Oahu/Aulani with me and a 2-year-old

[Dugette]

Hi, all. Looking for activity suggestions for me and my 2-year-old daughter.

Long story short, we are staying at Aulani for 9 nights in November and, due to a new job, my DH is now going to be gone at a work retreat for the middle 5 of those days/nights. This leaves me and my newly 2-year-old daughter alone, with a car, for over half the trip. We are planning to cram in as many of the must-do's as possible during the two weekends my DH is with us (see my PTR for more detail, if you'd like). However, I'm looking for ideas of other things I can do/see on my own with my toddler while he is gone (not necessarily the must-do type things, but other fun things).

We certainly plan to spend a lot of time enjoying all the activities and amenities that Aulani has to offer, but I'm thinking it would be nice to see more of the island too. I'm leaning towards activities that my DH would not necessarily be up for - long walks, hikes, etc. If it were just me, I'd be finding all the awesome hikes and scenic places and visiting those. However, I know that many of them are not suitable for a toddler, even when being worn in the Ergo carrier. (I am planning on doing Diamond Head on my own while DH watches DD).

So far, this is my short list of possible outings for me and DD:

*Have DD go on a pony/horseback ride at Gunstock Ranch.

*Visit Waimea Valley and walk through the botanical gardens and see the waterfall (not going in the water, though). I know this is $15 and not really a "hike", but it seems like a decent option for having DD in the stroller and still seeing some pretty scenery.

*Walk the path (with stroller) at Ala Moana Beach Park/Magic Island.

Any other suggestions on things that would allow us to experience the beauty of Hawaii with a 2-year-old in tow? Or any suggested touring plans/driving routes?

Thanks!

 

[igomezhnl]

Hi, all. Looking for activity suggestions for me and my 2-year-old daughter.

Long story short, we are staying at Aulani for 9 nights in November and, due to a new job, my DH is now going to be gone at a work retreat for the middle 5 of those days/nights. This leaves me and my newly 2-year-old daughter alone, with a car, for over half the trip. We are planning to cram in as many of the must-do's as possible during the two weekends my DH is with us (see my PTR for more detail, if you'd like). However, I'm looking for ideas of other things I can do/see on my own with my toddler while he is gone (not necessarily the must-do type things, but other fun things).

We certainly plan to spend a lot of time enjoying all the activities and amenities that Aulani has to offer, but I'm thinking it would be nice to see more of the island too. I'm leaning towards activities that my DH would not necessarily be up for - long walks, hikes, etc. If it were just me, I'd be finding all the awesome hikes and scenic places and visiting those. However, I know that many of them are not suitable for a toddler, even when being worn in the Ergo carrier. (I am planning on doing Diamond Head on my own while DH watches DD).

So far, this is my short list of possible outings for me and DD:

*Have DD go on a pony/horseback ride at Gunstock Ranch.

*Visit Waimea Valley and walk through the botanical gardens and see the waterfall (not going in the water, though). I know this is $15 and not really a "hike", but it seems like a decent option for having DD in the stroller and still seeing some pretty scenery.

*Walk the path (with stroller) at Ala Moana Beach Park/Magic Island.

Any other suggestions on things that would allow us to experience the beauty of Hawaii with a 2-year-old in tow? Or any suggested touring plans/driving routes?

Thanks!

Congratulations on your trip. You have great suggestions here are mine.

1. Lanikai Beach (Nice walk on the soft sand)
2. Makapuu Lighthouse (if you have a stroller, a nice moderate hike on paved road up mountain hill) More strenuous than Ala Moana.
3. Scenic Drive on Kalanianaole Hwy (aka seaside road Hanauma Bay to Makapuu Light house).

 

[Dugette]

Congratulations on your trip. You have great suggestions here are mine.

1. Lanikai Beach (Nice walk on the soft sand)
2. Makapuu Lighthouse (if you have a stroller, a nice moderate hike on paved road up mountain hill) More strenuous than Ala Moana.
3. Scenic Drive on Kalanianaole Hwy (aka seaside road Hanauma Bay to Makapuu Light house).

Thank you so much for the great suggestions! That lighthouse hike sounds like exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. And I love scenic drives (and she can nap during them, if need be).

Follow-up questions:

1.) What time of day would you recommend doing each of these?
2.) If we did all in the same day, coming from Aulani, what order would be best and should we take different routes there and back or go back the same way? (It will have to be on a weekday, so traffic would be a consideration too...unless I do it after dropping DH at the airport on Sunday, but not sure what time that will be yet - afternoon, probably).