Banyan Drive is a short, quiet road that loops around the Waiakea Peninsula at the edge of Hilo Bay, shaded by some of the most impressive banyan trees you will see outside of India. Each tree was planted by a visiting dignitary or celebrity between the 1930s and 1970s — the plaques at the base name them and give the date. The trees have grown into enormous canopies with aerial roots that now touch the ground and have taken root themselves.
The drive makes for a pleasant 30-minute stroll, particularly in the late afternoon when the light comes through the canopy. The Liliuokalani Gardens are at the western end. Across the peninsula, the bay views are good and you can see Coconut Island, a small islet connected to shore by a pedestrian bridge where local families swim. The whole area makes an easy, peaceful walk after visiting the museums downtown.