Tourists may worry about spending their hard-earned vacation days in slower-paced Hilo, but you know what they say about location, location, location. Besides the fact that Hilo is full of historical charm and attractions, it also serves as an important gateway for any visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Because of the driving distance from Kona, many visitors who travel to this part of the island fly into Hilo International Airport directly and stay in Hilo or up at the Town of Volcano for the few days needed to fully explore the area.