Big Island

Hawai‘i (Big Island) Attractions
More Attractions Guides:
O‘ahu | Maui | Hawai‘i (Big Island) | Kaua‘i | Moloka‘i | Lana‘i | Main Attractions Guide

Image of the island
Photo by Baron Sekiya/West Hawaii Today
Waipio Valley on the island of Hawaii.

To “see” the Big Island of Hawai‘i is to explore its magnificent history and culture, dramatic volcanoes, lush pasture lands and gardens, and fabulous beachfront resorts. Don’t miss these points of interest!

Most attractions require an entrance fee, but some do not. If you’d like to keep costs down but still have plenty of fun, also see Free Things To Do on the Big Island.

• Arts • Culture & History • Parks & Nature

• Shopping & Food

Arts

VOLCANO ART CENTER
Visual, literary and performing arts programs. Fine arts gallery.
Where: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (East Hawai‘i)
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Admission free for the gallery; $10 per car to enter Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Info: (808) 967-8222 or write PO Box 104, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI

[ Back to Top ]

Culture & History

HILO HERITAGE TOURS
Guided walking tour throughout downtown area
Where: 237 F Keawe St., Hilo
Info: (808) 933-1361

KAMUELA MUSEUM
Featuring royal Hawaiian treasures from ‘Iolani Palace, ancient Hawaiian artifacts and art objects from around the world.
Where: Junction of Routes 19 and 250, just west of Waimea
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $5; children under 12, $2
Info: (808) 885-4724 or write P.O. Box 507, Kamuela, HI

KEALIA RANCH
Tour historic Hawaiian ranch lands by foot or in a four-wheel-drive Jeep. Full- and half-day trips available. Tours depart from the ranch office at 8:30 a.m. and return about 2 p.m. A minimum of two people per tour is required.
Where: 86-4181 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain Cook
Cost: Jeep tour rate, $110 plus tax per person. Call for hiking reservations and rates.
Info: (808) 328-8777

LAUPAHOEHOE TRAIN MUSEUM
Featuring memorabilia from the days when sugar trains transported sugar from the fields of the Hamakua Coast.
Where: North of Hilo on Route 19
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
Cost: No admission fee, but a $2 per adult donation is appreciated.
Info: (808) 962-6300

LYMAN MISSION HOUSE MUSEUM
Features a collection of historic Hawaiian relics and a missionary home dating to 1839.
Where: 276 Haili Street, Hilo
Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday
Cost: Adults, $7; seniors, $5; students, $3; children 5-17, $2.50. Residents: adults, $5; seniors, $3; students and children age 5-17, $2.50. Children 4 and under admitted free.
Info: (808) 935-5021

ONIZUKA SPACE CENTER
Interactive space museum named after Hawai‘i astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka, who perished in the Challenger explosion in January 1986.
Where: Kona’s Keahole Airport, One Keahole St., Kailua-Kona
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $3; children 12 and under, $1
Info: (808) 329-3441

PACIFIC TSUNAMI MUSEUM
Tsunami (seismic sea wave) education center. A tsunami destroyed downtown Hilo in 1946 and again in 1960.
Where: 130 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Cost: Adults, $5; seniors, $4; students and children, $2; children under 5, no charge.
Info: (808) 935-0926

PARKER RANCH HISTORIC HOMES
Tour two grand homes owned by Hawai‘i’s most famous ranching family. Wagon rides Tuesday-Saturday.
Where: Puu Opelu Road, Kamuela (West of Waimea)
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m daily
Cost: Adults, $7.50; children 4-11, $5. Admission package (including Historic Homes and Parker Ranch Visitor Center), adults, $10; children, $7.50.
Info: (808) 885-5433

PARKER RANCH VISITOR CENTER
Museum highlights the history of the Parker family, which operates Hawai‘i’s largest cattle ranch.
Where: In the Parker Ranch Shopping Center, Kamuela
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults $5, children 4-11, $2.50. Admission package (including Visitor Center and Parker Ranch Historic Homes), adults, $10; children, $7.50.
Info: (808) 885-7655 or write PO Box 458, Kamuela, HI

PU’UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Called the “place of refuge,” this restored site and heiau (temple/place of worship) offers an in-depth look at ancient Hawaiian life and royalty.
Where: South of Captain Cook
Hours: Visitor’s Center, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily; park grounds (palace and picnic areas), 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: $2; 16 and under, no charge.
Info: (808) 328-2288

ROYAL KONA MUSEUM & COFFEE MILL
Free samples of Kona coffee!
Where: 83-5427 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain Cook
[ Back to Top ]

Parks & Nature

DOLPHIN QUEST
Swim with dolphins at the hotel’s special dolphin pool.
Where: Hilton Waikoloa Hotel, Kohala Coast
Info: (808) 886-1234

FUKU-BONSAI CULTURAL CENTER & HAWAI‘I STATE BONSAI REPOSITORY
When Hawai’i’s bonsai masters pass away, their finest bonsai come here to be cared for and enjoyed by visitors. This cultural center features the most varied collection of all forms of artistic pot plants.
Where: Olaa Road, Kurtistown (Between the 9- and 10-mile markers of Volcano Highway 11)
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Cost: No admission fee; workshops $29.95 and up
Info: (808) 982-9880 or see Web site, http://www.fukubonsai.com

HAWAI‘I TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
More than 2,000 species of rare and exotic plants in a 40-acre valley.
Where: On Onomea Bay, north of Hilo on Route 19
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $15; children 6-16, $5
Info: (808) 964-5233 or write PO Box 80, Papaikou, HI

HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
If conditions permit, you can see dramatic lava flows from Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on earth. Rising above is 13,679-foot-high volcano Mauna Loa. The park also offers rainforest and lava-tube hikes.
Where: Southeast end of the Big Island
Hours: Entry booth open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
Cost: $10 per car
Info: (808) 985-6000

HILO TROPICAL GARDENS
Currently closed due to renovation. Should be open by October 2000.
Where: 1477 Kalanianaole Ave, Hilo
Info: (808) 969-9873

NANI MAU GARDENS
20 acres of tropical flowers and trees, pools and waterfalls. Great place for weddings and community events.
Where: 421 Makalika St, Hilo
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $10; children 5-12, $5
Info: (808) 959-3541

WORLD BOTANICAL GARDENS
Features a three-tier waterfall and lush rainforest and gardens.
Where: 15 miles north of Hilo on Route 19
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday
Cost: Adults, $5; children 13-18, $2; under 12, no charge
Info: (808) 963-5427