Sightseeing
Best seen in the morning when the sun is behind you. (Rainbows can only be seen when the sun is behind you.)
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
Best seen in the morning when the sun is behind you. (Rainbows can only be seen when the sun is behind you.)
A series of bowl-shaped depressions roil and boil when the water flow is heavy.
54 locals recommend
Boiling Pots
1766 Wailuku DrA series of bowl-shaped depressions roil and boil when the water flow is heavy.
Just outside town. Located on the Scenic Drive to Onomea Bay.
192 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyJust outside town. Located on the Scenic Drive to Onomea Bay.
Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo is the only tropical zoo in the United States and is located about 4 miles from Hilo. Inside, you can find a variety of rainforest animals and endangered Hawaiian animals such as spider monkeys, lemurs, nene geese (the Hawaiian State bird), and over 80 other animal species. The Pana’ewa zoo is also a botanical garden and is filled with orchids, bamboos, 100 varieties of palms, and a water garden.
Admission is free, but please consider either leaving a donation or a visit to their gift shop to support this local zoo and their outreach activities.
110 locals recommend
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
800 Stainback Hwy Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo is the only tropical zoo in the United States and is located about 4 miles from Hilo. Inside, you can find a variety of rainforest animals and endangered Hawaiian animals such as spider monkeys, lemurs, nene geese (the Hawaiian State bird), and over 80 other animal species. The Pana’ewa zoo is also a botanical garden and is filled with orchids, bamboos, 100 varieties of palms, and a water garden.
Admission is free, but please consider either leaving a donation or a visit to their gift shop to support this local zoo and their outreach activities.
Local park & picnic area featuring lagoons for swimming, snorkeling & sea turtle-watching.
140 locals recommend
Carlsmith Beach Park
1815 Kalanianaole StLocal park & picnic area featuring lagoons for swimming, snorkeling & sea turtle-watching.
Our favorite spot for unwinding. Great for a stroll. Graceful and serene Japanese Garden.
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StOur favorite spot for unwinding. Great for a stroll. Graceful and serene Japanese Garden.
Lava trees from when fast flowing pahoehoe lava encountered Ohia trees.
109 locals recommend
Lava Tree State Monument
Hawaii 132Lava trees from when fast flowing pahoehoe lava encountered Ohia trees.
Rustic family-run venue holding a local farmers' market & party nights with a house band.
171 locals recommend
Uncle Robert's Awa Bar and Farmers Market
12-5038 Kalapana Kapoho Beach RdRustic family-run venue holding a local farmers' market & party nights with a house band.
Waipi'o Valley
48-5561A Waipio Valley RdWaipi’o Valley is as beautiful a place as you will ever see
Pohoiki Black Sand Beach is one of the newest black sand beaches on the Big Island created by the 2018 flow and is part of Isaac Hale Beach Park.
45 locals recommend
Pohoiki Black Sand Beach
Kalapana Kapoho Beach RoadPohoiki Black Sand Beach is one of the newest black sand beaches on the Big Island created by the 2018 flow and is part of Isaac Hale Beach Park.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a fascinating world of active volcanism, biological diversity, and Hawaiian culture, past and present.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a fascinating world of active volcanism, biological diversity, and Hawaiian culture, past and present.