Landing at Hilo International Airport in Hilo puts you right in the middle of things, with waterfalls, volcanoes, and the Hamakua Coast within easy reach. Hilo is the rainy, green, old-Hawaii side of the Big Island, with a historic downtown of wooden storefronts, a famous farmers market, and far fewer resorts than Kona. It is laid back, local, and lush.

Standout experiences around Hilo: - Watch the glow of Kilauea at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, about 45 minutes up the road - Walk the short path to Rainbow Falls, best in the morning light - See Akaka Falls plunge 442 feet through the rainforest north of town - Shop the Hilo Farmers Market for papaya, rambutan, and fresh poke - Stroll the Japanese-style Liliuokalani Gardens and Coconut Island on Hilo Bay - Snorkel the tide pools at Richardson Ocean Park - Drive the Hamakua Coast to the Waipio Valley lookout - Visit the Imiloa Astronomy Center to learn how Hawaiian wayfinding and modern telescopes connect - Stop at Big Island Candies for a box of macadamia shortbread - Swim at the black sand beach and hot ponds of Puna

Hilo makes a natural base for the eastern half of the island. The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station sits about an hour away for stargazing at 9,200 feet, and the Puna district's lava-formed coastline is 40 minutes south. Each spring, the Merrie Monarch Festival fills Hilo with the best hula dancers in the world, and tickets sell out months ahead.