After Waimea Town, you’ll embark on your drive across Saddle Road, a main thoroughfare on Big Island that connects Kona in the west with Hilo in the east. This is about a 50 minute drive and we’ll tell you stories the whole way.

There are three optional stops along this road:

1) a rest stop, which we’ll point on the tour;
2) a cinder cone where you can get acclimated to the altitude if you’re embarking on a journey to Mauna Kea; and
3) Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest mountain.

If you’re not planning on visiting any of these places you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the drive.

Before turning for Mauna Kea, there is a cinder cone you can pull off to on Saddle Road. Might be a good place to stop for some fresh air and just to get your legs moving before ascending Mauna Kea.

The summit of Mount Everest is higher above sea level than the summit of any other mountain, but Mauna Kea is the tallest when measured from base to summit. Astronomers from around the world explore the universe from its peak and Hawaiian’s have many ancient spiritual connections to this special site. For visitors, it is one of the clearest places on the planet for viewing the night sky and offers a rare opportunity to experience the polar tundra in Hawaii.

We do not recommend you drive past the visitor’s center to the summit, it is steep, four-wheeled drive only and not recommended for visitors. Visitors information station is plenty high to get a feel for Mauna kea. If you’re visiting during the day you can stop at the visitor’s information station where they often have one of the solar telescopes to view the sun. Call (808) 935-6268 get weather conditions on a recorded phone line.

Information Center hours:

11:30am to 7pm daily

The ‘Imiloa astronomy center is part of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and is a gathering place that integrates science and Native Hawaiian culture. They have a visitor’s center, with wonderful exhibits, programs, and events. Since Hawaiian society was built on exploration and observation, Hawaiian cultural practices have become an important part of ‘Imiloa’s exhibits. (Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Here you will see many historic stores and buildings from quaint boutiques to fine restaurants and galleries. Most of the buildings were built in the early 1900’s but over the years have been remodeled and are still in use today.

Pro Tip! If you're pressed for time and want to see Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots before the gates close at 6:00 p.m. -- skip Downtown Hilo for now and come back for dinner.

This is a nice place to take a relaxing stroll next to the beach and hear an interesting story about the Hawaiian fishponds in ancient times.

Coconut Island is a small beach park in Hilo accessed by a small bridge. This island is also called Moku Ola, which means 'healing island' or 'island of life', and it used to be the home of an ancient temple that was dedicated to healing. Legend has it that swimming around the island three times would heal any ailments or ill feelings. Go for a quick stroll around the island, jump in the water for a swim, or bring some treats for a picnic.

Queen Liliuokalani Park is one of the gems of Hilo Town. This park is known as the biggest edo-style garden outside of Japan! In this serene park you’ll find majestic red bridges over Koi ponds, statues, and pagodas, along with stone lanterns lining the pathways.

Located just a short drive from Downtown Hilo is Rainbow Falls. On sunny days, rainbows appear in the midst of the 80-foot falls, making for some pretty magical views. The broad waterfall - nearly 100 feet in diameter - plunges over a natural lava cave and into the river below. 

A few minutes down the road you’ll find Boiling Pots, a chain of overflowing waterfalls that looks like boiling pots of water after it rains.

Kaumana Caves is a massive cave part of a 25-mile long lava tube created by the Mauna Loa lava flow of 1880. The public part of the cave stretches about 2 miles and quickly goes pitch black as soon as you enter. Be sure to bring a flashlight if you plan to do some exploring.

Pull over at the Hilo public library and take a look at the Naha Stone on the grass outside. In ancient times the Naha Stone was believed to have spiritual powers and that whoever could lift this 5,000 pound rock would become the Hawaiian King. Legend has it that at the age of 30, King Kamehameha successfully lifted the stone and overturned it.

Onomea Trail, or donkey trail, is an easy hike that runs along a breathtaking section of coastline that gives you 180-degree views of Onomea Bay. It’s worth it for the photo opportunities alone! Being on the wet side of the island, there are a lot of streams running through the trail as well as a small waterfall and a swimming hole.

If you want a more leisurely stroll through a manicured garden with roughly 2,000 plant species opt to visit Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden instead of hiking Onomea Trail. The garden is actually more of a nature reserve where scientists study the unique and endangered plants of the rain forests. The garden features a canopy of trees that include 100-foot tall mango trees from the 1800’s and one-hundred-year-old breadfruit trees as well. While you’re there, take the paved garden walk. It’s just over a mile and runs parallel to the Onomea Trail.

Note: Entrance to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is $25 for adults and $12 for children 6-15; it’s free for children under 6.

Note: There is a $10 per vehicle parking fee, and a $5 entry fee per person.

Arguably one of the most famous waterfalls on Big Island, you can take the half-mile stroll on a paved path through lush rain forest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns to get a glimpse of this iconic natural wonder. The accessible portion of the park lies high on the right shoulder of the deep gorge into which the waterfall plunges, and the falls can be viewed from several points along a loop trail through the park.

Ready for another waterfall? There’s an entrance fee to see Umauma Falls, but once you do you’ll drive up to this three-tier waterfall. If you’re pressed for time we recommend you skip this spot. Note: the cost to see the falls is $10.00 per car.

In 1946 there was a devastating tsunami in this area that killed over 150 people, many of them being school children. During the tour you’ll hear the story of this tragic day and learn about a few brave survivors. At the beach park, you can pay tribute at a memorial that honors the lives lost that day. This is also a great viewpoint of the ocean coastline.

At this point in the tour you’re probably ready for a quick bite. Well do we have a treat for you! We’ll guide you to Tex’s Drive Inn -- a local spot with hearty plate lunches that will keep you fueled and ready to go for the rest of your journey.

Pro Tip! Be sure to order a malasada (think filled donut without a hole) while you’re at Tex’s; they have some of the best in Hawaii! Not hungry yet? Skip this spot and grab lunch in Waimea Town.

Note: The road leading into the valley is closed indefinitely, hikers included.

Waipi'o Valley is one of the most storied valleys in Hawaii. According to legends, the gods lived in Waipi'o in ancient days. It was also the royal center for many ancient rulers on the Big Island, including Kamehameha. There’s a stunning view of the valley just from the lookout area.

As you travel off the main road through this area in Hamakua towards Waimea, you’ll be driving above a network of underground lava tubes. There are three lava main entrances to these caves and you can actually go inside and explore -- don’t forget your flashlight though! We’ll point these out as we approach them.

Waimea Town is an artsy farm town known for its quaint bed and breakfasts and cowboy history. Waimea also has lots of amazing restaurants, a theatre, art exhibits, historic ranches and an astronomy center. Might be a good place to stop to grab a bite before heading back to Kona. How much time you choose to spend here depends on your interests but here are a few activities that can keep you busy exploring this small town.

Note: Keck Observatory is Temporarily closed until further notice.

The Keck Observatory has a small visitor’s center with models and images from their highly successful telescopes on Mauna Kea. They are open from 10 am – 2pm Monday through Friday; admission is free.

The name of this park is Ulu la’au which means ‘circle of trees’ in Hawaiian. It’s a great place for a stroll or a picnic to relax next to a flowing stream

Here you’ll find two historic houses built in the 1800’s. The houses serve as the Parker Ranch headquarters and free self-guided tours are available weekdays from 8AM to 4PM. They’re packed with art, antiques, and other historic relics that help tell the story of the Parker Ranch. It’s a great way to experience what life was like on this iconic ranch throughout the years.  

Learn about the first lady of racing, Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske at this historic site that’s dedicated to the rancher. The home is filled with stories seeing as it’s been in her family for five generations! 

Open 10AM - 2:30PM and closed Saturday-Monday and costs $10 per person.

Guests are invited with the aloha spirit and will discover captivating photos, railroad ancient rarities and memorabilia from days passed by. The volunteers have spent their lives in the village, and are pleased to "talk story" with guests. The exhibition hall grounds are planted with tropical trees and ornamentals, and make a dazzling spot to walk, have a picnic or unwind.

Despite the fact that the exhibition hall is one of the littlest in the state, the community-run office on the Hamakua Heritage Coast still observes in excess of 5,000 guests per year from everywhere throughout the world. It is situated in the old station agent’s home and outfitted as it would have been in the mid 1900s, on account of network occupants who reestablished and outfitted the home themselves.