Hilo trips and vacations
Don’t come to the Big Island’s largest town looking for poolside umbrella drinks and sunburned tourists doing the limbo. Vacations to Hilo promise a more authentic Hawaiian experience, where history and raw natural beauty stand in contrast to the typical resort scene. From tropical gardens and black-sand beaches to funky museums and farm-fresh produce stands, see why the ‘Aloha Spirit’ is alive and well in Hilo.
The best neighborhoods in Hilo
Downtown Hilo
Wander back in time in Downtown Hilo, where historic wooden buildings sit alongside a beautiful, sweeping bay. Discover the island’s rich cultural and creative traditions at Downtown’s museums, craft markets and art galleries. Then learn about the darker side of island life at the Pacific Tsunami Museum.
Good for: History, galleries, markets
Puna
Nature lovers and free spirits are drawn to Puna, a creative enclave south of Hilo. Known as the heartland of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, this is the best place to stay in Hilo for hiking, lava viewing and trips into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Good for: Lava viewing, hiking, national park
Wainaku
Wondering where to stay in Hilo for a taste of local life? Check out Wainaku, a residential area just north of town. Its leafy streets are home to working farms and old plantation homes, a hint at the region’s sugar-producing past. Down to surf? Wainaku is an easy hop to Honolii and Bayfront beach parks.
Good for: Local life, history, surfing
Things to do in Hilo
Shopping
If you’re looking for chain stores and big-box malls, you’re in the wrong place. Shopping in Hilo is small-scale, locally focused and full of creativity. Check out the town’s bookshops, boutiques and art galleries, then hit the Hilo Farmers Market to browse ceramics, jewelry and woodwork by Hawaiian artists. It’s also home to some of the freshest produce on the island.
Places to eat
Hilo’s dining scene is a microcosm of the region’s multiculturalism. Find everything from authentic Japanese and Mexican food to local spins on the poke bowl where fresh fish is front and center. Fancy a night of fine dining? You’ll have to head to one of the luxury resorts in Kailua-Kona — restaurants in Hilo keep things casual.
Beaches
Beaches in Hilo aren’t the sweeping white sands of tropical island cliches. They’re wild, rocky and volcanic — but equally beautiful. You’ll find the best on the Keaukaha Strip, running south of Downtown. Try Richardson Ocean Park for natural whirlpool tubs and Kealoha Beach Park for swimming, snorkeling and surfing in winter.
