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

Should you visit Hershey or Hilo?

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

Should I visit Hershey 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.

Hershey

Hershey is a playful, lighthearted, and fun-filled town. It's also popular because of the shopping and museums.

Hilo

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

Hershey and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hershey or Hilo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilo than Hershey, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilo is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Hershey is more popular for its resorts and shopping. Hershey is more touristy than Hilo and is popular for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Hilo is well known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Also, Hilo is famous for Akaka Falls State Park.

How is Hershey different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Hershey and Hilo have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Hershey is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car 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 Hershey or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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 Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Hershey or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Hershey or Hilo has a better nightlife scene.

Hershey is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Hilo doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Hershey or Hilo Better for Resorts?

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

Hershey is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

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

Is Hershey or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a town with a few options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Hershey is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Hilo has a few snorkeling spots. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Hershey is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hershey or Hilo Better for Beaches?

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

Hershey is not a beach destination.

Is Hershey or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is very popular for its hiking experiences. However, Hershey 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.

Hershey is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hershey or Hilo?

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

Hershey has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

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

Is Hershey or Hilo Better for Families?

Hershey is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hershey is a very family-friendly destination. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

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.

Is Hershey or Hilo Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Hershey frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

Hilo is a great town if you're traveling as 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 Hershey or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is a great destination for backpackers. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options 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.

Hershey is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there are some fun activities in the area.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Hershey and Hilo.

Public transit is generally limited in Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

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 Hershey or Hilo a more walkable city?

Hilo is a popular place for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options 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.

Hershey is generally not a very walkable town. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Hershey?

How long in Hershey or Hilo?

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

Families should spend more time in Hershey than Hilo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hershey, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hilo than Hershey. 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 Hershey 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 Hershey or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the museums and shopping when visiting the destination of Hershey. 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.

In Hilo, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Hershey or Hilo?

Hershey 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.

In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Hershey or Hilo?

You'll find museums and shopping around the lighthearted destination of Hershey. 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.

Hilo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Hershey or Hilo?

The playful town of Hershey offers shopping and museums. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. In Hilo, you'll find museums and food. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Hershey or Hilo?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hershey or Hilo in the Summer?

Both Hilo and Hershey during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Hershey because of 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, Hershey is generally around the same temperature as Hilo. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 77°F (25°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Hershey. In the summer, Hershey often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Hershey gets 310 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 169 hours of full sun.

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hershey usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. Hershey gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hershey or Hilo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hershey and Hilo. The shopping scene are the main draw to Hershey this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hershey is much colder than Hilo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hershey averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

Hershey usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during autumn. Hershey gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Hershey usually receives less rain than Hilo. Hershey gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hershey or Hilo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hershey as well as Hilo. Many travelers come to Hershey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, 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 Hershey. In the winter, Hershey is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hershey in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Hilo averages at about 72°F (22°C).

In the winter, Hershey often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilo. Hershey gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Hershey usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. Hershey gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hershey or Hilo in the Spring?

Both Hilo and Hershey are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Hershey is generally much colder than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 53°F (12°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. Hershey usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during spring. Hershey gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In April, Hershey usually receives less rain than Hilo. Hershey gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Hershey