Volcano, Hawaii City Guide

A trip to the Big Island isn’t complete without a stay in Volcano - a peaceful haven atop Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano.

Attractions

Volcano Village has much to offer - beautiful botanical gardens for those who wish to view an exquisite array of colorful orchids, exotic flowers and atriums; an 18 hole golf course; a local winery; art galleries; farmer's market on Sundays; gift shops; restaurants, just to list a few. There are many things to do and places to see, all within an hour's drive.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is just one of those places. More than two million people visit the active Kilauea Volcano each year, enthralled by the sight of the forbidding black mountain and the fiery streams of molten lava that flow from it. The other active volcano, Mauna Loa, is the largest one on earth with its summit towering at more than 13,000 feet above sea level. There are many hiking trails in the park, that span 217,000 acres. The Kilauea Visitor Center and Jaggar Museum offer the chance to learn more about the park's history and geology.

The Volcano Winery is the Big Island's only winery offers a sampling of the genuinely exotic. If you are taking a daytrip to upcountry Volcano or if you are staying in the area, it is an opportunity to tour the grounds and enjoy a tasting. The scenery here is unparalleled. At the 4,000-feet elevation, you have views of two volcanoes. The atmosphere is relaxed but refined. House specialties include Lehua Blossom Honey Wine, fruit wines, such as Passion Chablis, and the ever-popular Macadamia Nut Honey Wine. Take a few bottles home - they make great gifts.

Located inside of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Jaggar museum offers a number of displays and exhibits related to science, geology and, in particular, the active volcano. Several different kinds of lava are displayed, along with full-color photographs of past volcanic activity. Other exhibits show the equipment and gear that was used to study volcanoes in the past, along with more modern equipment. A seismograph and a tilt-o-meter, two crucial pieces of equipment in any volcano study, are both on display.

Volcano Art Center is situated in Volcanoes National Park next to the Kilauea Visitor Center, this center is a non-profit organization and an artists' collective. Its goals are to support local artists and crafters, and to promote the culture and heritage of Hawai'i. It offers a number of workshops, special events and classes in venues around Volcano Village. In addition to the main office, there is a gallery inside the Volcano House Hotel.

The Volcano Art Center Gallery is located inside Volcano House Hotel and features the work of the island's most skilled artists and crafters. Emphasis is placed upon selling functional art, which means that you'll find plenty of home accessories and furnishings (many of which are fashioned of Koa wood.) A variety of media are showcased, including glass, metals, clay, fiber and woodwork. Both wall art and sculpture are available. If you're spending the day at Volcanoes National Park, be sure to stop in and see what the gallery has to offer you.

A short trip to the Southern most tip of the island (and the United States) takes you past old sugar cane towns to black and green sand beaches. A trip to the Eastern most point of the island takes you to Pahoa, Hawaii's Old West town. Beyond Pahoa you can find spatter cones, tide pools, hot ponds, and lava trees while driving down one of the most beautiful roads in the islands.

Tour historic Hilo and discover all those hidden treasures in town; Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory; Nani Mau Gardens with it's tropical paradise of botanicals; Panaewa Rain Forest Zoo; Lyman Mission House Museum; Hilo Bay Front's too numerous to list gift shops, boutiques and stores and the sure to please Farmer's Market.
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