For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Hilo, Hawaii Travel Guide has been your connection to Hilo's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Museums & Zoos
Tim and time again, bed and breakfasts travelers have fell in love with the people of Hilo and their lively culture. One attraction to adorn that is the Lyman Museum & Mission House, a natural history museum dedicated to the history and culture of Hawaii and its people. Built in 1839 for missionaries David and Sarah Lyman, the Mission House is the oldest wood-framed structure in Hilo. Mark Twain was known to have visited the Lyman’s as a house guest upon occasion.
Bed and breakfast travelers who brought the kids will find delight in visiting the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo, a zoo set in the natural wonders of a rainforest. Approximately 80 species of animals, including the endangered Hawaiian state bird “Nene,” and a Sumatran rare Bengal tiger named Namaste, live in this forest. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to observe these native animals in their natural habitat in the Panaewa Forest Reserve. Children will learn what it’s actually like to live and flourish in a rainforest. The zoo offer tours, a petting zoo and a tranquil botanical garden to soak up the peace and tranquility of this unique setting.
For another fun adventure with the kids, wonder the Mokupapapa Discovery Center. Featuring interactive displays and an immersion theater, kids will learn about the natural science, culture and history of the Northwest Hawaiian Island reefs. One of the most popular exhibits is the undersea “Pisces V” where kids can search for treasure.
