Banyan Drive 93 Banyan Drive, Hilo, HI 96720, 808-969-3333, Known for the giant Banyan trees that line the street, the trees along this drive were planted by visiting celebrities and each tree is marked with plaques where visitors will find such famous names as Amelia Earhart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Cecil B. deMille, Louis Armstrong, Babe Ruth, Richard Nixon, and King George V. 

Hilo Public Library 300 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 967761, 808-933-8888, This library is filled with a great collection of books, magazines, and reference materials plus offers an array of services including programs for children, teens, and adults. more... 

Hilo Art Museum 1266 Kamehameha, Hilo, HI 96720, 808-961-1426, The Education and Special Exhibit Center of the Hilo Art Museum offers a wide range of art by some of the world's most famous artists. Also in this facility are the Koehnan's Research Library (with Wi-Fi access), a museum store and a number of classes to sign up for. more...

Lyman Museum & Mission House 276 Haili Street, Hilo, HI 96720, 808-935-5021, This nationally accredited museum showcases the natural and cultural history of Hawaii and features collections such as artwork by artists of Hawaii, ancient art of China, and seashells and minerals from around the world. An 1839 historical missionary home is also on site and many community programs and special events are held each year. more... 

Pacific Tsunami Museum 130 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96721, 808-935-0926, Dedicated to promoting public tsunami education, this museum contains exhibits on survivor stories, the history of tsunamis in the Pacific Basin, artifacts from the ocean bottom, an ocean science center, and exhibits that interpret the tsunami phenomena. more... 

Leleiwi Beach Park and Richardson Ocean Center 2349 Kalanianaole Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, 808-935-3830, This park features a seawall which provides a good place to enter the water for swimming, snorkeling, net fishing, surfing, and bodysurfing. Covered picnic pavilions and paved walkways are also part of the park, as well as the Richardson Ocean Center, an interpretive and recreation center that contains displays of marine life.  

Nani Mau Gardens 421 Makalika Street, Hilo, HI 96720, 808-959-3500, These splendid gardens lie on 20 beautiful acres and include tropical flowers and trees, walking paths, pools and waterfalls, and native Hawaiian plants. A botanical museum is also on site, as well as two restaurants, an outdoor dining facility, and a gift shop.  more... 

Pana'ewa Rain Forest Zoo 25 Aupuni South, Hilo, HI 96720, 808-959-7224, "The only zoo in the United States that is situated in a tropical rain forest," this beautiful zoo is filled with exotic animals such as tigers, monkeys, birds, apes, and herds of other animals, as well as species that are native to Hawaii. more... 

`Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai`i 600 `Imiloa Place, Hilo, HI 96720, 808-969-9700, Formerly called the Maunakea Astronomy Education Center, the `Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai`i is a 40,000-square-foot exhibition and planetarium complex located on nine acres in the Science and Technology Park on the upper portion of the University of Hawaii-Hilo campus. Visitors can explore the connections between Hawaiian cultural traditions and the science of astronomy. more...

Native Guide Hawaii HC 2 Box 6908, Keaau, HI 96749, 808-982-7575, Native Guide Hawaii offers the finest, private tours on the island of Hawaii including tours to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, historic Hilo town, Hamakua and the Puna coast. more...

Jack's Tours 737 Kanoelehua Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, 808-961-6666, Providing tours and transportation on Big Island for over 40 years, this tour company offers a variety of tours, with both English and Japanese narration available, with tours such as Circle the Big Island, Kona Historical Tour, Mauna Kea Summit and Stargazing Tour, and Volcano Lava Walk Tour available. Airport and hotel shuttle services are also provided. more... 

Island Outfitters Heli Hike P.O. Box 4441, Hilo, HI 96720, Departs from the Hapuna Prince Resort Heliport, 808-966-7933, 800-840-9974, Fly deep into the valley of Honokane Nui with this tour company and land adjacent to the quaint historic cottages that once sheltered the caretakers of the vital Kohala Ditch. Day packs, gear, and goodies are provided for the hiking trail where you will learn how the irrigation ditch and tunnels were carved into the near vertical 3,000 foot cliffs. more...