Introduction:
In May 2023, my wife and I finally checked something off our bucket list: a trip to the Island of Hawaii. We spent 5 nights at the Hilton Grand Naniloa in Hilo without paying any cash out of pocket for the room! (We used points for the entire stay.)
In the last post, I shared what our first full day in Hilo looked like — chasing waterfalls, exploring lava caves, and getting our bearings on the lush side of the Big Island.
In Part 3, we slowed the pace just a little and leaned into what Hilo does best: local markets, incredible gardens, and one of the most unforgettable sunsets of our lives. Make sure to read to the end to draw inspiration for your next Hawaii trip!
Morning in Hilo: Coffee & the Farmers Market
After a full night’s rest, we started the day with complimentary coffee in the hotel lobby.
The lobby at the Hilton Grand Naniloa is open and airy, flowing out toward a manicured lawn, a calm lagoon, and eventually Hilo Bay. Sitting there with a cup of coffee felt more like a resort lounge than a hotel lobby. And the coffee itself? Incredible. Rich, smooth, and earthy.
There really is something special about Hawaiian coffee. I’ve had plenty of hotel coffees over the years, but this one was the best I’ve had.
Fueled up, we headed to our first stop: the Hilo Farmers Market.
Back in 2023, the market was only fully active on Wednesdays and Saturdays (it’s now open daily, though Saturdays are still the biggest). On peak days, there can be close to 200 vendors, and since it was Saturday, we made sure to get there early. We arrived around 9:30 am and found free parking in the lot beside the market.
The market is split into two main sections:
- Crafts & gifts
- Food, produce, and flowers
We started with the crafts side, wandering through rows of vendors selling clothing, jewelry, artwork, soaps, crystals, and handmade souvenirs. We picked up:
- Custom-designed hand towels ($20.92)
- Hair clips ($10)
- A shirt, hat, and toddler outfit ($41.84)
- A bottle of essential oils ($9)
Everything felt genuinely local and thoughtfully made — exactly the kind of souvenirs we like bringing home.
Breakfast at the Market:
By this point, we still hadn’t eaten breakfast, so we made our way to the food side of the market. There were several food stalls and trucks, with picnic tables scattered around for seating.
We settled on a fresh açaí bowl, made to order with açaí, homemade granola, banana, strawberries, blueberries, cacao nibs, and honey. It was massive! Definitely an item to share, though admittedly a bit pricey at $20.43 USD. Still, for fresh ingredients and enough food for two, it felt worth it.
After eating, we wandered through the produce and flower vendors. There were so many types of tropical fruits and flowers to see, and everything looked fresh and incredible! While wandering the aisles, we picked up:
- Fresh mangoes
- A young coconut (cracked open on the spot with a straw)
- A pound of locally grown Waipuna coffee
- A specialty baked good called suman (sticky rice cooked in coconut milk and topped with shredded coconut and palm sugar)
By the time we left, we had spent $158.03 USD at the market. While items were a bit pricey, we had a great time and it was a fun experience.
Light Lunch & Afternoon Plans:
Before heading out for the afternoon, we stopped at Sack N Save, a local grocery store, and grabbed a small poke bowl for $8.88 USD. Grocery store poke in Hawaiʻi is surprisingly good, and this was more than enough to share along with snacks we already had.
Our main plan for the afternoon was something we had missed the day before: the Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden.
The Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden:
With tickets being $25 USD per person, and knowing Hawaii to have tropical beauty even on the side of the road, I was not quite sure what to expect. Part of me wondered if this would be a giant tourist trap.
From the parking area, you descend along a gravel path into the garden. Almost immediately, it feels like you’re stepping into a jungle. Most importantly, what I didn’t realize before visiting was the story behind it.
The land was once completely overgrown and filled with abandoned machinery and debris. Over eight years, the owner, Dan Lutkenhouse Sr., and his assistant cleared and shaped the land by hand. Carving trails, building ponds, planting thousands of tropical plants, and intentionally designing every section of the garden.
The result is incredible.
It feels wild and natural, yet everything is labeled and meticulously maintained. As we explored, we came across:
- Waterfalls tucked into greenery
- Fruit trees heavy with produce
- Colorful birds and wildlife
- A river running through the property filled with Tahitian prawns
At the far edge of the garden, the trail opens up to the Pacific Ocean, with dramatic coastal views and two large rock formations offshore, accompanied by signage explaining the local legend behind them.
We spent nearly three hours wandering the garden, and honestly, I could’ve stayed longer. It ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip.
Sunset & Stargazing on Mauna Kea:
As evening approached, we headed toward Mauna Kea to catch the sunset. The timing worked out perfectly for us. The drive takes about 1.5 hours, and sunset was around 6:45 pm. We left the garden just after 5:00 pm and arrived as the sun began to dip below the horizon.
Watching the sunset from that elevation felt unreal. It felt as if time itself had slowed down. After the sun disappeared, we stayed put as the sky darkened and the stars slowly emerged.
Being that high up, far from city lights, the lack of light pollution was immediately noticeable. I’ve never seen stars so bright or so numerous. Standing there, looking up, brought a deep sense of peace and perspective — one of those moments that sticks with you long after the trip ends.
We spent about two hours on Mauna Kea before driving back down around 9:00 pm.
Evening Back at the Hotel:
Back at the hotel, we once again used our Hilton dining credits for pizza and nachos at the bar, paired with our complimentary cocktails. That night, there was also a local musician playing live music in the lobby.
We ended up chatting with him between sets, and he even gave us a signed copy of his CD! It was warm conversation with a talented man that perfectly capped off an already unforgettable day.
Next Up:
Day 3 was a perfect mix of local culture, natural beauty, and once-in-a-lifetime moments. From browsing the farmers market, to walking through a tropical garden, and watching the sun set above the clouds, everything was incredible and left a lifetime of memories.
In Part 4, I’ll share how we spent the rest of our time on the Big Island, including volcanoes, coffee roasteries, and visiting the Southern most bakery in the USA!
If you’ve been to the Hilo Farmers Market, the botanical garden, or Mauna Kea, I’d love to hear about your experience — drop a comment below 👇
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