Things to See & Do
Maui Ocean Center Aquarium
192 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793
Located in Maalaea Bay. Maui Ocean Center allows guests to explore Hawaii’s underwater world without ever getting wet. Named Top 25 Best Aquariums in the U.S. by TripAdvisor, the Aquarium features a variety of Hawaii’s sharks, turtles, stingrays and thousands of vibrant tropical fish.
The Aquarium is home to the world’s largest collection of live Pacific corals, faithfully replicating thriving marine ecosystems in every exhibit. Journey from the shallow reef to the open ocean and encounter marine life found nowhere else in the world. A mix of over 60 indoor-outdoor exhibits allow guests to conveniently discover Hawaii’s marine life in a single day that would otherwise take a lifetime of exploration to see. Venture through breathtaking exhibits like the 750,000-gallon Open Ocean Exhibit featuring a 54ft walk-through tunnel, observe Hawaiian green sea turtles from two views, and see some of the oceans most elusive creatures up close.
Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum – Address: 3957 Hansen Rd., Pu’unene, HI
Phone: 808/871-8058
Open: Mon.-Sat. 9:30-4:30; last admission at 4
“A&B,” Maui’s largest landowner, was one of the “Big Five” companies that spearheaded the planting, harvesting, and processing of sugarcane. You can find the museum in a small, restored plantation manager’s house next to the post office and the still-operating sugar refinery (black smoke billows up when cane is burning). Historic photos, artifacts, and documents explain the introduction of sugarcane to Hawai’i and how plantation managers brought in laborers from other countries, thereby changing the Islands’ ethnic mix. Exhibits also describe the sugar-making process.
Maui Tropical Plantation
Address: 1670 Honoapiilani Hwy #1, Wailuku, HI 96793, United States
Phone:+1 800-451-6805
MTP is a working plantation that offers tram tours, a country store, a mini zip line and a great restaurant with outdoor seating and a large horseshoe bar. Creative décor (a train car, large cane equipment pieces, tile mosaics, etc) makes the interior a funky spot to sit after taking the tour. The food is creative, well prepared and tasty. They also offer outdoor concerts.
The Tropical Express Tram Tours run 7 days a week with seven daily tour times of 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm – Address: 1100 Waipoli Rd., Kula, Phone: 808/878-3004
Open: Daily 9-4, tours at 11 AM Keep in mind: Reservations essential for the tour
Reserve a spot for tea or lunch at this lavender farm with a falcon’s view. It’s the relaxing remedy for those suffering from too much sun, shopping, or golf. Owners Ali’i and Lani lead tours through winding paths of therapeutic lavender varieties, proteas, succulents, and rare Maui wormwood. Their logo, a larger-than-life dragonfly, darts above chefs who are cooking up lavender-infused shrimp appetizers out on the lanai. The gift shop abounds with the farm’s own innovative lavender products.
Kula Botanical Gardens
638 Kekaulike Avenue, Kula, Maui, Hawaii 96790 (808) 878-1715
A self-guided tour on mostly paved paths meanders through eight acres of garden. Maps are available at the gift shop to help guide your walk. Plants are labeled along the way. The property is located at 3,300 feet elevation on the slopes of Haleakala. We recommend that you allow 45 minutes or longer to enjoy the tropical and semi-tropical plants. The garden is designed to display the plants in a natural setting with many resting areas located along the paths. We also have picnic tables and chairs should you chose to enjoy a packed-lunch with us on the lanai before or after your walk. Open Daily from 9am-4pm HST
Tedeschi Vineyards and Winery – Kula Hwy., ‘Ulupalakua Ranch, Kula,
Phone: 808/878-6058 Cost: Free Open: Daily 9-5, tours at 10:30 and 1:30
You can tour the winery and its historic grounds, the former Rose Ranch, and sample the island’s only wines: a pleasant Maui Blush, Maui Champagne, and Tedeschi’s annual Maui Nouveau. The top-seller, naturally, is the pineapple wine. The tasting room is a cottage built in the late 1800s for the frequent visits of King Kalakaua. The cottage also contains the ‘Ulupalakua Ranch History Room, which tells colorful stories of the ranch’s owners, the paniolo tradition that developed here, and Maui’s polo teams. The old General Store may look like a museum, but in fact it’s an excellent pit stop.
Ocean Vodka 4051 Omaopio Rd. Kula, HI 96790 Tel: 808-877-0009
Open seven days a week, from 9:30 am – 5 pm. Tours run every ½ hour until 4:00.
A 32-hectare organic sugar cane farm producing a clean, crisp vodka. The farm is self-sustaining using solar power to run its operations, harvesting the mature cane stalks by hand and building all the facilities themselves. The water they use in the distilling process is sea water sourced off of the coast of the Big Island, brought up from 900-meter depths to ensure purity and then desalinated.
With panoramic views of both Maui’s north and south slopes, it is definitely worth a stop to see. Bring a picnic lunch and sit on the point at one of the tables before heading in for your tour.
There is also a charming “martini garden” planted with cocktail friendly herbs. Guests are encouraged to pick a few ingredients, pick up a bottle of Ocean vodka and go home and create a “farm-to-glass” drink. Tours are $10. Under 21 guests can take the tour but cannot do the tasting at the end.
Maui Brewing Co Tasting Room (take a tour!)
605 Lipoa Pkwy, Kihei, HI 96753 | 808.213.3002
In 2005, MBC began their quest to brew handcrafted ales and lagers using the finest ingredients. The brewpub sources as many local products as possible to ensure the freshness; even the ketchup and mustard is house made. Sit back & relax while enjoying a pint in the tasting room or covered lanai with glorious views of both Haleakala & Molokini! They offer tasters, flights, goblets, and pints poured off of the thirty-two tap draft system. They offer a rotating schedule of Maui’s best food trucks to satisfy all your munchie needs! Food trucks are on premises from 11am until 10pm every day
Brewery tours are offered 7 days a week at: 12:00 | 1:15 | 2:30 which includes tour of our production facility, guided tasting of the four flagship beers, a token for a full-size house beverage of your choice and a souvenir glass. Call for a reservation.
Surfing Goat Dairy
3651 Omaopio Road, Kula, Hawaii 96790
Visit the Surfing Goat Dairy (just up the road from Ocean Vodka) and either take a tour, or buy a “flight” of cheeses to taste and relax in the seating area with a beverage and your cheese tasting. Afterwards, wander over to the goat pen and take a look.
‘Iao Valley State Park – Address: Western end of Rte. 32, Wailuku
Open: Daily 7-7
When Mark Twain saw this park, he dubbed it the Yosemite of the Pacific. Yosemite it’s not, but it’s a lovely deep valley with the curious ‘Iao Needle, a spire that rises more than 2,000 feet from the valley floor. You can take one of several easy hikes from the parking lot across ‘Iao Stream and explore the jungle-like area. This park has a beautiful network of well-maintained walks, where you can stop and meditate by the edge of a stream or marvel at the native plants and flowers. Mist occasionally rises if there has been a rain, which makes being here even more magical.
Coastal Nature Trail – Accessible from Polo or Wailea Beach parks, Wailea, HI
A paved beach walk allows you to stroll among Wailea’s prettiest properties, restaurants, and rocky coves. The trail teems with joggers in the morning hours. The makai, or ocean, side is landscaped with exceptionally rare native plants. Look for the silvery hinahina, named after the Hawaiian moon goddess because of its color. In winter this is a great place to watch whales.
Turtle Reef Kayak Tour
This fun and educational Maui kayaking tour starts at Makena Landing and paddles around the bay area. The calm, clear ocean is perfect for various water activities including swimming, snorkeling and animal watching. Float next to peaceful turtles and admire the stunning tropical underwater world. Leave all your worries behind and join this unique Hawaiian experience.It is planned as a leisurely paddle around Makena Bay, available to all ability levels and ages 5 and up, whether it’s your first time on a kayak or if you’re an experienced paddler. Highlights include snorkeling with the endangered green sea turtle and wonderful views of Haleakala. Paddling distance is approx. 2.5 miles (4km).
Maui International Film Festival
Held in June of each year, the Maui International Film Festival is the embodiment of relaxed elegance, providing ample opportunity to enjoy stargazing of both the Hollywood and heavenly varieties. Situated on the slope of Haleakala, the Celestial Cinema is an open-air, star studded theater like no other. Live “Big Screen” tributes are preceded by authentic hula and a tour of the cosomos by the festival’s astronomer. It’s all followed by a double feature with pitch perfect sound, under a star-filled sky. It’s the perfect place to watch a movie. Additional activities are held at the MACC during the event too. Check out some of the special events in Wailea that accompany the festival. The opening night party is always great fun and great food.