i could go over saddle rd…3hrs? am i misiing anything i f i never get to the other side of the island?
I thought it was neat simply because of the different landscapes you drive through.
For me Hilo was relatively uninteresting - but the drive was very cool.
I stopped there on a cruise and went on a fairly long (and reasonably difficult considering the participants) hike through a massive caldera and surrounding area. Was pretty cool but not really that exciting I suppose. My take was it’s the rainy, unpopulated side of the island but perhaps a local can provide more perspective.
Worth a three hour drive? Not so sure but would depend on what’s competing for the time.
- Mike
I stopped there on a cruise and went on a fairly long (and reasonably difficult considering the participants) hike through a massive caldera and surrounding area. Was pretty cool but not really that exciting I suppose. My take was it’s the rainy, unpopulated side of the island but perhaps a local can provide more perspective.
Worth a three hour drive? Not so sure but would depend on what’s competing for the time.
- Mike
the west side
Are you flashing gang signs at me or is that the answer to the “what’s the alternative?” 
Where are you based out of exactly?
I just looked at a map of Hawaii and looks like where I went was Mauna Kea. If you’re in Kona area it might be worth going to the reserve at Mauna Kea without going all the way to Hilo.
Again - I was just a tourist there with one day in Hilo and one day in Kona. Sorry I can’t offer more insight.
- Mike
are you kidding me? of course Hilo is a great place to visit ! ( however, if you are on the island for just a day or two - you can’t see everything and go everywhere - in which case, save gas and don’t drive all over the place, pick an area and really SEE it). Hilo has a different climate (wetter), great waterfalls, great bike riding, beautiful countrysides and coast, nice local people, less tourists, nearby Volcano National Park, . . .
The drive is so long because of the road along the cliffs, twists and turns etc.
The lava flow is really neat. Best when it’s dark.
We went to a botanical garden right on the shore. Just wound up there because we were running early for the lava flow. One of the highlights of the trip.
There’s also a road that runs along the shore near the lava flow that has all kinds of neat little things. Like warm springs and such.
If you have the time and cash the long helicopter ride is the way to go. Get to see it all.
If you decide to make the trip, be sure to see Akaka Falls. One of my favorite places to visit on the Big Island. Last time I was there it was nearing dusk, not many people there and the jungle sounds were like out of an old Tarzan movie.
The rental car companies generally prohibit you from driving on Saddle Rd. Of course you could just not tell them…
If you decide to make the trip, be sure to see Akaka Falls. One of my favorite places to visit on the Big Island. Last time I was there it was nearing dusk, not many people there and the jungle sounds were like out of an old Tarzan movie.
x2. We stopped to see Akaka Falls along the trip to Hilo from the other side of the island and it was really worth it. very cool indeed.
Two words: Loco Moco.
Stop at Cafe 100 and order up one of these babies and put your cardiologist on standby. They rock.
Yes, go to the Hilo side, enjoy the drive around the north side of the island (truly awesome) and take your time. Volcano National Park is one of the places everyone should visit once in their lives, even if they do not see lava flowing.
Short answer… yes.
Wife and I honeymooned in Hawaii. Did a few days in Waikiki, a few days in Hilo and a week on Maui. Here’s how it went…
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Landed around noon in Hilo. Rented Jeep Wrangler.
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Had sex
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Went on run through downtown Hilo
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Had sweaty sex
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Went our to eat at a great seafood place near all the hotels
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Had sex
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Epic day of hiking through National Park. Kilaeua (sp.) Iki was an epic trail.
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Drove to shore to see flowing lava. Hot!
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No sex as we were hiking for over 12 hours
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Had sex
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Botanical Gardens north of “downtown”. AWESOME AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! The home looming on the cliff above the gardens to the north is still our dream home.
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Akaka (sp.) Falls
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Rainbow Falls
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Wandering around “downtown”
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Great dinner at a hole in the wall Thai place. Really good.
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Had sex outside
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Had sex
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Drive illegally (no rental cars on saddle road) to Maunea Kea Visitor Center
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Original plan was to drive to the top. I am a closet state highpointer.
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Decided to hike from Visitor Center. Around 4,000 ft. vertical if I recall. AMAZING experience. Very Mars-ish. Also, EXTREMELY tiring despite high level of fitness. You can’t hang out at sea level for a week and then go to 13,000 + without it hurting.
Fly to Maui
I think anyone would like to have the experience I had in Hilo!!! Probably the highlight of our trip.
Hilo town… avoidable, but Volcano National Park and the top of Mauna Kea (we drove) are simply amazing, and the saddle road drive is quite scenic, and easier than most NY highways. If you can squeeze 2 nights in Hilo do it.
Hilo has a number of places worth visiting - everyone else has already mentioned volcano national park -
but also:
rain forest - great place to mountain bike!!!
lava tubes (caves that were formed by lava flows)
if it is still there you must have lunch at Broke the Mouth
we went to an eco-resort south of Hilo last year. the area is lots more interesting than Kona. I especially liked the pool where I did some swims in prep for an IM—clothing optional so the boredom of swimming could be relieved by the scenery—most fun I have ever had swimming.
My wife had to travel to Hawaii for work 2 years ago, and we spent 8 days on the big island, and a couple in Waikiki. Hilo was cool, very different that the typical Hawaii tourists pics. Rainy side of the island, so expect that. There are tons of cool waterfalls, and it has more of a local small town feel that the Kona side. We also stayed at the Volcano House in Volcano National Park, it was neat, kind of a 1 time experience though. There is a lot to see in the park, especially if the lava is flowing (which it wasn’t on our trip).
We drove all the way around the island, started in Hilo, went the park, then to Kona for a while, then around the other side of the island. The drive around the island is pretty cool, lots to see. We had a guide book (blue cover, look on amazon), and it is layed out well so that you can find a lot of the cool stuff you might not see without some local knowledge.
If you have plenty of time, do it, If you have 1 day, honestly, I would stay in Kona.