Rarotonga: See
1 Cook Islands Library & Museum, Makea Tinirau Rd, Avarua. Mon–Sat 9AM–1PM, Tue 4–7PM. A smallish museum. Includes an audiovisual that you can sit and watch. Museum $5. (updated Sep 2025)
2 Cook Islands National Museum, Constitution Ave, Avarua. Mon–Fri 8AM–4PM. $5. (updated Sep 2025)
Maire Nui Gardens, is the botanical gardens of the island, around 3 km clockwise from Muri, about 600 m past the Fruits of Rarotonga. The gardens are nicely laid out, and contain many samples of much of the fruit and flora of the islands. Admission is $5. There is a cafe in the gardens, selling coffee ($4) and light homemade quiche and focaccia ($15-20). Pineapple cheesecake is amazing ($9).
3 Te Ara – Museum of Cultural Enterprise, Ara Tapu, Muri. Mon–Fri 9AM–4PM, Sat–Sun 10AM–4PM. Includes displays about the history of the Cook Islands. Also has a nice cafe, gift shop and a free filtered water station, all accessible without paying to enter the museum. Museum $15. (updated Sep 2025)