Hilo - City of Flowers

Hillo, Hawaii's second largest city, is located on the eastern shore and is the state's flower growing capital. The captial of the county, Hilo is renowned for its gardens and floriculture, historic buildings, museums, parks and its proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The city is home to many lush botanical gardens; a testament to Hilo's central location on the Big Island's rainy coast.

A restoration project is currently bringing back to life the city's many historic buildings, house shops and restaurants that line its busy waterfront. "A Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Hilo", takes you down the main streets and side lanes past the unique architecture of Hilo's glory days. There are examples of Renaisssance Revival architecture, Hawaiian Regional architecture, a theatre reminiscent of art deco, a church, a Zen Buddist Mission, and remains of the old landing warf at the bayfront. The Lyman House Museum offers a guided walking tour, one Saturday each month.