Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Hilo, Hawaii

The oldest city in the Hawaiian archipelago is situated on the eastern coast of the Island of Hawai’i, at the base of two significant shield volcanoes. One, Mauna Loa, remains active, offering a distinctive opportunity to observe volcanic activity firsthand at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Conversely, Mauna Kea is dormant and hosts the most prominent land-based astronomical observatories at its 4,200-meter summit. The scenery surrounding Hilo is characterized by lush rainforests and agricultural areas producing macadamia nuts, papaya, sugar cane, coffee, and taro root. These products are sold at one of the finest farmers’ markets in the state, operational seven days a week, alongside numerous chances to explore primordial rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and the captivating coastline featuring black sandy beaches and lava reefs.

1. ‘Akaka Falls State Park

One of the must-see attractions on the Hilo side of Hawai’i is this stunning waterfall situated approximately 11 miles north of the city. ‘Akaka Falls cascades 135 meters into a gorge sculpted by streams, adorned with ferns which can be viewed from multiple vantage points along a walking loop. This trail also includes Kahuna Falls, which, although less prominent, tumbles down the gorge at a similar height to its more renowned counterpart. The trek itself is a delight, guiding visitors through bamboo groves and past wild orchids and vibrant ferns.

2. Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens

Established in 1907, Queen Lili’uokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, donated the land east of downtown to create this picturesque waterfront park. The park was expanded and opened in 1919 as a Japanese-style garden, honoring Hawaii’s first Japanese immigrants who arrived in the 1860s to work in the sugar cane fields. Covering just under 25 acres, Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens is recognized as the largest Edo-style garden outside of Japan. Many of the park’s structures, including bridges, Torii gates, stone lanterns, gazebos, and a traditional Japanese teahouse, were painstakingly imported from Japan, featuring species typical to Japan such as black pine, camellias, and azaleas.

Adjacent to the park lays Banyan Drive, known as the “Hilo Walk of Fame” due to its impressive old banyan trees planted by notable figures like Amelia Earhart, Louis Armstrong, and Richard Nixon.

3. Hilo Farmers’ Market

Hilo boasts one of the most exceptional open-air markets in Hawaii, making it the prime location to acquire vibrant local produce and genuine Hawaiian specialties. Situated on the fertile, eastern side of the Island of Hawai’i, this market offers ample opportunities to sample fruits like papaya, most of which are sourced locally and harvested from April to September. Seek out the strawberry papaya, renowned for its sweet, juicy pink-orange flesh. Additionally, macadamia nuts, typically costly elsewhere, are more reasonably priced in this region. For a delightful treat, look for butter mochi, made with coconut milk and glutinous rice flour, which pairs excellently with locally picked and roasted coffee.

The Hilo Farmers’ Market operates every day, but its peak days are Wednesday and Saturday, featuring over 200 vendors.

4. Richardson Ocean Park

A popular destination for swimming and snorkeling near Hilo is this beach located about five miles east. Richardson Ocean Park features stretches of black sand interspersed with lava outcrops. Notably, the sand contains green flecks caused by olivine crystals, with patches of coral teeming with tropical fish located offshore.

Visitors can find shade under the trees along the shore, while the clear water is generally safe due to a protective line of reefs just off the coast. Sea turtles and monk seals frequently visit the park, and a ridge along the beach offers the potential to spot humpback whales between December and May.

5. ʻImiloa Astronomy Center

Ever prominent from Hilo, the towering peak of the dormant Mauna Kea volcano serves as one of the premier locations worldwide for ground-based astronomical observation. The summit houses 13 advanced observatories located at over 4,200 feet above sea level, which are not accessible for day trips. However, to embrace that spirit of inquiry, there is an excellent science museum affiliated with the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. The ʻImiloa Astronomy Center intertwines state-of-the-art astronomy with Hawaiian history and culture, highlighting the navigational expertise of Polynesians, who utilized the stars to navigate from the Marquesas Islands to settle in Hawaii.

Visitors can learn about the discoveries made at Mauna Kea and comprehend why the summit provides such favorable conditions for observation. A notable feature is the 120-seat, fulldome planetarium, showcasing the remarkable presentation, “Maunakea: Between Earth and Sky.”

6. Rainbow Falls

Located just a few miles up the Wailuku River, which empties into Hilo Bay, this picturesque waterfall is closer than ‘Akaka Falls. Rainbow Falls, though distinct, is equally captivating, plunging 24 meters over a lava cave. While ‘Akaka Falls features a narrow jet, Rainbow Falls spans almost 30 meters in width and generates a thunderous drop into a large pool below.

The ideal time to visit is early in the day when sunlight interacts with the waterfall’s mist to create a rainbow. Visiting after heavy rain, when the mist intensifies, can also enhance the experience. The trail leading to the top of the falls is rewarding, guiding you past ancient banyan trees, with some centuries old and enveloped in fig vines.

7. Carlsmith Beach Park

While not a beach in the conventional sense, this area, located east of central Hilo, features a shoreline bordered by black lava rocks. A reef located offshore helps maintain calm waters, while small lava formations create a series of clear lagoons with sandy bottoms, ideal for snorkeling.

Lifeguards patrol these areas during weekends and holidays. The presence of sea turtles, accustomed to human interaction, allows for close encounters. On land, Carlsmith Beach Park offers grassy areas for relaxation under trees, along with picnic tables, showers, drinking water, and restrooms.

8. Coconut Island

Adjacent to Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, a footbridge leads to this small, verdant island located in Hilo Bay. Surrounded by palm and almond trees, Coconut Island features a spacious, well-maintained lawn, picnic tables, and several small beaches. Looking back towards the shore offers breathtaking views of Hilo, framed by the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes.

Children will relish exploring the island’s tide pools and playing on the beaches, while older visitors can leap into the bay from a stone tower located on the island’s northern side, which has jumping platforms at approximately 10 and 20 feet.

9. Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

The distant northwestern islands of the Hawaiian archipelago boast an astonishing array of wildlife and constitute the largest fully protected conservation area within the United States. Given that most individuals may never experience this region directly, the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center was established in 2003 to promote public awareness and raise concerns about ocean conservation. The center is located in the historic Koehnen building, over a century old, featuring Hawaiian hardwood floors and a beautiful koa staircase. The exhibits include numerous interpretive panels discussing the region’s biodiversity, artwork inspired by Hawaiian culture, and authentic ambient sounds.

A highlight is a 3,500-gallon saltwater aquarium showcasing some of the species inhabiting the coral reefs of the island chain.

10. Panaewa Rainforest Zoo

This attraction, located merely four miles from the center of Hilo, holds the distinction of being the only zoo within the United States set in a tropical rainforest. Consequently, the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo simultaneously functions as a botanical garden, housing over 100 varieties of palm trees, in addition to a water garden, bamboos, and orchids alongside its collection of 80 different animal species. The zoo underwent updates between 2020 and 2021 and is relatively compact, allowing visitors to navigate it within a couple of hours, during which one can anticipate encountering marmosets, capuchins, spider monkeys, skinks, coatis, giant anteaters, lemurs, numerous tropical birds, and turtles. Additionally, there’s a petting zoo open on Saturdays, a playground, and a gift shop that supports local conservation efforts.

11. Pacific Tsunami Museum

Hilo inhabits a precarious position, primarily due to lava flows from the active Mauna Loa volcano, alongside risks stemming from tsunamis induced by earthquakes located further north and east in the Pacific. In the 20th century, Hilo’s tin-roofed cityscape endured devastation from tsunamis in 1946 and 1960. Following the latter event, the bayfront was never redeveloped, resulting in wide expanses of grassland visible today. Established in 1993, the Pacific Tsunami Museum was created to commemorate these occurrences and elucidates the scientific principles and harrowing statistics associated with tsunamis. Housed in a former bank building, the museum features an extensive library of photographs, survivor testimonies, and a captivating 25-minute video presentation.

12. Kaumana Caves State Park

Located just a couple of miles out of town, visitors have the opportunity to descend into a lava tube that was formed during the Mauna Loa eruption in 1881. The entry point is a collapsed skylight enveloped in rainforest vegetation, including philodendrons and ferns. After descending via a metal ladder, you can explore approximately two miles of the tunnel, although caution is advised due to the area’s seismic activity. Although the tube extends for nearly 20 miles, portions traverse private property and only sections are accessible to the public. It is essential to wear sturdy shoes and to carry a flashlight.

13. Lyman Museum

This Smithsonian-affiliated museum serves as an excellent rainy day option and includes the oldest surviving wood-framed building on the island. The Lyman Museum encompasses two distinct areas: the interactive modern museum, which provides insights into Hawaii’s botany, volcanology, human history, cultural diversity, and more. Adjacent to this, the Mission House was constructed in 1838 for Reverend David Belden Lyman and exemplifies the New England architectural style, being built from ohia and koa wood. Guided tours reveal insights into the lives of Hawaii’s 19th-century missionaries, showcasing various artifacts, furniture, and household essentials from the Lyman family and other missionary families.

14. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

The history of Hilo is intricately linked to the Mauna Loa volcano, which, alongside Kīlauea, the island’s most active volcano, is encompassed within the national park. Located approximately 30 miles southwest of Hilo, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is an essential day-trip destination for those wishing to witness the ongoing cycle of destruction and renewal characterizing this dynamic landscape. The scent of sulfur permeates the scorched terrain, and memorable hikes lead to steam vents, lava tubes, old roads overtaken by lava, ancient petroglyphs, the Keanakāko’i Crater, and cooled lava flows resulting from eruptions in the 1950s and 60s. With more than 150 miles of hiking trails available for self-guided excursions and compelling ranger-led activities, including the opportunity to view glowing lava flows after sunset, the park offers a wealth of exploration. The 500-year-old Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) represents a fantastic hiking option, set in an emergent rainforest that supports remarkable ecosystems sustained by hanging tree roots.

15. Hamakua Coast Scenic Drive

The northeastern coastline of Hawaii is truly breathtaking, characterized by verdant canyons, cascading waterfalls, and tropical rainforests nourished by over 80 inches of rainfall annually. The Hamakua Coast is celebrated for its fertility, as regions once devoted to sugar cane in the 19th century have transitioned to a variety of farms producing tropical fruits and vegetables, such as taro root. Departing from Hilo, one can embark on a 40-mile journey through this unforgettable landscape, with opportunities to pause at numerous natural attractions and visitor points of interest.

In addition to ‘Akaka Falls, the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden is located just a few miles outside Hilo, as well as the charming old sugar town of Honoka’a. A fitting conclusion to the journey is the Waipio Valley, historically Hawaii’s political and spiritual center, showcasing magnificent sheer walls reaching heights of up to 2,000 feet. At the end of the Hamakua Coast Scenic Drive, visitors can admire the stunning lookout that gazes down into the valley and the black sandy beach where it meets the ocean.