Nearby Attractions - Laupahoehoe Train Museum
For all our railroad fans;
The Round House in Hilo-go to the intersection of Hwy 11 at Kens in town, take first right onto Kuawa Street, go through intersection and it is by the chain link fence on the left side of roadway.
Laupahoehoe Train Museum- only sidewalk on coast, used to be platform for Train Station located in front of carport.
Papaaloa Country Store and Cafe 35-2032 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Papaaloa. Turn right one block past the 24 mile marker when heading north from Hilo. https://www.papaaloacountrystore.com/ Store Hours: 7:30 AM-8 PM Monday-Saturday, Kitchen Hours: 7 AM-7:30 PM Monday-Saturday, Cafe & Bar Hours: 10 AM-8 PM Monday-Saturday. Live Music in the Cafe 6-8 PM Tuesday-Saturday
Hakalau Bridge-mm 15 to see an actual steel trestle
Waterfall Bridges are near mm16+17 both are original railroad trestle bridges (so is Peheehee at Honomu and Kapue at Papaikou).
Kolekole Bridge is a great recycling effort using the steel from the old railroad truss bridge across the Wailuku River to reinforce the new bridge in Kolekole stream destroyed by the 46 tsunami.
About the Hilo and Hamakua districts Here are some of our favorite visitor picks and some mile markers for common visitor stops.
Imiloa Astronomy Center Nowelo Rd, Hilo.
Pacific Tsunami Museum-on Kamehameha Ave, Hilo.
Mokulapapapa Marine Center- on Kamehameha Ave. Hilo.
Lyman Museum and Mission House-Haili Street, Hilo.
Rainbow Falls- Waianuenue Ave, Hilo.
The Onomea Scenic Route-Tropical Botanical Gardens, Pepeekeo side mm10-Papaikou side mm 4
World Gardens-mm 16 For a scenic route follow this road onto Hwy19 at Waikamalo Park-mm19
Akaka Falls and Honomu Town-mm 14 great walking park within a rainforest.
The Laupahoehoe Scenic Overlook-mm26
Laupahoehoe Point Park-mm27 (right hand turn headed to Waimea)
Ookala Community Forest-mm29
Old Mamalahoa Hwy in Ookala-mm29+comes out at mm30+
Kalopa Park-mm 40
Tex Drive In and Honokaa Town-mm 43-malasadaville and other good grinds
Waipio Valley-take exit into Honokaa-mm42 and its 8+ miles from the post office at the center of town
Volcanoes National Park is 1 hour away, half an hour into Hilo(Hwy 19 mm 25) then half an hour from Hilo to Volcano(Hwy 11 mm29) elevation is 4000’. Visitor Center can tell you if you can get to the flow of lava oozing for the past 26 years. Onizuka Memorial Museum at 9700’ elevation on Summit Rd-Star Gazing happens every night at which is below altitude sickness height-wear warm clothing; they have hot cocoa and coffee free. Follow Waianuenue Ave to Saddle Rd to Summit Rd. 1 hour from Hilo, two-wheel drive accessible