Hilo, United States

Hilo Travel Guide

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Locality

Facts and practical information

Alternative names: Population: 43.3 thous.Area: 58.28 mi²Elevation: 26 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 19°43'22"N, 155°5'2"W
Location

HawaiiUnited States

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Hilo Public Transportation
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Hilo Top Attractions

Hilo Attractions - What to See and Explore

Hilo offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Rainbow Falls, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Hoʻolulu Park, Liliuokalani Park and Gardens. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

  • rainbow falls hilo
    Park • Waterfall • View point

    Rainbow Falls

    Nestled in the lush landscape of Hilo, Hawaii, the enchanting Rainbow Falls beckons travelers with its picturesque beauty and serene ambiance. This natural wonder, which is part of the Hawaii State Parks, is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Big Island.

  • hawaii tropical botanical garden hilo
    Garden • Park • Botanical garden

    Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

    The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve located on the 4 mile scenic route off of Route 19 at 27-717 Old Māmalahoa Highway, Pāpa'ikou, Hawaii, Hawaii. It is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. An admission fee is charged to the general public.

  • hoolulu park hilo
    Park • Waiakea Ahupua`a

    Hoʻolulu Park

    Hoʻolulu Park is a 56-acre park and recreation center operated by the County of Hawaiʻi in Hilo, Hawaii, east of the Wailoa River State Recreation Area and downtown Hilo, and west of Hilo International Airport.

  • liliuokalani park and gardens hilo
    Park • Garden • View point

    Liliuokalani Park and Gardens

    Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens is a 24.14-acre park with Japanese gardens, located on Banyan Drive in Hilo on the island of Hawaiʻi. The park's site was donated by Queen Liliʻuokalani, and lies southeast of downtown Hilo, on the Waiakea Peninsula in Hilo Bay.

  • kealoha beach park hilo
    Park • Waiakea Ahupua`a

    Kealoha Beach Park

    James Kealoha Beach Park is a swimming and snorkeling beach located in the Hilo district on the Island of Hawai'i. It is known locally as '4-mile' beach, as its location is exactly 4 miles from the Hilo town post-office.

  • kaumana cave hilo
    Park • Ponahawai Ahupua`a

    Kaumana Cave

    Kaumana Cave is a lava tube created by a 1881 lava flow from Mauna Loa. The tube has been surveyed at 2.026 miles long making it the 57th longest lava tube in the world. The cave is located on the island of Hawaiʻi near the city of Hilo.

  • s hata building hilo
    Museum • Ponahawai Ahupua`a

    S. Hata Building

    The S. Hata Building is a historic structure in Hilo, Hawaii built by Japanese businessman Hata Sadanosuke in 1912. It now contains specialty shops, professional offices, and a Cafe Pesto restaurant.

  • lyman house memorial museum hilo
    Museum • Natural history museum • Specialty museum

    Lyman House Memorial Museum

    The Lyman House Memorial Museum, also known as the Lyman Museum and Lyman House, is a Hilo, Hawaii-based natural history museum founded in 1931 in the Lyman family mission house, originally built in 1838.

  • pacific tsunami museum hilo
    Museum • Natural history museum • Specialty museum

    Pacific Tsunami Museum

    The Pacific Tsunami Museum is a museum in Hilo, Hawaii dedicated to the history of the April 1, 1946 Pacific tsunami and the May 23, 1960 Chilean tsunami which devastated much of the east coast of the Big Island, especially Hilo.

  • university of hawaii at hilo botanical gardens
    Botanical garden • Waiakea Ahupua`a

    University of Hawaii at Hilo Botanical Gardens

    The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Botanical Gardens are botanical gardens on the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus, located at 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi on the island of Hawaiʻi. They are open daily without charge.

  • richardson beach hilo
    Park • Beach • Outdoor activities

    Richardson Beach

    Richardson Beach is a Hawaii County park located just east of Hilo, Hawaii, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Adjacent is the Lele'iwi Beach Park.

  • imiloa astronomy center hilo
    Museum • Observatories and planetariums • Science museum

    ʻImiloa Astronomy Center

    ʻImiloa Astronomy Center is an astronomy and culture education center located in Hilo, Hawaii. Conceived by founding Director George Jacob in 2001, it features exhibits and shows dealing with Hawaiian culture and history, astronomy, and the overlap between the two.

  • naha stone hilo
    Memorial • Piihonua Ahupua`a

    Naha Stone

    The Naha Stone is a large volcanic rock located in Hilo, Hawaii. The stone was used in the cultural traditions of Native Hawaiians, and many legends surround it.

  • panaewa rainforest zoo hilo
    Zoo • Waiakea Ahupua`a

    Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo

    Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo is located in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, United States. This small 12-acre zoo is the only one in the United States located in a rainforest. It is operated by Hawaii County and receives its funding from the county and from private donations.

  • palace theater hilo
    Concerts and shows • Cinema • Theater

    Palace Theater

    The Palace Theater is a movie theatre in downtown Hilo, Hawai'i in the United States of America. Built in 1925, the theater is one of the more prominent public buildings constructed in Hilo in the early 20th century.

  • east hawaii cultural center hilo
    Museum • Theater • Shopping

    East Hawaii Cultural Center

    The East Hawaii Cultural Center is an art gallery, community theater, and cultural center in downtown Hilo, Hawaii. EHCC features regular art exhibitions with free or suggested donation entry to the general public.

  • haili church hilo
    Church • Ponahawai Ahupua`a

    Haili church

    The Waiākea Mission Station was the first Christian mission on the eastern side of the Island of Hawaiʻi. Also known as the Hilo Station, the latest structure is now called Haili Church.

  • saint joseph catholic church hilo
    Church • Punahoa 2 Ahupua`a

    Saint Joseph Catholic Church

    Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church of Hawaii in the United States. Located at 43 Kapiolani Street, 19°43′20″N 155°5′25″W, in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, the church falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Honolulu and its bishop.

  • nani mau gardens hilo
    Botanical garden • Museum • Natural history museum

    Nani Mau Gardens

    Nani Mau Gardens are commercial botanical gardens located at 421 Makalika Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi on the island of Hawaiʻi, coordinates 19°40′20″N 155°3′17″W. The gardens' name, Nani Mau, means "forever beautiful". They were established by Makato Nitahara and opened to the public in 1972.

Day trips

Hilo – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Hilo, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Halemaumau Crater (Volcano Village), Puʻu ʻŌʻō (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park), Kīlauea (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park).

  • halemaumau crater volcano village25 milesSW
    Natural attraction, Nature, Volcano

    Halemaumau Crater, Volcano Village

    Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, a dramatic and dynamic volcanic feature nestled within the larger summit caldera of Kīlauea in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, is a must-see destination for any visitor to the island of Hawai'i. Known for its rich cultural significance...

  • puu oo hawaii volcanoes national park23 milesS
    Prominent volcano known for lava outpour

    Puʻu ʻŌʻō, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

    Puʻu ʻŌʻō is an iconic volcanic cone situated within the diverse and dramatic landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on the Big Island of Hawaii, United States. Known for its significant role in the recent eruptive history of the Kilauea volcano, Puʻu...

  • kilauea hawaii volcanoes national park25 milesSW
    Natural attraction, Nature, Volcano

    Kīlauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

    Kīlauea, the legendary shield volcano nestled within the expansive Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, stands as a testament to the raw power and beauty of nature's creation. As one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, Kīlauea provides a unique opportunity for visitors...

  • mauna loa hawaii volcanoes national park37 milesSW
    Largest active volcano on the planet

    Mauna Loa, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

    Mauna Loa, the colossal volcano situated within the diverse landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is one of the most iconic natural landmarks of the United States. Towering above the Pacific Ocean, this massive shield volcano is not only one of the largest on...

  • lava tree state monument pahoa20 milesSE
    Park, Trail, Tree

    Lava Tree State Monument, Pahoa

    Lava Tree State Monument is a public park located 2.7 miles southeast of Pāhoa in the Puna District on the island of Hawaii. It preserves lava molds of the tree trunks that were formed when a lava flow swept through a forested area in 1790.

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Best Time To Visit Hilo

Learn when is the best time to travel to Hilo weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

JFMAMJJASOND

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in January, April and May.

Average temperatures in °F

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The air temperature in this location remains at a similar level throughout the year.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in June. Most of it rains in March and November.

Length of day in hours

JFMAMJJASOND

We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Best Ways to Experience the Place

cuisine

Food & drink

Cuisine

A guide to some of the best local dishes and drinks that you will meet in the region.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Hilo?

The top attractions to visit in Hilo are:

What is the best time to visit Hilo?

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in January, April and May. The air temperature in this location remains at a similar level throughout the year.

Where to next? Visit hawaii Hawaii region page or discover the top tourist attractions in United States.

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