A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Hilo for Resorts, Hiking, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Hilo

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

Martha's Vineyard and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Hilo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hilo. Although Martha's Vineyard and Hilo are popular destinations, Hilo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hilo is very popular for its museums and attractions, scuba diving & snorkeling, and hiking, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Hilo is famous for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. It is also well known for Akaka Falls State Park.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Hilo?

Hilo is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hilo. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Martha's Vineyard and Hilo can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find reasonable options in both Martha's Vineyard and Hilo.

Martha's Vineyard doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Hilo is not known for its resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Martha's Vineyard is a great choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

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

Is Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for the beach. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is an amazing town to visit for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Hilo?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

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

Is Martha's Vineyard or Hilo More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of superb scenery and beauty in both Martha's Vineyard and Hilo.

With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural 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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Families?

Hilo is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is very popular for couples. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Martha's Vineyard makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard and Hilo both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the 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 Martha's Vineyard or Hilo a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard and Hilo are nice when it comes to walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

Hilo is somewhat walkable. 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 Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Hilo?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard or Hilo?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With food and museums around the destination of Hilo, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Hilo?

Martha's Vineyard 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.

With museums and food around the laid back town of Hilo, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Hilo?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

With food and museums around the mellow destination of Hilo, there's plenty to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Hilo?

Because Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Hilo is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard or Hilo in the Summer?

Both Hilo and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hilo for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Martha's Vineyard is around the same temperature as Hilo in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. Martha's Vineyard usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during summer. Martha's Vineyard gets 293 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, Martha's Vineyard usually receives less rain than Hilo. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Hilo in the Autumn?

Both Hilo and Martha's Vineyard during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Hilo in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Hilo averages at about 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Martha's Vineyard gets 211 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. Martha's Vineyard usually gets less rain in October than Hilo. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Hilo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Hilo. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Martha's Vineyard can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much colder than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilo during winter. Martha's Vineyard gets 170 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, Martha's Vineyard usually receives less rain than Hilo. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Hilo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Hilo. Most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hilo because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Martha's Vineyard is much colder than Hilo in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In the spring, Martha's Vineyard often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Martha's Vineyard gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Martha's Vineyard usually gets less rain in April than Hilo. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Martha's Vineyard