Strolling Through This 252-Acre Garden Hiding In Hawaii Is Like Entering A Fairytale

With a climate unlike the rest of the United States, Hawaii is home to some of the country’s most unique botanical gardens, from Oahu’s breathtaking Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden to the Kula Botanical Garden on Maui, and everything in between. These gardens feature thousands of species of tropical plants as well as flora indigenous to our beautiful gardens, and while they are all gorgeous in their own way, there is one garden that stands out in a crowd.

Found on the southern coast of Kauai, tucked into the Lawai Valley and transected by Lawai Stream, the McBryde Garden is a place of serene natural beauty sure to relax all of your worries away.

This 252-acre oasis is one of five included under the National Tropical Botanical Garden umbrella and is home to the largest ex-situ collection of native Hawaiian flora in the entire world, as well as palms, flowering trees, orchids, and other plants collected from tropical regions across the planet.

Overlooking Kukuiula Bay, the garden is not only surrounded by incredible natural beauty but is home to an extensive variety of plant collections.

The entire valley — including what is now the 80-acre Allerton Garden — was purchased by the McBryde family in the late 19th century to be used as a sugar cane plantation.

Today, it is a wonderful place to get away from it all and enjoy a leisurely stroll along simple dirt trails and elevated boardwalks.

As you meander through the garden, you will discover fragrant flowers and awe-inspiring trees and plants...

...as well as various structures, sculptures, and even man-made water features.

Tours of McBryde and Allerton Gardens depart from the adjacent South Shore Visitors Center daily. Visitors will enjoy a short, narrated shuttle ride into the gorgeous garden, from which they can explore on foot.

Don’t forget your camera! With so many stunning plants to see, you’ll want to document your visit with as many photographs as your memory card will allow.

So, what are you waiting for? While McBryde Garden is often overshadowed by its famous neighbor, it's a stunning slice of paradise we couldn't recommend more.

Address: 425 Lawai Rd., Koloa, HI 96756.

Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the McBryde National Tropical Botanical Garden website.

If you haven’t already, the neighboring Allerton Garden is an absolute must-visit.