| Hawaii's Big Island has been attracting | | | | should tempt you indoors for at least a |
| explorers for hundreds of years with its | | | | little while. The Lyman Museum is the |
| active volcanoes, lush forests, and | | | | place to see many facets of Hawaii, from |
| culturally unique atmosphere. Everything | | | | shell art to a missionary home and a |
| about this destination makes it a haven | | | | rotating selection of special exhibits. |
| for travelers looking to forget their | | | | The Pacific Tsunami Museum serves as an |
| cares and remember what it's like to be | | | | educator on the topic of these fearsome |
| calm, cool, and collected. If you've yet | | | | storms as well as a memorial for those |
| to experience this phenomenon for | | | | who have lost their lives because of |
| yourself, set your sights on one of the | | | | them. Realize the scope and strength of |
| island's hottest spots for modern day | | | | Mother Nature as you tour this |
| discoverers; Hilo. | | | | informative museum. |
| Hilo is located on the Eastern side of | | | | To sample the wares of the local |
| the isle at the bottom of Mauna Kea | | | | artisans and shopkeepers, and to pick up |
| Mountain. Historically provocative as | | | | a few souvenirs, of course, don't miss |
| well as naturally stunning, this | | | | the downtown shopping district. Art, |
| welcoming town will sweep you off your | | | | clothing, specialty items and lots of |
| feet with its bubbling river, rich | | | | food can be found here, so immerse |
| treasure trove of facts and finds, and | | | | yourself in the culture while satisfying |
| array of activities that will give you a | | | | your appetite for dining and shopping as |
| true taste of Hawaii. | | | | well. |
| Start by taking a tour of downtown Hilo, | | | | Beyond the city limits, Volcanoes |
| preferably by foot. As you wander the | | | | National Park, golf courses, hiking and |
| streets noting the influences of the | | | | horseback riding trails, and many more |
| Polynesians, the Missionaries, the sugar | | | | "typical" Hawaiian diversions can be |
| industry, and unfortunately, the two | | | | partaken of. What are standard ways to |
| ravaging tsunamis that challenged the | | | | spend an afternoon here on the island |
| city in 1946 and 1960, you'll appreciate | | | | are anomalies on the mainland, so take |
| all the components that have made this | | | | advantage of every opportunity you have |
| such an interesting place. There is a | | | | to get lost amongst the banyan trees or |
| definite spirit of perseverance and hard | | | | pause for a minute alone at the base of |
| work in the air, and as you let your | | | | a waterfall. A few days down the line, |
| eyes wander the ocean landscape and | | | | once you're back to your normal routine, |
| mountainous backdrop, you'll understand | | | | you'll be grateful to have these moments |
| why generations of people have put forth | | | | tucked away into your memory bank. |
| so much effort to maintain Hilo's magic. | | | | Hilo is privileged in that it offers |
| To further appreciate Hilo's wonders, | | | | many vacation rentals for your lodging |
| you'll surely want to spend some time on | | | | pleasure. Just beyond the typical hotel |
| the beach. If white sand is what you | | | | choices are a few properties that are a |
| seek, start with Onekahakaha Park, one | | | | bit more creative than what you're used |
| of the few in the area that boast the | | | | to, so consider booking yourself a |
| pristine stuff. A large shallow pool | | | | beauty for this holiday. From modern to |
| protected by breakwater as well as many | | | | plantation style, sprawling to |
| picnic areas and public facilities make | | | | diminutive, the rentals available are |
| this a vacationer-friendly place to be. | | | | different from one another and likely to |
| For the best snorkeling in Hilo, save | | | | defy your expectations in a good way. |
| time for a trip to Richardson's Ocean | | | | Follow the lead of so many others and |
| Park, where the fish are fun, frisky, | | | | make Hilo the focus of an extended |
| and fascinating. Any of the beaches in | | | | journey. You'll feel connected to past |
| this region would be great for simple | | | | explorers and understanding of the |
| swimming and sunbathing, so grab your | | | | wanderlust that has brought people of |
| towel, kick off your shoes, and make | | | | all kinds to this magnetic place, so |
| your way to the coastline. | | | | find yourself a fabulous property from |
| If you want a little brain food to | | | | among all the enticing Hilo vacation |
| balance out your time spent thinking of | | | | rentals and make yourself a guest of |
| absolutely nothing, several museums | | | | honor. |