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

Should you visit Boise or Hilo?

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

Should I visit Boise or Hilo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Boise

Boise is a authentic, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Boise travel costs.

Hilo

Hilo is a laid back, mellow, and friendly town. With stunning beauty, Hilo attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and museums. See Hilo travel costs.

Boise and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boise or Hilo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hilo. Although Boise and Hilo are popular destinations, Hilo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hilo is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Boise attracts visitors for its nightlife and shopping. Hilo is more touristy than Boise and is known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. It is also well known for Akaka Falls State Park. Boise is famous for its many outdoor and recreational activities.

How is Boise different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Hilo and Boise.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Boise. As the state capital, there's a nice selection of local museums around town. Favorites include the Boise Art Museum, the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Idaho Black History Museum, and Discovery Center.

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.

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

Hilo is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Boise is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Hilo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Boise offers some easy restaurants to choose from. While Idaho has long been associated with the potato, the locals usually think of "finger steaks" when describing local food. These are deep-friend beef strips that are as good as they sound.

Is Boise or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

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

If you're looking for night time activities Boise has a few options to choose from. In downtown Boise you'll find a selection of bars, lounges, and breweries. There's enough around town to keep the nightlife scene interesting.

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 Boise or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Boise is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Hilo as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Boise is not a resort destination.

Is Boise or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Boise is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling 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.

Boise is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Boise or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a popular place for the beach. However, Boise is not a beach destination.

Hilo is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Boise is not a beach destination.

Is Boise or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. However, Boise is not a hiking destination.

People visit Hilo specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Boise is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boise or Hilo?

Boise is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Boise has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find a mix of local boutiques, independent vendors, and suburban shopping centers where you'll find anything that you might need.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Boise or Hilo More Beautiful?

Hilo is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Boise is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Hilo attracts visitors from all around. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.

Boise is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Boise or Hilo Better for Families?

Hilo is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Boise is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hilo. 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.

Boise doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. You'll find parks, playgrounds, and the Discovery Center which will help keep kids entertained.

Is Boise or Hilo Better for Couples?

Hilo is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Boise is lacking in options for romance.

Hilo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Boise is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Date night activities include dining at a nice restaurants and seeing a show at the theater.

Is Boise or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Boise is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Boise is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Backpackers rarely make their way to this town.

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

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Boise and Hilo.

Public transit is mostly limited in Boise. There are infrequent buses around town, but visitors usually have a car to get around town efficiently.

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 Boise or Hilo a more walkable city?

Hilo is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Boise is lacking in options for its walkability.

Hilo is a somewhat walkable town. 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.

Boise is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable neighborhoods but, in general, the town isn't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Boise?

How long in Boise or Hilo?

Both Boise 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 Boise. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Boise, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

Families should spend more time in Hilo than Boise. 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 Boise. 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 Boise 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 Boise or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Boise. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Hilo, many people enjoy the food and museums that this laid back destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Boise or Hilo?

Boise 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Boise or Hilo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the welcoming destination of Boise. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hilo is a fun place to experience. In Hilo, many people enjoy the food and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Boise or Hilo?

The friendly city of Boise offers museums and nightlife. 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.

In Hilo, many people enjoy the museums and food that this mellow destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boise and Hilo, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. And not only is Boise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boise 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 Hilo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilo than you might in Boise.

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

Which is Bigger, Boise or Hilo?

Boise has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Boise 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.