Waimea, HI Road Trips

1 Parker Ranch Museum and Visitor Center, ☏ +1 808 885-7655. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Self guided tours, horseback, pony and wagon rides, ranch store. This 150,000 acre ranch, one of the largest in the U.S., preserves everything about the Hawaiian Cowboy – the "paniolo". This is the prime ranch country that spreads across the highlands. Learn the story of the Parker family, as their choices and character shaped history for Waimea and the Big Island, and left a Trust that works for good in the community. $7. Puuopelu Gardens (at Parker Ranch).

Waipo Valley hike. You can hike to the edge of one valleys that form the Waimea canyon. It takes about 4 hours to get there and back, But is a relatively safe and easy hike. There are two routes both of which start near the town of Waimea. One of the routes that starts very near the town center was documented by a hiker in 2011.

Despite its small size, Waimea has most of the amenities you would expect to find in a small town. Many of these are located in the Parker ranch Food court. You'll find the usual establishments such as a Starbucks, and McDonalds, as well as some smaller chains.

Big Island Brewhaus. Craft beer and Mexican cuisine.