Sandy's Kauai Picks #3

National Tropical Botanical Garden
Two of the NTBG's gardens, Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden, are located in Po'ipu, and sound pretty incredible. The more famous of the two is the Allerton Garden, about which Nat Geo says:

In Poipu, you’ll want to visit Allerton Garden (+1 808 742 2623. Tues.-Sat., reservations required; Adm. fee.), a former private estate where the landscape hasbeen turned into art. You stroll through outdoor “rooms” created by exotic tropical hedges and tree canopies, decorated with pools,fountains, and sculptures. The tour also explores part of the Lawai Garden, whose collection ranges from common bamboo to the rare plant Kanaloakahoolawensis; only four are left in the world—two in the wild and two in the garden’s nursery. Ask about the huge ficus tree where the dinosaur eggs were found in Jurassic Park.

Downside is that you can only visit Allerton Garden on a guided tour and it's a bit pricey. You can visit McBryde on either a self-guided or guided tour. But there's also the Ho'ike tour, which lets you see parts of McBryde and Allerton that you wouldn't normally see on the individual tours.

Allerton Tour Details:
Monday through Saturday.
Call for Sunday tour times.
Hours: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m.
Duration: Approx. 2-1/2 hours
Distance: Combination of transportation by vehicle and one-mile walk at an easy pace.
Attire: Comfortable walking shoes, long pants and/or mosquito repellent, hat for shade, bottled water.
Cost Per Person: Adults (13 yrs. and above) $40

Ho'ike Tour Details:
Days: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Hours: 8:30am
Duration: Approx. 3-1/2 hours
Distance: Combination of transportation by vehicle and one-mile walk at an easy pace.
Attire: Comfortable walking shoes, long pants and/or mosquito repellent, hat for shade, bottled water.
Cost Per Person: Adults (13 yrs. and above) $85