- The list below includes 51 free or cheap things to do in or near Hilo, Hawaii, including 38 different types of inexpensive activities like Observatories & Planetariums, Beaches, Hiking Trails and Natural History Museums.
- From Akaka Falls State Park to Arnott's Lodge & Hiking Adventures, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Hilo and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Pahoa, Volcano, Hakalau and Honomu.
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Soar over beautiful waterfalls on a nearly 2-mile zipline course then enjoy views of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
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If you are looking for a place to go snorkeling, Keaukaha Beach Park, should be your first choice. The lava rock formations create pools of water where the sea turtles hang out, and there are grassy areas for a family picnic.
23.7 Miles
89%
1043 votes
Mauna Kea Access Road, Hilo, HI
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Located midway to the summit at Mauna Kea, the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station is the acclimatization point for those continuing to the summit, and houses interpretive information and public telescopes. Free nightly stargazing programs provide guided opportunities for star-gazing in a location notable for…
1.2 Miles
12 kinds of items can be bought at the Hilo Farmers Market: flowers, fresh produce, food, crafts, artwork, medicine, retail, and others. Special events are held, such as the second-hand Sunday.
1.4 Miles
Covering 28 acres, the Coconut Island was made famous by the show Gilligan's Island. It has now the only laboratory built on a coral reef in America, and it is a part of the University of Hawaii.
2.0 Miles
As long as you pack a sturdy pair of hiking shoes and a couple of flashlights, Kaumana Caves Park will provide you with a thrilling adventure. Hikers enter into genuine lava tubes in their original form and can explore the caves by flashlight.
1.9 Miles
Located at the 14 000 ft summit of Mauna Kea, and accessible by vehicle, the Mauna Kea Observatory is the largest astronomical observatory in the world, housing thirteen telescopes operated by astronomers in eleven countries.
0.3 Miles
Mauna Loa Observatory is a working atmospheric research facility that has been collecting climate related data since 1950. Tours are by appointment and only on selected days, visitors to this remote site will enjoy the stunning views on the drive up the mountain.
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The Pacific Tsunami Museum is housed in one of the few buildings which resisted the tsunami in 1946. It has a collection of photos and survival stories, as well as an interactive map of the 1946 tsunami.
0.6 Miles
Take a guided tour of the Lyman family Mission House, Hawaii's oldest wood frame building, and explore the history of the state through seashell and mineral collections, permanent and special exhibits at the Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum.
1.5 Miles
The main attraction of the Imiloa Astonomy Center is its 120-seat planetarium, which boasts shows in 3D. The site also comprises a large landscape garden featuring plants native to Hawaii, and exhibits exploring connections between science and local Hawaiian culture.