Best of Hilo, HI
Largest Settlement Outside Oahu
About Hilo
Hilo serves as the county seat of Hawaiʻi County and is the largest settlement on the Island of Hawaiʻi. It ranks as the fourth-largest settlement in the state, holding the distinction of being the largest community outside of Oahu and the Greater Honolulu Area.
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The best of Hilo
Best Hotels in Hilo
12 places · Where to stay, from budget-friendly to boutique.
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Dolphin Bay Hotel
Dolphin Bay Hotel is a hotel located in the Pu‘u‘eo neighborhood.
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Hilo Beach House Inn
Hilo Beach House Inn is a hotel located in the Keaukaha neighborhood.
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Big Island Boutique Hostel
Big Island Boutique Hostel is a hotel located in the Waiākea neighborhood.
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Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast
Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast is a hotel located in the Pu‘u‘eo neighborhood.
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Grand Naniloa Hotel
Located in Mokaoku, the Grand Naniloa Hotel serves as a lodging option in Hilo. It is noted for having the longest history as a hotel on Hawaii Island.
Best Restaurants in Hilo
87 places · Where to eat, from neighborhood staples to standout kitchens.
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Aloha Mondays
Aloha Mondays is a restaurant located in the Waiākea neighborhood.
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Coco Cantina
Coco Cantina serves Mexican cuisine in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Hilo Bay Cafe
Hilo Bay Cafe serves American, regional, and sushi dishes in the Mokaoku neighborhood.
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Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill is an American restaurant located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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K’s Drive In
K’s Drive In serves American and Hawaiian cuisine in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Lam's Garden
Lam's Garden serves Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Lehua Resturant At Imiloa
Lehua Resturant At Imiloa serves Hawaiian, local, and global cuisine. It is located in the Waiākea neighborhood.
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Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
Naung Mai Thai Kitchen serves Thai cuisine in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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New Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine
New Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine serves Asian and Thai dishes in Downtown Hilo.
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Nim's Chiang Mai Cuisine
Nim's Chiang Mai Cuisine serves Thai food in the Mokaoku neighborhood.
Best Cafés & Coffee in Hilo
21 places · Coffee shops, roasters and casual spots to linger.
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Big Island Coffee Roasters
Big Island Coffee Roasters is a café located in the Mokaoku neighborhood.
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Hilo Coffee Corner
Hilo Coffee Corner is a coffee shop located in the Waiākea neighborhood.
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Just Cruisin Coffee
Just Cruisin Coffee is a café located in the Waiākea neighborhood. It serves coffee, sandwiches, and snacks.
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Teapresso Bar
Teapresso Bar is a café in the Waiākea neighborhood specializing in bubble tea.
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Abundant Life Cafe
Abundant Life Cafe is a coffee shop and juice spot located in Downtown Hilo. It offers a casual setting for grabbing a drink or a light refreshment.
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Liko Lehua
Liko Lehua is an American-style café located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack
Located in Downtown Hilo, Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack is a café serving ice cream and juice.
Best Bars & Nightlife in Hilo
5 places · Cocktail bars, pubs and where the night goes.
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The Temple Bar
The Temple Bar is a bar located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Spanky's Bar & Grill
Spanky's Bar & Grill is a bar located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
Best Things to Do in Hilo
13 places · Museums, landmarks and the experiences worth your time.
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East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center
Located in Downtown Hilo, the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center serves as a local attraction.
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Extreme Exposure
Extreme Exposure is an attraction located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Pacific Tsunami Museum
Located in Downtown Hilo, the Pacific Tsunami Museum documents the history of major tsunamis that impacted the region, including those from 1946 and 1960. The facility also focuses on general tsunami education, covering events such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.
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Kenyan K. Beale Community Robotics Center
Located in Downtown Hilo, the Kenyan K. Beale Community Robotics Center serves as a local attraction.
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Wailoa Center
Wailoa Center is an attraction located in the Waiākea neighborhood.
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Hawaii Japanese Center
The Hawaii Japanese Center is an attraction located in the Waiākea neighborhood.
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Rainbow Falls Lookout
Rainbow Falls Lookout is an attraction located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
Best Shops in Hilo
35 places · Independent boutiques, bookstores and places to browse.
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Enjoy Comics
Enjoy Comics is a shop located in the Waiakea Hawaiian Home Land neighborhood.
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Sig Zane Designs
Sig Zane Designs is a shop located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Simply Sisters Hawaii
Simply Sisters Hawaii is a shop located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Basically Books
Basically Books is a shop located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle Outfitters is a shop located in the Waiakea Hawaiian Home Land neighborhood.
Best Parks & Outdoors in Hilo
25 places · Green space, gardens and room to breathe.
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Kaiwiki Park
Kaiwiki Park is a green space located in the Piʻihonua neighborhood.
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Ahualani Park
Ahualani Park is a green space located in the Akolea Plantation Estates neighborhood.
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Botanical Gardens University of Hawai'i Hilo
Located in Waiākea, the Botanical Gardens University of Hawai'i Hilo sits on the university campus at 485 W Lanikaula St. The grounds are open daily and admission is free.
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Gilbert Carvalho Park
Gilbert Carvalho Park is a green space located in the Downtown Hilo neighborhood.
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Hilo Nursery Arboretum
Located in the Waiākea neighborhood, Hilo Nursery Arboretum is a park offering green space for visitors.
Nearby cities to explore
More guides within driving distance of Hilo.
- Wainaku, HI 3 places
- Pepeekeo, HI 2 places
- Kea‘au, HI 10 places
- Honomu, HI 17 places
- Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI 1 places
- Hawaiian Acres, HI 4 places
- Fern Acres, HI 1 places
- Ainaloa, HI 13 places