Places to Explore In Big Island

Discover the best places to explore in Big Island with curated recommendations from our travel experts.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Vicinity

Few visitors realize that in addition to "the volcano" (Kilauea)—that mountain oozing new layers of lava onto its flanks—there's also Volcano, the village. Conveniently located...

  • 5 Restaurants
  • 7 Hotels
  • 15 Things To Do

Hawi and Kapaau

These North Kohala towns have an interesting history, and today they are full of lovingly restored vintage buildings housing fun and funky shops and galleries...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Hilo

In comparison to Kailua-Kona, Hilo is often deemed "the old Hawaii." With significantly fewer visitors than residents, more historic buildings, and a much stronger identity...

  • 21 Restaurants
  • 9 Hotels
  • 40 Things To Do

Honokaa

Cool antiques shops, a few interesting galleries, funky gift shops, and cozy cafés abound in this quaint, cliff-top village fronting the ocean. It was built...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Honomu

Bordering Akaka Falls State Park, this tiny town did not die when sugar did, and its sugar-plantation past is reflected in its wooden boardwalks and...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Kailua-Kona

A fun and quaint seaside town, Kailua-Kona has the souvenir shops and open-air restaurants you'd expect in a small tourist hub, plus a surprising number...

  • 45 Restaurants
  • 14 Hotels
  • 58 Things To Do

Kau

Perhaps the most desolate region of the island, Kau is nevertheless home to some spectacular sights. Mark Twain wrote some of his finest prose here...

  • 1 Restaurants
  • 2 Hotels
  • 9 Things To Do

Kawaihae

This no-frills industrial harbor, where in 1793 the first cattle landed in Hawaii, is a hub of commercial and community activity. It's also where King...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Laupahoehoe

After the devastating events of 1946, in which a tsunami raged ashore and 24 people were swept away, the once-thriving railway town of Laupahoehoe was...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Maunakea

Maunakea ("white mountain"), a major attraction for stargazers, offers the antithesis of the typical tropical island experience: freezing temperatures and arctic conditions are common at...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Mauna Kea and Hapuna

Maunakea ("white mountain") offers the antithesis of the typical tropical island experience. Freezing temperatures and arctic conditions are common at the summit, and snow can...

  • 1 Restaurants
  • 1 Hotels
  • 3 Things To Do

Mauna Lani

Mauna Lani is known for its expensive resorts, but it's so much more. In addition to soothing trade winds, black lava landscapes, and turquoise seas...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

North Kona

North of Kona International Airport, along Mamalahoa Highway, brightly colored bougainvillea stands out in relief against miles of jet-black lava fields stretching from the mountain...

  • 2 Restaurants
  • 1 Hotels
  • 5 Things To Do

Puna

The Puna District is wild in every sense of the word. The jagged black coastline is changing all the time; the trees are growing out...

  • 2 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 9 Things To Do

South Kona

South Kona is quiet and relatively rural. Much of the farmland is in leasehold status, which explains why this part of the Big Island has...

  • 1 Restaurants
  • 6 Hotels
  • 14 Things To Do

The Hamakua Coast

The spectacular waterfalls, mysterious jungles, emerald fields, and stunning ocean vistas along Highway 19 northwest of Hilo are collectively referred to as the Hilo–Hamakua Heritage...

  • 5 Restaurants
  • 2 Hotels
  • 12 Things To Do

The Kohala Coast

If you had only a weekend to spend on the Big Island, this is probably where you'd want to be. The Kohala Coast is a...

  • 29 Restaurants
  • 10 Hotels
  • 42 Things To Do

The Kona Coast

South of Kailua-Kona, Highway 11 hugs splendid coastlines and rural towns, leaving busy streets behind. The winding, upcountry road takes you straight to the heart...

  • 5 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 9 Things To Do

Waikoloa

Waikoloa is a region known for its two large resort properties (one a bit outlandish), excellent golf, and eclectic shopping at both the Kings' Shops...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Waimea

Thirty minutes over the mountain from Kohala, Waimea offers a completely different experience than the rest of the island. Rolling green hills, large open pastures...

  • 11 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 13 Things To Do

Waipio Valley

Bounded by 2,000-foot cliffs, the "Valley of the Kings" was once a favorite retreat of Hawaiian royalty, and it remains one of the most picturesque...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Explore Big Island

Sights 110

Shopping 65

Nightlife 15

Performing Arts 19

Restaurants 101

Hotels 48
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Guidebooks for Every Journey

Fodor's Big Island of Hawaii
Fodor's Big Island of Hawaii
  • Easy Planning
  • Local Writers
  • Itineraries
  • Pullout Map
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Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the USA: All 63 parks from Maine to American Samoa
Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the USA: All 63 parks from Maine to American Samoa
  • Easy Planning
  • Local Writers
  • Itineraries
  • Helpful Maps
Buy Now See All Guideboks