ZipTrips
Trip guides › Hawaii › Hilo

Things to do in Hilo: 2 local trip ideas

2 ready-made day trips in Hilo, Hawaii: hidden gems and nature. Each one strings together a handful of stops in order.

Hidden GemsNature
Hidden Gems trip

A True Local's Hilo

5 stops · about 5 hr 15 min of stops · ~$83 per person

Experience Hilo through the eyes of a local, taking a seamless, non-zigzagging path from morning pastries downtown to a secret coastal jump, hidden-gem poke, and an acclaimed neighborhood dinner spot.

  1. 1

    Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe

    1263 Kilauea Ave Unit 280, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe, Hilo

    Grab a fresh-baked lox bagel or a signature pastry alongside locally roasted coffee to kickstart your day.

    ★ 4.4 on Google · about 1 hr · ~$15 per person · Directions
  2. 2

    Poke Market, LLC

    41 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Poke Market, LLC, Hilo

    Grab local favorite sushi-grade poke bowls to-go; try the spicy ahi or ginger marlin with purple Okinawan sweet potato.

    ★ 4.8 on Google · about 45 min · ~$18 per person · Directions
  3. 3

    Banyan Drive

    Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Banyan Drive, Hilo

    Cross the footbridge to picnic on your poke and watch the locals leap off the old stone diving tower into the bay.

    ★ 4.6 on Google · about 1 hr 30 min · Free · Directions
  4. 4

    Alii Ice

    21 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Alii Ice, Hilo

    Walk to this unassuming warehouse next door for cheap, refreshing Mexican-style paletas in tropical flavors like lilikoi and guava.

    ★ 4.9 on Google · about 30 min · ~$5 per person · Directions
  5. 5

    Moon and Turtle

    51 Kalakaua St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Moon and Turtle, Hilo

    Head back downtown for an intimate dinner; order the famous kiawe-smoky sashimi and local farm-to-table specials.

    ★ 4.7 on Google · about 1 hr 30 min · ~$45 per person · Directions
Nature trip

Waterfalls, Coastal Gardens

5 stops · about 6 hr 15 min of stops · ~$110 per person

Immerse yourself in Hilo’s legendary natural beauty with a seamless day of lush botanical gardens, dramatic waterfalls, and local island-inspired dining along the bay.

  1. 1

    Ken's House of Pancakes

    1730 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Ken's House of Pancakes, Hilo

    Fuel up with a local-style loco moco or fluffy pancakes at this legendary open-air diner.

    ★ 4.4 on Google · about 1 hr · ~$20 per person · Directions
  2. 2

    Liliʻuokalani Gardens

    189 Lihiwai St #151, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Hilo

    Stroll across red bridges and past koi ponds in this peaceful, 24-acre historic Japanese garden.

    ★ 4.7 on Google · about 1 hr · Free · Directions
  3. 3

    Wailuku River State Park

    2-198 Rainbow Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Wailuku River State Park, Hilo

    View the iconic 80-foot waterfall cascade; morning is the best window to spot rainbows in the mist.

    ★ 4.6 on Google · about 45 min · ~$15 per person · Directions
  4. 4

    Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden

    27-717 Mamalahoa Hwy, Papaikou, HI 96781, USA
    Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden, Hilo

    Walk the valley trails to discover hidden waterfalls, thousands of plant species, and Onomea Bay views.

    ★ 4.8 on Google · about 2 hr · ~$35 per person · Directions
  5. 5

    Hilo Bay Cafe

    123 Lihiwai St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
    Hilo Bay Cafe, Hilo

    Savor locally sourced fish tacos and creative cocktails on the lanai overlooking Hilo Bay at sunset.

    ★ 4.4 on Google · about 1 hr 30 min · ~$40 per person · Directions

Make it yours. Open ZipTrips to add or remove stops, share the plan with friends and get turn-by-turn directions between every stop.

Open ZipTrips

Trips are planned with AI from current Google Search results, and every stop is matched to a real place on Google Maps. Hours, prices and availability change — check before you go.

Nearby trip guides