After shopping and snacks at the swap meet, we all piled back into our trusty rental car and headed north to the Dole Plantation.

Originally operated as a fruit stand beginning in 1950, Dole Plantation opened to the public as Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience” in 1989. Today, Dole Plantation is one of Oahu’s most popular visitor attractions and welcomes more than one million visitors a year.

In theory we were there to learn of the history of pineapple farming in Hawaii, but really we were there for their famous “Dole whip.” It’s a heavenly pineapple creamsickle smoothie ice cream concoction that pretty much rocked my world.  I’m currently on the hunt for a copycat recipe online.  Definitely worth the drive!

DOLE WHIP! With festive pineapple sprig
DOLE WHIP! With festive pineapple sprig
Flowers
Flowers
Pineapple gumballs
Pineapple gumballs
Pineapple crates
Pineapple crates
Subtle detailing on the building
Subtle detailing on the building
I love these signs. Kinda want to make one for my backyard.
I love these signs. Kinda want to make one for my backyard.
Baby pineapple
Baby pineapple
They had multiple varieties
They had multiple varieties
Another little pineapple
Another little pineapple
The wall of the pineapple maze that we didn't go into.
The wall of the pineapple maze that we didn’t go into.
Information on how pineapple plants grow.
Information on how pineapple plants grow.
Me as a pineapple hula girl.
Me as a pineapple hula girl.
Happy painted yellow pineapples
Happy painted yellow pineapples
Interesting looking red and yellow bush
Interesting looking red and yellow bush
Starfruit on a railing. No idea why.
Starfruit on a railing. No idea why.
The gardens
The gardens
Cutout pineapple worker
Cutout pineapple worker
She didn't look happy, but I suppose I wouldn't be either if I had to pick pineapples all day outside in Hawaii while wearing long sleeves.
She didn’t look happy, but I suppose I wouldn’t be either if I had to pick pineapples all day outside in Hawaii while wearing long sleeves.
This guy was missing his 2 front teeth.
This guy was missing his 2 front teeth.
These pineapple people are very serious.
These pineapple people are very serious.
Coffee beans!
Coffee beans!
More coffee beans! These are my favorite!
More coffee beans! These are my favorite!
Sign with info about the coffee beans! I don't want to know about them, I just want them in a cup.
Sign with info about the coffee beans! I don’t want to know about them, I just want them in a cup.
Another random plant
Another random plant
Directions
Directions
Pineapple. I don't know if they're all red when they're little or if these were just a different variety.
Pineapple. I don’t know if they’re all red when they’re little or if these were just a different variety.
Wooden octopus for sale
Wooden octopus for sale
Hey it's got my name on it!
Hey it’s got my name on it!
Hawaii!
Hawaii!
Interesting plant
Interesting plant
Creepy wild chicken in the maze
Creepy wild chicken in the maze