How to Spend 3 Days in Hilo - A Complete Itinerary for Hilo

Day 1 | Morning

Hapuna Beach State Park

Opening Hours: Open from 7:00am-8:00pm

Ticket Price: 5 USD

Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 Hours

Location: Old Puako Rd, Waimea, HI 96743

Hapuna Beach is a white sand beach, which is one of the top ten famous beaches in the United States and is also a beach in Hawaii. The water here is very clean and clear blue. May to September is a good time for surfing, swimming and diving here. In addition, come here, you can enjoy the sun and relax in the park, taste local Hawaiian cuisine or enjoy the best spa on the Big Island.

Reviews from Real Guests:

wwwhisper: I know that this beach is nominated for "Best Beautiful # 1 Beach at Hawaii" for a long times. Yes, right. This Hapuna beach has so beautiful, soft long sand beach and calm&shallow for family with young kids. Also, You can meet turtles near rocks when you visit here early morning. I always have stayed Westin Hapuna Resort Hottel when I visit at Big Island. It is Especially hotel guests can use freely walkin down to this Hapuna beach. If you want to visit Hapuna beach several times during your vacation, consider this Westin Hapuna Resort Hotel. It would help to save admission fees separately.

Day 1 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Hapuna Beach State Park, don’t forget pay a visit to Pacific Tsunami Museum.

Pacific Tsunami Museum

Opening Hours: Open on Tue-Sat,10:00am-4:00pm

Ticket Price: 8 USD

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: 130 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720

The Pacific Tsunami Museum is located on the coast of Hilo Bay in the east of the Big Island. The museum mainly tells about the natural disasters that occurred in the Pacific region. It is a world-renowned tsunami museum. The multimedia effect in the museum is very good. When you come here, you can watch the movies played in the museum, and learn from the movies that witnesses tell the stories of their survival after the tsunami, and feel the devastating fear brought by the Pacific tsunami. The museum has interpreters, some of whom are survivors of the Hilo tsunami, and visitors can listen to their first-hand experiences. Although the main theme displayed in the museum is the tsunami, it also shows visitors the real history of Hilo, which is also very worthwhile to know. In addition, the museum will also distribute free tsunami attractions tour brochures, if you are interested, you can take a look.

Day 1 | Evening

Looking for a bed nearby after finishing your journey at Pacific Tsunami Museum? Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is one of your top choices.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Seven swimming areas and ocean views are included at this Hawaii resort. An 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature Hualalai Golf Course is on site. Rooms offer a flat-screen TV.

The modern rooms at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upelehu offer Hawaiian-inspired décor with views of the resort grounds or the Pacific Ocean. Free toiletries and a work desk are also included.

Guests can enjoy a saltwater pool and an adult only area, as well as a full spa, and 15,000 square feet of fitness facilities. Private, white sand beaches are available at the Four Seasons Resort Haulalai with calm waters for easy swimming.

Three restaurants and 2 lounges are available on site. Beach Tree offers beachside Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can enjoy the food and ambience of a steakhouse with Hualalai Grille, located above the 18 hole golf course.

Hapuna Beach is 30 minutes’ drive from the resort. Akaka Falls State Park is 2 hours’ drive away. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is 2 hours’ drive from the property.

Day 2 | Morning

Imiloa Astronomy Center

Opening Hours: Open on Mon-Fri,Sun,9:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Price: 17.5 USD

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: 600 Imiloa Pl, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

This is the astronomical center of mainland Hawaii, located in the city of Hilo on the east side of the Big Island, near the Hilo Airport. Here, you can sit in the pod and listen to the staff describe the history of Hawaiian canoes sailing, and watch live feeds from Mauna Kea and the observatory. A large number of advanced technologies are used in the planetarium, first telling the legend of two universes - the Hawaiian epic and the scientific big bang theory, and then describing two spaceflight methods - the way the Polynesians recorded the universe with stars and the astronomer's in-depth A way to explore the mysteries of the universe inside the planet. In addition, here, you can learn about the music and language of Hawaii, and take a ride to the 120-seat planetarium to watch the night sky, which is very worthwhile.

Day 2 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Liliuokalani Gardens.

Liliuokalani Gardens

Recommended Length of Stay: 1.0-2.0 Hours

Location: Banyan Drive， Hilo， Island of Hawaii， HI

Lily Ukulani Garden is a well-known park in Hawaii, and children will love it here. The 30-mile garden is named after one of the island's queens. The park is close to the sea, very beautiful, and there is a running track along the sea. Many locals walk their dogs and run here. The ecological environment is beautiful. In good weather, you can overlook the bay. There are also many interesting shops nearby. The park is well maintained with beautiful water features and sculptures. The whole style of Liliu Kalani Park is Japanese, recommended.

Day 2 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Liliuokalani Gardens, Fairmont Orchid - Hawaii nearby is the best place to stay.

Fairmont Orchid - Hawaii

When you stay at Fairmont Orchid Gold Experience in Kamuela, you'll be near the bay, within a 15-minute drive of Hapuna Beach State Park and Waikoloa Beach Golf Course. This 5-star resort is 9.5 mi (15.2 km) from Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site and 6.3 mi (10.1 km) from Waialea Beach. Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. You can get some exercise with a round of golf or enjoy a lazy day at the private beach. Additional features at this resort include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and an arcade/game room. Enjoy Hawaiian cuisine at Brown's Beach House, one of the resort's 4 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Snacks are also available at the coffee shop/café. Relax with a refreshing drink from the beach bar or one of the 2 bars/lounges. A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Kamuela? This resort has facilities measuring 30000 square feet (2787 square meters), including conference space. Free valet parking is available onsite. Make yourself at home in one of the 45 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. Rooms have private furnished lanais. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, while iPod docking stations help you enjoy your music in the comfort of your room. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.

Day 3 | Morning

Coconut Island

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-3 Hours

Location: Coconut Island, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Coconut Island is located in Hawaii, USA. This is a charming island with many coconut trees. Locals like to picnic, swim and camp here. There is also a diving platform here, which is very suitable for bringing children to play.

Day 3 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

Opening Hours: Open from 7:00am-8:00pm

Recommended Length of Stay: 2.0-3.0 Hours

Location: 2450 Kekuanaoa St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

When you come to the Big Island of Hawaii, of course, you can't miss watching the wonders of active volcanic eruptions. The best way to see volcanoes is by helicopter. Blue Hawaii Helicopter is Hawaii's only helicopter company operating on all four major islands. The company has a history of 25 years, with advanced equipment and technology, professional staff, and Hawaii's unique Aloha spirit to welcome tourists from all over the world.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.