Hilo is wet. Let’s just get that out of the way immediately. If you’re looking for the bone-dry, manicured resort vibes of Wailea or Ko Olina, you’re basically in the wrong place. Hilo is messy. It’s green. It’s loud with the sound of coqui frogs and rain hitting corrugated metal roofs. But honestly, if you skip it because of a weather forecast, you’re missing the actual soul of the Big Island.
Most people treat Hilo as a pit stop on the way to Volcanoes National Park. That's a mistake. When you look for things to do Hilo HI, you shouldn't just be looking for a list of parks; you should be looking for a way to slow down to the pace of a town that refuses to be "touristy" in the traditional sense.
The Waterfall Reality Check
Everyone goes to Rainbow Falls. It’s right there. You park the car, walk thirty feet, and there it is. $Waiānuenue$ (the Hawaiian name) is beautiful, especially if you catch it at 10:00 AM when the sun hits the mist just right to create those famous rainbows. But it’s often crowded with tour buses.
If you want the real Hilo water experience, drive ten minutes further up to Akaka Falls State Park. It’s a 0.4-mile loop. Don't rush it. The path takes you through a rainforest that feels like Jurassic Park—massive bamboo groves, orchids just hanging out on trees, and ferns the size of Volkswagens. The 442-foot drop of Akaka is spectacular, but the smaller Kolekole stream nearby is where locals actually go to chill. Just a heads up: the mosquitoes here aren't playing around. Buy the high-DEET stuff at the Longs Drugs downtown before you head up.
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Eating Your Way Through the Hilo Farmers Market
You haven't seen Hilo until you’ve stood in the humidity of the Hilo Farmers Market on a Wednesday or Saturday. This isn’t your mainland "organic" market with $15 avocado toast. This is a gritty, loud, glorious collection of over 200 vendors.
You’ll see things you don't recognize. Buy them anyway. Try the rambutan—those hairy red fruits that look like sea urchins but taste like sweet grapes. Grab a bag of boiled peanuts. Look for the "White Pineapple." It’s less acidic than the yellow ones and honestly ruins regular pineapple for you forever.
- Pro Tip: Go to the back sections for the prepared food. The papaya salad and the Thai food stalls are legendary.
- The Vibe: It’s hot. Wear slippers (flip-flops). Bring cash. Small bills make everyone's life easier.
- Safety: Watch your bag in the crowds, though Hilo is generally pretty laid back.
Things to do Hilo HI: The Museum Culture You’ll Actually Like
I know, you didn't fly to Hawaii to sit in a museum. But Hilo has a dark history that explains why the town looks the way it does. The Pacific Tsunami Museum is housed in an old bank building that survived the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis. It’s not a flashy, high-tech place. It’s staffed by people who lived through these events or had parents who did. Hearing a survivor explain how the water just... disappeared... before the wave hit is chilling. It gives you a profound respect for the bay you’re looking at across the street.
Then there’s the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. Because Hilo sits at the base of Mauna Kea—the premier spot for stargazing on Earth—this museum bridges the gap between ancient Hawaiian navigation and modern astrophysics. It’s one of the few places where you see indigenous culture and hard science treated with equal weight.
Richardson Ocean Park and the "Black Sand" Secret
If you want white sand, go to the Kona side. Hilo is about volcanic rock and black sand. Richardson Ocean Park is the best beach in the area for a few reasons. First, the water is filtered through spring-fed lava tubes, so it’s often a mix of chilly fresh water and warm salt water. It’s weird but refreshing.
This is also turtle central. Green sea turtles (Honu) love the rocky outcrops here. Keep your distance—the DLNR doesn't find "turtleselfies" funny and the fines are massive. Just sit on the black sand and watch them bob in the surf. It’s better than any snorkeling tour.
Speaking of snorkeling, the breakwater keeps the water at Richardson's relatively calm, making it one of the safer spots for kids. Just don't expect crystal clear visibility if it’s been raining heavily; the runoff turns the bay a bit murky.
The Downtown Hilo Shuffle
Downtown Hilo is a National Historic District. It’s got these beautiful wooden storefronts that feel like a plantation-era time capsule. Spend an hour just walking Kamehameha Avenue.
Stop by Sig Zane Designs. Sig is a legend in Hawaii. His aloha shirts aren't the loud, tacky ones you see at ABC stores; they are pieces of art based on native plants and cultural stories. Even if you don't buy a $150 shirt, looking at the patterns is a masterclass in Hawaiian botany.
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For lunch? Two words: Suisan Fish Market. It’s right near the Lili‘uokalani Gardens. You walk up to the counter, pick your poke (the spicy garlic ahi is the gold standard), and eat it on a picnic table. It’s the freshest fish you will ever have. Period. No frills, just raw fish and rice.
The Botanical Garden Nobody Mentions
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Onomea Bay is technically a few miles north of Hilo, but it’s essential. It’s a private non-profit located in a valley that opens right onto the ocean. The "Onomea Falls" inside the garden are photogenic, but the real star is the palm collection. There are species here that are extinct in the wild.
It’s a steep walk down and a steeper walk up. If you have mobility issues, this one might be tough. But for everyone else, the canopy coverage makes it a great "rainy day" activity because the massive leaves act like natural umbrellas.
What People Get Wrong About the Rain
People see the "Wettest City in the US" title and panic. They think it’s a gray, Seattle-style drizzle. It’s not. Hilo rain is tropical. It’s heavy, it’s warm, and then the sun comes out and everything steams.
The rain is why the Banyan Drive trees are so massive. These trees were planted by celebrities like Amelia Earhart and Babe Ruth back in the day. They look like something out of a gothic horror novel—huge, sprawling, and covered in moss. Walk the loop around Coconut Island (Moku Ola) nearby. It’s a tiny island connected by a footbridge. It was a place of healing in ancient Hawaii, and today it’s where local kids jump off the old stone tower into the bay.
Practical Insights for Your Hilo Trip
If you're planning your itinerary, don't try to "do" Hilo in a morning. You need at least two full days to actually feel the vibe.
- Transport: You need a car. Hilo is spread out. While there is a bus system (Hele-On), it’s built for commuters, not tourists.
- Timing: Most shops downtown close early. By 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, the streets get quiet. This is a "wake up at 6:00 AM" kind of town, not a "party until midnight" kind of town.
- The Volcano Factor: Volcanoes National Park is about a 45-minute drive from Hilo. Stay in Hilo, do your volcano trek, then come back to Hilo for dinner. The food options in the town of Volcano are... limited.
- Footwear: Bring shoes that can get muddy. You will encounter mud. It’s a fact of life here.
Actionable Next Steps
Start your day at Ken’s House of Pancakes. It’s a Hilo institution. Order a "Slammer" or some macadamia nut pancakes. From there, head to the Hilo Farmers Market early—before 9:00 AM—to get the best produce. Spend your midday at the Pacific Tsunami Museum to ground yourself in the local history, then head out to Richardson Ocean Park for a late afternoon swim with the turtles. Finish with poke from Suisan. This path keeps you in the flow of the town and avoids the mid-day tour bus rushes at the big waterfalls.
Hilo isn't about checking boxes off a list. It’s about realizing that the rust on the buildings and the moss on the sidewalks are just signs of a place that is very much alive. Respect the land (‘āina), don't honk your horn (it’s considered rude in Hawaii), and just breathe in that damp, ginger-scented air.