The Ultimate Weekend Getaway in Hilo for Outdoor Enthusiasts

From witnessing the fiery eruption at Kīlauea to hiking through tropical forests, nature lovers have plenty to do on the east side of Hawaiʻi Island. And the charming town of Hilo is the perfect home base for them and other adventurous travelers.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is just a 45-minute drive south of Hilo International Airport. However, there’s more to the area than the national park. Around Hilo, you can hike to epic waterfalls, explore a vibrant farmers market, play with goats at a local dairy farm and sip beer brewed with ingredients grown in the Islands.

So, whether you’re a regular visitor to the east side or a first-timer, here’s how to create an adventure-filled weekend, with Hilo as your starting point.

READ MORE: Why Hilo Should be on Your Hawaiʻi Travel Bucket List

Tips for Traveling to Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island

Hawaiʻi Island earns its nickname the Big Island because it’s the largest Hawaiian island; in fact, it’s nearly twice as big as all the other islands combined. With that, if you’re visiting Hilo on the northeastern side of the island, you’ll want to make sure you arrive at Hilo International Airport—not the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole.

With an average rainfall of 130 inches per year, Hilo is one of the wettest cities in the U.S. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it will likely rain—at least a little—during your trip. Be prepared: Pack a light rain jacket and hiking boots or other footwear that you don’t mind getting wet or muddy.

READ MORE: 5 Tips for Your First Trip to Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island

Where to Stay in Hilo

SPC Hilo Hotel is a recently renovated and eco-friendly hotel. Situated on Banyan Way, the hotel, known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and support for local communities, is less than a 10-minute drive from Hilo International Airport. Each stay at SPC Hilo Hotel helps the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund remove trash from beaches across the Islands. The hotel also encourages guests to engage with the local environment and culture. Here you’ll find much of what you need to do just that, including bikes and paddleboards that you can check out for free, and cultural workshops.

For travelers looking to disconnect from modern-day life and join with nature, the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls is the place to be. Although the inn is just a 15-minute drive from Downtown Hilo, you’d never guess it. Nestled on 22 lush acres, the inn surrounds the 120-foot Kulaniapia Falls, the largest waterfall on private property in Hawaiʻi. Guests can explore miles of hiking trails on the property and kayak or paddleboard to Kulaniapia Falls—the daring can even rappel to it.

Saturday Morning

Fuel up on Flapjacks at Ken’s House of Pancakes

Start your first full day in Hilo by fueling up on a stack of flapjacks from Ken’s House of Pancakes. The local institution has been a go-to spot for breakfast since 1971. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu of omelets, eggs Benedicts and loco mocos—but you have to try the famous pancakes at least once. You won’t regret it.

1730 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, kenshouseofpancakes.com

Hit the Trails at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

From walking across a hardened lava lake to meandering through an old lava tube, the 333,308-acre Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park boasts dozens of trails for every skill level, including some of the most unique ones in the state. While you can spend the entire day at the park, devote at least a morning to exploring the trails.

One of the most popular hikes in the park is the 3-mile Kīlauea Iki Trail. The trailhead is at the Kīlauea Iki overlook. Hikers trek through a lush rainforest with native ʻōhiʻa trees and hāpuʻu (Hawaiian tree fern) before descending to the solidified lava lake on the floor of Kīlauea Iki crater. While you’re at the park, it’s also worth strolling along Nāhuku, a 0.4-mile trail that takes you through a 500-year-old lava tube.

nps.gov/havo/index.htm

READ MORE: The Most Popular Trails in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, According to Hikers

Pick up Poke for Lunch

After a morning of hiking, pick up a fresh poke bowl for lunch. Located in Downtown Hilo, Poke Market serves uber-fresh and mouthwatering fish over beds of soft sushi rice. Specialty bowls come with a delicious sweet potato salad, imitation crab and homemade pickles.

Waiāneunue Ave., Hilo, pokemarkethi.com

Saturday Afternoon

Take a Short Trek to Two Waterfalls

It’s only about a half-hour drive from Downtown Hilo to ʻAkaka Falls State Park. Here, you can follow a short paved path through verdant flora to two waterfalls—the namesake one that’s 442 feet tall and the 100-foot Kahuna Falls.

dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/akaka-falls-state-park

READ MORE: Your Guide to ʻAkaka Falls State Park on Hawaiʻi Island

Play With Baby Goats at Honomū Dairy Farm

After visiting ʻAkaka Falls State Park, be sure to pull over at Honomū Dairy Farm (you’ll pass it on your way to the park). The farm sits on nearly 15 acres overlooking the Pacific and is home to a herd of Nubian goats. Here you can browse soaps, cheese and caramel made with the goats’ milk. But the highlight is attending what the farm coins “goat therapy.” Visitors are welcome to play with the baby goats—who might just be some of the best therapists you’ll meet.

28-257 ʻAkaka Falls Road., Honomū, honomugoatdairy.com

Saturday Evening

Eat Local at Moon and Turtle

Culinary creativity flourishes at this unassuming restaurant in Hilo. Spotlighting local ingredients, Moon and Turtle’s inventive, ever-evolving menu is based on what’s in season. Reservations are recommended.

51 Kalākaua St., Hilo, @moonandturtle

Witness the Exciting Eruption at Kīlauea

Seeing the power of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Since December 2024, the eruption within Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu crater has been a spectacular site, with fountains of lava spewing up to 600 feet. However, activity continues to be sporadic.

If you’re in Hilo when Kīlauea is erupting, you won’t want to miss it. Dusk and dawn are great times to see the beautiful glow of lava inside the crater. However, they’re also the most popular times to go, so expect crowds.

According to the National Park Service, these are the best places from which to see the eruption. Check the National Park Service for the latest updates.

nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Sunday Morning

Explore the Farmers Market

The Hilo Farmers Market is one of the best in Hawaiʻi. Located in Downtown Hilo, vendors man their stalls seven days a week, selling a vibrant variety of exotic fruits and vegetables, locally grown coffee and macadamia nuts, as well as artisan jams and delectable baked goods. For breakfast, you can pick up fresh fruit with a baked treat or Spam musubi.

Māmo Street and Kamehameha Avenue, (808) 933-1000, hilofarmersmarket.com

See Rainbow Falls

Just a short drive from Downtown Hilo is Waiānuenue, also known as Rainbow Falls. On sunny mornings, a rainbow can be spotted in the mist of the 80-foot waterfall, hence the name. The falls can be seen from the lookout next to the parking lot.

dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/wailuku-river-state-park

Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden

It’s about a 20-minute drive from the lookout at Rainbow Falls to Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden in Pāpaʻikou. This lush 20-acre nature preserve is tucked in a valley that opens to Onomea Bay. Here, you can explore meandering paths lined with tropical and subtropical plants. In the gardens you can even see another waterfall: Onomea Falls.

27-717 Old Māmalahoa Highway, htbg.com

Sunday Afternoon

Sip Locally Brewed Beverages and Stop for Sunday Brunch

Before your weekend in Hilo ends, visit Ola Brew’s taproom in Hilo. The Big Island brewery, which is dedicated to supporting the Islands’ agricultural industry, gets its ingredients from local farmers. With those ingredients, the company produces some of the Islands’ most unique beers, hard seltzers and hard juices. At the taproom, you can taste these locally crafted libations, like a lemongrass hard seltzer or a kiawe vanilla porter. Better yet, order a flight to sample more. The taproom also recently launched a brunch menu, available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, with options like an adobo fried rice omelet and a pork belly Benedict sandwich.

1177 Kīlauea Ave., Hilo, olabrewco.com