that are in season! Another cool thing is that you can take a growler home with you to enjoy anytime you want.

Aloha Ginger Beer is open from Tuesday to Friday (9:30 am-2:30 pm) and Saturday (9:30 am-3 pm). They are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

8. Check out the Kaua’i Community Market.

The Kaua’i Community Market is the local market where you’ll find Kaua’i-grown produce, fruits, plate lunches, and more. You can even taste some Hawaiian delicacies, like poi!

The vendors are super friendly and willing to chat about their products, which is a good way to learn more about what grows on the island and how it impacts the daily life of the Kaua’i locals.

The market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 am-1 pm and you can find it right next door to Kaua’i Community College.

9. Learn about Hawaiian history at the Menehune Fishpond (ʻAlekoko).

The Menehune Fishpond (ʻAlekoko) is a small collective of ponds built by an Indigenous tribe called the Menehune around 1,000 years ago (or so legend states).

There were large stones that built walls 900 feet wide and around 5 feet high. This dammed the Hulē‘ia River, which was once used to catch fish that was used to feed the royal Hawaiians.

10. Discover the Nāwiliwili Harbor.

Nāwiliwili Harbor is one of the best places to stay in Līhuʻe (and to eat and walk along the beach).

Once there, you’ll find a small boat harbor, a cruise ship dock, and more. It is located at the mouth of the Hulē‘ia Stream and has been the area’s primary harbor since 1930.

The main beach here is Kalapaki Beach and along it are some of the top restaurants in Līhuʻe (and the most popular luaus).

11. Go to the Kilohana Plantation.

Founded in the 1930s, the Kilohana Plantation is a spacious area where you can step back in time and learn a little about the plantation’s history, including seeing the Kauai Plantation Railway.

The Kilohana Plantation has over 50 varieties of fruit trees in its orchard, as well as vegetable gardens, forests, and some domesticated animals like cattle, geese, and donkeys. I also saw some food trucks around the area, which made for the perfect lunch option.

When there, also be sure to stop by the Kōloa Rum Company, where you’ll find rum distilled on location and other small eats like rum cakes. You can even take home rum fudge sauce, jellies, and more!

If you’re 21 or older, you can also do a rum tasting on-site, where you’ll get to explore their line of Hawaii’s best rum. This was the first distillery on the island and it can trace its roots back to the commercial sugar operations that began in 1835.

The Kōloa Rum Company is open Monday to Saturday (10 am-5 pm) and has tasting hours from Monday through Saturday (10 am-4 pm). They are closed on Sundays.

Where to Eat in Līhuʻe (Best Restaurants)

I had so much delicious food in Līhuʻe!

Here are some of the best places I ate at (please keep in mind that I was based there throughout my entire Kaua’i trip so I was able to explore quite a few places!):

• The Plantation House by Gaylords (3-2087 Kaumualii Hwy)
• Hamura Saimin (2956 Kress St) – a very local place and quite tasty
• Duke’s Kauai (3610 Rice St) – famous place and right on the beach
• Rob’s Good Times Grill (4303 Rice St)
• Fish Express (3-3343 Kuhio Hwy #7) – had the most delicious poke here!
• Kauai Beer Company (4265 Rice St) – excellent craft beer

Things to Do in Līhuʻe (On a Map!)

These are some of my favorite things to do in Līhuʻe and I definitely think it is worth adding some of these Līhuʻe landmarks, restaurants, and places to visit to your itinerary!

Pin this Līhuʻe Things to Do Guide