Making your Trip to Maui Magical!

If you get the opportunity to go to Maui-do it! No matter what you choose to do while you are there- it WILL be magical; from the gorgeous ocean beaches to sweeping mountain views to epic road trips and the relaxed island vibe; I honesty half expected to discover unicorns frolicking beside the roads.

If you’re like us, and this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity, you will want to make the most out of your time on Maui. And even if you’re blessed enough to be returning, there’s always more to discover. This was our first trip to Hawai’i, but the second island we visited on our trip. (You can get ideas for your Kaui trip here: https://www.northwoodscitygirl.com/blog/https/wwwnorthwoodscitygirlcom/2020/2/23/kauai-hawaii-how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-vacation-things-to-do-see-and-eat-plus-bonus-tips People have asked which island was better, Kaua’i or Maui, my answer is BOTH. It’s not a cop out, it’s just that they are very different. If you are going to be in Hawaii for 10 days or longer, I highly recommend going to both. We also looked into going to the big island and Oahu, which no doubt would’ve been incredible experiences too, but I have no regrets about the choices we made.

This article focuses on how to get the most out of your time on Maui. So in no particular order (other than the first two, which were truly unforgettable)…

Day trip to Upcountry! If you’ve never heard of it, according to the Maui Upcountry Guidebook “Upcountry is a term which describes not only a way of life, but much of the area on the Haleakala side of Maui away from the shoreline.” You may be surprised this was my favorite experience, especially when you see #2 on the list, but to me, this day had everything, incredible mountain and sweeping views down to the ocean, good wine, the peaceful and gorgeous Ali’i Kula Lavender farm, the BEST farmers market on the island in charming Kula, and the coolest shop Ulupalakua Ranch Store & Grill with possibly the best burger I have ever had. The area also offered the best opportunity on this island to slow down and talk to the people we met who live there. TIP: Be flexible. We had originally planned that day to drive to the top of Mt. Haleakala to watch the sunrise or sunset, which if you google it, is one of the top recommended activities, but the weather was not looking good (We heard later it snowed and visibility was lousy at the top) so we focused on this area of countryside halfway up the mountain instead and boy were we ever glad.
The Road to Hana was a close second! We downloaded the Shaka app before the trip, which pointed out the best stops on the drive; including waterfalls and beaches worth stopping for. My favorites were the red sand and black sand beaches! We had so much fun and witnessed incredibly stunning views. TIP: Rent a convertible if you want unobstructed views while driving or a jeep if you want to go on the back part of the island, as you will need 4 wheel drive.
Enjoy a day of rest and relaxation on the many gorgeous beaches. On Sunday, after attending a church in Lahaina, we headed south, which is generally more reliably sunny in the winter. We drove as far as Makena Beach State Park, which had sand that looked like golden diamonds and bright aqua colored water; it was absolutely stunning. I was wishing we had packed a picnic lunch so we could spend the whole day there, except that when the wind picked up that beautiful sand blew right at us, stinging our arms and legs and faces. We took it as a sign it was time for mai tais and lunch at the MonkeyPod restaurant nearby! TIP: Before you head out on your beach day, stop to rent an umbrella and chairs, to provide some protection from the sun and wind, so you can lounge longer.
Luau. We made reservations to the Old Lahaina Luau before we left the mainland, as I’d heard it gets booked, and I’m so glad we did! Even with all the seats filled, the atmosphere was beautiful and romantic; with a view of the sun setting over the ocean behind the stage. There were many traditional Hawaiian foods (including gluten-free options), traditional demonstrations, ukelele music, local artisans, and of course hula and the story of the island.It was magical (there’s that word again)!
Whale watching. Because we rented a convertible, I could actually see whales from the land when we were stuck in slower traffic, and at stops along the road, and from our condo beach! TIP: our new friends we made at the luau highly recommend the Ultimate Whale Watching tour; because it was a smaller boat they were able to experience more, as the whales were curious and approached them.
Make the most of rainy days. It was windy and rainy the day we wanted to go whale watching, so instead we went to Maui Aquarium and enjoyed a Humpbacks of Hawaii 3D theater with a close up whale experience, as well as a good variety of other sealife, such as small sharks, turtles, and jellyfish.
Cook some of your meals! To eat healthier and save money, stay in a condo, and make some meals there, such as a hearty breakfast (eggs or other protein), pack snacks (fresh fruit) and consider making dinners or getting portable food to bring back). Remember that Farmer’s Market we stopped at? We found fresh bananas and mango, gluten free sandwich bread and a mango bread, a really great dip made with macadamia nuts, and so many fresh veggies. TIP: We often saved our one special meal a day for a late lunch, which made it easier to get a table. (See #9 below)
We like checking out distilleries, breweries and wineries, and this trip was no exception. My favorite was Maui wine; for the views (and wines made from pineapples)! Ocean vodka was very fun too; they make everything out of sugar cane! At the Hailemaile Distillery, all the beverages made from pineapple (though none of them taste like pineapple), and Maui Brewery, where John enjoyed a flight of beers.
Enjoy the local foods and drinks; some favorites were the pork musubi at Mill House, a curry veggie noodle bowl at the Farmer’s Market, Coconut Glen’s coconut milk ice cream on the road to Hana, and the lamb burger at Ulupalakua Ranch Store & Grill, the specialty coffees at Mill House roasters (with a choice of how you prefer it brewed; french press, pour-over, etc.) So good!
Find the aloha spirit! Slow down and soak it all in. Talk to the people you meet, ask questions, share your excitement. People are passionate about what they are able to share with you if you just take the time to ask them about their lives and listen.

If you have the opportunity to travel to Maui, I hope you get as much out of it as we did. Please share your experiences, so others can benefit from what you learned.