Mauna Kea Summit & Onizuka Visitor Center

From the ocean floor to Mauna Kea's 14,000 foot summit, this majestic mountain is the world's tallest. Its elevation, combined with its relative isolation from air pollution, also makes it one of the world's foremost locations for stargazing, a fact not lost on astronomers. Indeed, 11 countries, including Japan, France, and scores of American universities, have set up ultra-modern telescopes to peer into the vastness of space. Be sure to stop by the Onizuka Visitor Center, which offers lecture series and nighttime stargazing programs. Dress warmly � at 9500 feet, temperatures tend to drop quickly at sundown, no matter what time of year it is. Most car rental companies prohibit customers from taking cars � even 4X4s � to the summit, so it's best to make alternate arrangements if that's your intention. And make sure to take a full tank of gas.