O’ahu’s Queen Emma, who came to Kaua’i to mourn the death of her young son and husband, created this retreat as a means to help health with the power of nature. Visitors used to bring her exotic flowers and trees as offerings. Today, the lasting effects of her love affair with bougainvillea are evident, especially in the winter, when the...

This 1000-acre garden and preserve, which is part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, honors the biological and cultural history of ancient Hawaii. The garden blankets a tropical valley overlooking Hanalei Bay on the North Shore. Guests can either take a 2.5 hour guided tour (well worth the money), or a 1.5-hour self-guided tour (the garden offers an informational pamphlet to...

Hugging the Plantation Gardens Restaurant, this cactus and succulent garden is a rare treat on this tropical isle. Sandie Moir created this garden in the 1930s, naming it “skirt of Laka” (the Hawaiian goddess of hula) and it has since turned into one of the most striking feats in America. After a few false tries with tropical plants, due to...

Once the private play-land of Ed and Joyce Doty, this 240-acre garden is now open to the public by appointment. In the works since 1982, you’ll see a variety of modern non-native introductions. The garden offers six tours, varying in length (1.5-5 hours), price, and type (stroll or covered carriage ride, formal or wild gardens, children’s garden or waterfall-lagoon tours)....

Across the road from Spouting Horn is the 1920’s plantation home that acts as a shop and information point for all three of Kaua’i National Tropical Botanical Gardens. Established in 1964 as a research, conservation, and educational nonprofit, the NTBG works to preserve tropical rare and endangered species. The visitors’ center acts as the check-in location for two of the...