Lyman Museum
Lyman Museum
4.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
The Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum tells the story of Hawaii’s islands and people through its exhibits on Hawaii’s volcanic origins, flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world, Hawaiian culture, and other ethnic groups that have shaped the unique society of Hawaii today. Admire worldwide collections of sea shells and minerals. Learn about 19th century missionary life on a tour of the historic Lyman Mission House, the Island’s oldest wood frame building constructed in 1839.
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214 within 3 miles
Attractions
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See what travelers are saying
- Malcolm EBoise, Idaho41 contributionsThe Best Hawaiian Museum?This is a must do if you are on the Big Island and care for anything else besides Mai Tais and beaches. Probably the best museum in the State regarding Hawaii history, and culture....I know, I know...what about the Bishop in Honolulu? Well, maybe second best, anyway. First Class in every way. We were met by Jan and Cindy, and Cindy guided us first through the Lyman house, and then set us off on our own in the Museum. Spectacular! Well worth the small amount they get for admissions. Kids will like it. Not everything is interactive for kids, but there are some exhibits they will enjoy. My favorite was the the evolution of Hawaiian music. There were nine stages that I had to go through starting with Queen Liil'lukiani and going to Gabby and Brada Iz. Although I've been hearing Pidgin for nearly 50 years, I learned how it came to be.Visited January 2023Written January 13, 2023
- trooper92553 contributionsLearn more about the place you visitA good overview of Hawaiian nature and people on two floors. Well worth the small ticket fee. I also recommend the good selection of books, music and crafts at the gift shop. Such a pity that only few visitors find their way to look beyond the surface.Visited January 2023Traveled soloWritten January 14, 2023
- Nancy CHilo, Hawaii12 contributionsMake this your first stop in Hilo!Finally got to this wonderful museum. The Lyman House tour is a wonderful piece of history. You can't go all through it, but the docent takes you to a few rooms on the first floor and shares the Lyman's unique story. The main museum has a whole floor dedicated to Hilo/Hawaiian history and the culture. The first floor is all about the volcanic activity, flora and fauna of the island. I wish I had visited this wonderful place sooner!Visited June 2022Written January 18, 2023
- Michael L1 contributionHighlight of a Hilo visit! Weekdays only.The Lyman Museum and the historical mission house tour were the highlight of our day in Hilo. The museum itself is an interesting assortment of displays. On the first floor a very beautiful shell and mineral display, w/o much context, is still a rich and fun experience. Also a visually rich and very clear geological history of the creation of the Hawaiian Islands. However the second floor Hawaiian culture and historical overview is the real surprise and highlight. It is so well done, well thought out, and beautiful. Not to be missed.Visited January 2023Written January 24, 2023
- Vicki D17 contributionsNot to Be Missed in Hilo.Not to be missed if you are in Hilo on a rainy day. Although the house was not open, the downtown structure has a wonderful exhibit of the bottom floor all about the islands of Hawai’i, from volcano development, to climates on Big Island. Upstairs is a wonderful exhibit of the people of the island, from the tribal existence through present day. You don’t know what you don’t know until you move through the exhibit. Being an educator, this is high up for the kid field trip from you to HS. It is their history. The docents are great too. Nice job Lyman staff!Visited February 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten February 24, 2023
- fabdogWilliamsburg, Virginia406 contributionsNice small museumGreat small museum. You do need to book in advance, but we got a slot the evening before. You can go with a guide or wander on your own after the intro. Lots of great exhibits on history and culture. Definitely worth the small fee.Visited July 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten July 6, 2023
- StephHilo, Hawaii44 contributionsGreat way to learn some history of the big islandThis is a nice stop in Hilo. It's a small museum with great displays of Hawaiian history for the island. There is a tour of a missionary home that became a school and a furniture factory. Beautiful antiques and a real sense of what life was like in the 1800's and early 1900's. Excellent crystal collection as well. The staff were incredibly welcoming and were enjoying their roles showcasing the museum.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 2, 2023
- jean l7 contributionsWorth visitingVery nice museum out of the tourist path. It’s worth a visit in the Hilo area. The natural history section (volcano, minerals and shells) is quality and the heritage section (second story) is the best we’ve seen in Hawaii.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten August 2, 2023
- Nancy S1 contributionWell worth the time!Engaging first floor natural history second floor terrific human history from pre-Polynesian to present. Easily manageable in an hour and a half. Great interactive exhibits for children and adults. Fun panels at end with samples of Hawaiian music by the decade beginning with the last queen in 1897. As a bonus the Lyman House tour is an amazing glimpse into life of missionaries from New England in 1830sVisited August 2023Traveled soloWritten August 31, 2023
- bfm87Poughkeepsie, New York180 contributionsVery informative and pleasant museum.Very informative! I wish we could have gone here at the beginning of our trip because it answered so many questions. We had just been to Volcano and would have enjoyed that more if we'd been to the Lyman Museum first...lots of lava info there! The history of the Hawaiian people is fascinating and well presented. We had the last entry time and we did not have enough time to enjoy everything we were interested in. Also no time to tour the house, unfortunately. Go earlier in the day!Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 3, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
311 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
97
Average
22
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Halems
San Jose, CA277 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
They collected our money then told us the important part of the museum, the Hawaiian history collection, was closed for renovations. No sign, no warning, no offer of a refund, just a suggestion that we watch a video about what we couldn't see.
Yes, they have a collection of pretty rocks and shells, but that's not why you would go here.
Yes, they have a collection of pretty rocks and shells, but that's not why you would go here.
Written February 23, 2020
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.
jdc8mbc
California627 contributions
Aug 2021
Due to Covid social distancing protocols, admittance is by timed entry tickets and assumes one can cover the museum in about 2 hours.... except there are so many fascinating items that we could have easily immersed ourselves in the museum for three hours. The museum covers just about every aspect of Hawaiian culture and history, including terrific exhibits on volcanoes, lava tubes, shells, minerals and gems, marine life, hula, musical instruments, fishing, petroglyphs, oral history, as well as a play area where visitors can learn about Kapa patterns, mats, and knots.
Written September 28, 2021
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.
Attila Denes
1 contribution
Sep 2021
The museum's first floor gives a great overview of the geological history of the Hawaiian Islands, and features top-notch shell and mineral collections from around the world. But the museum's greatest collection is the cultural and historical displays on the second floor, which focus primarily on the Big Island. Plan on spending two hours on the self-guided tour. The additional half-hour guided tour of the Lyman mission house is also very informative and features some of the finest antique koa wood furnishings around. Well worth a few hours of your time, particularly if the people, culture, and history of the Big Island are of interest to you.
Written September 21, 2021
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.
Hella N
Salem, OR18 contributions
Oct 2021
If you are interested in knowing more about these beautiful islands that we use to escape our mainland routines, this is an excellent place to learn some basics: This museum starts with a geological history of these volcanic islands, then describes the different climate zones and plant an animal life, then the settlement history and cultural shifts through time. There are also two somewhat unrelated but beautiful and interesting exhibits on shells and minerals. The displays are very well done and interactive. You learn a lot without feeling bored or overwhelmed. Take 2 hours out of your holiday to get some better understanding of what you see and feel around you. It is time well spent.
Written October 27, 2021
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.
Debbie A
Boston, MA133 contributions
Sep 2022
The Lyman Museum is easy to get to in Hilo. It tells the story of the Hawaii’s islands, its people and culture, as well as exhibits about volcanos, shells, marine animals, and other creatures of the islands. It is only open Monday through Friday and an appointment is necessary. Take your time and stroll though the exhibits. There is so much to learn and appreciate. I was a bit disappointed moreso with what information was left out. Parker Ranch shows up as a single time point and nothing more. It is such an important part of the Big Island, so how could it really be left out. A lot is said about the sugar mills, and pineapple industry, but what about cattle and coffee? I appreciate the museum is about more than the Big Island, but still alot has been left out of the museum in my opinion.
Written September 14, 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.
Nancy C
Hilo, HI12 contributions
Jun 2022
Finally got to this wonderful museum. The Lyman House tour is a wonderful piece of history. You can't go all through it, but the docent takes you to a few rooms on the first floor and shares the Lyman's unique story. The main museum has a whole floor dedicated to Hilo/Hawaiian history and the culture. The first floor is all about the volcanic activity, flora and fauna of the island. I wish I had visited this wonderful place sooner!
Written January 19, 2023
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.
Rae
100 contributions
Jan 2021
Great museum and old missionary house. Worth the effort to call and make a reservation for a tour. House has furniture and gives an idea of how people lived. Nice history of how people came to HI as missionaries. Not an easy life! Great view of life in HI as a crusty salty New England woman with a husband and a few kids. Interesting tables and furniture and beautiful wood wood floors. Worth the price. Great stuff to see in the museum. Birds and fish and sea shells and how volcanoes build an island. The staff were very friendly and helpful. They are careful about hand washing and wearing masks. With Corona on the rampage, they were able to tell me what was open and what was closed. That info alone was worth the cost of an admission. And a cool gift shop.
Written January 24, 2021
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.
Kristina B
2 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The staff were so courteous and knowledgeable. The exhibits were well put together and really enjoyed the audio and visual displays. The gems were gorgeous and the illuminated rocks were awesome! Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful history of the islands.
Written April 3, 2021
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.
Stan W
1 contribution
Nov 2022 • Couples
Well worth your time to visit the Lyman museum which focuses on Hawaiian history, immigration, plantation life, temperate zones and geology. There are interactive exhibits and short videos. Bruce the tour docent for the Misson House was engaging, informative and interesting. I had a better understanding of Hawai'i and it's history after visiting
Written November 12, 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.
Robert S
34 contributions
Jun 2022
The museum summarized the geologic and human history of Hawaii without being overwhelming in detail: well-chosen examples of history, and interesting snippets of hula music from different eras. We also toured the Lyman house next door: our guide Cindy was personable and well-informed. For history lovers, well worth the time and entrance fee.
Written June 29, 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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Claim your listingLyman Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lyman Museum
- Hotels near Lyman Museum:
- (0.29 mi) Hilo Bay Hale Bed & Breakfast
- (0.39 mi) Hilo Honu Inn Bed and Breakfast
- (0.17 mi) Hilotown Hale
- (0.49 mi) Dolphin Bay
- (0.22 mi) Whaler's Inn -Nautical Magical
- Restaurants near Lyman Museum:
- (0.11 mi) Kozmic Cones
- (0.31 mi) Pineapple's Island Fresh Cuisine
- (0.32 mi) Moon and Turtle
- (0.31 mi) Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
- (0.28 mi) Naung Mai Thai Kitchen
Lyman Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 185 |
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Very Good Reviews | 97 |
Lyman Museum Photos | 126 |