Looking for what to do in Hilo? This gem on Hawaii’s Big Island offers a different side of Hawaiian paradise. Unlike the sunny resort areas, Hilo shows you the lush, green Hawaii shaped by abundant rainfall and rich volcanic soil. As the largest town on the Big Island and one of Hawaii’s oldest cities, Hilo mixes authentic local culture with natural wonders. From thundering waterfalls to world-class gardens, historic downtown streets to some of the freshest food in Hawaii, Hilo rewards visitors who venture to the island’s eastern side. Its location near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park makes it an ideal base for exploring one of the world’s most active volcanic areas. Whether you stay for a day or a week, Hilo’s laid-back charm and natural beauty create memories that last far longer than a suntan.
The Rainbow Falls & Boiling Pots in Hilo
When planning what to do in Hilo, put Rainbow Falls at the top of your list. Just a short drive from downtown, this 80-foot waterfall gets its name from the morning rainbows that often appear in its mist. Part of the Wailuku River State Park, Rainbow Falls plunges over a natural lava cave said to be the home of Hina, mother of the demigod Maui in Hawaiian legends.
Visit early morning for the best chance to see the rainbows. A viewing platform near the parking area gives you the classic view, while stairs to the side lead to the top of the falls for a different angle.
Further upstream in the same park, find the Boiling Pots, a series of pools where water seems to bubble like a boiling pot as it rushes through narrow channels in the old lava flows. The power of the water here shows why swimming is not allowed – simply watch and listen to the force of nature at work.
Stroll Through Liliuokalani Gardens
Japanese gardens might not be what you expect in Hawaii, but Liliuokalani Gardens offers a peaceful place to spend an hour or two. Named after Hawaii’s last queen, this 30-acre park stands as the largest Japanese garden outside Japan.
Walking paths wind past curved bridges, pagodas, stone lanterns, and carefully shaped trees. Fish swim in the ponds while the bay and Mokuola (Coconut Island) form a perfect backdrop.
For those wondering what to do in Hilo without spending money, these gardens offer free entry and beautiful views of Hilo Bay. The gardens honor the Japanese immigrants who helped build Hilo’s community and economy.
Visit the Lively Hilo Farmers Market
Food lovers asking what to do in Hilo should head straight to the Hilo Farmers Market. Operating daily but biggest on Wednesdays and Saturdays, this market brings together over 200 vendors selling fresh island fruits, vegetables, flowers, crafts, and prepared foods.
Try exotic fruits like rambutan, lychee, or apple bananas – sweeter and smaller than mainland varieties. Sample fresh macadamia nuts, local honey, and Kona coffee. The market also offers good deals on Hawaiian shirts, handmade jewelry, and souvenirs actually made in Hawaii.
Located downtown at the corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue, the market puts you in the heart of Hilo’s shopping district where you can continue exploring local stores.
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
No list of what to do in Hilo would be complete without mentioning Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Though about 45 minutes from town, Hilo serves as the main gateway to this amazing place where you can see geology in action.
The park surrounds two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Though eruption activity changes, visitors can always see:
- The massive Kilauea Caldera and Halema’uma’u Crater
- Steaming vents where volcanic gases escape
- The Thurston Lava Tube, a cave formed by flowing lava
- Devastated areas where past lava flows covered roads and buildings
- The dramatic Chain of Craters Road leading to the coast
Check the park website before visiting, as volcanic activity can close certain areas. Rangers at the Visitor Center can direct you to current highlights and explain the latest volcanic happenings.
Swim at Carlsmith Beach Park
When the tropical heat has you wondering what to do in Hilo to cool off, head to Carlsmith Beach Park (also called Four Mile Beach). Unlike the dramatic surf beaches on other parts of the island, Carlsmith offers calm, clear lagoons protected from waves by a natural rock barrier.
The lagoons here host resident green sea turtles that often swim alongside visitors. Remember to keep a respectful distance – Hawaiian law protects these gentle creatures.
Though not a sandy beach (most of Hilo’s coast features lava rock), grassy areas provide perfect spots for picnics and relaxation between swims. The calm water and easy entry points make this a good option for families and less confident swimmers.
Wander Through Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden
Plant lovers searching for what to do in Hilo should not miss the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. This 40-acre valley showcases more than 2,000 species of tropical plants along a mile-long walkway.
Waterfalls, ocean vistas, and palm-lined paths create what many call the most beautiful garden in Hawaii. The garden focuses on collecting, studying, and protecting tropical plants, many of which face extinction in their native habitats.
Located about 9 miles north of Hilo along the scenic route, the garden’s entrance fee supports its conservation work. Plan to spend at least two hours enjoying the plant collections and views.
Taste Local Specialties & Fresh Fish
Food often ranks high when people ask what to do in Hilo for good reason. Unlike resort areas with many chain restaurants, Hilo offers authentic local food at reasonable prices.
Try these local favorites:
- Poke bowls (seasoned raw fish over rice) from Suisan Fish Market
- Loco moco (rice topped with hamburger patty, fried egg, and gravy) at Café 100
- Malasadas (Portuguese donuts) from Tex Drive In
- Shave ice with unusual flavors at Wilson’s By The Bay
- Fresh fruit pies at Baker Tom’s
Many restaurants serve locally caught fish prepared simply to showcase its freshness. For the full experience, visit the Suisan Fish Market early to watch the day’s catch being unloaded and auctioned.
Local History at Lyman Museum
If rainy weather has you wondering what to do in Hilo indoors, the Lyman Museum offers fascinating exhibits about Hawaii’s natural and cultural history. Housed in the 1839 Lyman Mission House, the oldest wooden structure on the island, the museum holds extensive collections of Hawaiian artifacts, immigrant items, mineral displays, and native shell and insect specimens.
The mission house itself, available through guided tours, shows how American missionaries lived in 19th century Hawaii. Together, the museum and house tell the complex story of how Hawaiian, American, European, and Asian influences shaped modern Hawaii.
See Stars at Imiloa Astronomy Center
Hawaii’s Big Island hosts some of the world’s most important astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea’s summit. At the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, visitors learn how ancient Hawaiians used stars for navigation and how modern scientists now use Hawaii’s clear mountain air to study distant galaxies.
For those researching what to do in Hilo that combines science and culture, ‘Imiloa offers interactive exhibits, a full-dome planetarium theater, and beautiful native gardens showing plants that came to Hawaii with Polynesian voyagers.
The center’s unique architecture features three titanium-clad cones representing three mountains important to Hawaiian culture and astronomy: Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai.
Chase More Waterfalls Along the Hamakua Coast
Using Hilo as your base, take a day to explore the Hamakua Coast north of town. This scenic drive takes you past multiple waterfalls, deep gorges, and some of Hawaii’s most dramatic coastline.
Highlights include:
- Akaka Falls, plunging 442 feet into a gorge
- Botanical World Adventures, offering ziplines and garden walks
- The historic plantation town of Honoka’a
- Waipi’o Valley Lookout, showing a dramatic black sand beach (access to the valley itself requires four-wheel drive)
When planning what to do in Hilo that involves scenic drives, the Hamakua Coast tops many lists with its combination of natural beauty and cultural sites.
Relax at Richardson Ocean Park
For a beach experience with both black sand and good facilities, Richardson Ocean Park offers the best beach near downtown Hilo. The mix of sand and lava rock creates protected pools perfect for snorkeling when ocean conditions permit.
Sea turtles often feed on seaweed growing on the rocks, giving visitors chances for close observation. The beach park includes restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and lifeguards, making it a practical choice when considering what to do in Hilo with family.
The distinctive green sand mixed with black comes from olivine crystals weathered from volcanic rock – one of only a few such beaches in the world.
Paddle in Hilo Bay
The calm, protected waters of Hilo Bay create perfect conditions for paddling adventures. Several companies offer kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals or guided tours showing you hidden corners of the bay.
Paddling gives you different views of the coastline and often brings close encounters with sea turtles, tropical fish, and sometimes spinner dolphins that visit the bay. For active travelers asking what to do in Hilo on the water, paddling offers an accessible option that doesn’t require previous experience.
Early morning usually brings the calmest conditions before daily trade winds strengthen. Some tours include visits to small islands in the bay or paddling up the Wailuku River.
Find Peace at Nani Mau Gardens
While less known than the Tropical Botanical Garden, Nani Mau (“Forever Beautiful”) Gardens offers 22 acres of tropical plants just minutes from downtown Hilo. The property features dedicated gardens for orchids, hibiscus, anthuriums, and native Hawaiian plants.
A highlight for many visitors is the large collection of over 2,000 orchids displayed in a special greenhouse. When determining what to do in Hilo for plant lovers who may have mobility concerns, Nani Mau’s flat, accessible paths provide an easier alternative to some of the more rugged garden experiences.
Experience Other New England and Hawaii Destinations
If your travels take you beyond Hawaii’s Big Island, consider exploring these other remarkable destinations:
For a completely different island experience on the opposite coast of the United States, discover what to do in bar harbor, Maine’s gateway to Acadia National Park with its own unique coastal charm.
If you enjoy small coastal towns with character and history, check out what to do in kennebunkport, another Maine gem known for its historic architecture and seafood.
For those who appreciate artistic communities by the sea, explore what to do in rockport ma, a picturesque Massachusetts town that has inspired painters for generations.
Mountain lovers planning an east coast trip might enjoy what to do in north conway, New Hampshire’s scenic town in the White Mountains offering year-round outdoor activities.
Final Thoughts on What to do in Hilo
From thundering waterfalls to tranquil gardens, scientific wonders to cultural treasures, Hilo offers experiences that show a different Hawaii than what appears in typical travel brochures. The city’s authenticity comes from its working harbor, multi-cultural community, and position as a center for local life rather than tourism alone.
When planning what to do in Hilo, embrace the likelihood of some rain – after all, these regular showers create the lush landscapes and abundant waterfalls that make the area so beautiful. Pack a light rain jacket, keep flexible plans for outdoor activities, and you’ll enjoy Hilo’s special character in any weather.
Whether you use Hilo as a base for exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or immerse yourself in the town’s own attractions, you’ll discover the natural beauty and cultural depth that keep drawing visitors to Hawaii’s oldest city. The genuine aloha spirit and lack of tourist crowds make asking what to do in Hilo a question with many rewarding answers.
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