Consistently voted one of the top beaches in the U.S., Hapuna is the largest white sand beach on the island, with showers, picnic pavilions and turquoise water, making it well worth the parking fee.
One of the most popular island beaches, great for photos of the incredibly clear blue water and white sand, surrounded by black lava. Come early for parking and bring sunscreen and a shade umbrella.
Named after the number on the post at the side of the road, you'll find lots of shade and plenty of parking at beach 69. Water is clear and good for snorkeling. Watch for thorns and rocks in the sand.
Few know about this black sand beach close to the Kohala Coast resorts. Head to Mauna Lani, pass the golf clubhouse, then turn at the Shoreline Access sign and get a pass from the guard at the gate.
An authentic, local plate lunch. Eat lunch or dinner here, or take it to go for a picnic at the beach. Try the Loco Moco with chicken cutlet instead of hamburger. So good, with gravy and egg!
A quick stop for ramen, pho and other Asian specialities. Most dishes are spicy, but you can request your level of heat, from little to fire hot. Flavors are rich and presentation is colorful!
Japanese restaurant with a local influence. Incredible variety of sushi. Then there's the regular menu. Try the miso butterfish that melts in your mouth. Enjoy with one of the many sakes, hot or cold.
Hot day and want to escape the sun? Raining? This is a great option to get indoors and soak up some air conditioning. Watch a movie and have your bistro or drink order delivered to your seat!
An island standard. Hawaiian fusion cuisine. If you're looking for a romantic evening with amazing service and delicate flavors, this is for you! Chocolate lovers will enjoy the chocolate souffle.
Located inside Waikoloa Beach Resort, get to this field of ancient rock carvings by parking at the gas station at the Kings Shops, then walk to the King's Trail and head north about a quarter mile.
Hard to beat the ocean views from this bar and restaurant on the sand at Anaehoomalu Bay. Come for lunch or dinner, and enjoy specialties like pineapple fried rice. Live entertainment in the evening.
Pizza like they make it in Italy, and you can watch! The square Roman is made from dough aged 72 hours, light, fluffy. The round Neopolitan from dough aged 48 hours. Try with an Italian cocktail.
Incredible sunset views over the Pacific and a refined menu of gourmet island dishes make this a great dinner spot. Try the ginger steamed monchong. Plan to spend some time to soak up the atmosphere.
Great for late night drinks or a fast lunch or dinner. Live entertainment most nights by local artists. 16 beers on tap, some by Kona Brewing and only available here. Ahi poke nachos are a winner!
Great pit stop for basic supplies, groceries and souvenirs. Get water, fruits, veggies and pre-made sandwiches, bentos, salads, pastas, sushi and more. Want to try a spam musubi? Grab one here!
In the evening, stop by for a drink and an affordable menu of appetizers prepared in the market next door and brought over by your server. Seating is limited, but if there's an open spot, it's yours!
Open all day, but breakfast here is a highlight. With a brunch-style menu, favorites include the avocado toast, Moroccan eggs, and the Puna kine benedict. Large variety of coffee, tea and smoothies.
Long stretch of white sand with few waves. The sand is more coarse here than at Hapuna. A great spot for snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking. Rentals are available. Free parking.
Known as the spot for night owls, this place is open until 1am on some nights. Amazing Italian cuisine gives way to a late night happy hour starting at 9pm.
For breakfast, lunch or a coffee to-go on your way over to the other side of the island, this place has an eclectic vibe and menu filled with eggs, breads and salads, all with a local twist.
Foodland is known by locals for poke. Any of several varieties piled on white rice make a poke bowl the perfect quick meal to go. Also a grocery store with deli, so you can stock up on supplies.
Learn some Hawaiian history and culture at this ancient temple where battles were waged and sacrifices were offered. National park rangers provide insight and signs provide self-guided options.
Grab lunch or dinner at this local spot across from the harbor at Kawaihae. Come early for happy hour. Customers enjoy favorites like lobster pie, oyster shooters, and fresh caught fish.
Open just a few hours at lunch, this place has some delicious local food like perfect chicken katsu, poke bowls, shrimp tempura, and fish and chips. Take your meal to go for lunch at a nearby beach.
A trip to the island wouldn't be complete without breakfast here. The portions are some of the largest you will ever see, with just about every local breakfast favorite on the menu, even spam!
This place was voted one of the top burger joints in the U.S. on TripAdvisor! One bite and you'll know why. The beef is local and everything is made from scratch, even the cut of the truffle fries!
Sample the beers brewed right out back, with a lunch or early dinner meal off the Mexican-influenced menu. Fish tacos are a solid choice. Parking is tight, but worth it.
The original Hawaii Regional Cuisine hot spot, fusing island ingredients with flavors of the Pacific Rim. A gourmet meal to be savored and remembered. Service, ambiance, quality... all top notch.
Flavorful coffee creations, pastries, acai bowls and more for breakfast or lunch. The cool air, rolling hills outside and cozy Pacific Northwest vibe inside might make you forget you're in Hawaii.
This family-run Korean restaurant has been going strong for years. Kalbi ribs and barbecue chicken. Get pipinola vines, harvested locally, as a side, then ask for some secret-recipe hot sauce.
Famous for the bento roll. It's basically a bento (flavorful local dish with chicken, spam, fish cake) rolled up like sushi. Grab a few to go in the morning to enjoy during your island adventure!
This unassuming liquor store on the side of the highway actually hides an impressive selection of wines, spirits and accompaniments. Wine tastings and staff recommendations are always spot on.
A hidden gem, this cafe is one of the healthiest breakfast or lunch spots on the island. Local fruits and vegetables juiced to order, sandwiches, pastas and salads. Great stop on an island road trip!
Great selection of local produce and flowers, every Saturday morning. Kick up a conversation with a local farmer and learn about their specialties and backgrounds, always interesting!
A variety of local farmers and culinary offerings each Saturday morning. Grab a fresh breakfast from one of the local booths, then pick up some fruits, honey or coffee to go.
An exhilarating adventure, this tour departs in the mornings and afternoons and takes you over several lines, through forest canopies and rope bridges. Book a reservation well in advance.
Incredible views of the rugged Hamakua coast and Pololu Valley. The 30 minute hike down leads to a black sand beach. Allow 45 minutes to an hour back up, to relax and enjoy the view. Bring water.
An open stretch of white sand and turquoise water near the airport. You might see it from the plane. Recommend a four-wheel drive to traverse the 2 mile road down from the highway over the lava field.
This is the closest gas station to the airport, but it also has some surprisingly delicious, crispy, salty fried chicken. A favorite with locals. The potato wedges are good, too.
A local favorite! Plate lunches, hamburgers, sandwiches... For the variety on the menu this place is hard to beat! Eat in or take out. Perfect for singles and families. The best macaroni salad!
Near the airport and looking to grab some Kona coffee to take home? Here's your spot.
Discover an old Hawaiian fishing village and ancient fish ponds at this National Historical Park between the airport and Honokohau harbor. Bring a towel and sunscreen if you'd like to enjoy the ocean.
Fresh made chocolate covered macadamia nuts and other candies prepared in the open kitchen. Various assortments and sizes all boxed up make great gifts to share back home.
Popular with fishermen for an early or really late lunch, locals order the schooner, a large glass filled with beer off the tap. The menu has sandwiches and hamburgers. Try a root beer float!
The original Kona Brewing company brewery. Grab lunch or dinner, with gourmet pizzas and sandwiches. Drink a specialty brew only offered here. Later, pick up Kona Brewing merchandise as a souvenir.
Take a deep dive into local food at this hole-in-the-wall eatery. The kim chee fried rice and garlic mochiko chicken are full of flavor and have a kick. So good it will broke da (break your) mouth!
Love Thai food? Stop here for super fresh Thai cuisine and a large menu in a tiny spot in the industrial area. Lunch or early dinner. Try the summer rolls and various curries.
Looking for a Mexican fix for lunch or dinner in Kona? The salsas here are amazing. Favorites include the enchiladas verdes, tamales and carnitas.
Home-style cooking at its best, Hawaii style! Bring the family here for a hearty breakfast to start the day, or an early dinner that will leave you satisfied and ready for bed!
Some of the best poke anywhere in the world, this is the place to go for the varieties and flavors. Everything is take out, so follow up with a stop at the beach or park, or just enjoy in your car!
Tents and vendors all lined up, this is the biggest assortment of local produce mixed with souvenirs you will find on the west side of the island. Come in the morning by 9am for the best parking.
Enjoy views over Ali'i drive (the front street) and Kailua Bay while you sip a brew off the tap for lunch or dinner. The North Shore garlic shrimp is a winner.
Open late until 2am, this is a spot for lunch, dinner, music, dancing and sports on the TVs. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday feature tacos on sale. Black bean tacos and street shrimp tacos are popular.
Easily accessible snorkeling spot in Kona, with clear water. Great for families, shallow with lots of fish. On the north side of the beach along the highway you'll find surf lessons and gear rentals.
Heading to Kealakekua Bay or Two Step for snorkeling or kayaking and need gear? Stop here on the way for rentals. They also offer great kayaking tours, with advanced reservations required.
Tour a real Kona Coffee farm! Sample different varieties and blends of coffee. Purchase 100% Kona Coffee to take with you.
Hawaiian royalty made their home here. Explore the ancient village or listen to a discussion of the significance of the area and how Hawaiians discovered the islands, from a National Park ranger.
Inredible snorkeling, this spot gets its name from two steps in the lava rock that visitors use to get in the water. Spot dolphins in the bay. Bring gear and water. Parking is tight so come early.
Great for snorkeling, taking a kayak tour across the bay to the Captain Cook monument is highly recommended (reservation required). Strenuous but rewarding, you might pass spinner dolphins on the way.
Stargazing Friday and Saturday at the visitor station. Wear warm clothes, temperatures drop to freezing. Want to watch sunset at the top? Reserve a tour or take a 4x4 up to 14,000 feet (adults only).
Famous across Hawaii for their malasadas, this is a quick stop off the highway. Malasadas are Portuguese donuts with no hole, filled with an assortment of cream or fruit jelly. Sweet and yummy!
The largest valley on the island, Waipio is an impressive sight. You can catch views of waterfalls and the black sand beach from here. Only 4x4 vehicles and strong hikers are allowed down the road.
One of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii, Akaka Falls has an impressive 400 foot drop. A concrete stairway, path and railings make this fairly accessible and great for families. There's an entry fee.
Want to see surfers in their element? Come here. Parking is tight. Sometimes it's easier to drive by and stay in the car. Continue on the narrow road under the highway bridge and past waterfalls.
A famous scene in Hawaii, Rainbow Falls earns its name on sunny mornings when the light creates a rainbow off the mist. Right off the road with a short walk in and ADA ramp makes this easy to access.
Great for lunch or dinner for families and friends, this spot features Hawaiian, American and Japanese favorites. Try the sushi, fish and chips, or fresh catch tacos.
Fishermen load their catch to the market here every morning, so you know the poke bowls and poke plates are fresh! This place runs on banker hours. One of the best poke spots on the island.
This large Japanese garden is the perfect spot for a picnic on the grass overlooking the calm water of Hilo Bay. Bring a poke bowl from nearby Suisan or other local food, and a towel to sit on.
Open 24 hours a day, it's a great stop if you're hungry late in Hilo. A diner-style menu with local favorites, order the largest ramen to hear them ring the bell and everyone yell "Sumo!"
Wednesday is the day to hit the largest farmer's market on the island. Come in the morning for the best selection. You're bound to find a fruit or vegetable you've never seen before. Souvenirs galore.
Mochi is a sweet Japanese rice delicacy. This place offers many kinds, with different flavors, colors and fillings. Makes a great gift. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm.
Famous for their melt-in-your-mouth macadamia chocolates and shortbread cookies, carefully handcrafted, the factory is where you can watch production. Box sets make great gifts or snacks on the road!
Stroll the museum to learn about the connection between the stars and the Hawaiian culture, and the technology in the world-class telescopes on Mauna Kea. Catch a planetarium show. Great for kids.
Sig Zane is a local designer famous across Hawaii. The original store is where you can buy his Aloha shirts and dresses. If there is a modern fashion scene in Hawaii, this is one of the hubs.
The original home of the loco moco, a local dish with eggs on a hamburger patty over white rice, topped with gravy. Try several different varieties here for a cheap, quick, filling lunch to go.
Learn about macadamia nut production, sample varieties of nuts and chocolates, and purchase gifts to take with you.
The top attraction in Hawaii, here you can learn about the volcanoes that created our islands. Although the lava might not be flowing, steam vents and sulfur banks remind you of the power underground.
Sample the sweet bread, a favorite among locals. Different flavors and forms, like loaves, buns, rolls and more. The best french toast is made with slices of the original Punaluu sweet bread!
Green sand comes from the olivine crystals in the rocks here. Prepare for a two hour hike in, or catch a local truck driver who offers a ride for cash payment. Bring water and supplies.
Green sea turtles rest and nest at this famous beach on the southeast side of the island. Run your fingers through the black grains of sand formed by lava. Strong currents can make swimming difficult.
