Location: Hilo
Top Things to do in Hilo
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Hilo, Hawaii (HI)
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. Kazumura Cave Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By K1840NDjohnb - San Francisco, United States
My wife and I had a fantastic trek one mile into the Kazumura cave today with Harry on the 4 hour Pit Room tour. Harry is a fountain of knowledge on lava formations and paints a vivid picture of how different formations were, well, formed! (Definitely ask questions about anything you see and let Harry know if you want your tour to have more or less info stops) anyways, hiking through the cave itself was awesome - by the end I felt like an expert on lava flows, what oxides the different colors meant, and how to spot life down in the darkness. The hike is of moderate difficulty- some scrambling over loose rock falls and some slightly hair-raising ladder sections, but Harry did a great job showing us the paths that kept us and the cave safe. By the end of the tour, I was sweaty, sore, and happy.
2. Akaka Falls State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,119 reviews
Reviewed By Steve82WCHS - Nappanee, United States
An easy walk (although there are quite a few stairs) to this beautiful waterfall, with the added bonus of a wide variety of tropical plants along the route. A limited view of another waterfall as well (partially hidden across a valley), but well worth the time. Park on the road just outside the lot and pay only $1 per person (it's $5 to park in the lot and you gain next to no saved walking distance).
3. Lyman Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 261 reviews
The Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum tells the story of Hawaii’s islands and people through its exhibits on Hawaii’s volcanic origins, flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world, Hawaiian culture, and other ethnic groups that have shaped the unique society of Hawaii today. Admire worldwide collections of sea shells and minerals. Learn about 19th century missionary life on a tour of the historic Lyman Mission House, the Island’s oldest wood frame building constructed in 1839.
Reviewed By raed452
Great museum and old missionary house. Worth the effort to call and make a reservation for a tour. House has furniture and gives an idea of how people lived. Nice history of how people came to HI as missionaries. Not an easy life! Great view of life in HI as a crusty salty New England woman with a husband and a few kids. Interesting tables and furniture and beautiful wood wood floors. Worth the price. Great stuff to see in the museum. Birds and fish and sea shells and how volcanoes build an island. The staff were very friendly and helpful. They are careful about hand washing and wearing masks. With Corona on the rampage, they were able to tell me what was open and what was closed. That info alone was worth the cost of an admission. And a cool gift shop.
4. Pacific Tsunami Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
Reviewed By jeffsJ7334TC
Hilo has been hit by several tsunamis (aka Tidal Waves) over the past 100 years, and this museum has collected stories from the survivors, photos and other documentation - it also serves to educate everyone who visits on what to when the next time, and there will always be a next time, happens.
5. 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...
6. Subaru Telescope
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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
10. 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.
