Guidebook for Da Big Island
Entertainment & Activities
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
109 locals recommend
Lava Tree State Monument
Hawaii 132Lava 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
One of our favorite swimming, surfing, and snorkeling spots in Puna (along with Kapoho...). The boat ramp is where everyone swims and on weekends and full of people,
101 locals recommend
Isaac Hale Park
13-101 Kalapana - Kapoho RdOne of our favorite swimming, surfing, and snorkeling spots in Puna (along with Kapoho...). The boat ramp is where everyone swims and on weekends and full of people,
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve located off Route 19 at 27-717 Old Māmalahoa Highway, Pāpa'ikou, Hawaii, Hawaii. It is open daily; Fee!
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyThe Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve located off Route 19 at 27-717 Old Māmalahoa Highway, Pāpa'ikou, Hawaii, Hawaii. It is open daily; Fee!
Love the lectures and using the telescopes. Wear heavier cloths. It's pretty windy/cold at the visitor center but they do provide warm soup and you might bring along some hot chocolate!
161 locals recommend
Mauna Kea
Love the lectures and using the telescopes. Wear heavier cloths. It's pretty windy/cold at the visitor center but they do provide warm soup and you might bring along some hot chocolate!
This black-sand beach is popular for snorkeling & swimming provides lifeguards & picnic areas. Swim wit' da' fishes'.
176 locals recommend
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole StThis black-sand beach is popular for snorkeling & swimming provides lifeguards & picnic areas. Swim wit' da' fishes'.
Free Zoo! You can't beat the free admission to this nice little zoo. It is just off the highway outside Hilo and is a great place for the kids to burn off some energy. A beautiful place!
110 locals recommend
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
800 Stainback HwyFree Zoo! You can't beat the free admission to this nice little zoo. It is just off the highway outside Hilo and is a great place for the kids to burn off some energy. A beautiful place!
If you are able bodied, have sturdy shoes and a flash light the caves will offer some great exploring for about 45 minutes. Notorious for striking thieves who break into cars and steal valuables!
65 locals recommend
Kaumana Caves
1492 Kaumana DrIf you are able bodied, have sturdy shoes and a flash light the caves will offer some great exploring for about 45 minutes. Notorious for striking thieves who break into cars and steal valuables!
The fact this island was once part of the land, the city, and was destroyed by a Tsunami. Devastation is obvious but it is amazing how life comes back through rebirth.
20 locals recommend
Moku Ola / Coconut Island
77 Keliipio PlThe fact this island was once part of the land, the city, and was destroyed by a Tsunami. Devastation is obvious but it is amazing how life comes back through rebirth.
The Imiloa Astronomy Center is a great place. Great movie about space exploration and learn a great deal from the beautifully designed and maintained exhibits. This is a great place to go with kids!
92 locals recommend
Imiloa Astronomy Center
600 Imiloa Pl The Imiloa Astronomy Center is a great place. Great movie about space exploration and learn a great deal from the beautifully designed and maintained exhibits. This is a great place to go with kids!
Fun friendly place for a ride. The working cowgirls are wonderful! Did a little bit of trotting and loping along the way. A lovely way to see a different side to Hawaii!
Kahua Ranch Ltd
59-564 Kohala Mountain RdFun friendly place for a ride. The working cowgirls are wonderful! Did a little bit of trotting and loping along the way. A lovely way to see a different side to Hawaii!
Sightseeing
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, in the U.S. State of Hawai’i on the island of Hawai’i.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, in the U.S. State of Hawai’i on the island of Hawai’i.
Akaka falls is a majestic setting, like all Hawaiian waterfalls. The park is about 11 miles (18 km) north from Hilo, west of Honomū off the Hawaii Belt Road (route 19) at the end of Hawaii Route 220.
341 locals recommend
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdAkaka falls is a majestic setting, like all Hawaiian waterfalls. The park is about 11 miles (18 km) north from Hilo, west of Honomū off the Hawaii Belt Road (route 19) at the end of Hawaii Route 220.
This is one of our favorite stops! The flowers they have are absolutely beautiful. and awesome to photograph.
46 locals recommend
Akatsuka Orchid Gardens
11-3051 Volcano RdThis is one of our favorite stops! The flowers they have are absolutely beautiful. and awesome to photograph.
I would really recommend this little spot for an evocative and edifying glimpse into a multi-generational little coffee farm of a Japanese American family, now a museum. Self tour.
10 locals recommend
Kona Historical Society & H.N. Greenwell Store Museum
81-6551 Hawaiʻi Belt RdI would really recommend this little spot for an evocative and edifying glimpse into a multi-generational little coffee farm of a Japanese American family, now a museum. Self tour.
This is a beloved park, by community (for hula and other events,) local families, and tourists. The Japanese style bridges and tea house and gazebos, and granite lanterns make for super photo op's.
191 Lihiwai St
191 Lihiwai StreetThis is a beloved park, by community (for hula and other events,) local families, and tourists. The Japanese style bridges and tea house and gazebos, and granite lanterns make for super photo op's.
Food Scene
Best fried Fish around! The fish and waffle fries were very good. Many varieties to choose from mahi-mahi, ono, or cod.
57 locals recommend
Pahoa Fresh Fish
Best fried Fish around! The fish and waffle fries were very good. Many varieties to choose from mahi-mahi, ono, or cod.
Every time I walk out of the Tin Shack Bakery, I say to myself, "I love this place!" Admittedly, I'm a child of the sixties, so the ambiance vibe is appealing for me. Yummy!
130 locals recommend
Tin Shack Bakery
15-1500 Akeakamai LoopEvery time I walk out of the Tin Shack Bakery, I say to myself, "I love this place!" Admittedly, I'm a child of the sixties, so the ambiance vibe is appealing for me. Yummy!
This restaurant is one of our favorite places to eat, not fast service; but great Thai! The people are very nice. The food is very good.
142 locals recommend
Ning's Thai Cuisine
15-2955 Pahoa Village RdThis restaurant is one of our favorite places to eat, not fast service; but great Thai! The people are very nice. The food is very good.
This restaurant is one of our favorite places to eat that is open 24 hours, not fast service; but good American style! The people are nice. The food is good, a bit pricy.
83 locals recommend
Kens House of Pancakes
1730 Kamehameha AveThis restaurant is one of our favorite places to eat that is open 24 hours, not fast service; but good American style! The people are nice. The food is good, a bit pricy.
One of da' local favorite places to eat in Hilo. Da' Loco Mocos, Hawaiian plates, Ahi poke bowls are the local rage! Nothing to look at on the outside - but warm/inviting on da' inside.
105 locals recommend
Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo
681 Manono StOne of da' local favorite places to eat in Hilo. Da' Loco Mocos, Hawaiian plates, Ahi poke bowls are the local rage! Nothing to look at on the outside - but warm/inviting on da' inside.
Essentials
The Maku'u Open Air Farmer's Market is a great way to spend a Sunday morning browsing through the myriad of vendor wares: from fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and local hand-made items.
169 locals recommend
Maku'u Farmer's Market
15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa RdThe Maku'u Open Air Farmer's Market is a great way to spend a Sunday morning browsing through the myriad of vendor wares: from fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and local hand-made items.
Shopping
The Hilo Coffee Mill is a great place. The owner, Jeannette, gives great tours. She was very generous with her time, explained the entire coffee growing and production process.
34 locals recommend
Hilo Coffee Mill
17-995 Volcano RdThe Hilo Coffee Mill is a great place. The owner, Jeannette, gives great tours. She was very generous with her time, explained the entire coffee growing and production process.
A great place to find locally made gifts for yourself and friends at home. Much better than the gift shops filled with stuff made in China. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays only.
246 locals recommend
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetA great place to find locally made gifts for yourself and friends at home. Much better than the gift shops filled with stuff made in China. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays only.
The newest shopping center in Hilo local home grown businesses. Real Hawaii shops and stores that don't carry the same items as everyone else! Come and check out some real Hawaiian goods!
Manono Street Marketplace
681 Manono StThe newest shopping center in Hilo local home grown businesses. Real Hawaii shops and stores that don't carry the same items as everyone else! Come and check out some real Hawaiian goods!