Location: Hilo
Top Things to do in Hilo
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Top 10 Nature & Parks 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. 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.
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Richardson Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 580 reviews
Reviewed By Benjamin-traveler - New York City, United States
Very popular with locals. Perfect to spend two hours alongside a beautiful lava coastline, explore tide pools, enjoy a black sand beach and see a lot of fish. Snorkeling was much better than I expected. Saw one turtle. Perfect spot to hit if you’re spending one day in Hilo.
10. Humuula Trail
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