Positioned on the lush, rainy, eastern side of the Big Island, Hilo activities include things like witnessing incredible waterfalls, strolling through beautiful city parks and enjoying the numerous beach parks dotting Hilo Bay. The city is centrally located to both the lush Hamakua coast with it’s staggering waterfalls and to Volcanoes National Park with it’s active volcanoes. Hilo makes for a perfect, laid-back base camp for all of your Big Island activities.
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Visiting Hilo during the annual Merrie Monarch Festival is a wonderful opportunity to explore and enjoy traditional Hawaiian hula, arts and crafts, music, and fun local events.
With intense volcanic activity over millions of years, there are hundreds of lava tubes, caves, and volcanic formations to explore on the Big Island.
With Hilo being the largest city on the Big Island, it is host to several great Farmers Markets with a diverse selection of offerings, from Tai Chi lessons to exotic fruits and hand made crafts.
This 12 acre zoo and garden offers a fun and free family activity in Hilo, Hawaii and is celebrated as the only naturally, occurring tropical rainforest zoo in the United States.
Michael Arthur Jayme’s gallery is an impressive opportunity to enjoy a wide range of this artist’s creations, full of creativity and passion on the Big Island.
A gorgeous black and green sand beach perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and family-friendly fun near Hilo.
Spanning throughout the Big Island’s most notable natural attractions, Paradise Helicopters offers luxury aerial tour experiences the whole family can enjoy.
Nani Mau, meaning Forever Beautiful, is a gorgeous botanical garden with fruit orchards, orchids, ginger and hibiscus gardens as well as an anthurium grove.
The Big Island is a major hub for island-grown art and culture, and these events make for the perfect Friday evening outing for those who appreciate it.
When the lava reaches the ocean, Hawaii lava boat tours are an unforgettable experience that brings you to the incredible ocean entry of the lava flows for an impressive view.
For those seeking soaring sightseeing and adventure opportunities on the Big Island, KapohoKine Adventures can make it happen in incredible style.
A must-visit gallery in Hilo on the Big Island’s eastern side, Dreams of Paradise Gallery is a prized destination for Hawaii made artwork and handmade gems.
in historic downtown Hilo you will find the beautiful Lili’uokalani Gardens, the largest, authentic Edo-style ornamental garden outside of Japan.
This educational botanical garden, started by Professor Don Hemmes in the 1980s, is home to some rare and beautiful plant collections.
If you’re visiting the Hilo Area, there are many state and national parks you should see to gain a taste of Hawaii’s culture and unique natural wonders.
As one of the largest agricultural forces on the Big Island, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation offers extensive, tasty tours for guests to this remarkable island.
A unifying and inclusive gallery in downtown Hilo, One Gallery is as community-oriented as it is proud of its collections and selections, supporting Big Island artists from concept to completion.
Positioned within the popular Hilo Town Tavern, The Exhibit Gallery provides a leisurely environment to enjoy glass, skull, and painted art as well as unique selections from Big Island artists.
A specialized tour company with an emphasis on customer service, a tour with Keikana Tours promises an action-packed adventure.
A wonderful golf experience found alongside the most beautiful natural scenery in all of Hawaii, the Hilo Municipal Golf Course makes for an incredible day on the eastern side of the Big Island.
Combining comfortable accommodations along with personalized tour packages, visitors to Arnott’s Lodge and Hiking Adventures can enjoy great stay and play options.
Helping to maintain the history and culture of the Big Island’s past residents, the Lyman Museum and Mission House holds an important role in preserving their contributions.
Visitors can explore the heavens and learn about ancient Hawaiian navigation techniques, combining history and science in a way unlike any other place.
A unique gathering of local artists on the Big Island, the East Hawaii Cultural Center provides incredible insight and access to Big Island works of art, performances, and exhibitions.
A living memorial to the victims of tsunamis in Hawaii over the years, the Pacific Tsunami Museum shares their lives and stories.
Helping to preserve the important cultural contributions of Japanese and other immigrants, the center offers a crucial window into their rich history.
One of the most sophisticated and informational interpretative centers in Hawaii, Mokupapapa Discovery Center provides unique insight into the protected marine waters and history of the Big Island.
Arguably the most exciting and well-rounded gallery on the Big Island’s eastern side, High Fire Hawaii Gallery and Studio in Hilo celebrates local Hawaiian artwork and craftsmanship alike.
Extreme Exposure Fine Art Gallery is a photography lover’s paradise. Offering unique perspectives on volcanic activity and lava flows found throughout the wonders of the Big Island.
Honolii Beach is renowned for its year-round swells; with the summer months generating calmer waves perfect for intermediate surfers and body boarders.
Onekahakaha is a great family beach park with a large shallow, white-sand bottomed lagoon protected by a lava rock seawall.
Travelers and locals alike enjoy the popular water activities at James Kealoha Beach Park such as swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and fishing.
Waiolena Beach Park makes for a great location to enjoy an outdoor picnic and listen to the ocean waves crash along the rocky shore.
A popular destination due to its sequence of natural lava rock pools, tide-pool coves, and fresh water springs with nice pavilion picnic areas and great views of the Pacific Ocean
A gorgeous 9-hole country club with exclusive trappings, the Naniloa Country Club offers incredible views and exciting golf along the Big Island’s eastern side.
This beach park is an ideals swimming and snorkeling destination with shallow lagoons and abundant sea life.
