Volcano

Few visitors realize that in addition to "the Volcano" there's also Volcano, the town. Conveniently located next to—you guessed it—Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Village is a charming little hamlet in the woods that offers a dozen or so inns and B&Bs, a decent Thai restaurant, some killer (although strangely expensive) pizza, and a handful of things to see and do that don't include the village's namesake. For years, writers, artists, and meditative types have been coming to the Volcano to seek inspiration, and many of them have settled in and around Volcano Village. Artist studios (open to the public by appointment) are scattered throughout the hills, and writers' retreats are hidden in the tranquil rain forests surrounding the area. If you plan to do a nighttime lava hike at Volcanoes National Park, spending a night in Volcano Village is the ideal way to go about it.

Logistics

There are a handful of dining options, a couple of stores, and a gas station available in Volcano, so most of your needs should be covered. If you can't find what you're looking for, Hilo is only about a 30-minute drive away, and Pahoa is an even-closer 15-minute drive. Bring a fleece or a sweater if you plan to stay the night; temperatures drop at night and mornings are cool and misty. One of the main reasons people choose to stay the night in Volcano is to do the night hike to the lava flow in the park. If you're planning on making the trek, bring hiking shoes, a flashlight (check the batteries), and water. Also, make sure you have enough gas to get down to the flow and back up. The entrance to Volcanoes National Park is about one minute from Volcano Village, but the drive down is nearly 30 minutes. Remember that you'll be coming back from the hike at around midnight, long after the rangers have gone home.