Na 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens

Joyce and Ed Doty moved to Kaua'i from California in 1982 and began landscaping the grounds of their home. Today the Dotys are in their 80s and their retirement project is a 240-acre extravaganza of Na 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, all meticulously groomed.

The expansive grounds include 13 gardens, including the 'Formal Garden' where over 70 life-sized bronze statues romp in Norman Rockwell-inspired poses. A unique attraction is the Poinciana maze, where paths lead you to topiary and statues. Also on the grounds: a beach, a bird-watching marsh and a sprawling forest of around 60,000 South and East Asian hardwood trees.

The gardens are a tad contrived, as they lack the historical context imbued at the National Tropical Botanical Garden . That said, no one will walk away disappointed by the botanical splendor.

Among the tour options is a two-hour riding tour (around US$35) ideal for people with limited mobility. To reach the gardens, turn right onto Wailapa Rd, between the 21- and 22-mile markers on Kuhio Hwy.