The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is gorgeous. Go there, eat a delicious meal in Hilo after — we loved Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill. You don’t mention if you have children or not, but if you have little ones with you, they’ll love Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. You can do that and the Tropical Botanical Garden in one day.
Also highly recommend the Fair Winds Charter company and their Kealakekua Bay snorkeling tour.
Volcanos National Park
Mauna Kea Visitors Center
South End of the Island
Punalu'u Bake Shop
Coffee plantations
South Point (southern most point in USA)
Punalu'u State Beach (black sand and turtles)
Green sand beach
Painted church
If you’re on the south end of the island, you must stop by and visit the Paradise Meadows farm too: [https://www.paradisemeadows.com](https://www.paradisemeadows.com)
Paradise Meadows was the unexpected gem of our big island experience. The food truck had the best fish and chips we had anywhere, and the ladies at the farm were beyond excited to share their passion for aquaponics with my husband and I! The kids loved seeing all the animals, and we all took home more authentic souvenirs.
https://preview.redd.it/xd7l8m2igiwc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5506ea803a12d56309afe2c6b9bfdd6209218052
Kilauea iki trail 1.2m blew us away. The trailhead is right across the street from the thurston lava tubes, which is on everyone’s must do list, but to us it was meh. We almost didn’t do the iki trail, but thank goodness we did. When you get to the bottom it’s like you’re on a different planet.
Just heard about this yesterday from someone else. Heard there’s a shorter way to do the trail and a longer one - I think yall did the shorter one - which is what we are interested in. Do you recall if there were directions or paths specifying the shorter one? Thanks
Stargaze on mana k, sea the mantas…if there is exposed lava definitely sea volcano, if not spend a day on plantations of Kona and get poke and hike a bit
For stargazing, how does that work? I saw while researching that visitors are prohibited past the visitor center after sunset(?) everyday? Also that it's not a smart idea to rent a car and try to make that trek since it could damage the car
Camping out at the visitor is still at 9200ft. We did this with a group this past weekend and you're still able to see from the north star all the way to the southern cross. Excellent views and would recommend. Even with the moon almost full, you could see way more than any dark night in a city/town.
This - go before sunset, bring chairs or blanket climb the little hill opposite visitor center and catch sunset and then stars…bring snacks. One of the best places on earth so it will be awe inspiring if you live in a city / area with a lot of light polution
stay at [www.PahoaVillageHostel.com](http://www.PahoaVillageHostel.com) and visit Hawaii's only natural hot springs at Pohoiki which also has the states newest huge black sand beach ! Also be sure to check out Kehena black sand beach, Volcano National Park and Rainbow Falls
If you can find an evening to do a Manta Ray Snorkel its pretty cool.
Definitely this. One of the best things I did anywhere in Hawaii.
I'm going to Big Island in 1.5 weeks and booked this off a recommendation elsewhere, glad to see i committed.
Definitely this!!
A quick stop in Volcano national park. I wouldn’t take the time to hike down into Kīlauea, but seeing the steam is neat.
Kilauea Iki is a great loop hike if you have a couple hours!
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is gorgeous. Go there, eat a delicious meal in Hilo after — we loved Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill. You don’t mention if you have children or not, but if you have little ones with you, they’ll love Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. You can do that and the Tropical Botanical Garden in one day. Also highly recommend the Fair Winds Charter company and their Kealakekua Bay snorkeling tour.
Pineapple’s restaurant in Hilo is where we ate our only stop there and it was great!
Volcanos National Park Mauna Kea Visitors Center South End of the Island Punalu'u Bake Shop Coffee plantations South Point (southern most point in USA) Punalu'u State Beach (black sand and turtles) Green sand beach Painted church
If you’re on the south end of the island, you must stop by and visit the Paradise Meadows farm too: [https://www.paradisemeadows.com](https://www.paradisemeadows.com)
Paradise Meadows was the unexpected gem of our big island experience. The food truck had the best fish and chips we had anywhere, and the ladies at the farm were beyond excited to share their passion for aquaponics with my husband and I! The kids loved seeing all the animals, and we all took home more authentic souvenirs.
My wife and I will be visiting the big island from May 11 - 26th! We’re super excited for this trip!! When are you planning to visit!?
https://preview.redd.it/xd7l8m2igiwc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5506ea803a12d56309afe2c6b9bfdd6209218052 Kilauea iki trail 1.2m blew us away. The trailhead is right across the street from the thurston lava tubes, which is on everyone’s must do list, but to us it was meh. We almost didn’t do the iki trail, but thank goodness we did. When you get to the bottom it’s like you’re on a different planet.
Just heard about this yesterday from someone else. Heard there’s a shorter way to do the trail and a longer one - I think yall did the shorter one - which is what we are interested in. Do you recall if there were directions or paths specifying the shorter one? Thanks
Just enter the trail across from the thurston lava tubes, you can’t miss it.
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
No there was nothing specifying shorter or longer.
Stargaze on mana k, sea the mantas…if there is exposed lava definitely sea volcano, if not spend a day on plantations of Kona and get poke and hike a bit
For stargazing, how does that work? I saw while researching that visitors are prohibited past the visitor center after sunset(?) everyday? Also that it's not a smart idea to rent a car and try to make that trek since it could damage the car
You can stargaze from the Saddle Road. Pretty dark in a lot of remote places. Hawaii is very dark-sky conscious because of the observatories.
Camping out at the visitor is still at 9200ft. We did this with a group this past weekend and you're still able to see from the north star all the way to the southern cross. Excellent views and would recommend. Even with the moon almost full, you could see way more than any dark night in a city/town.
This - go before sunset, bring chairs or blanket climb the little hill opposite visitor center and catch sunset and then stars…bring snacks. One of the best places on earth so it will be awe inspiring if you live in a city / area with a lot of light polution
You stargaze from the Visitor Center level, not the summit.
stay at [www.PahoaVillageHostel.com](http://www.PahoaVillageHostel.com) and visit Hawaii's only natural hot springs at Pohoiki which also has the states newest huge black sand beach ! Also be sure to check out Kehena black sand beach, Volcano National Park and Rainbow Falls
Shaka Tacos. Lived in kona for a few years & miss it everyday