A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Glacier National Park vs. Hilo for Hiking, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Glacier National Park or Hilo?

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

Should I visit Glacier National Park 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.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a gorgeous, stunning, and breathtaking park. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Hilo

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

Glacier National Park and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glacier National Park or Hilo?

Both Hilo and Glacier National Park have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Glacier National Park is better known for its resorts and impressive beauty, while Hilo is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Glacier National Park is more touristy than Hilo and is popular for its miles of hiking trails, impressive glaciers, and pristine lakes. Hilo is well known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens.

How is Glacier National Park different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Glacier National Park or Hilo?

Hilo is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park 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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Glacier National Park. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most people head straight for the park.

Is the Food Better in Glacier National Park or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park 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 Glacier National Park. You'll find several restaurants and cafes both within and near the park, but this is an incredibly crowded park so you'll want to make reservations well in advance.

Is Glacier National Park or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Hilo is a moderate town for nightlife. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for nightlife and partying.

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.

Glacier National Park doesn't offer many options. People visit for the scenery, not the nightlife scene.

Is Glacier National Park or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Glacier National Park is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Hilo is not known for its resorts.

Glacier National Park has a few great resort options. There are several lodges, cabins, and inns near or within the park, but reservations are recommended well in advance.

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

Is Glacier National Park or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a moderate town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Glacier National Park 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.

Glacier National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Glacier National Park or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a popular place for its beaches. However, Glacier National Park 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.

Glacier National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Glacier National Park or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is very popular for the nearby hiking options. Also, Glacier National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park to visit for its hiking trails.

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 visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Glacier National Park. There are more than 700 miles of trails in the park. For the best experience, you should purchase a permit and explore the parks backcountry. Other popular trails include Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and Avalanche Lake Trail. It's best to start in the early morning as this is a popular park and the trails get busier as the day progresses.

Is the Shopping Better in Glacier National Park or Hilo?

Both Glacier National Park and Hilo are respectable shopping destinations.

Glacier National Park is a good destination for shopping. There are park stores where you can pick up books, souvenirs, and gifts.

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 Glacier National Park or Hilo Better for Families?

Hilo is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Glacier National Park is not as famous, but is still a good park 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.

Glacier National Park is a family-friendly park. The landscapes are spectacular, but the crowds can be intense, which means it can be hard to find places to pull over and park during the peak seasons. Keep this in mind when you're traveling with kids because you may end up spending more time in the car than you'd expected.

Is Glacier National Park or Hilo Better for Couples?

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

Glacier National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. Drive along the scenic Going-to-the-Sun-Road and take in the truly breathtaking scenery. Many people consider this to be a top destination for a honeymoon and couples will appreciate the impressive hikes, dramatic waterfalls, and adventure-filled activities.

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.

Is Glacier National Park or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glacier National Park is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Glacier National Park, as it is a very popular park for budget travelers. The backcountry is truly pristine, and obtaining a Wilderness Permit and getting off-the-beaten-path will help you escape some of the crowds that the park is known for.

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

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

Both Glacier National Park and Hilo offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Glacier National Park. There's a free shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road that's available on a first-come, first-served basis, but expect crowds. The road can get quite congested during peak times. There are also tours that take you along the road so you can enjoy the scenery without having to focus on driving.

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

Is Glacier National Park or Hilo a more walkable city?

Hilo is a popular place for its walkability. However, Glacier National Park is a mediocre park for its high level of walkability.

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.

Glacier National Park is not a very walkable park. You'll need a car to get almost anywhere in the park.

For even more information, also check out Is Glacier National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Glacier National Park?

How long in Glacier National Park or Hilo?

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

Families should spend more time in Hilo than Glacier National Park. 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 Glacier National Park. 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 Glacier National Park 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 Glacier National Park or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Glacier National Park. 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.

In Hilo, you'll find food and museums. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Glacier National Park or Hilo?

Glacier National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It offers something for everyone.

Five days in Glacier National Park or Hilo?

You'll find around the stunning destination of Glacier National Park. This park offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hilo is a fun place to experience. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Glacier National Park or Hilo?

The stunning park of Glacier National Park offers . Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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, you'll find museums and food. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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