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Lyman Museum

227 Reviews

#10 of 89 things to do in Hilo

Specialty Museums, Museums

276 Haili St, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720-2927

+1 808-935-5021

Website

Review Highlights

“Small museum full of interesting displays and help friendly staff.”

Went here too late to do the tour of the Mission House but still spent over an hour wandering... read more

Reviewed yesterday

DawnHendrick

Hobart, Australia

“Very Informative!”

We very much enjoyed the visit to the museum. Informative displays and great maps to give you a... read more

Reviewed 4 days ago

DurangoDiner

Durango

Read all 227 reviews

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Overview

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.

4.5

227 reviews

Excellent55%
Very good36%
Average7%
Poor2%
Terrible0%

Travelers talk about

“mission house” (49 reviews)

“mineral collection” (16 reviews)

“natural history” (15 reviews)

Closed Now

Hours

Hours Today: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

LOCATION

276 Haili St, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, HI 96720-2927

CONTACT

Website

+1 808-935-5021

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1 - 10 of 223 reviews

DawnHendrick

Hobart, Australia

28469

Reviewed yesterday

Small museum full of interesting displays and help friendly staff.

Went here too late to do the tour of the Mission House but still spent over an hour wandering around all the displays which are very well done. The Volcanic National Park is closed because of Kilauea erupting - so the Museum display about volcanoes...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

DurangoDiner

Durango

101

Reviewed 4 days ago

Very Informative!

We very much enjoyed the visit to the museum. Informative displays and great maps to give you a sense of scale. The mineral display was really unique(So much so we returned so our 12 year old could spend more time there. The tour of the...More

Ask DurangoDiner about Lyman Museum

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Karen D

Palmetto, Florida

1311

Reviewed 1 week ago

Outstanding!

The Lyman house and museum is a gem. With the National Park closed, this museum has an wonderful exhibit explaining the Hawaiian volcanoes, very unexpected . Although their upper floor, which has many artifacts dealing with Hawaiian history, was closed for remodeling, they have a...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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Ledesa B

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Great place for the whole family!

Memorable experience-Very relaxing, comfortable atmosphere. Something for everyone, children and adults will enjoy what they have to offer. Free movie about Hawaii in back, that is entertaining for the whole family~

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Enduro338

Dallas

8350

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

Great small museum

I really like how this place does a few things really well rather than too many things. Amazing collection of seashells and gems, and a nice area devoted to the geology of Hawaii. Also an excellent layout that gives an interesting overview of the Hawaiian...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

ROKColorado

Arvada, Colorado

13142

Reviewed April 25, 2018

Early settlers in Hawaii

Many of the early settlers in Hawaii were missionary's. This house was built by one of them and gives the story of their time in Hawaii and the things that they did for the natives besides trying to convert them. They established schools and craft...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Deb M

132

Reviewed March 25, 2018

A hidden treasure!

This museum is a hidden treasure in Hilo. It has a great explanation of the volcanoes on the island. Along with a beautiful display of shells. Allow a couple of hours to fully enjoy this treasure.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

JohntheLast

Barrington, Illinois

926301

Reviewed March 24, 2018

Make sure you understand what you're getting

Although it sounds good, the only thing really available right now is a very good mineral and geology exhibit. The Hawaii history section is under renovation and the mission house is only available for two tours of ten people each. The "curator" limits the number...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Charles A

Oberlin, Ohio

473138

Reviewed March 3, 2018

Eclectic

Interesting foray into Hawaiian natural and human history. Worth a visit as a primer on Hawaiian culture and geology.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Panajody

331115

Reviewed February 22, 2018

Small but very interesting

One floor (now under reconstruction, but a film shows the objects with good commentyary) is devoted to Hawaiian culture and the other to Hawaiian geology. A tour of the old home next door is very interesting; Bruce, our guide, seems to know everything about the...More

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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