If you fell in love with Hawaii while watching the first series of The White Lotus, now’s the perfect time to channel Tanya McQuoid and head off to this clutch of captivating tropical islands. Scattered in the Pacific Ocean about 3,200 kilometres from mainland U.S., Hawaii became the country’s 50th state in 1959. Today, you’ll find a blend of Polynesian charm and American culture in a place where surfing is practically a religion and nature takes centre stage. Yes, there are beautiful beaches, but there’s so much more to this picture-perfect destination—you can choose from a wealth of unforgettable experiences, from wildlife spotting to designer shopping. Luckily, Visit the USA is here to help guide your trip with a plethora of suggestions when it comes to where to go and what to do, from the best independent shops and restaurants to adventures off the beaten track.

Wildlife spotting

Hawaii is a birdwatcher’s paradise. It’s home to the famous honeycreeper and a plethora of endangered water birds, including the Hawaiian goose, the black-necked stilt and the Hawaiian duck. Get up close and personal with Hawaii Bird Tours, whose team of all-female guides provide an educational and fun experience. Unsurprisingly, given that Hawaii is an island nation, dolphin and whale spotting are also popular, particularly in winter, when humpbacks travel here from Alaska to breed in the warmer waters.

Outdoor adventures

For avid hikers, there are dozens of scenic trails that criss-cross Hawaii’s eight main islands. Don your best Lululemon outfit and head to Halona Cove (where Burt Lancaster kissed Deborah Kerr amid the crashing waves in that iconic scene in From Here to Eternity), home to the famous Halona Blowhole and beautiful lava-rock formations, which make it the perfect backdrop for a dramatic Instagram snap. (Just be careful on your way back down as it’s very steep.) On Kauai is the Kalalau Trail, which has been named one of the most beautiful—if somewhat hair-raising—treks in the U.S. It runs for almost 18 kilometres along the striking Nāpali Coast, from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach.

Turn the adventure level up a notch by zip-lining through the island’s abundant green flora. Kauai has some of the of the longest courses and most breathtaking views; try the Kīpū Zipline Safari, where you’ll soar over locations made famous by movies such as Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Or head to Maui for a thrilling ride above the slopes of Haleakala, a striking dormant volcano that makes up more than three-quarters of the island. If you actually want to see a volcano in action, you can do so in a helicopter. Big Island (also known as Hawai‘i Island) is home to Volcanoes National Park, which contains two still-active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Flying over it, you’ll see steaming vents, lava fields and, if you’re lucky, rivers of molten lava. You’ll also get a bird’s-eye view of lush tropical rainforest, vertiginous cliffs and hidden valleys with roaring waterfalls.

Unique dining experiences

After all that sightseeing, you’ll have worked up an appetite. Hawaii’s food scene is big on fresh local produce, and you can’t travel far without passing a farmers’ market or fruit stand. They offer everything from mouth-watering tropical fruit—think pineapple and papaya—to locally grown coffee, macadamia nuts, jams, baked goods and more. On Maui, look out for Hāna Farms for freshly squeezed fruit juices and just-out-of-the-oven banana bread, while at the Kailua Farmers Market in Oahu, you’ll find an abundance of homestyle cooking from family-run businesses such as Grandma G, which offers traditional Hawaiian breakfasts.

But Hawaii can do fashionable dining too. Take a cue from Barack Obama and Ben Affleck and book a table at one of Oahu’s most-sought-after restaurants: family-run The Pig and the Lady. Specializing in modern Vietnamese cuisine, its head chef, Andrew Le, is Honolulu-born and -raised. Then there’s Waiahole Poi Factory, an art gallery turned restaurant owned by native Hawaiians Charlene and Calvin Hoe. It serves local dishes such as Kalua pig and laulau (fatty pork and salted butterfish wrapped in leaves) along with poi (hand-pounded and cooked taro root) to mop everything up with, Hawaiian-style. If you’re lucky, you may even catch the Hoes’ sons making the poi themselves.

Retail therapy

If high-end designers are your game, stick with Honolulu for the best shopping opportunities. You’ll find labels like Chanel and Dior at the aptly named Luxury Row, while great designer discounts can be found at Waikele Premium Outlets in nearby Waipahu.

Unsurprisingly for an island nation, there is a thriving independent shopping scene. Honolulu’s We Are Iconic presents an impeccably curated selection of stylish island attire, while Olive (and its sister shop, Oliver, for the men in your life) offers breezy resortwear from local Hawaiian designers. For quirky homeware and gifting pieces, try Kaimuki, which started as a men’s shirt shop but recently gained a cult following for its interiors, or Number 808, which stocks everything from ceramics to natural soaps.

Above all, what you’ll find in Hawaii is the warmest of welcomes, so why not book a trip? You’ll find out just how they make visitors—even Tanya McQuoid—feel at home.

Plan your perfect trip to Hawaii and discover all that the USA has to offer at visittheusa.com.