Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea (which means white mountain) is a dormant volcano. It's one of the five volcanoes that make up the island of Hawaiian. While you might not think that there's a lot to do near a dormant volcano, you might be surprised at all the area has to offer. From limited skiing opportunities, to just enjoying the grandeur and majesty of mother nature, you're going to get something out of your trip to Mauna Kea. If you're like most people, this is going to be one of your first stops when you get to Hawaii for the first time.

There are a lot of luxury hotels on the beach with Mauna Kea in the background, silently dominating the landscape. It's a really impressive sight that you have to witness firsthand to fully enjoy. As Hawaii's largest volcano (4,200 meters at the summit of Mauna Kea), the top is home to several types of the world's largest telescopes. If you're into science, this is going to be very interesting. If not, just seeing the volcano in the distance is going to be reason enough to travel to the Big Island of Hawaii.

One of the coolest things to do at Mauna Kea is to take a stargazing trip to the summit. Led by professional guides, there are a lot of different options for experiencing the beauty of Mauna Kea up close and personal. If you haven't seen a sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea, you've missed one of the most beautiful sights in the whole world. If you're on the Big Island, Mauna Kea should be on your list of places to check out.