Grab an espresso and a snack while you talk beans with the master roaster at this friendly coffee and tea farm. Free short tours give you a taste of what makes an amazing cup, while longer 90-minute farm excursions (advance bookings; $20) give a more intimate look at the process. Located roadside between Miles 12 and 13.
Hilo Coffee Mill
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
15.88 MILES
Kilauea volcano lies at the center of activity in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The unassuming bump on Mauna Loa's southeast flank would be easily…
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
17.87 MILES
Even among Hawaii's many wonders, this national park stands out. Its two active volcanoes testify to the ongoing birth of the islands: quiet Mauna Loa (13…
16.03 MILES
The original Halemaʻumaʻu Overlook off Crater Rim Dr was closed in 2008 due to volcanic activity and the very real threat of death. For the next decade,…
18.81 MILES
The gentle, 1.3-mile round-trip to Puʻu Loa (roughly, 'hill of long life') leads to one of Hawaiʻi's largest concentrations of ancient petroglyphs, some…
11.17 MILES
Arguably Hilo's most beautiful spot, these sprawling Japanese gardens are perfect for picnicking. Named for Hawaii's last queen (r 1891–93), the 30-acre…
20.36 MILES
The island's best ‘tourist waterfall’ is found at this outstanding, family-friendly park. Walk the paved path counterclockwise, on a loop that traverses…
14.34 MILES
When 'Little Kilauea' burst open in a fiery inferno in November 1959, it filled the crater with a roiling lake of molten rock fed by a 1900ft fountain…
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
16.97 MILES
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this rainforest garden is beautifully situated by the ocean and superbly managed. A paved trail meanders through over 2000…
Nearby attractions
1. Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center
2.86 MILES
It's as if the ambitions of David Fukumoto have been continually cut back by fate – including an alleged $30 million pesticide disaster and severe…
2. Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens
6.16 MILES
Hilo's 12-acre zoo is a terrific, family-friendly spot. Stroll along paved paths past tropical foliage to view a modest collection of tropical birds,…
7.77 MILES
Follow the line of cars turning off Hwy 130 every Sunday morning for this large, festive and diverse farmers market. Offerings include psychic readings,…
7.93 MILES
First opened in 1972, these gardens are past their glory days. The sprawling grounds feel rather forlorn, but they do make for leisurely strolling. The…
5. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center
8.2 MILES
Touristy, no doubt. But mac nut fans might enjoy glimpses of Mauna Loa's plantation and working factory. From windows above, watch the prized mac nut move…
8.77 MILES
If you believe paradise is sweetest when earned, trek out to this pristine, postcard-worthy black and white sand beach in a protected cove on the Shipman…
8.87 MILES
Don't expect too much, but these two lava caves offer a mini adventure: pitch dark, sharply rocky, dripping wet, low in spots, mossy and thick with ferns…
8. ʻImiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaiʻi
9.39 MILES
ʻImiloa, which means 'exploring new knowledge,' is a $28 million museum and planetarium complex with a twist: it juxtaposes modern astronomy on Mauna Kea…