Cruise coastal resort towns, tour Upcountry farms and witness Maui's sacred Haleakalā.
When I think of Maui, I think about all the long drives I've taken along the coast, through valleys and up the slopes of Haleakalā. Sometimes it's in pursuit of something beautiful or delicious, sometimes it's for the journey alone. There are so many different sides to Maui, each town having its own personality and each landmark telling the story of the island's past and present. You could drive Upcountry to learn about paniolos (Hawaiʻi cowboys), meander through farms and shop upscale boutiques. You could spend the day in Wailuku, strolling artsy downtown or visiting the ancient battleground and royal burial grounds of ʻĪao Valley. Or you could have a tour guide introduce you to the road to Hāna, stopping at waterfalls, lava rock beaches and roadside food stands along the way. Lāhainā, Hawaiʻiʻs former capital, is slowly rebuilding and welcoming back visitors after the devastating 2023 wildfires — they need our support now more than ever. Compared to Oʻahu, Maui has more sprawling resorts, especially on the west side and south shore, but the chefs are just as impressive — some of the best meals I've had in the entire archipelago have been on Maui. I recommend Maui for couples celebrating something special, families who enjoy the beach and anyone seeking high-end luxury.
If you only have time for one big attraction on Maui, visit sacred Haleakalā — the world’s largest dormant volcano. Go for an afternoon hike or an epic sunset (sunrise is overcrowded and requires reservations 60 days in advance). If you have time for two, do Haleakalā one day and take a tour of the Road to Hāna the next. Together, they make an unforgettable Maui experience.
From epic waterfall and volcano hikes to parasailing and big-wave surfing — Maui is full of exciting adventures. Hikers should check out the Pipiwai Trail — a 4-mile round-trip hike in Haleakalā National Park through bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls. Visitors who prefer to stay in the water should take a Molokini snorkel tour. In the winter, if the swell is just right, the best beach to watch big-wave surfers is Peʻahi / Jaws lookout.
Maui's beaches differ by coast. For the best calm-water beach, choose Wailea Beach. You can find public access between the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea resorts. For snorkeling, check out Honolua Bay in summer — a marine conservation district with no entry fee. The best beach for families is Kāʻanapali Beach. It’s equipped with lifeguard stands and restrooms and is close to dining and shopping. The biggest beach on Maui is Mākena — best for sunbathing as the shorebreak and currents are powerful here. For an extraordinary black sand beach experience, visit Waiʻānapanapa State Park (reservation required for non-residents) on the Road to Hāna.
Maui’s cultural history is inseparable from its landscape — Haleakalā and 'Īao Valley are sacred to Native Hawaiians, Lāhainā was the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and throughout the road to Hāna and beyond you will still see loʻi kalo — taro farmed in the traditional way. The 'Īao Valley State Monument is currently closed, but nearby is Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House Museum, which exhibits an extensive collection of pre-western contact Hawaiian artifacts. If you want to learn more about Maui’s paniolo, or cowboy, history the best place to go is Makawao in Upcountry — there is also local art and good shopping here. Although still being rebuilt, Lāhainā businesses are reopening and welcoming visitors — please go and show your support.
From food trucks and strip-mall eateries to a farm-to-table dining scene that often rivals Oʻahu's, the food on Maui rocks at every price point. The best high-end dining is in Wailea at Spoon & Key Market and Koast Maui — you’ll need reservations for both. For the best local plate lunch or pupu visit Chef Sheldon Simeon’s Tin Roof in Kaului and Tiffany’s Bar & Restaurant in Wailuku. For the best farm-to-table experience, book a farm tour and dinner at O’o Farms. The food trucks located by Costco are everyone’s favorite.
Looking for something funky and unique? Head to Wailuku or Pāʻia. For high-end shopping, visit The Shops at Wailea with over 70 stores and free parking. For an outdoor mall that covers it all, Whalers Village is the way to go. The best place to by local tropical flowers and produce is at the Upcountry Farmers Market in Kula on Saturday mornings from 7 to11 a.m. Makawao also has boutiques, galleries and gifts shops worth exploring.
The best places to visit on Maui are not resorts, they are towns where locals work, live and play. Wailuku is Maui’s county seat and full of great art, shopping and food. Kīhei is a funky beach town with fun boutique shops and lively bars for a younger crowd. Lāhainā is Mauiʻs historic waterfront town, now welcoming back visitors after the devastating 2023 wildfires. The best Upcountry town to visit is Makawao for its shopping, eateries, art galleries and nearby farms.
Most visitors flock to Maui in the winter and early spring for humpback whale watching from December to April. Summer is the busiest season, bringing festivals, concerts and calmer snorkeling and swimming conditions. Fall (September to October) and spring (April to May) is shoulder season. This is when you’ll find cheaper hotel prices and the best weather.
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Editor's Pick
Although the following attractions are at the top of most visitors’ bucket list, it’s important for me to acknowledge the significant impact that overcrowding can have on them. For each location I’ve included suggestions and tips on how you can enjoy these spectacular places responsibly. Visiting Lāhainā is a particularly sensitive topic as of late, and because of that we ask that you visit with the intent to support local businesses and strengthen the communityʻs economic recovery.
— Sarah Burchard
Maui is bigger than most people expect. You'll need a rental car and realistic expectations about how long it takes to get around the island — especially during high traffic times. The parts of the island most visitors traverse include West Maui, Upcountry, South Maui and the road to Hāna. Driving from Wailea on the south shore to Kaʻanapali on the west side takes about an hour. Upcountry is a world away from the beach entirely. Where you stay will likely dictate what you do, unless you will be here for a week or more. Think about what you want to see and do before booking your hotel. Families who want easy beach access should stay in South Maui or Kaʻanapali. If you are interested in a quiet, restful stay, meandering farms and small towns in cooler temperatures, consider Upcountry.
I recommend touring the road to Hāna for first-time visitors, but keep in mind it will demand an entire day. The 64-mile drive from Pāʻia to Hāna town with its more than 600 turns, 50-plus single-lane bridges and stops for waterfalls, lava rock coastlines, roadside banana bread and black sand beaches along the way are the whole point of the excursion. Most people dramatically underestimate how long it takes. Plan to leave by 6 a.m. and return in time for a late dinner. A guided tour is worth every penny — it handles reservations, parking and logistics so you can simply enjoy the ride and incredible landscape.
Lāhainā holds a special place in the story of Hawaiʻi. Most of the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and a thriving hub of West Maui's culture and commerce was devastated in the August 2023 wildfires. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history, and the community is still rebuilding. Visitors are welcome and your economic support for local business is genuinely needed. Go with an open heart and spend generously.
Four essentials for making the most of your time on the island.
You'll fly into Kahului Airport (OGG). It has a fair number of direct flights, but you'll often connect through Oʻahu first.
Maui airportsYou need a rental car on Maui — full stop. Most hotels are at least 45 minutes from the airport and attractions are spread far apart across the island.
Wailea for luxury seekers, Kīhei for more affordable options and a relaxed local vibe, Pāʻia or Upcountry to explore farms and the road to Hāna, and the west side for beach lovers who want more action.
Maui hotelsSarah Burchard
Editor · Oʻahu
Sarah Burchard has called Oʻahu home since 2017. A Honolulu-based freelance writer and editor, she covers food, culture and travel for publications including Hawaii.com, Hana Hou, FLUX Hawaiʻi, Forbes, Hawaiʻi Magazine and Honolulu Magazine. What keeps her rooted here goes beyond the balance of city life and sunny beaches — it is the people, the values and the culture of aloha that make her stay. Sarah is also a devout yogi and regularly volunteers with ʻāina-based organizations across the island. Read more of her work at sarahburchard.com.
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