Location: Hilo
Top Things to do in Hilo
10 Free Things to do in Hilo That You Shouldn't Miss
The landscape of Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is diverse. Beaches of black, gray, brown and white sand give way to mountains and dramatic waterfalls. Hilo's Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo is the only U.S. zoo in a tropical rainforest. A day trip away are snow-capped Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, with observatories near 11,000 feet on both mountains, and Kilauea Caldera, an active volcano. Back in town are a farmer's market, restaurants, shopping and banyan trees planted by celebrities and politicians.
Restaurants in Hilo
1. Wailoa Center
2. Subaru Telescope
3. Hilo Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,031 reviews
MARKET HOURS: Big Market Days * RECOMMENDED DAY TO VISIT AND SHOP WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY 6:00 am - 4:00 pm. Over 200 Vendors of Local Farmers, Retailers, Food Trucks, Restaurants, Artisans and Crafters. Small Market Days Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday and Sunday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm. 20 to 30 Vendors. Local Farmers, Retailers, Food Trucks, Restaurants, Artisans and Crafters. *The Hilo Farmers Market is a Must-See Experience on the Big Island. A Local Favorite Food Hub, Selling Tropical Flowers, Orchids and Plants. Specialty Hawaiian Items from Honey Producers, Coffee Growers, and other Food Product Developers. Local Favorite Dishes such as Poke Bowls, Ice Shave, Loco Mocos and More! The Islands Largest Weekly Collection of Artisans, Crafters and Retailers in a Festive Outdoor Atmosphere that Recalls Back to the "Plantation" Days of Early Hilo. Located at the Corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue in Historic Downtown Hilo. Open All Year Round. From Dawn til It's Gone!
Reviewed By nutty_4_nature - Phoenix, United States
The Hilo Farmers Market is always a mandatory stop when we are on the Big Island, we usually will visit on Saturdays and enjoy seeing the normal and exotic fruits and vegetables as well as all of the arts and crafts from local artists. Food trucks serve some good food as well...
4. Mauna Kea State Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Odyssey617627
We had a beautiful exceptional sunset at Mauna Kea Sate Recreation Area. It was breathtaking. The allitude to go all the way to the top was not good for elderly people and there are signs posted everywhere and onlyl 4 wheel drive vehicles were allowed to drive to the top. But we got a very good sunset from the Recreation centre.I would recommend this particular outing to family and friends.
5. Mauna Loa Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
We are an atmospheric monitoring station that was established in 1956. Please visit our website to learn more about the atmospheric constituents that we monitor that can cause a forcing effect on our climate. We are a secure working facility with no unauthorized entry and we do not provide tours to the public. All Astronomy takes place on Mauna Kea and not on Mauna Loa so please make sure that your reviews are located under the correct attraction.
Reviewed By astromandsn
Being this high on an island in the middle of the ocean is really fun. I felt like I was back on peaks in Colorado. Don't drive it if you don't have a four-wheel drive---mostly that is to protect the road. If you are into astronomy, this is THE place to see. Also, stop in Waimea and go to the visitors center.
6. Liliuokalani Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,159 reviews
Reviewed By tutana - Tempe, United States
This is a beautiful park full of ponds, huge trees and lots of vegetation. Plus it's close to the bay so you get those views as well
7. Mokupapapa Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
The Mokupapapa Discovery Center allows visitors to learn about the natural science, culture, and history of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, and the surrounding marine environment. Since most people might not have the opportunity to visit these remote islands, the facility on the bayfront in Hilo, Hawai'i serves to "bring the place to the people" and spur greater public awareness of the region and ocean conservation issues. Housed in Hilo's historic, century-old Koehnen Building, Mokupapapa features a 3,500 gallon saltwater aquarium, interactive educational exhibits, life size models of wildlife found in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, artwork inspired by those islands and Hawaiian culture, and many interpretive panels in both Hawaiian and English. The beauty of the historic Koehnen building has been preserved and refreshed to show off its majesty, including a koa wood staircase, Hawaiian hardwood floors, and high ceilings.
Reviewed By Lakecomo16 - Ottawa, Canada
Interesting interpretation of nature, culture, geology, ecology and the history of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands through informative exhibits, short films. Great to learn about the fish and the birds, really enjoyed their aquarium . Free admission, small donation is always welcomed.
8. Native Hawaiian Lava
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Meeting Point " Uncle Awe Bar ". Lava Walking Day And Night. Extreme Or Regular Tours.
Reviewed By CAtravelerCA
here was review I wrote for our hotel- VNP/Hilo side prior to Fairmont: If you are staying at the Fairmont and our planning a day trip it is definitely doable but I am very thankful that we had lodging near the VNP and 2 nights was great to have to enjoy that side- 3 might have been a little better but we were ready for poolside relaxing and thought our trip was planned excellently to meet our needs. We hiked the crater ~ 4 miles, Thurston lava tubes, Kilauea Overlook, Steam vents, sulphur banks, Jagger Museum, visitor centers, viewing area up at VNP. Down near ocean we rented bikes and rode into the park then hiked to surface lava flow and then viewed ocean entry lava flow. We saw lava via helicopter tour and as well took a boat tour to watch the ocean entry lava flow up close. All were fun but my preferences for seeing lava would be #1 bike/hike to see surface lava flow #2 boat tour if ocean flow is currently happening #3 helicopter. The helicopter tour was nice but it added frustration, nuissance, and loss of $$$ out of my wallet. The weather is unpredictable on the Hilo side. We have to prebook this expensive trip. The sky is solid grey with rain and thunder and the helicopter company will still not cancel the tour. You have to drive all the way to the airport. Pay to Park, check in for your tour, watch safety briefing and then sit till 5 minutes before tour time at which at that point when it is still dark skies, pouring rain and thunder that they say sorry tour cancelled you can leave. If you don’t show up to check in you lose over $1k. I know it s business for them and weather can change but it was quite obvious twice that the tour would not happen— so not only did we not get to go on tour but we lost 3 hours twice of our vacation. When we did go on the tour yes it was beautiful but it wasn’t anything special to me- the lava was so far away compared to the other times we saw the lava . Helicopter $1500. Boat $500. Bike $50 The hike to the surface flow was amazing!!! Would highly suggest over all 3 options if surface flow is active and safe. While on Hilo side we visited Akaka Falls state Park - beautiful and worth the trip. Tidepools: Hilo side- Kapoho. Excellent afternoon sitting on the lava rock, snorkeling and enjoying the day. There is no parking in the residential area but the walk is easy and you can count dead frogs in the street along the way. Warm pools/Hot Springs Pohoiki & Ahalanui pond. This was fun to stop at these 2 sites after our early morning Lava Boat Tour. We did boat tour, tide pools, hot springs, Helicopter tour, Akaka falls then headed back to VNP lodge. We also visited Akatsuka Orchid Gardens, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm, Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Garden- We loved the Zoo sadly we only had about 1 hour to visit the zoo and would have been better if we would have 2-3 hours but we did walk the entire zoo in an hour. If you arrive 2 hours before closing you can also watch them feed a lot of the animals and take a more leisurely pace then we did with just an hour.
9. Kaumana Caves Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 371 reviews
Reviewed By Annacruz15
The kids loved it! After reading previous reviews, I thought we would just go in a few feet into the cave and then leave. We were happy to find out that it was not how the reviews made this cave to be. As long as you have a flashlight or headlight, good rubber soled shoes, you’ll be fine. Just watch your head, be sure-footed, and don’t hesitate to use your hands to support yourself. We had so much in both caves. My 11 year old had so much adventuring inside the caves. A must-do.
10. Pu'u 'O'o Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By psudino - Weehawken, United States
I can easily see a TV show that takes place on an alien planet being filmed here. There are spots where you can only see lava rock and there are parts where you are in a dense "forest" (not sure what to call it) with beautiful plant life. If you choose to visit this trail, wear boots or sturdy sneakers. I suggest that anything open toed or without proper support will result in cuts or twisted ankles. This is not a groomed flat path, it is rocky and the plant life grows into the path. A wonderful side trip when on Saddle Road, or even a great destination if your intention is to go hiking. Either way, a worthwhile attraction.
