Hawaii Staycation: 7 Fun Things to Do While Staying Close to Home

Hawaii is a great vacation or staycation for the entire family any time of year. The five biggest tourist islands include Honolulu, the Big Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai.

Here are seven great places to visit in the Aloha state:

1. USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Oahu: This historic site commemorates the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack and features the memorial, a museum and galleries.

VOTE NOW: Is Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono Doing a Good Job?

2.Koko Crater Botanical Garden: This interpretive, self-guided hike takes you on a 2-mile loop trail through the Honolulu's beautiful botanical garden, which focuses on the cultivation of rare and endangered dryland plants. "Plant collections occupy 60 acres of the inner slopes and basin of this 200 acre crater," says the City and County of Honolulu.

3.Fire and Falls Helicopter Adventure: Starting from Hilo, you'll journey over miles of tropical rain forest on your way to Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. Look for lava flowing from the crater. Next you'll soar past the hidden waterfalls near the Wailuku River before flying back to Hilo. The view is absolutely breathtaking.

4. Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Adventure Tour: Experience an intriguing journey through space and time as you head to the Mauna Kea Observatory, nestled high in the mountains of the Big Island. Discover Hawaii from the top of the islands tallest peak, the Mauna Kea, also known as "White Mountain."

VOTE NOW: Should the Government Be Doing More to Promote Tourism in America?

5. Haleakala Crater, Maui: The summit of Haleakala is one of the best places in the world to observe the night sky. The park is open 24 hours a day so you can experience the wonder of a clear, higher elevation sky. Each day in the summit area, park staff provides talks to help visitors grasp the wild, high elevation world at the top of the mountain.

6. Ka'anapali Beach: Considered one of the best beaches in Maui, This famed tourist spot offers everything from snorkeling, swimming to shopping and sunbathing.

7. Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai: Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, this majestic canyon is approximately10 miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep. The main road, Waimea Canyon Drive, leads you to a lower lookout point and the main Waimea Canyon Overlook, offering stunning views of Kawai's dramatic interior. There are numerous trails to explore for all levels of hikers.

URGENT: Do You Approve of the Job Mazie Hirono Is Doing as a Hawaii Senator?

Related Stories:

• Obama Hanging Out With Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder in Hawai

• Hawaii History: 8 Events That Shaped the State