41 Things to Do in Hilo, Hawaii (Worth It or Not?)

Hilo Tours & Activities

1. Hilo Farmers Market

The Hilo Farmers Market is probably the most famous market on the Big Island (though it’s not my favorite). Most first time visitors have it on their must-do list.

Over 150 vendors sell an impressive variety of fresh exotic fruits and vegetables, crafts, and other locally made products. Be aware there are vendors selling “Made in China” items though.

However, the atmosphere is lively and fun, making it an ideal place to pick up souvenirs or grab a bite to eat.

The market is entirely covered, so you can enjoy browsing in the shade on sunny days or staying dry on rainy days. 

While the market is open 7 days a week year-round, the biggest shopping days are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tuesdays at noon they hold free hula and lei lessons.

11. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center

I was almost startled at how fast the Mauna Loa Visitor Center welcomes you with free macadamia nut samples as soon as you walk through the door. They don’t waste no time trying to get you addicted!

⚠️ Word to the Wise: Mauna Loa sources their macadamia nuts from all over the world, not just Hawaii. So if you think you’re getting 100% Hawaiian mac nuts, think again.

Their gift shop sells a variety of flavors and chocolate covered nuts to bring home as well as other Hawaiian made products. It’s definitely laid out spaciously to accommodate large tour groups.

The back patio has covered outdoor seating to watch a video on the macadamia nut harvesting process. You could buy some of their dairy-free, macadamia nut ice cream to eat while you watch.

Afterward, you can wander through their nature garden with a laminated map and nature walk “guidebook” to spot different fruits and flowers. There’s also an outdoor photo wall sharing the history of Mauna Loa.

12. Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens

The Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens is one of my favorite Hilo hidden gems! It’s the only naturally occurring tropical rainforest zoo in the United States.

Set on 12 acres of lush rainforest, it’s home to over 80 animal species, including tigers, emus, reptiles, primates, and lemurs. There’s also an impressive collection of parrots and rare endemic birds like the endangered nene (Hawaiian goose) and ‘alalā ( Hawaiian crow). 

They have a fun, large playground where kids can burn off some energy and covered picnic areas for enjoying a dry lunch.

13. Coconut Island

⚠️ Inaccessible by foot indefinitely until the bridge is repaired (as of March 2026)

Just across the street from Liliuokalani Park is a popular local spot, Coconut Island.

Stroll across the long white bridge to this small pedestrian-only island and enjoy panoramic views of Hilo and Mauna Kea. The island offers plenty of grassy areas, picnic tables, bathrooms, a small beach, and shade trees for a laid-back afternoon.

But the real reason people come here is for the two-tiered diving tower. Swimmers can jump into Hilo Bay from either the 10ft or 20ft platforms. 

14. Banyan Drive

One of my favorite quirky attractions in Hilo is Banyan Drive. I like to either take a pleasant stroll or drive down this road that’s canopied by banyan trees nearly 100 years old.

Each tree is marked with a wooden sign bearing the name of the person who planted it. 

While most of the names are unfamiliar to me, I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of famous names like Amelia Earhart and Babe Ruth.

15. Watch Surfers at Honoli’i Beach

Honoli’i Beach is a go-to spot for surfers in Hilo. It’s fun to watch experienced surfers take advantage of the consistent waves that break along this black sand beach.

However, because of those strong waves, oftentimes only surfers are allowed in the water. Lifeguards are diligent in telling you to get out of the water if the conditions are too dangerous for casual swimming. 

If you’re desperate to cool off, you can wade in Honoli’i Stream which dumps into the ocean there.

Parking can be tricky along the narrow street. It’s technically two-way, but there’s really only room for one car at a time, so take it slow and drive with care.

16. Hilo Coffee Farm

Technically located in Mountain View, Hilo Coffee Mill has an eclectic selection of 100% Hawaiian coffee, including Ka`u District, Kona Estate, Maui (Mokka), and Puna varieties, as well as blends from around the world. 

Don’t be surprised if you make new friends with their chickens or cats during your visit!

They also host a small farmers market on Saturdays.

17. Honomu Goat Dairy

Honomu Goat Dairy is a cute stop to stretch your legs and get some goat pets on the way to Akaka Falls!

Their herd of purebred Nubian goats graze in pastures that were once sugar cane fields, which helps them produce their delicious specialty cheeses and provide milk for local confections and soaps. You’ll want to try their melt-in-your-mouth goat milk caramel!

I took advantage of their free “goat therapy” by playing with their baby goats in their play yard and feeding them treats for a buck.

If the weather is rough, they may close the play yard to protect the health and cleanliness of the baby goats. 

Cultural Experiences in Hilo

18. Kamehameha Statue

Standing at an impressive 14 feet tall, the Kamehameha Statue is a bronze work of art honoring King Kamehameha I, who was instrumental in uniting the Hawaiian Islands in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

The statue was commissioned to Thomas Ridgeway Gould in 1969 but it wasn’t installed until 1997.

Originally intended for the Princeville Corporation resort in Kauai, the statue was redirected to Hilo after Kauai’s residents objected to it, as King Kamehameha I never conquered their island. Hilo was a significant political center for the king, so was seen as a more fitting location for the statue.

Check out the Big Island’s other King Kamehameha I statue in Hawi! >>

19. Merrie Monarch Festival

During Easter week, Hilo hosts the Merrie Monarch Festival, a prestigious hula competition that draws participants from across the islands. Tickets are highly sought after and difficult to obtain, but if you manage to secure some, you’re in for a treat watching the best hula performers in the state!

If you can’t make it to the competitions, don’t miss the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade, it’s the most unique parade I’ve ever been to!.

The vibrant and colorful parade winds through old downtown Hilo and features hula competitors, pa’u riders, musicians, and non-competing hula performers, things you don’t see in normal mainland parades.

There’s also an arts and crafts fair that runs throughout the week where you can shop local Hawaiian artisan goods.

20. Lyman Museum and Mission House

The Lyman Museum is self-guided and offers interesting exhibits on Hawaiian culture and houses an impressive collection of shells and minerals, including orlymanite, named in honor of their great-grandson, Orlando Hammond Lyman.

Next door, take a guided tour of the Mission House, constructed in the 1830s by David and Sarah Lyman, Christian missionaries from the East Coast.

It’s one of the island’s earliest homes built in New England style and crafted from native koa and ohia woods. It also hosted notable guests like Mark Twain.

21. Pacific Tsunami Museum

The 1946 Hilo Tsunami was a catastrophic event, caused by an 8.1 magnitude earthquake in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. Waves as high as 55 feet swept through the Hilo Bay area, demolishing buildings, homes, and infrastructure, and tragically claiming 159 lives.

The Pacific Tsunami Museum is a little dated but you learn about the history and impact of this disaster as well as other tsunamis across the Pacific.

Be prepared for a lot of reading as you peruse educational displays, audio survivor accounts, and an informative 25-minute video shown in a small theater in what used to be an old bank vault.  

22. Imiloa Astronomy Center

The Imiloa Astronomy Center is a science museum highly geared towards children, focusing on the strong connection between astronomy and Hawaiian culture. 

You can enjoy interactive exhibits, (semi-corny) planetarium shows, and learn about the significance of stars and constellations in Hawaiian and Polynesian mythology and navigation. 

There are plenty of hands-on activities for kids, plus informative stations (presented in both English and Hawaiian).

23. East Hawaii Cultural Center

The East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center is an arts and culture hub, with a variety of programs, exhibits, and events for the community. Located in the old Hilo Police Station and County Courthouse, you can enter the free gallery to view the latest art exhibits, join a workshop to learn something new, or catch a performance by local talented artists.

Check out their current programs here.

24. Naha Stone

The Naha Stone is a massive volcanic stone weighing about 3.5 tons that holds a legendary status in Hawaiian culture. 

Originally, the stone was used to prove a baby’s legitimacy to the Naha rank bloodline. 

It was also said that whoever could overturn the stone would be given the power to unite all of Hawaii. The story goes that at age 14, King Kamehameha I showed his strength by moving it, proving he was destined to unite the Hawaiian Islands (which he did).

Today, the Naha Stone sits in front of the Hilo Public Library where you can test your own strength against it, like a Hawaiian Sword in the Stone!

Explore Nature Around Hilo

25. Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is one of the Big Island’s most iconic waterfalls and a prominent natural landmark in Hilo. Just 2 miles from the historic downtown area, this 80-foot waterfall cascades over a giant cave (which disappears after a hard rain).

There is a viewing “platform” for the postcard-perfect picture just a few feet from the parking lot.

A short hike up the stairs to the left leads to a (nonexciting) view at the top of the falls as well as a whole banyan tree forest to explore. 

The best time to catch the rainbow mist is in the mornings on a sunny day.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Beginning in 2026, you now have to pay admission to visit Rainbow Falls: $10 per car PLUS $5 per person. This is such a quick stop, I don’t think it’s worth visiting anymore.

26. Pe’epe’e Falls and Boiling Pots

Pe‘epe‘e Falls and Boiling Pots offer another scenic water view just upstream from Rainbow Falls. 

⚠️ This isn’t the best waterfall view it’s partially hidden behind a large rock formation.

The waterfall is 80 feet tall and drops into a series of pools below, creating what they describe as the “boiling pots” effect. The powerful water flow creates rapids and whirlpools, giving the pools their bubbling appearance. (However, I think you gotta leave a lot to the imagination for that one).

This is just a quick stop for photos. Hiking down to the river is prohibited.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Once again there’s an admission that started in 2026: $10 per car PLUS $5 per person. However, your Rainbow Falls tickets count towards it.

27. Wai’ale Waterfalls

My favorite swimmable waterfall is Wai‘ale Falls, located just upstream from Rainbow Falls. It’s the perfect blend of feeling remote while still being easily accessible.

Take the narrow trailhead leading up the bank from the gravel shoulder parking and follow the short, rugged trail through tall grass, over tree roots, and past patches of fermenting fruit.

Along the way, you’ll find a small offshoot that leads down to the riverbank, where you can access the waterfall pool and the rocky island nearby. Or continue following the trail to the top of the waterfall and (carefully) wade in the pools above.

Most times I’ve been here, there’s barely anyone else around — sometimes just one or two other people, meaning you’ll likely have the falls all to yourself!

⚠️ Word to the Wise: Do not go swimming in rivers and waterfalls after the rain as there is risk of flash floods, strong currents, and debris.

28. Kaumana Caves

Kaumana Caves are fun to hike through part of a lava tube system formed during the 1881 eruption of Mauna Loa.

The cave system stretches for about 25 miles, but only about 2-3 miles are open for the public to hike as much of it is on private property. 

Access the caves down a steep flight of stairs through a skylight formed by a collapse in the tunnel roof and then decide whether to go through the left tunnel (involves more crawling and lower ceilings) or the right tunnel (more upright hiking with the ceiling reaching about 30ft tall in some places).   

This is a good activity to do when it’s raining because you’ll stay dry in the tunnel or at night because it’s dark in there already.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Don’t forget to bring a flashlight or headlamp. Cellphone lights won’t be bright enough!

29. Akaka Falls

Besides Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls is the next famous waterfall on the island with a dramatic 442-foot drop over a green cliff into the small pool below.

The trail to the falls is an easy, half-mile paved loop with some stairs through the park’s diverse vegetation. 

A viewing area has a chain link fence to stand next to and a covered pavilion if it’s raining. Placards tell you about the history and science of the falls.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: I’m okay paying the $5 entrance fee for this waterfall because you at least get a pleasant, short hike through the rainforest as well. But you can avoid the $10 parking lot fee by parking for free along the street shoulder just outside the gate.

30. Pepe’ekeo Scenic Drive

Pepe’ekeo Scenic Drive, aka Old Mamalahoa Highway, located just outside of Hilo, is what I believe to be one of the most beautiful drives on the Big Island. 

This charming 4-mile route winds through thick verdant rainforests and over babbling brooks, leading you to historic bridges, Onomea Bay, the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Gardens, and the picturesque Six Tons Waterfall, another swimmable waterfall.

Not to mention, What’s Shakin’ has the thickest, creamiest fruit smoothies and freshest lunch wraps!

🚲 Consider taking the bike tour over these roads.

31. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

Spread across 20 acres, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden was founded in 1977 and features over 2,500 species of plants and flowers from around the world, along with the picturesque three-tiered Onomea Waterfall and views of Onomea Bay. 

This “living classroom” offers 1.25 miles of trails through the lush tropical garden and scenic boardwalks.

I haven’t visited yet, but everyone I’ve talked to says it’s worth the price of admission, even if you aren’t a huge plant person.

32. Richardson Beach

Richardson Beach is one of Hilo’s most popular beaches. It has so much character with black sand, large lava rocks for climbing, sheltered pockets good for snorkeling and tidepooling, and artistically curated lawn patches.

The biggest reason to come here is that there is a high chance of spotting green sea turtles either swimming in the water or sunbathing on the rocks.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: If you look closely, you might find some green sand mixed in with the black sand. The biggest giveaway is if the sand is glittery.

33. Liliuokalani Park

Liliuokalani Park, named in honor of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, is a peaceful park in Hilo. Queen Liliuokalani donated the land, and the park was established in 1917 as a tribute to Hawaii’s first Japanese immigrants who arrived to work in the sugar cane fields.

This serene park features traditional Japanese gardens, complete with ponds, arched bridges, pagodas, and Japanese stone lanterns, making it a nice spot for leisurely walks or relaxing picnics.

Coconut Island is across the street and Banyan Drive is down the road.

Fun Foods to Try in Hilo

34. Shortbread Cookies

Big Island Candies is a popular gift shop where as soon as you walk in you’re given free samples of their famous shortbread cookies. Their varieties range from chocolate-dipped and coconut to classic original and macadamia nut.

Typically I stay away from shortbread cookies because they taste like sawdust to me. I actually seek out Big Island Candies’ macadamia nut shortbread cookies because these melt in your mouth and have a yummy nut flavor.

They’re a bit on the pricey side, but props to them for packaging their goodies in colorful boxes with bows to make them fancy looking souvenirs to bring home.

As you’re snacking on samples, check out the large factory kitchen in action through the panoramic windows at the back of the store.

35. Beer 

If you’re a beer fanatic like my family is, you’ll be pleased to know that Hilo has two breweries to visit and order a flight:

• Ola Brewing Co. 
• Hilo Brewing Co.

Ola Brewing Co. is a modern brewpub with creative, unique flavored brews, using locally sourced ingredients like oranges, lilikoi, and coffee. Not only do they brew beers, they have also concocted hard juices (Dragonfruit Lemonade is my favorite!), hard seltzers, and hard teas.

Hilo Brewing Co.‘s taproom is set in a casual, laid-back garage where you can enjoy a pint and possibly strike up a chat with a local. Their beers range from ales to porters to IPAs.

36. Mochi

Two Ladies Kitchen is famous for its fresh, handmade mochi, a soft and chewy Japanese rice.

Pick and choose from over 20 flavors of mochi and manju, the strawberry mochi being their most popular.

Though I’ve never been to Japan, people say this mochi is just as good as the stuff you’d find there. However, unpopular opinion, both my friend and I were extremely disappointed with our mochis and ended up not even finishing our bags.

The line can get quite long, so be prepared to wait or for the chance that they might run out of a flavor you may want. 

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Skip the line by purchasing their pre-packaged mochi OR ordering in advance. 

37. Kombucha

The Booch Bar is what you might call a…fermentpub?

It’s a cafe run by Big Island Booch where they serve their small batch kombucha and jun (honey kombucha) on tap, as well as sauerkrauts and kimchis. 

Their hand-crafted kombucha uses the freshest and finest organic teas, fruits and herbs, which are sourced locally as much as possible.

They’ve got flavors like Ginger Tumeric, Hibiscus, or Lilikoi and you can order a flight of kombucha to try them all.

Or, have them make you a kombucha smoothie or a kombucha cocktail!

Their food menu is also VERY good! The Booch Bar Burger with lilikoi mustard and kombucha ketchup is a burger I’m always craving.

38. 1# Lau Lau

Lau lau is a traditional Hawaiian dish consisting of meat—typically pork, chicken, or fish—wrapped in taro and ti leaves and steamed until tender. The taro leaves infuse the meat with a unique, earthy flavor. 

Kuhio Grille serves a novelty 1lb lau lau, with beef, chicken, or pork options. The Kanak Atak is like a personal mini luau plate with the lau lau, kalua pork, rice, poi, lomi salmon, and haupia.

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Kaaloa’s Super J’s in Captain Cook serves a waaaaay better lau lau.

39. Sugarcane Juice

Did you know that sugarcane is rich in essential nutrients? It’s low in simple sugars, and offers benefits like rehydration, improved kidney function, and support for overall health due to its high content of chlorophyll, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, potassium, and antioxidants.

Sweet Cane Cafe grows its cane on their family farm near Hilo, without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides. They press the fresh cane into juice and do not subject it to further pasteurization or processing, ensuring maximum nutritional value.

They have different flavors like: 

• Lemon limeade
• Coconut limeade 
• Lilikoi passion

Let me tell you, this is such a refreshing drink in the hot humid Hilo air! 

If you don’t want it straight up, they also serve it in their smoothies and shakes.

40. Shave Ice

“It’s shave ice, NOT shaved ice!“

Shave ice is a quintessential Hawaiian treat made from finely shaved ice that’s flavored with colorful syrups. Unlike snow cones, which uses coarser ice, shave ice has a smooth, snow-like texture and usually comes in a bowl, not a cone.

Shave ice can be customized with a variety of fruity flavored syrups. It’s also popular to add toppings such as sweetened condensed milk, sweet red beans, or haupia cream for extra texture and sweetness.

A couple of unique places to find shave ice in Hilo are:

• Kula Shave Ice – housemade syrups made with local fresh fruit and organic cane sugar (haupia cream is to die for!)
• Hilo Ice Shave – ice made from Hilo rain (you read that right!), uses traditional Japan ice block shaver machine, offers a pour-your-own-syrup station option

41. Paletas

A hidden gem in Hilo is another frozen treat: paleta. Paletas are a type of Latin American popsicle made from fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and spices. 

If you’re on a budget, inside an unassuming industrial looking building, Alii Ice House sells the best, cheap paletas around.

You’ll find over 20 flavors like:

• Guava
• Li Hing Mui Mango
• Lilikoi
• Horchata

This is the perfect treat to grab before you stroll Liliuokalani Park or Banyan Drive.