There's so much to do in Volcano you may just want to stay a while longer!
Volcano Village with its storybook charm and wealth of activities is a great "home base" point to stay while exploring The Kau, Puna and Hamakua districts of the Big Island. Hilo, the largest "city" on the island is just 30 minutes away and has a "lost in time" charm about it. Numerous day trips can include a variety of ocean sports, hiking & wildlife viewing, unique ethnic shopping, fishing and hunting expeditions, wine tasting, culinary tours, botanical gardens or dining experiences.
Area Attractions and Activities
Volcano Area, within 10 minutes
Explore a variety of hiking trails. See rainforest wildflowers, steam vents, giant scenic vistas and lava tubes both inside and outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a designated .
Photograph the rare and endangered Nene Goose in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or on Mauna Loa Mountain trails.
Treat yourself to a wine tasting at nearby and sample the only wines made with exotic tropical fruits, nuts and mountain grown Symphony grapes.
Play a round of championship golf at the Volcano Golf and Country Club with the backdrop of 13,000 ft Mauna Loa, snow-capped in winter. You may have to shoo away the Nene geese that also enjoy the lush golf course.
See thousands of blooming orchids at one of several local open to the public, and even ship an orchid from Hawaii home.
Take a local artist studio tour. Volcano is home to a wealth of artists and craftsman including glass artists, woodworkers, painters , quilters and sculptors. Private studio tours can be arranged by appointment.
Monthly- Classes, workshops, poetry readings and presentations at the Volcano Art Center and . An assortment of Film, theatre, calligraphy, lei-making, writer's retreats, glass making, pottery, Hawaiian crafts, language and native plant workshops are featured.
Visit the in the park. Choose a class from their schedule of creative arts workshops, writing, Hawaiian culture & nature workshops for all ages.
Catch a live hula performance in the Art Center and witness the magic of authentic native Hawaiian dance and storytelling.
Join a free yoga, tai chi or seniors exercise class at our Cooper Community Center.
Dive into the Sunday Volcano Farmers market where an abundance of tropical treats, organically grown vegetables, local crafts, exotic fruits and flowers can be purchased. It's a "can't miss" social event the whole community turns out for.
Check out the theatre schedule for live performances by the talented local Kilauea theatre troupe.
Our charming Volcano Village has several restaurants for your dining pleasure. Choose authentic Thai cuisine at Thai Thai. Try gourmet wild game and fresh seafood at the elegant Kilauea Lodge, or a Wood -fired pizza and full menu at the Keawe Kitchen. There is also crater rim dining at nearby Volcano House in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or casual fare at the Lava Rock Café.
Kau Region and the town of Naalehu within 30 min. drive
Explore the nearby Punalu'u black sand beaches with nesting sea turtles.
Hike or ATV to a remote and unusual green sand beach at the Southern most point in the USA.
Take a guided tour of , a complex underground network of ancient lava tubes.
Visit the Buddhist Temple in beautiful Wood Valley.
Hilo Town, 40 minute drive away.
Take a walking tour through downtown Hilo and experience a glimpse of pre- WWII Hawaiiana with it's art deco and Old Hawaii architecture, both original and restored.
Experience the thrill of a lifetime with a helicopter tour over an active volcano, or cascading waterfalls.
Swim, snorkel or body surf at one of Hilo's sandy beaches.
Visit the and learn about the remarkable power of tidal waves and a glimpse into early Hawaii history. Man the controls as you decide in a simulation whether to enact a mass evacuation due to an earthquake and Tsunami about to hit Hawaii.
Tour the , an 1800's mission-house museum affiliated with the Smithsonian where you can learn about Hawaii's natural history and culture. The museums collections feature works of 19th and early 20th century artists, an interactive astronomy center, and the Shipman Collection of rare Chinese art and artifacts.
Shop interesting boutiques, antique stores, a variety of ethnic restaurants and farmers markets in .
Visit a en-route to Hilo and marvel at tiny, several -hundred year old trees.
See rare white tigers and exotic birds at the situated in a rainforest and featuring rainforest species.
The Hilo area has a wealth of tropical botanical gardens. , and the University Of Hawaii all feature exquisite collections of tropical flowers, cycads and palms.
offers small, personalized whale and dolphin Eco Tours from Hilo.
Take a yummy factory tour at Mauna Loa Macadamia nuts or
Puna District 45 min. to 1 hour drive
Bathe in a natural hot springs pool adjacent to the ocean. Visit lush, lowland rainforest and see lava tree molds in Lava Tree State Park .
Take a workshop at , a garden of native Hawaiian Healing herbs and plants.
Wander through colorful old Pahoa Town.
The Hamakua Heritage Coast 1-1/2 hr drive North of Hilo.
Take a scenic costal drive past huge gorges with waterfalls and rugged ocean coastline.
Sip a freshly made tropical fruit smoothie at the "Whats Shakin" fruit farm and smoothie bar along your scenic drive.
Visit Akaka Falls, a waterfall with a 100 ft drop, in a lush, tropical forest fragrant with wild ginger.
Learn about Hawaii's Sugar Industry heritage at the Lapahoehoe Train Museum.
Explore two botanical gardens with several thousand species of tropical plants set amid winding paths and cascading waterfalls. boasts a 300 foot, 3 tired waterfall and with over 17 acres of plants.
Step back in time and explore the antique shops of Honokaa Town, home of the held annually in May.
Visit the rugged Waipio Valley Lookout and ride a horse or 4 wheel drive jeep into the valley below.
