Ultimate Guide to Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii

Hilo is on the eastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii. At one time, Hilo was a bustling city, living large from the money generated from the sugar mills. But since the mills have closed down, Hilo has slowed down and become a tranquil city of old school charm. Most travelers will write Hilo off as a destination on their visit to the Big Island because of the weather (Hilo gets a lot of rain), but skipping Hilo would be like skipping Christmas, it just does not feel right. The following is the ultimate guide to Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The town of Hilo is a little sleepy, but there are some attractions worth checking out. For less than $10 you can make a stop at the Lyman Museum to see the Earth Heritage Exhibit which includes displays of Hawaiian geology, animal, plant and fish life, along with a collection of rocks and minerals. The museum also features Polynesian artifacts and tours of the missionary house next door. Well worth the cheap admission price.

Another great stop in Hilo is the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Hilo was devastated twice by tsunamis, one in 1946 and another in 1960. The museum provides great information about tsunamis and shows a movie of the tsunami. This is a great place to learn about the power of the ocean. Admission fees are also less than $10. They are closed on Sundays.

If you are on a budget and looking for some less expensive activities, I recommend checking out some of the local falls. It is best to visit the falls in the morning to limit your chances of getting too wet from the rain. The falls do depend on the rain to flow so you need to hit it just right, not too little rain and not too much rain. Along Waianuenue Avenue at mile marker 1, follow the signs to Rainbow Falls, as the name implies, this is a great stop to photograph Hawaii's rainbows, just make sure the sun is behind you so you can view those rainbows. Continuing on Waianuenue Avenue you will come to Boiling Pots and Pe'ePe'e Falls. At Boiling Pots you can see the roil and boil as the Wailuku River rushes through, further up is the tranquil pool below the Pe'epe'e Falls, a great place to sit and relax.

Back in Hilo; make sure you take a ride along Banyan Drive to marvel at the graceful beauty of the banyan trees. These trees were named after the famous people who planted them including Amelia Earhart, Babe Ruth and Richard Nixon. Banyan Drive is also where all the Hilo hotels are located.

Although a little lost, it should certainly not be forgotten. Visitors to the Big Island of Hawaii should make it a point to check out Hilo and this ultimate guide should help you map out your tour.