20 INCREDIBLE Things to Do in Hilo, Hawaii (& Nearby)

Are you interested in exploring a side of the Big Island that most tourists miss?

While the sunny Kona coast gets most of the spotlight (and the resorts), Hilo quietly holds some of Hawai’i’s most jaw-dropping natural beauty and authentic local charm.

As the capital of the Big Island, Hilo is jam-packed with things to do, from lush rainforests, volcanic coastlines, hidden waterfalls, and adventures that felt worlds away from the usual tourist track.

In this post, I’ll share my personal list of the top 20 things to do in Hilo after spending 4 days exploring up and down the east coast, determined to discover some off-the-beaten-path spots!

So if you’re after a more rugged, real side of Hawai’i, Hilo is where you want to be!

A Quick Look at the Big Island

Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to the Big Island to help plan your epic adventure!

Where to Stay:
Royal Kona Resort: The PERFECT place to stay in Kona! Great location, awesome pool and bar, and spacious rooms!
SCP Hilo: An environmentally conscious hotel that perfectly represents Hilo!
Read my full guide on Where to Stay here!
When to Visit:
– My favorite time is April/May (great weather and shoulder season)
– High season is December – March (also whale season!)
– Summer (July-August) is very warm and also sees a good amount of crowds
Things to Do:
Snorkel with Manta Rays (the TOP activity to do on the Big Island!)
Mauna Kea Stargazing Adventure (pricey but a very unique experience)
Whale Watching Cruise (only recommend in the winter!)
Read my full list of things to do here!

Best Things to Do in Hilo

As mentioned, Hilo is the capital of the Big Island; however, it’s not as big as you might think!

The downtown area is quite small and feels very walkable! You can park your car for free on the street (or find metered parking) and wander as you see fit.

However, the actual town of Hilo expands beyond just the downtown area, and there is plenty to be explored!

In addition, when staying in Hilo, you’ll definitely want a rental car to explore other areas of the island to the north and south, depending on how much time you have!

To make your planning as easy as possible, I’ve broken this post into two sections: one for activities in Hilo proper, and one for the other things to do outside of Hilo, but still on the east side of the island!

If you want help planning how and when to tackle all of these things, make sure to check out my One Week Big Island Itinerary for a day-by-day breakdown!

Now let’s jump into the activities in and around Hilo proper!

P.S. Need a hotel recommendation for your time in Hilo? We stayed at SCP Hilo and loved it! Staying at SCP means you are contributing to the Soul, Community, and Planet of Hawaii thanks to donations made by the hotel for every stay.

1. See Rainbow Falls

One of my favorite things we did while in Hilo was visiting Rainbow Falls. After spending a whole day driving around the island chasing waterfalls, it was refreshing to find one right off the main road in Hilo!

Rainbow Falls is located just 2 miles outside the main downtown area, and it’s arguably one of the best waterfalls on the Big Island.

This waterfall, along with Pe’epe’e Falls, are located within the Wailuku River State Park. However, it’s completely free to access them!

Once you park in the parking lot, it’s a 30-second walk (yes, that fast) over to the falls, which you’ll view from above on a railed platform that hugs the water.

Wondering why it’s called Rainbow Falls? I recommend visiting in the morning to find out! This is when you’re most likely to see the gorgeous rainbow that shines off the waterfall.

We arrived around 8am and saw the rainbow immediately! It stuck around almost the entire time we were there, and we had the place mostly to ourselves.

One of my favorite parts about visiting here was reading the Hawaiian legend about the Falls. It’s about Hina, mother of the famous Demi-God Maui and an ancient Hawaiian goddess. There’s a whole legend told on a plaque in front of the falls that depicts their story at Rainbow and Pe’epe’e Falls.

Unfortunately, no swimming is allowed here. But there’s plenty to explore anyways! You can also walk up above the falls to see the small pools and gorgeous banyan trees.

2. Hang with Locals at the Hilo Farmers Market

If you’re looking for something less touristy to do in Hilo, visiting the Hilo Farmers Market is a wonderful experience! Open every day from 7am-3pm, the market features locally grown food, tropical flowers, handmade jewelry, and more.

In addition to the normal market, there are “Big” Market days on Wednesdays and Saturdays with even more vendors! This will give you a chance to interact with locals and support the community.

The Farmers Market is a great place to shop for souvenirs while also supporting native Hawaiians.

3. Hike The Onomea Trail

While Hawai’i can certainly be expensive, there are tons of free ways to experience this island and its incredible landscapes without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking for something outdoorsy to do in Hilo that’s 100% free, hiking the Onomea Trail is a great morning activity!!

Less than 15 minutes north of Hilo, this trail is a quick 0.5 mile out and back hike. It’s pretty easy overall, with a brief descent down to the ocean. Once you make it to sea level, there’s a few gorgeous coves to admire, and you can see where the Onomea stream meets the ocean.

We started the hike around 9am after our morning visit to Rainbow Falls and finished up around 10:30am. Along the way, we were blown away by the beautiful scenic outlooks and lush landscapes the entire time.

If you want a bit longer hike, you can also continue the trail along and up to the Donkey Trailhead! This trail guide from That Adventure Life is a great overview of what you can expect!

4. Wander Through the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden

Located right next to the Onomea Trail is the incredible Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden! If you’re a tropical plant lover, this place is worth the $32 admission!

This Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm and is home to 40 acres and over 2,000 species of tropical flora. Their main goal is preservation and education, and they work to preserve as many species as possible for the benefit of future generations.

My favorite part of Hawai’i is seeing the stunning tropical vegetation like hibiscus, plumeria, ginger, elephant ears, and so much more! There are also man-made waterfalls and structures in the garden that add to the beauty.

Don’t forget to pack a rain jacket, insect repellant, and comforable shoes if you plan to visit here!

5. Grab an açaí bowl at Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack

I can’t talk about the best things to do in Hilo without talking about FOOD!

One of the yummiest meals we had while in Hilo was açaí bowls from Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack!

This spot, aside from being adorably decorated, is a family-run joint with delicious açaí bowls, coffee, ice cream, and more!

We visited as our last stop in Hilo before heading back to Kona, and I am so glad we did! I’ve eaten a lot of açaí bowls in my life, but this one was hands-down the best.

6. Explore Kaumana Caves State Park

If you don’t have time to visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (more on that later in this post), Kaumana Caves State Park is a good alternative (and free!) option. It’s definitely not the same as visiting the National Park, but it scratches the itch!

Located just 10 minutes outside of Hilo, the caves take you down into an old lava tube formed by an 1881 flow from Mauna Loa – how cool is that?!

Please be aware that the lava tube has no lights and no walkways, so it is very important to bring a flashlight, wear sturdy shoes, and pay attention when visiting!

7. Learn about tsunamis at the Pacific Tsunami Museum

If you’re looking for something extremely moving and educational to do in Hilo, I recommend visiting the Pacific Tsunami Museum. This museum is now open on weekends only and costs $15 per adult.

The goal of the museum is “to promote public tsunami awareness and education for the people of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Region”. It serves as a living memorial to those who have lost their lives to past tsunami events.

Within the museum, you’ll learn about the history of tsunami events around the world as well as the science of tsunamis. They also regularly have special events that include live music and family-friendly activities.

This is a great stop if you are looking to learn more about Hawaiian history!

8. Swim at Carlsmith Beach Park

If you’re looking for a casual place to swim and lounge in the sun in Hilo, look no further than Carlsmith Beach Park. I was surprised by how much I liked this spot when we visited!

The Beach Park is free to enter and has some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen! Due to the lava rocks and reefs, the lagoon is basically a giant saltwater swimming pool.

Be aware, the water is a bit chilly! Otherwise, it’s the perfect afternoon relaxation destination! We loved just lounging and swimming here on our last morning in Hilo.

You may even see some turtles and tropical fish, which is why it’s on my list of the Best Snorkel Spots on the Big Island! In fact, we saw several huge turtles when we were there, both swimming and lounging on the rocks.

If you’re looking to do even more snorkeling, make sure to check out Richardson Ocean Park which is just down the road!

9. Stroll through the Liliʻuokalani Gardens

Another free activity in Hilo is visiting the Liliʻuokalani Gardens, a 25-acre Japanese garden located right next to Hilo Bay. Here, you’ll find rock gardens, pagodas, fishponds, and a teahouse. It’s the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon in Hilo!

The Gardens are the largest authentic ornamental Japanese garden outside of Japan and were named after Hawaiʻi’s last reigning monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani. They were dedicated as a tribute to Hawaiʻi’s first Japanese immigrants who worked on Hawaiʻi’s sugar cane fields.

10. Watch the Surfers at Honoli’i Beach Park

While there’s not many options for learning how to surf around Hilo, there are some beach parks where you can watch the locals do their thing!

Our favorite spot is Honoli’i Beach Park, which is just a few minutes up the road from downtown Hilo. This beach park is located right off the Hawai’i Belt Road and has stairs down to the black sand beach, where you’ll find plenty of surfers and spectators!

I recommend bringing some drinks and visiting around sunset to end one of your days in Hilo! This is what we did on our last night, and it was the perfect conclusion to our time in Hilo!

Pssst: Planning a trip to the Big Island? Don’t miss my Ultimate One Week Big Island Itinerary for First Timers!

11. Learn at the Imiloa Astronomy Center

Another family friendly thing to do in Hilo is visiting the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. In Hawaiian, ‘Imiloa means “to seek far” and is the Hawaiian word for explore and explorer.

Tickets to the Astronomy Center start at $19 per adult, and they are open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Inside the museum, you’ll find a variety of exhibits, plus a planetarium with rotating shows. This is a perfect stop for the whole family!

And if you really want to get close to the stars, you can also check out a stargazing tour at Mauna Kea! This tour includes pick up from Hilo and transportation to the top of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the seafloor to its summit!

12. Indulge at the famous Ken’s House of Pancakes

Another foodie spot, eating at Ken’s House of Pancakes needs to be on your list of things to do in Hilo! Open from 6am-9pm daily, you can really eat any meal here, but I recommend going for breakfast!

Where else are you going to get macadamia nut pancakes with lilikoi (passionfruit) syrup?! I think I died and went to heaven when I saw this.

We ate here before driving to Volcanoes National Park, and it was the perfect pre-hiking fuel! This diner is a historic part of Hilo and definitely shouldn’t be skipped!

Top Things to Do Outside of Hilo

Now that we’ve covered all of the things to do in Hilo proper, let’s talk about what there is to do outside of Hilo!

As mentioned, I recommend basing yourself in Hilo for a few nights at SCP Hilo in order to explore the east side of the Big Island.

We spent one day exploring the northeast side of the Big Island on our drive from Kona to Hilo and another hiking through Volcanoes National Park and relaxing on Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach in the southeast.

Below, you’ll find a list of all the things I recommend doing that are 1 hour or less from Hilo!

P.S. For more details on the layout of the Big Island and where I recommend basing yourself, check out my full guide on Where to Stay on the Big Island!

13. Visit ‘Akaka Falls State Park

Located less than 30 minutes away from downtown Hilo is the famous Akaka Falls State Park, which is home to two gorgeous waterfalls!

The park costs $5 per person to enter (plus $10 per vehicle to park). Once you arrive, the park is extremely easy to navigate, with paved walkways and well-marked trails. This is a perfect place to visit with the whole family.

I recommend taking the counterclockwise loop so you can see both Kahuna Falls and ‘Akaka Falls. On top of the gorgeous waterfalls, the park is full of lush greenery, tropical flowers, and more.

It was raining when we visited, but I think that added to the magic! You can plan to spend about an hour here taking in the incredible scenery.

Pssst: Make sure to check out my guide to the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island for more information on this park!

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14. See the Island from The Air

Taking a helicopter tour in Hawai’i should really be on everyone’s bucket list. Although it can be pricey, seeing the landscapes of the Big Island from above is an unforgettable experience.

And Hilo is the best place to take a helicopter tour from!

I highly recommend this Hilo waterfall helicopter tour, which leaves from the Hilo airport and takes you north along the Kohala Coast. From here, you’ll fly into the Wai’pio Valley, a sacred place to native Hawaiians thanks to its lush landscapes and resources.

In fact, you can only enter the valley on foot with a local guide, but seeing it from above is an even more incredible experience!

Another option is this helicopter tour that flies over Volcanoes National Park. If Kileau is erupting while you are on the Big Island, I’d book this one instead so you can see lava!

We didn’t get to do this on our last trip to Hawai’i, but it’s definitely on my list for next time!

15. Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Speaking of volcanoes, seeing them from above is definitely not enough on your trip to the Big Island! One of the best parts about staying in Hilo is that it’s only a 45-minute drive to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (versus 2 hours from Kona).

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is honestly one of the most surreal places I’ve ever visited. It’s home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes—Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. Where else in the U.S. can you say you stood on the rim of an active crater, hiked through a lava lake, and crawled inside a lava tube?

There’s a $30 USD per vehicle fee to enter the park, but if you’ve got an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, you’re covered. I recommend arriving early—there’s a ton to see and you’ll want the whole day!

If you only do one hike while you’re here, make it the Kīlauea Iki Trail. It’s beginner-friendly and only took us about 2 hours, but it blew my mind. You actually hike down into the crater of a lava lake that formed during the 1959 eruption.

Walking across the hardened surface, with steam rising and plants slowly creeping through the cracks, felt like being on another planet. This is definitely one of the coolest things to do on the Big Island!

Aside from the trail, don’t miss the Thurston Lava Tubes—it’s a quick and easy walk, but so cool to think about how lava carved out that entire tunnel. If you’ve got extra time, check out the Chain of Craters drive too.

16. Lounge at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

One free and awesome thing to do while visiting Hilo is to check out one of the black sand beaches! The best one on the island in my opinion is Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, located on the south end of the island.

If you are driving from Kona to Hilo during your trip, you can take the southern route and make this beach one of your stops. However, another option is to tackle it on a day trip from Hilo and include Volcanoes National Park as well!

That’s what we did on our trip, and it was the perfect full-day adventure! We spent the morning and early afternoon at the National Park before heading to Punalu’u. Also highly recommend stopping at Taco Tita for a late lunch before making your way to the beach like we did.

What I love about this black sand beach is the gorgeous, green palm trees that line the edge of it. It seriously looks like a postcard! In addition, there are tons of sea turtles on the beach and in the water!!

We spent around an hour here, just sitting on the sand and spotting sea turtles.

This beach is definitely not a hidden gem, but I think it’s worth the stop!

17. Go Ziplining

One of the most adventurous things to do in Hilo is to go zip lining!! Of course, there’s no zip lining in the town of Hilo (that wouldn’t be very exciting).

However, Hilo is a great launching point for zip lining, as most of the tours are in the Hamakua region, less than 30 minutes outside of Hilo!

For example, this zip lining tour takes place right next to ‘Akaka Falls State Park, and you’ll be able to soar over a 250-foot waterfall! You’ll also see Banana fields, Hawaiian Ginger, Pineapples and Sugarcane on the tour!

You can expect to pay around $200 for a few hours of zip lining, so it’s definitely not the cheapest option for things to do around Hilo, but it is one of the most exciting!

🌺 Book this #1 rated zip lining tour before it sells out! 🌺

18. Go on a chocolate Farm tour

Where Kona might be known for its coffee, Hilo is known for its CHOCOLATE. Located just 15 minutes outside of Hilo, Lavaloha Chocolate Farm is the perfect place to add to your Hilo itinerary!

The 1000-acre cacao farm sits at 1000 feet of elevation on the slopes of Mauna Kea. The volcano is what makes the surrounding soil so nutrient rich and perfect for growing cacao.

Anyone can visit the Visitor Center & Gift Shop for free, or you can opt for a paid tour of the farm. On the tour, you’ll explore the cacao orchards, walk through the chocolate processing facilities, and learn all about the process from tree to chocolate!

19. Chase Waterfalls at Kulaniapia Falls

Last but certainly not least, visiting Kulaniapia Falls should absolutely be on your list of things to do in Hilo! There are quite a few waterfalls on the Big Island, but not many you can swim in.

Kulaniapia Falls is located on private property, owned by an incredible sustainable off the grid hotel. However, the hotel does offer day passes for access to the waterfall so you can visit even if you are not staying there.

The day pass ranges from $30 to $70 depending on what time of day and day of the week you plan to visit! The pass allows you to swim in the falls and rent kayaks/paddleboards, both weather permitting. You can also hike around and above the waterfall!

In addition to these benefits, the day pass also gives you a $50 discount on all of the guided experiences at the hotel, like farm tours, cooking classes, or (for the very adventurous) waterfall rappelling!!!

Note: Day passes are limited per day. Grab your day pass in advance to ensure your date is available!

Photo Credit: The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls from Booking.com

Final Thoughts

Hilo ended up being one of the most unexpectedly magical parts of our Big Island trip! I can’t believe I considered skipping this side of the island.

Between the rainforests, lava tubes, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and ridiculously good food, there’s something about this side of the island that just feels more wild and real than neighboring Kona. I highly recommend making time for Hilo during your time on the Big Island, especially if you love lush landscapes, waterfalls, and tropical rainforests.

And if waterfalls are your priority while on the Big Island, make sure to check out my guide to the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island next to keep planning your adventure!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!