A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Avon vs. Hilo for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Avon or Hilo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Avon and Hilo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Avon

Avon is a active, outdoorsy, and scenic town. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and nightlife. See Avon travel costs.

Hilo

Hilo is a authentic, laid back, and mellow town. Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking. See Hilo travel costs.

Avon and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avon or Hilo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilo than Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilo is better known for its museums and attractions, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Avon is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, and resorts. Avon is well known for it's affordable accommodation options and its access to Beaver Creek Ski Resort. Hilo is well known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Also, Hilo is famous for Akaka Falls State Park.

How is Avon different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilo and Avon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Skiing?

Avon is a great town for skiing. However, Hilo is not a skiing destination.

Avon draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. Beaver Creek is the main ski area near town and it's about a mile away. The town of Avon is below Beaver Creek and is located beside an interstate.

Hilo is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Avon or Hilo?

Hilo is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Avon is a mediocre town for its museums and history.

Hilo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

While most people don't head to Avon specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While there aren't a ton of museums in the area, it's worth checking out the Walking Mountains Science Center.

Is the Food Better in Avon or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hilo makes for a great culinary experience. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are casual eateries where you can grab a bite to eat, whether you're in the mood for Chinese, pizza, or burgers.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Avon is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Avon has a few options to choose from. It's a small town but there are some bars and lively pubs where you can enjoy cold drinks.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Avon is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Hilo is not known for its resorts.

Avon has a few great resort options. There are the typical chain resort options, many with beautiful mountain views.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a moderate town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Avon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Avon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a good destination for its beaches. However, Avon is not a beach destination.

Hilo offers a nice beach destination. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Avon is not a beach destination.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its hiking trails.

Hilo is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Avon is a good destination for hiking. There are paved trails and recreational paths through town that are great for both hiking and biking. The main ones are Eagle Valley Trail and the trails in West Avon Preserve.

Is the Shopping Better in Avon or Hilo?

Both Avon and Hilo are respectable shopping destinations.

Avon is a good destination for shopping. There aren't a ton of shopping opportunities in town, but there are enough shops around in case you need to pick up necessities or buy a gift.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hilo has some nice offerings. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Avon or Hilo More Beautiful?

Hilo is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Avon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.

Avon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Families?

Hilo is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hilo is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Avon is a family-friendly town. There are parks and playgrounds around town and there's easy access to the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. There's also plenty of hiking in the area.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Couples?

Hilo is notable for romance. Also, Avon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its romantic activities.

Hilo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While avid skiers prefer to stay at nearby Beaver Creek, the town of Avon offers a good alternative.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is notable for backpackers. However, Avon is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Avon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers prefer to stay closer to the ski facilities.

Is Avon or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Avon is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilo is not known for its public transit.

While Avon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttles and buses that travel through town and to Beaver Creek.

Public transit is generally limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Avon or Hilo a more walkable city?

Avon and Hilo both are notable when exploring on foot.

Avon is somewhat walkable. The town center is small and there are paved walking trails that you can use. It's possible to walk to restaurants or the recreation center, depending on where you're staying.

Hilo is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Avon?

How long in Avon or Hilo?

Both Avon and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Avon. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Avon, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

Families should spend more time in Hilo than Avon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hilo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hilo than Avon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hilo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Avon if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Hilo.

One day in Avon or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Avon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Hilo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Avon or Hilo?

Avon is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hilo is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Avon or Hilo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the outdoorsy destination of Avon. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the friendly destination of Hilo. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Avon or Hilo?

The scenic town of Avon offers food and skiing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the authentic town of Hilo. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Avon and Hilo, we can see that Avon is more expensive. And not only is Hilo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hilo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Avon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avon than you might in Hilo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Avon Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Avon or Hilo?

Hilo has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Avon. When comparing the sizes of Avon and Hilo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.