The 28 best things to do with kids in Hilo (2025)

6 lists

This zoo is amazing. You can see animals both within the zoo cages and outside as some of the birds wander around (and some little geckos sneak onto the plants and poles around the zoo). Please consider donating to help the animals here (they have donation boxes for cash, or you can donate via card in the gift shop like we did). My favorite animals of the zoo were the tigers and the wide variety of colorful and cute birds.They have a wide variety of animals, so there is something for everyone. Most of the zoos are outside, so make sure you have sun protection when you go.

If I understand correctly this zoo originally was a botanical garden and then was converted into a zoo. The various trees and flowering plants are worth the walk. This is a smaller, older zoo that allows you to get closer to the animals. There is also a large modern playground for kids. Plenty of shady places to picnic.

Great free zoo - it's on the smaller size, and it's very much oriented towards kids and families. But it's still worthwhile.Many of the enclosures are older-style, with a lot of concrete and metal. But it seems like they are trying to update to more animal-friendly options.The tigers and the anteaters are the highlights.

What a great experience for all :)We’ll maintained , nice staff , animals are feed& cared for properly.Best of all it’s a free Zoo Open To The Public , also with free local bus to ensure all people can afford to visit. I was very satisfied here :)

What an amazing zoo, especially when the admission is free and the zoo is not crowded at all even on a Sunday. The peacocks freely walk everywhere in the zoo and literally pass by you. The cockatoos and other parrots can get very loud. Tortoises are relaxed and laid back. We saw the white tiger and yellow tiger from a distance. Our 1-hour visit ended up being 2.5 hours. It was a very pleasant experience. Parking is also free and ample. You will be greeted by a bunch of wild chickens in the parking lot.

For a free zoo this place was awesome. Easy to get around and all of the animals were at the front of the cages and attentive. I’ve been to many zoos, even the pay for entry type where you play find Waldo with every animal in its enclosure, not here.

A lovely place to visit for free on The Big Island. *Super* clean compared to other touristy attractions, mainly because its ran by the HI parks dept. Animals are happy in comfy enclosures. Very kid focused with lots of places to climb and even a little playground. No food offered so bring your snacks and have a picnic in the many available spaces around the zoo or under the huge pavillion. Restrooms in multiple places, petting zoo on Saturdays. "Friends of the zoo" volunteers help take care of the animals and keep everything running smooth. Takes about an hour to go through the whole place. Look up info for feeding times to get a fun show. Stop off at the gift shop and buy a gift to remember your visit and show support for the zoo! I love this place and will continue to visit for many years to come 🫶

Are you an artist? Come with your sketchbook and you won’t be disappointed. Such a wonderful zoo, I’m shocked that it’s FREE to enter!!! Granted it’s not huge but it’s diverse and it was so neat seeing all the animals. Visit Romeo 😉. It was raining when I was there so a lot of the animals were hunkered in but I felt it was still totally worth the visit!!

Quiet little Zoo that is a pleasure to walk around and enjoy for the whole family. My kids, ages 9 and 12, loved it. It is also easily accessible for a family member who is in a wheelchair.There were several families having picnics there. We plan to do that next time we visit. It is clean and well maintained, and has a playground as well.

Free zoo located near Hilo! This was well worth the stop and I spent nearly 1.5hrs walking through the park and looking at all of the animals and plants on the property grounds.Never have I been able to be so close to such remarkable creatures. Please donate if you can as this zoo is operated through funds from the county and private donors.

What a great little treasure. This zoo is free! A great stop o your visit. Clean and well maintained property. Smaller than a typical zoo but very walkable for most (has inclines but paved) with lush landscaping. Animals seem well cared for. Seems the state of Hawaii and donations fund this zoo. Bird handlers walked around with the parrots on the day/time we were there. There is a large playground and sitting area that would be ideal for children to exert all their energy. It was just my husband and I and think we saw everything in about an hour taking our time. Bathrooms located before entry and by playground inside and are clean.. I feel this is a must do at least once if you love animals and you can not beat the price, FREE!

What a beautiful zoo! I am still amazed that the zoo is completely free to enter. They do allow you to make donations, but we didn't feel any pressure to do so by staff (we donated because we appreciated it). The staff are very friendly and inviting. The animals all looked happy and well taken care of. It is a small zoo, it only took us an hour or so to see the entire zoo. But worth a stop for sure. Tons of parking and nice restrooms. Cute little gift shop too! The two tigers were so fun and playful when we were there.

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens is a delightful destination that offers free admission, making it an excellent spot for families and solo visitors alike. The lush, tropical setting is home to a variety of animals and beautiful gardens, providing a serene and educational experience.The staff at the zoo are exceptionally nice and friendly, always ready to help and enhance your visit. I encountered a problem with my rental car during my visit, and the staff went above and beyond to assist me, turning a potentially stressful situation into a manageable one.The zoo's combination of captivating wildlife, well-maintained gardens, and outstanding service makes it a standout attraction in the area. Highly recommended for a visit, especially given its accessibility and the warm hospitality you'll receive.

Somehow this zoo is totally free to visit. It's a spectacular visit for free, and would be a great visit even if they started charging. There are many monkeys, birds, and a few mammals to visit. The main attraction are the two Bengal Tigers which have a huge habitat. You won't find any food or drink vendors inside, but you will enter through a gift and snack shop. Restrooms are also free and located just before the entrance. Parking is also free.

Such a cute place. Not your typical zoo, but so worth the trip. Great way to kill a couple hours while learning about the local fauna and seeing some animals. Will definitely be going back!

I quite enjoyed this zoo, beautiful spread out grounds which is kept clean and well maintained...beautiful tropical plants and flowers with various species of exotic birds and animals.They're some animals here that I got to see, which I've only heard about like an ant-eater and Lemurs, the animals seemed to be well cared for with their daily scheduled feedings.Some do roam free like the beautiful peacocks always a delight watching them, but the highlight of everyone's visit is the 2 Bengal tigers an orange female and white male, so beautiful!There's also a pond running through the rainforest which housed a black swan and a resident parrot who showed off for the cameras...Highly recommend this attraction while in Hilo a great family fun time could be had.

Great little zoo near Hilo. Friendly staff, clean environments, and very healthy and happy looking animals. Lots of animals to see. Paths are not very shaded, so come prepared for that. The landscaping around the paths and exhibits are almost as good as the animals. Highly recommended.

A Hidden Gem in the Heart of the RainforestVisiting the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo was an enchanting experience! Nestled within a lush tropical rainforest, this zoo offers a unique opportunity to explore the incredible biodiversity of Hawaii. Unlike larger, more commercialized zoos, Panaewa provides an intimate and peaceful setting where you can truly appreciate the animals and their surroundings.The highlight of our visit was the tiger exhibit. Watching such a majestic creature in a beautifully designed habitat was breathtaking. The zoo also features a wide variety of animals, from playful spider monkeys to exotic birds, all of which seem well cared for and content in their environments.The grounds are well-maintained and thoughtfully laid out, making it easy to navigate and enjoy at a leisurely pace. The botanical gardens were a pleasant surprise, filled with vibrant tropical plants and flowers that added to the serene atmosphere.The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions and provide interesting facts about the animals. Their passion for conservation and education shines through in every aspect of the zoo.Another great aspect of the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is that admission is free, though donations are encouraged and well-deserved. It's clear that every contribution goes directly toward the care of the animals and the upkeep of the zoo.Whether you're a local or a visitor, the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is a must-see attraction that offers a wonderful mix of wildlife and natural beauty. It's a perfect spot for families, nature lovers, or anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful day surrounded by the wonders of the rainforest.---The Zoo won’t be free forever so get it in while you can!!!

This is a wonderful stop on the Big Island! I'm a ZOO chaser, and this one did not disappoint. The ZOO is free to all visitors, residents, and non residents. It is a small 12 acre zoo with some beautiful and very well kept animals. It was so nice to see employees everywhere doing cleaning and feedings, answering questions and even asking if we had any questions. If you have an hour or so, put this into your Big Island plan!

800 Stainback Hwy, Hilo, HI 96720, USA•http://hilozoo.org/•(808) 959-7224•Tips and more reviews for Panaewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens