Joseph's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Approximately 10 minutes from the guesthouse. Expect a paved loop path. Some stairs. Plan 30 mins to 1 hour for visiting.
20 locals recommend
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
Approximately 10 minutes from the guesthouse. Expect a paved loop path. Some stairs. Plan 30 mins to 1 hour for visiting.
Approximately 20 minutes drive from the guesthouse. A beautiful spot for a picnic and photos of the crashing waves.
7 locals recommend
Laupāhoehoe Point
Approximately 20 minutes drive from the guesthouse. A beautiful spot for a picnic and photos of the crashing waves.
Approximately 15 minutes from the guesthouse. This is the primary surfing spot on this side of the island. Parking can be an issue as it is often very busy and accessed from a narrow road. A beautiful place to take sunrise photos and watch surfers.
81 locals recommend
Honoli'i Beach Park
Approximately 15 minutes from the guesthouse. This is the primary surfing spot on this side of the island. Parking can be an issue as it is often very busy and accessed from a narrow road. A beautiful place to take sunrise photos and watch surfers.
Approximately 1 hour drive from the guesthouse. Recommend stopping at the national park visitor center first for the orientation movie and speak to rangers to help customize your agenda of activities in the park. This is a geologically dynamic place, so rangers can advise which aspects may be open or closed that day. Suggest taking water and picnic lunch or have lunch at the Volcano House Hotel. Not many food options in the area. Plan to spend most of the day.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Approximately 1 hour drive from the guesthouse. Recommend stopping at the national park visitor center first for the orientation movie and speak to rangers to help customize your agenda of activities in the park. This is a geologically dynamic place, so rangers can advise which aspects may be open or closed that day. Suggest taking water and picnic lunch or have lunch at the Volcano House Hotel. Not many food options in the area. Plan to spend most of the day.
Located in Hilo, this is approximately a 25 minute drive from the guesthouse. Easy to access and view. Can climb stairs to the top but not required to enjoy seeing the waterfalls. Plan for 15 - 45 minutes here.
337 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
Located in Hilo, this is approximately a 25 minute drive from the guesthouse. Easy to access and view. Can climb stairs to the top but not required to enjoy seeing the waterfalls. Plan for 15 - 45 minutes here.
Located on a scenic route, this is approximately a 15 minute drive from the guesthouse. Great place to walk and see unique tropical flora. Mostly shaded areas make it a very pleasant stroll. Plan to spend several hours here.
23 locals recommend
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HighwayLocated on a scenic route, this is approximately a 15 minute drive from the guesthouse. Great place to walk and see unique tropical flora. Mostly shaded areas make it a very pleasant stroll. Plan to spend several hours here.
A nice stop on your way to/from Waipio Valley Lookout. Many locally made items from various artists and craftsmen. Books on every aspect of Hawaiian life and history. Also a a small cafe if you want a soft drink or a snack. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.
7 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Artworks
48-5416 Kukuihaele RdA nice stop on your way to/from Waipio Valley Lookout. Many locally made items from various artists and craftsmen. Books on every aspect of Hawaiian life and history. Also a a small cafe if you want a soft drink or a snack. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Located approximately 45 minutes north of the guesthouse. This is one of the best views on the island (maybe the best view in the world?!) On clear day you can see Maui in the distance. Waipio Valley is a sacred place, so please be respectful and aware. If you want to go down into the valley, please contact us to discuss options. This is not an easy hike down/up. Very steep grade. Rental cars not allowed to drive down. Plan 15 - 30 minutes at the overlook.
201 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Lookout
Located approximately 45 minutes north of the guesthouse. This is one of the best views on the island (maybe the best view in the world?!) On clear day you can see Maui in the distance. Waipio Valley is a sacred place, so please be respectful and aware. If you want to go down into the valley, please contact us to discuss options. This is not an easy hike down/up. Very steep grade. Rental cars not allowed to drive down. Plan 15 - 30 minutes at the overlook.
Richardson Ocean Park
2355 Kalanianaole StUmauma Falls Zipline & Rappel Experience
31-313 Old Mamalahoa HwyLocated within a mile of the guesthouse!
Serene Japanese style park. Tip: Visit in the morning for views of Hilo town in front of our glorious Mauna Kea before the afternoon clouds. Or stroll the park before or visiting Hilo Bay Cafe for dinner at sunset.
103 locals recommend
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
189 Lihiwai StSerene Japanese style park. Tip: Visit in the morning for views of Hilo town in front of our glorious Mauna Kea before the afternoon clouds. Or stroll the park before or visiting Hilo Bay Cafe for dinner at sunset.
Food scene
Located in downtown Hilo near the farmers market and across the street from KTA supermarket. Great food and drinks. Highly recommend.
9 locals recommend
Pineapples Island Fresh Cusine
332 Keawe StreetLocated in downtown Hilo near the farmers market and across the street from KTA supermarket. Great food and drinks. Highly recommend.
Upscale dining in downtown Hilo. Open for lunch and dinner. Air conditioned. Recommend making reservations for dinner.
55 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
64 Keawe StUpscale dining in downtown Hilo. Open for lunch and dinner. Air conditioned. Recommend making reservations for dinner.
Upscale food and drink with best Hilo bay view. Perfect for sunset dining. Indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations recommended for lunch or dinner.
137 locals recommend
Hilo Bay Cafe
123 Lihiwai StUpscale food and drink with best Hilo bay view. Perfect for sunset dining. Indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations recommended for lunch or dinner.
Local spot for creative vegan and vegetarian fare. Good food. Highly recommend the stuffed mushroom caps!
27 locals recommend
VIBE cafe & health bar
750 Kanoelehua AveLocal spot for creative vegan and vegetarian fare. Good food. Highly recommend the stuffed mushroom caps!
Located approximately 10 minutes North of the guesthouse, this is the nearest place to purchase miscellaneous grocery and food items. Recommend the cafe for breakfast or lunch. Ideal spot to get take out food for a picnic on your way to Laupahoehoe Point. Very casual and local.
27 locals recommend
Pāpaʻaloa Country Store and Cafe
35-2032 Papa Aloa AveLocated approximately 10 minutes North of the guesthouse, this is the nearest place to purchase miscellaneous grocery and food items. Recommend the cafe for breakfast or lunch. Ideal spot to get take out food for a picnic on your way to Laupahoehoe Point. Very casual and local.
Upscale farm to table fare. Our favorite restaurant on the island. This is a must for any foodie who visits Waimea. Great for special occasion dining. Reservation recommended for lunch and dinner. Approximately 1 hour drive from the guesthouse.
102 locals recommend
Merriman's Big Island
65-1227 Opelo RdUpscale farm to table fare. Our favorite restaurant on the island. This is a must for any foodie who visits Waimea. Great for special occasion dining. Reservation recommended for lunch and dinner. Approximately 1 hour drive from the guesthouse.
Recommend visiting on Saturday mornings to see the most vendors.
246 locals recommend
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetRecommend visiting on Saturday mornings to see the most vendors.
Wednesday mornings in Waimea at the Parker Ranch Stables.
19 locals recommend
Waimea Midweek Farmers Market
67-139 Pukalani RdWednesday mornings in Waimea at the Parker Ranch Stables.
This is a small, family operated Thai restaurant in downtown Hilo. We love the Pumpkin Curry as well as the Pineapple Curry. Always good, always friendly.
27 locals recommend
Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
86 Kilauea AveThis is a small, family operated Thai restaurant in downtown Hilo. We love the Pumpkin Curry as well as the Pineapple Curry. Always good, always friendly.
Great spot for take-out orders. Highly recommend their panini sandwiches. Suggestion: Stop by to pick up box lunches on your way to Volcano National Park. (Not many food options there, so plan a picnic!)
11 locals recommend
Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe
1263 Kinoole StGreat spot for take-out orders. Highly recommend their panini sandwiches. Suggestion: Stop by to pick up box lunches on your way to Volcano National Park. (Not many food options there, so plan a picnic!)
Island Naturals Market & Deli - Hilo
1221 Kilauea AveLocal version of Whole Foods.
Hawaiian Style Cafe Hilo
681 Manono StGood spot for a big local style breakfast.
Big Island Coffee Roasters