A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hilo vs. Edmonton for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Hilo or Edmonton?

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

Should I visit Hilo or Edmonton? 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.

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.

Edmonton

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

Hilo and Edmonton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilo or Edmonton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilo than Edmonton, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilo is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Edmonton is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping. Hilo is more touristy than Edmonton and is popular for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Also, Hilo is famous for Akaka Falls State Park. Edmonton is well known for its many festivals and lively personality.

How is Hilo different from Edmonton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edmonton is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Edmonton offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. You'll find a number of good museums around town such as the Royal Alberta Museum, Muttart Conservatory, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

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 Hilo or Edmonton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Edmonton is not a good city 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Edmonton. You'll find a mix of casual cafes, international eateries, and more upscale dining options.

Is Hilo or Edmonton Better for Nightlife?

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

If you're looking for night time activities Edmonton has a few options to choose from. There's a mix of nightclubs, bars, and breweries around town. Head to Jasper Avenue for the high end clubs or check out a live show at one of the active theaters around town.

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 Hilo or Edmonton Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a moderate town for its resorts. However, Edmonton is not a resort destination.

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

Edmonton is not a resort destination.

Is Hilo or Edmonton Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a moderate town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Edmonton 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.

Edmonton is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hilo or Edmonton Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Hilo to enjoy the beach. 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.

Edmonton is not a beach destination.

Is Hilo or Edmonton Better for Hiking?

Hilo is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Edmonton is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Hilo specifically for its hiking. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Edmonton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilo or Edmonton?

Edmonton is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Edmonton. The city is home to the West Edmonton Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in Canada, and among the largest in the world. The mall includes hundreds of shops, restaurants, a hotel, ice rink, movie theaters, an aquarium, and Galaxyland, which is one of the largest indoor amusement parks in the world. The mall is divided into themed sections that represent iconic places from around the world such as Europa Boulevard and Bourbon Street.

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

Is Hilo or Edmonton More Beautiful?

Hilo is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Edmonton 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.

Edmonton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hilo or Edmonton Better for Families?

Hilo is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Edmonton is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Edmonton is a family-friendly town. Many families live in town so if you're visiting for a few days you'll find plenty to do with kids. Most of the activities are concentrated in the downtown areas and along the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. The whole family will enjoy a visit to Telus World of Science. There's also the Edmonton Valley Zoo, the Alberta Aviation Museum, and Galaxyland, as well as many other activities.

Is Hilo or Edmonton Better for Couples?

Hilo is a well-known place for romance. Also, Edmonton is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Edmonton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a good theater scene, so you can enjoy dinner and a show. There are also quaint cafes, mellow breweries, and plenty of cultural activities like art museums.

Is Hilo or Edmonton Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Edmonton is not a good city 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.

Edmonton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers overlook this city, but there is a hostel in town where you can stay.

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

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

While Edmonton offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has both bus and light rail systems.

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 Hilo or Edmonton a more walkable city?

Hilo and Edmonton are notable when it comes to 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.

Edmonton is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Edmonton or Hilo?

How long in Hilo or Edmonton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hilo or Edmonton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Hilo than Edmonton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilo, and 1-2 days is enough time in Edmonton.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Edmonton 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 Hilo or Edmonton?

The beautiful town of Hilo offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Hilo or Edmonton?

Hilo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Edmonton 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.

Five days in Hilo or Edmonton?

Hilo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hilo, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Hilo or Edmonton?

Hilo is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilo has to offer. This town offers something for everyone.

The cultural city of Edmonton 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilo and Edmonton, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. And not only is Edmonton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Edmonton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edmonton 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 Edmonton.

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

Which is Bigger, Hilo or Edmonton?

Edmonton has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Hilo and Edmonton, 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.