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

Should you visit Kennebunkport or Hilo?

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

Should I visit Kennebunkport 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.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a character-filled, charming, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Kennebunkport offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Kennebunkport travel costs.

Hilo

Hilo is a friendly, authentic, and laid back town. Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches. See Hilo travel costs.

Kennebunkport and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kennebunkport or Hilo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilo than Kennebunkport, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilo is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kennebunkport is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, shopping, and small town charm. Kennebunkport is well known for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. Hilo is well known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Also, Hilo is famous for Akaka Falls State Park.

How is Kennebunkport different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Kennebunkport or Hilo.

Kennebunkport is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Hilo offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Kennebunkport or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Kennebunkport and Hilo offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kennebunkport. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hilo. 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.

Is Kennebunkport or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

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

If you're looking for night time activities Kennebunkport has a few options to choose from. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

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 Kennebunkport or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Hilo is not known for its resorts.

Kennebunkport is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

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

Is Kennebunkport or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kennebunkport is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can 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.

Kennebunkport is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kennebunkport or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a popular place for its beaches. However, Kennebunkport 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.

Kennebunkport is not a beach destination. It's lined with rocky and sandy coastlines that are perfect for finding critters at low tide or searching for seashells. Mother's Beach is popular with families and Gooch's Beach is a popular place for walking. Middle Beach is a great spot for climbing over rocks.

Is Kennebunkport or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is very popular for hiking. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kennebunkport. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

Is the Shopping Better in Kennebunkport or Hilo?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kennebunkport. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

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

Is Kennebunkport or Hilo More Beautiful?

Hilo is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its scenery and 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.

Kennebunkport is a beautiful place to visit, too. It's scenic coastline and dramatic lighthouses make this a beautiful area.

Is Kennebunkport or Hilo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Kennebunkport or Hilo.

Kennebunkport is a very family-friendly destination. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

Hilo is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Is Kennebunkport or Hilo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Kennebunkport and Hilo make for a high quality place to visit.

Kennebunkport is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

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.

Is Kennebunkport or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kennebunkport is not a good destination for backpackers.

Hilo is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Kennebunkport is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find cabins and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

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

Kennebunkport and Hilo both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

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 Kennebunkport or Hilo a more walkable city?

Kennebunkport and Hilo are notable when it comes to walkability.

Kennebunkport is somewhat walkable. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

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 Kennebunkport Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Kennebunkport?

How long in Kennebunkport or Hilo?

Both Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Kennebunkport, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

Families should spend more time in Hilo than Kennebunkport. 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.

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

Kennebunkport is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Hilo. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Kennebunkport or Hilo?

Kennebunkport is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Kennebunkport or Hilo?

Kennebunkport is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Hilo. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Kennebunkport or Hilo?

Because Kennebunkport is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the beautiful town of Hilo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kennebunkport and Hilo, we can see that Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kennebunkport or Hilo?

Hilo has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kennebunkport. When comparing the sizes of Kennebunkport 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.

When is the best time to visit Kennebunkport or Hilo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Hilo in the Summer?

Both Hilo and Kennebunkport are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kennebunkport because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.

In July, Kennebunkport is generally cooler than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Kennebunkport average around 69°F (20°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kennebunkport. Kennebunkport usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during summer. Kennebunkport gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In July, Kennebunkport usually receives less rain than Hilo. Kennebunkport gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Hilo in the Autumn?

Both Hilo and Kennebunkport during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kennebunkport this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Kennebunkport is much colder than Hilo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kennebunkport averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In the autumn, Kennebunkport often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Kennebunkport gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 138 hours of full sun.

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kennebunkport usually gets less rain in October than Hilo. Kennebunkport gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Hilo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kennebunkport and Hilo. Many travelers come to Kennebunkport for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hilo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kennebunkport. In the winter, Kennebunkport is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kennebunkport in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Hilo averages at about 72°F (22°C).

Kennebunkport usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilo during winter. Kennebunkport gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kennebunkport usually receives less rain than Hilo. Kennebunkport gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kennebunkport or Hilo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kennebunkport as well as Hilo. Many visitors come to Kennebunkport in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Kennebunkport is generally much colder than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Kennebunkport average around 43°F (6°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kennebunkport this time of the year. In the spring, Kennebunkport often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Kennebunkport gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Kennebunkport usually gets less rain in April than Hilo. Kennebunkport gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Kennebunkport