Fun Things to Do While on Vacation in Hawaii

When people think of vacationing in Hawaii, pictures of beautiful sunsets, luau's and sensuous Polynesian women come to mind, but there is much more to Hawaii than these stereotypical pictures we have been pounded with over the years. There are many other things to do than lying on the beach baking your sunscreen into your skin and still be able to enjoy that tropical Hawaiian sun.

A couple of things that vacationers don't usually associate with the Big Island of Hawaii, that can be a lot of fun and get you outdoors to soak up some of that island style sun, are horseback riding and going on the zipline. Believe it or not, with the Big Islands diverse terrain, stunning views and wealth of working cattle ranches, horseback riding is one of the premiere attractions on the island.

The open range to explore looks as if it goes on forever up in the northern part of the Big Island and there seems to be no shortage of horses to hire in this area either. Beautiful rolling hills and pastures galore make up some of the areas sights, let alone mentioning Mauna Kea and surrounding views. There are many different types of ranches that offer a variety of rides and experiences so make sure to check a few out before deciding on one.

Two ranches on the island caught my eye, one being Parker Ranch in Waimea and the other, Waipi'o Ridge Stables that gives tours of the Waipi'o Valley. Parker Ranch is one of the oldest and largest cattle ranches in the United States, being founded in 1847. The 150,000 acre working ranch has many historic sites that you can expect to see along the ride. This ranch has supplied the islands with a good portion of their beef over the years. If you would like to get back to nature and see a more wild side of the country then maybe the Waipi'o Ridge Stables ride would be more to your liking. Riding horseback through the Waipi'o Valley, that is known for its uncommon beauty and rugged terrain, is the best way to appreciate this part of the island. One tour leads along the rim of the valley and then follows a stream into the rainforest to a hidden waterfall that can only be viewed by horseback.

Another activity that has sprung up over the years on the Big Island is riding the zipline. There are many companies that have set themselves up with ziplines, but the one that stood out most to me goes over Umauma Falls. They are the longest zipline on the island and have a 8 line course that covers nearly 2 miles of breathtaking views along the Umauma stream. At one point during the ride you are able to see the famous triple tiered falls. Also this is the only dual track (side by side) zipline on the Big Island, this allows one of their certified staff to safely guide you through the course. The tours are said to last for approximately two and a half hours and include light snacks, water and a short off -road ride in a Pinzgauer. If you would like to check this excursion out online it can be found at www.goziphawaii.com or if you are in the area it is located off Hwy 19 near mile marker 17, in Hakalau.

So, whether you feel like viewing the gorgeous scenery by taking a nice relaxing horseback ride or a stimulating zipline ride over tropical forests, it is good to realize that Hawaii offers a lot more than just luau's and baking on the beach.