3 Best Sights in Big Island, Hawaii

At 9,200 feet, this excellent amateur observation site is a great way to get a sense of the mountain and the observatory work without going all the way to the summit. It's open daily from 11:30 am to 7 pm, and although the center is not offering stargazing activities at night due to COVID-19, this could change in the future. It's also a good place to stop to acclimatize yourself to the altitude if you're heading for the summit. Peruse the gift shop and exhibits about ancient Hawaiian celestial navigation, the mountain's significance as a quarry for the best basalt in the Hawaiian Islands, and Maunakea as a revered spiritual destination. You'll also learn about modern astronomy and ongoing projects at the summit. Nights are clear 90% of the year, so the chances are good of seeing some amazing sights in the sky. Surprisingly, stargazing here is actually better than at the summit itself because of reduced oxygen there. The parking lot can get crowded.

Rangers and volunteers greet people and answer all questions at this visitor center, located just beyond the park entrance. There are lots of educational murals and displays, maps, and guidebooks. Also check out the daily itinerary of ranger-led activities and sign up for some. The gift shop operated by the Hawaii Pacific Park Association stocks excellent art, books, apparel, and more. A small theater plays documentaries about the park.

Although the twin, 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes (among the largest and most scientifically productive in the world) are at the summit of Maunakea, the headquarters and visitor center of the observatory are in downtown Waimea and make a great stop if you want to learn more about the telescopes without making the long journey up the mountain. Top global astronomy teams have used the scopes to make astounding discoveries, thanks in part to their location atop the mountain, far above the turbulence of the atmosphere. Docents at the visitor center offer personalized tours weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm, showing you models of the telescopes and the observatory, as well as one of the original instruments. You can also peruse the exhibits and interpretive infographics at your own pace. About six times each year, highly renowned speakers, including Nobel Prize laureates, give free astronomy talks to the public.