Food Scene
Fantastic Service, great food in an upscale environment.
55 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
64 Keawe StFantastic Service, great food in an upscale environment.
Local eatery with big menu, good music and relaxed, pub feel. great prices too, though parking is a chore.
41 locals recommend
Hilo Burger Joint
776 Kilauea AveLocal eatery with big menu, good music and relaxed, pub feel. great prices too, though parking is a chore.
Consistent elevated fare in a relaxed, casual environment on the promenade.
139 locals recommend
Cafe Pesto - Hilo
308 Kamehameha AveConsistent elevated fare in a relaxed, casual environment on the promenade.
Great sushi with huge menu. Great service, good prices and easy parking.
12 locals recommend
Sakura Sushi & Grill
200 Kanoelehua AveGreat sushi with huge menu. Great service, good prices and easy parking.
Fun, open-air restaurant catering to tourists (and priced accordingly). Prepare for a small wait.
128 locals recommend
Pineapples Restaurant
332 Keawe StFun, open-air restaurant catering to tourists (and priced accordingly). Prepare for a small wait.
Parks & Nature
The volcano just before dawn is amazing - but the BEST volcano viewing by far is after 9pm. The most AMAZING dark sky with more stars than you'll see almost anywhere so close to a major city. A MUST see. Take a small flashlight - the 1 mile walk from Devastation Trail is easy.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The volcano just before dawn is amazing - but the BEST volcano viewing by far is after 9pm. The most AMAZING dark sky with more stars than you'll see almost anywhere so close to a major city. A MUST see. Take a small flashlight - the 1 mile walk from Devastation Trail is easy.
Amazing scenery and a wonderful hike. The view as you head back to the main road is breathtaking too.
341 locals recommend
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdAmazing scenery and a wonderful hike. The view as you head back to the main road is breathtaking too.
Lovely small zoo - the ONLY tropical animal zoo in the Western Hemisphere. Free to all.
110 locals recommend
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
800 Stainback HwyLovely small zoo - the ONLY tropical animal zoo in the Western Hemisphere. Free to all.
A MUST SEE for any nature lover or gardener. The variety is here is amazing as is the walk through the garden which will take approximately an hour. The history of this place (view the plaques on the way down the entry walk) is astonishing.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyA MUST SEE for any nature lover or gardener. The variety is here is amazing as is the walk through the garden which will take approximately an hour. The history of this place (view the plaques on the way down the entry walk) is astonishing.
3 minute walk from our home up Waianuenue (Rainbow Water).
Visit in the morning for a chance to see a rainbow.
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
3 minute walk from our home up Waianuenue (Rainbow Water).
Visit in the morning for a chance to see a rainbow.
A MUST visit museum. Very small inside but FULL of amazing information, exhibits and history. Highly recommend you do not miss this.
115 locals recommend
Pacific Tsunami Museum
130 Kamehameha AveA MUST visit museum. Very small inside but FULL of amazing information, exhibits and history. Highly recommend you do not miss this.
Essentials
Very close, local food, friendly service. If you like Poke, you can get awesome, fresh Ahi (and other fish) here with all the add-ons you want for a quarter of the cost.
21 locals recommend
KTA Super Stores
321 Keawe StVery close, local food, friendly service. If you like Poke, you can get awesome, fresh Ahi (and other fish) here with all the add-ons you want for a quarter of the cost.
Shopping
This mall is deceivingly large. Enter through any of the main stores and it winds around to just about everything you need including a theater. Perfect for weathering a storm or the heat.
60 locals recommend
Prince Kuhio Plaza
111 E Puainako StThis mall is deceivingly large. Enter through any of the main stores and it winds around to just about everything you need including a theater. Perfect for weathering a storm or the heat.
Happy Hour
Hilo Brewing Company
275 E Kawili StGreat place for local beer and company.
This place has an amazing vibe, great small plates and imaginative and yummy cocktails
The Temple Bar
This place has an amazing vibe, great small plates and imaginative and yummy cocktails
Beach/Ocean access
No real 'beaches' on the Hilo side, but this local favorite is great for cooling off and floating around. Snorkeling is ok here too, with sea turtles using the lagoon for resting during low tide.
Recommend visiting at high tide for best swimming.
65 locals recommend
Onekahakaha Beach Park
74 Onekahakaha RdNo real 'beaches' on the Hilo side, but this local favorite is great for cooling off and floating around. Snorkeling is ok here too, with sea turtles using the lagoon for resting during low tide.
Recommend visiting at high tide for best swimming.
Good local favorite place to jump in and cool off - will need water shoes.
176 locals recommend
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole StGood local favorite place to jump in and cool off - will need water shoes.
Great Local spot for cooling off and snorkeling. Bring water shoes!
140 locals recommend
Carlsmith Beach Park
1815 Kalanianaole StGreat Local spot for cooling off and snorkeling. Bring water shoes!
Best surfing east side - mostly locals, with very steep road down/up. Facilities here. Great for watching surfers and picnicing.
81 locals recommend
Honoli'i Beach Park
Best surfing east side - mostly locals, with very steep road down/up. Facilities here. Great for watching surfers and picnicing.
Sightseeing
Also called the "Red Road" for the color of the old pavement, this drive is breathtaking and shouldn't be missed if you have time to visit this area of the island.
Kalapana - Kapoho Rd, Hawaii 96778, USA
Also called the "Red Road" for the color of the old pavement, this drive is breathtaking and shouldn't be missed if you have time to visit this area of the island.
Very cool museum and astronomy center, complete with a planetarium that will is a fabulous introduction to the work being done at the summit!
92 locals recommend
Imiloa Astronomy Center
600 Imiloa PlVery cool museum and astronomy center, complete with a planetarium that will is a fabulous introduction to the work being done at the summit!