Banyan Drive
Banyan Drive
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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199 within 3 miles
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72 within 6 miles
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- JenRed2014Buffalo, New York912 contributionsDedicated Banyan TreesThis is a pretty tree lined street, but to me it was almost as interesting to marvel at who planted some of the trees! Famous honorees have plaques next to these gargantuan, seemingly dripping trees: FDR, Nixon, Amelia Earhart, Louis Armstrong and Babe Ruth to name a few I recognized. We only saw most from the car, but a walk through them would probably be nice and really highlight the size of the trees. The one tree we posed with could’ve fit a family of ten in front of it with no problem!Visited March 2020Traveled with familyWritten February 29, 2020
- SoCalOregonianMurrieta, California10,389 contributionsCELEBRITY PLANTED TREESThis area of the Hilo waterfront is lined with very large Banyan trees that have been planted by celebrities and royalty, including Cecil B DeMille, Babe Ruth, Amelia Earhart, FDR, Richard Nixon and many others. It is also home to a few large hotels. An interesting side trip in HiloVisited March 2022Written April 2, 2022
- fiamma11Vienna, Virginia4,860 contributionsEnormous Banyan TreesI am a lover of trees so I love this drive. Plaques appear affixed onto the trees because they were planted largely by celebrities during the 1930s and after WWII. We walked this scenic loop in the evening. There were so many birds as well, but I do adore this tree lined road.Visited January 2022Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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48 reviews
Excellent
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Artieg419
Henderson, NV444 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
A line of banyan trees planted by the famous and not do famous along Banyan Drive. It's really neat to read the signs in front of the trees, which list you planted the trees, from Presidents to local. A piece of living history.
Written January 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill Z
Winnipeg, Canada2,460 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Called the "Hilo Walk of Fame", Banyan Drive features a row of tall, stately trees. The trees date back to 1933 when a Cecil de Mille film was shot in Hawaii with eight trees planted by the director and some of the stars. Fromm then on, throughout the 1930s, and into the 1970s, more trees were planted by individuals in honour of political figures, entertainers and religious figures.
Some of the trees in later years were damaged or destroyed by storms, but a number of trees honouring famous people are still in evidence. My favourite was the tree planted by Amelia Earhart in 1935, on the occasion of her record-breaking solo flight from Honolulu, Hawaii to Oakland, California.
Some of the trees in later years were damaged or destroyed by storms, but a number of trees honouring famous people are still in evidence. My favourite was the tree planted by Amelia Earhart in 1935, on the occasion of her record-breaking solo flight from Honolulu, Hawaii to Oakland, California.
Written August 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trainfan2000
Hamilton, Canada2,590 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
This is a very interesting place to visit. It is a drive through some huge banyan trees that have been planted by famous people. It is worthwhile to get out of the vehicle and to take some time to actually get up close to these large trees and read the dedication plaques. Trees have been planted here by Babe Ruth, Cecil B Demille, FDR, Amelia Earhart and many others. The drive itself is quite beautiful with the large trees overhanging the roadway. The Hop-on Hop-Off bus passes along this road.
Written May 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RHtravels
Rocky Hill, CT681 contributions
Aug 2017
This was a quick little drive to see a bunch of gigantic Banyan trees. Many had the names of the famous (and not so famous)people that planted the trees. Very impressive!
Written August 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim R
Calgary, Canada302 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Banyan Drive is a short drive with about 50 large Banyan trees lining the roadway along the bay. These beautiful trees with their hanging roots were planted decades ago by famous people of the time. It makes for a nice short drive or a great stroll on foot or better yet a splendid place to enjoy a Poke bowl.
Written August 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emwhitnall
Sydney, Australia430 contributions
Feb 2017
The Banyans here are huge and so beautiful. They have been around since the 1930s so its impressive how large and old they are. Its interesting to see all the important historical figures who planted these trees, including Amelia Earhart, Nixon, FDR and Louis Armstrong.
Written April 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LissaJ41
Bloomington, IL298 contributions
Sep 2016 • Family
We enjoyed walking/driving along Banyan Drive as part of our time by Hilo Bay that also included Coconut Island and the gardens. While most of the names were unfamiliar, it was fun to look for names we recognized. (The banyan trees were planted by notable people in the 1930s.) Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart are two we observed. The latter was a little farther away down there road.
Written September 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TedinAppleton
Appleton, WI177 contributions
Mar 2016
In the early 1930s Hilo was full of money from sugar and that's when Banyan Drive was begun. When Cecil B DeMille was on the island filming "Four Frightened People" he was asked by Herbert Shipman, whose house was a film location, to have the stars of the movie plant the first banyan trees along what was then a dirt trail. A week later Babe Ruth was on the island for an exhibition game and then the tradition continued as late as 1980. See trees planted by people like Amelia Earhart, Richard Nixon, and lots of people you've never heard of. Make sure you buy the Banyan Drive book available at Basically Books so you know who is who. It's a nice walk that takes you from Reed's Bay to Queen Liliuokalani Park.
Written March 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denis2727
Winnipeg, Canada262 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Never thought of myself as a tree lover but I've fallen in love with Banyans. Just something about the far reaching hanging branches suggests peacefulness. A walk or drive in this area really mellows out your day.
Written March 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Momabrum5
5 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Time almost stands still when you drive down Banyan Drive! The sun peaks through the hundreds of branches creating interesting patterns on the street below. The ocean trade winds are captured in the canopy of leaves and the unmistakable smell of saltwater is ever present. The trees have markers at their bases....look at the names and dates. Like I said, time stands still. We were there on a Sunday which is the busiest day to visit because many families enjoy picnics in the park however it actually added to the experience to see the kids playing and hear happy voices!!
Written December 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingBanyan Drive - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Banyan Drive
- Banyan Drive is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Banyan Drive tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 12 Banyan Drive tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Banyan Drive:
- Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours (From $29.99)
- Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls and Highlights (From $153.34)
- Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes (From $738.71)
- Volcano Adventure Tour & Waterfall - Shore Excursion from Hilo Harbor (From $169.99)
- Shore Excursion: Hawaii Volcano Adventure Tour from Hilo (From $195.99)
- Hotels near Banyan Drive:
- (0.10 mi) Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
- (0.20 mi) Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton
- (0.36 mi) SCP Hilo Hotel
- (0.26 mi) Hilo Reeds Bay Hotel
- (1.92 mi) Hilo Honu Inn Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near Banyan Drive:
- (0.07 mi) Wai'oli Lounge & iCafé
- (0.07 mi) Restaurant Hotel Hilo Hawaiian
- (0.08 mi) WSW Steakhouse
- (0.25 mi) Hilo Bay Cafe
- (0.28 mi) Suisan Fish Market
Banyan Drive Information
Excellent Reviews | 12 |
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Very Good Reviews | 30 |
Banyan Drive Photos | 34 |