Location: Hilo
Top Things to do in Hilo
Countries
What to do and see in Hilo, United States: The Best Places and Tips
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. Marylou's Big Island Guided Tours - Private Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By glyntor - toronto ontario
We toured with Ken for 2 days, doing Hilo the first day and Kona the second. The van was very comfortable for the 6 of us. Ken took us to all the major attractions and was willing to go to other places if we wished. He stopped at a fruit/veg. market to buy white pineapple so that we could taste how much sweeter it was than the yellow type. I found the Hilo side much more interesting. The stop at a market (which was more like a craft fair) was too long. We stopped at 2 nice places for lunch. The cost of the 2 days was very reasonable.
2. Carlsmith Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Luvtravels33 - Martinsburg, West Virginia
We saw our first sea turtle at this park. We were standing at the edge of the water, and it came right over to us. The park is very pretty and has a lot of tide pools for swimming and snorkeling.
3. Pepeekeo Scenic Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Reviewed By WorldTravelers34 - Chicago
Our tour bus took us along this route. The Pepe'ekeo (also known as the Onomea bay) scenic drive is the most famous scenic routes on the Big Island. It is a four mile stretch of the old Mamalahoa Highway that snakes from scenic spot to scenic spot through lush tropical forest and gives some stunning views of Onomea Bay. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens halfway the drive are a must-see if you like tropical plants and flowers, and are one of our favorite short hikes on the Big Island. They are often described as a "walk in paradise" and "stunningly beautiful".
Drive carefully. This road is a bit narrow and has many sharp curves and some one-lane bridges.
4. Liliuokalani Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 968 reviews
Reviewed By WorldTravelers34 - Chicago
My wife and I picked the cruise excursion that brought us to this magnificent garden. It is so relaxing and peaceful here. This is a very beautiful Japanese garden named after the Queen of Hawaii. Throughout the park are stone lanterns, stone sculptures and tori gates recalling the Japanese immigrants who came to Hawaii beginning in 1868 to work on sugar plantations.
About:
In 1907, Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, donated five acres bordering Hilo Bay for a public park. A decade later, the territorial legislature’s Committee on Public Lands and Internal Improvements increased the designated land to 17 acres. Ground was broken for Liliuokalani Gardens, named in honor of the Queen, in November 1917, the same month, sadly, that she died. It opened in 1919; the exact date is not known.
5. Akaka Falls State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Jeanne P - San Diego, California
Parking is limited in the small parking lot. If you are fortunate enough to find a space, it costs $5 PER CAR. If there are no spaces remaining, you can park along the street before the parking lot entrance and pay $1 PER PERSON. There’s a machine to pay at the trailhead if no attendant is present.
The hike is a short 1 mile loop. However it is NOT wheel chair accessible. There are steps and other areas that are a tad steep. It’s a beautiful. There’s a lookout point where you can see the falls. Absolutely beautiful like so much if the scenery in Hawaii. I’d recommend stopping by if you are close by or driving through. It’s a bit far away. We stopped on our drive from Kona to Hilo.
6. Kaumana Caves Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By floridalibn - Lakeland, FL
OK, the cave itself was as people have said: very dark, very difficult to get your footing. We also had someone stumble and get a little banged up. Even if it were bright light, the rocks would be treacherous; with no light, it's practically assured that you'll wobble and maybe fall.
When we were parking, someone pulled up next to us. We have heard the stories about car breakins, so we watched. Wish we hadn't. He waited until we went across the street to the caves and then proceeded to pull out a net, snare one of the wild chickens, and butcher it right there (yes, there were sound effects). Our son, who is an animal lover, was distressed the rest of the day, and it really was just a little off. So, not great memories of this place from us.
7. Maunakea Visitor Information Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Riverliver - Cleveland, Ohio
There are good videos here about Maunakea and the observatories on the mountain. Very informative and interesting. Not much else is here tho. It is basically a staging ground for those who plan to hike up to the summit. So there is lots of food and gear available for purchase. Not too expensive either, which is good for hikers. We had a nice drive up the road to the station. It was very foggy and rainy, and they had about 12" of snow at the summit, so they had closed the road pas the station and neither cars nor hikers were going any farther on this day.
8. Richardson Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 468 reviews
Reviewed By WorldTravelers34 - Chicago
My wife and I picked the cruise excursion that brought us to this beautiful park and beach. The beach was clean and well maintained. Richardson Beach is another great beach on the beach road in Hilo. Nice black sand beach, easy entry and great snorkeling. Water is about 6-15 feet deep, so perfect for novice snorkelers too. The park has a few picnic tables, lifeguard, good parking, and clean restrooms. Definitely check this place out if you're Hilo-side on the Big Island!
9. Lyman Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 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 Rebecca N - Honolulu, Hawaii
If you are interested in the history of Hawaii, this museum is a must. We visited both the museum and took the tour of Lyman's home. Our tour guide was terrific . . . She was very informative. I was interested in all of the details that she shared with us. Hard to believe we were the only two people on the tour. The house is so interesting as is the history of its inhabitants. The museum was also terrific. The shell and mineral collections are small enough to see in an hour or so. Admission fees were nominal. Keep in mind that the second floor (hawaiian Culture, I believe) is closed until new exhibits are installed. Reopening in 2018. All of the staff members were very welcoming.
10. Kazumura Cave Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By exgeo - Calgary
Venturing into the underground world of the world's longest lava tube/cave is a unique experience. Harry, the guide/tour operator is exceptionally knowledgeable about the many features of this cave and limits the size of the group to a very comfortable 6 adults. My wife and I took the 2 hour tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, the ladders are home made, but the rungs are heavy steel rebar and the ladders are securely anchored with rebar and cement to the walls, and hence felt very safe and secure. The floor is rough and uneven, as should be expected as you are walking on an old lava flow, which is why you must wear closed toed, sturdy shoes. At $30 per person for 2 hours this is money well spent.
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