Known for its outstanding natural beauty, this island paradise is home to lush tropical rainforests, flowing streams, beautiful beaches, and rolling green hills.
Naturally, this provides the perfect backdrop for a variety of recreational activities, such as surfing, fishing, and hiking.
In addition, Hilo is home to a wide range of attractions and museums that are sure to please visitors no matter what their interests may be.
These include the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Liliuokalani Gardens, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, and the Hilo Farmers Market.
Of course, there are also plenty of restaurants and bars where visitors can tuck into a good meal or a refreshing drink after a long day of exploring the island.
Want to know more about what Hilo has to offer? Keep reading for an exciting list of recommendations so you can plan your trip accordingly
The 62 Most Popular Things To Do In Hilo, Hawaii
62. Kaula’ināiwi Island
5.0 (1 review)
61. Reeds Island
4.0 (2 reviews)
60. Kalakaua Park
5.0 (2 reviews)
Location: 136 Kalakaua Street Hilo HI
59. Kaimukanaka Falls
3.0 (2 reviews)
58. Kulaniapia Falls
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Frank Schulenburg, License, Wikimedia commons
57. Waiākea Pond
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Eric Tessmer, License, Wikimedia commons
56. Kūhiō Bay
4.7 (3 reviews)
Credit: Robert Linsdell, License, Wikimedia commons
55. Ainaola Park
4.5 (6 reviews)
Location: 200 Ainaola Dr Hilo HI
54. Banyan Drive
5.0 (7 reviews)
Credit: Yoshi Canopus, License, Wikimedia commons
53. Puhi Bay
4.9 (7 reviews)
Credit: Robert Linsdell, License, Wikimedia commons
52. Botanical Garden at University of Hawaii – Hilo
3.6 (8 reviews)
Credit: Rob Talbert, Google Maps
Location: 470 W Lanikaula Street Hilo HI
Web Address: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/gardens/
51. Kaumana Cave
5.0 (10 reviews)
50. Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin
4.9 (10 reviews)
Credit: Cliff, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 398 Kilauea Ave Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 6677
Web Address: http://hilobetsuin.org/
49. Kuhio Kalanianaole Park
4.3 (11 reviews)
Credit: potato salad, Google Maps
Location: Kalanianaole Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8311
48. Onomea Bay
4.7 (12 reviews)
47. Haili Church
4.7 (13 reviews)
Credit: W Nowicki, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 211 Haili Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 935 4847
Web Address: http://hailichurch.org/
46. Reeds Bay
4.8 (16 reviews)
Credit: Tim Jones, Google Maps
45. Giant Banyan Tree
4.8 (16 reviews)
Location: 322029008 Hilo HI
44. Waiale Falls
4.0 (27 reviews)
43. Extreme Exposure Fine Art Gallery
4.7 (27 reviews)
Credit: Extreme Exposure Fine Art Gallery, Google Maps
Location: 224 Kamehameha Ave #103 Hilo HI
Tel: 808 989 9448
Web Address: https://extremeexposure.com/
42. Hilo Bay
4.6 (31 reviews)
Credit: Yoshi Canopus, License, Wikimedia commons
41. The Naha Stone
4.4 (37 reviews)
Credit: W Nowicki, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 300 Waianuenue Ave Hilo HI
40. Kinoole Farmers Market
4.4 (49 reviews)
Location: 1990 Kinoole Street Hilo HI
Web Address: https://kinoolefarmersmarket.wordpress.com/
39. Malama Park
4.2 (51 reviews)
Credit: Chastity W, Google Maps
Location: 299 Mamaki Street Hilo HI
38. Hilo Daijingu
4.5 (55 reviews)
Credit: Yoshi Canopus, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 10 Anela Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 959 8611
Web Address: https://hilodaijingu.amebaownd.com/
37. East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center
4.5 (63 reviews)
Credit: W Nowicki, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 141 Kalakaua Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 5711
Web Address: http://ehcc.org/
36. Mohouli Park
4.1 (70 reviews)
Credit: anokarina, License, Flickr
Location: 1052 Kumukoa Street Hilo HI
35. Coconut Island
4.5 (74 reviews)
Credit: Yoshi Canopus, License, Wikimedia commons
34. Lyman Museum
4.6 (74 reviews)
Credit: brewbooks, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 276 Haili Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 935 5021
Web Address: http://lymanmuseum.org/
33. Wailoa Art Center
4.7 (74 reviews)
Location: 200 Piopio Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 933 0416
Web Address: https://wailoacenter.com/
32. Boiling Pots
4.3 (78 reviews)
Credit: Robert Linsdell, License, Wikimedia commons
31. Kealoha Beach Park
4.4 (87 reviews)
Credit: Kaleodu, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1701 Kalanianaole Street Hilo HI
Web Address: http://kealoha-beach-park.keeq.io/
30. St. Joseph Catholic Church
4.8 (95 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 43 Kapiolani Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 935 1465
Web Address: http://stjoehilo.com/
29. Japanese Garden
4.7 (102 reviews)
Credit: JGKlein, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 189 Lihiwai Street Hilo HI
Web Address: http://japanese-garden-hilo.edan.io/
28. Gilbert Carvalho Park
4.1 (108 reviews)
Location: 850 Waianuenue Ave Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8737
Web Address: http://hawaiicounty.gov/
27. Wai’olena Beach Park
4.6 (109 reviews)
Credit: dronepicr, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2151 Kalanianaole Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8311
Web Address: https://lookintohawaii.com/hawaii/32697/waiolena-beach-park-beach-big-island-hilo-hi
26. The Locavore Store
4.6 (150 reviews)
Credit: The Locavore Store, Google Maps
Location: 60 Kamehameha Ave Hilo HI
Tel: 808 965 2372
Web Address: http://bigislandlocavorestore.com/
25. Lehia Beach Park
4.5 (157 reviews)
Credit: anokarina, License, Flickr
Location: 2499 Kalanianaole Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8311
Web Address: https://lookintohawaii.com/hawaii/32700/lehia-beach-park-beach-big-island-hilo-hi
24. Hilo Municipal Golf Course
4.2 (160 reviews)
Location: 340 Haihai Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 959 7711
Web Address: https://parks.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities-parks/hilo-municipal-golf-course
23. Russell Carroll Mo’oheau County Park
4.2 (184 reviews)
Credit: Luis Fernando Sierra Escobar, Google Maps
Location: 203 Kilauea Ave Hilo HI
22. Hilo Bayfront Beach Park
4.4 (223 reviews)
Credit: anokarina, License, Flickr
Location: Hilo HI
Web Address: https://lookintohawaii.com/hawaii/32569/hilo-bayfront-beach-park-beaches-big-island-hilo-hi
21. Leleiwi Beach Park (Wai’uli)
4.6 (243 reviews)
Credit: Bruno Turbide, Google Maps
Location: 2246 Kalanianaole Street Hilo HI
20. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4.9 (249 reviews)
Location: 75 230 Kalani Street Kailua Kona HI
Tel: 808 228 7027
Web Address: https://local.churchofjesuschrist.org/us/hi/kailua-kona/75-230-kalani-street
19. Moku Ola – Coconut Island
4.6 (314 reviews)
Credit: W Nowicki, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 77 Keliipio Pl Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8311
Web Address: http://hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation/
18. Pana’ewa Park
4.5 (315 reviews)
Location: 100 Ohuohu Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 981 2646
17. Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
4.6 (321 reviews)
Location: 76 Kamehameha Ave Hilo HI
Tel: 808 498 4709
Web Address: http://papahanaumokuakea.gov/education/center.html
16. Keaukaha Beach Park
4.7 (349 reviews)
Credit: anokarina, License, Flickr
Location: 27 Apapane Road Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8311
15. Honoli’i Beach Park
4.7 (443 reviews)
Web Address: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/planning/spa/south_hilo/map4.html
14. Reeds Bay Beach Park
4.5 (718 reviews)
Location: 225 Banyan Dr Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8311
13. Onekahakaha Beach Park
4.6 (1,106 reviews)
Credit: blueant808, License, Flickr
Location: 74 Onekahakaha Road Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8311
Web Address: http://hawaiibeachsafety.com/big-island/onekahakaha-beach-park
12. Wailoa River State Recreation Area
4.4 (1,200 reviews)
Credit: Alan L, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 799 Piilani Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 9540
Web Address: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/wailoa-river-state-recreation-area/
11. Kaumana Caves
4.7 (1,488 reviews)
Credit: Robert Linsdell, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1492 Kaumana Dr Hilo HI
Web Address: http://bigislandhikes.com/kaumana-caves-state-park/
10. Wailuku River State Park
4.6 (2,989 reviews)
Location: 2 198 Rainbow Dr Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 9540
Web Address: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/wailuku-river-state-park/
Our Top picks
9. Imiloa Astronomy Center
4.4 (87 reviews)
Credit: Robert Linsdell, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 600 Imiloa Pl Hilo HI
Tel: 808 932 8901
Web Address: http://imiloahawaii.org/
8. Pacific Tsunami Museum
4.3 (300 reviews)
Credit: dronepicr, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 130 Kamehameha Ave Hilo HI
Tel: 808 935 0926
Web Address: http://tsunami.org/
7. Rainbow Falls
4.6 (866 reviews)
Credit: dronepicr, License, Wikimedia commons
6. Carlsmith Beach Park
4.7 (1,805 reviews)
Credit: dronepicr, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1815 Kalanianaole Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8311
Web Address: http://hawaiibeachsafety.com/big-island/carlsmith-beach-park
5. Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
4.6 (1,851 reviews)
Credit: Amanda Wilkins, Google Maps
Location: 800 Streetainback Hwy Hilo HI
Tel: 808 959 9233
Web Address: http://hilozoo.org/
4. Richardson Ocean Park
4.6 (1,969 reviews)
Credit: dronepicr, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2355 Kalanianaole Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 961 8688
Web Address: https://hawaiibeachsafety.com/big-island/richardson-ocean-park
3. Liliuokalani Gardens
4.7 (2,387 reviews)
Credit: brewbooks, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 189 Lihiwai Street #151 Hilo HI
2. Hawai‘i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden
4.8 (2,788 reviews)
Location: 27 717 Mamalahoa Hwy Papaikou HI
Tel: 808 964 5233
Web Address: http://htbg.com/
1. Hilo Farmers Market
4.4 (4,298 reviews)
Location: Corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Mamo Street Hilo HI
Tel: 808 933 1000
Web Address: http://hilofarmersmarket.com/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Hilo, Hawaii! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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