Discover the Best Things to Do in Lahaina, Maui
Lahaina, Maui, is a charming place filled with attractions and activities to suit all interests, whether you’re a family, couple, nature lover, foodie, or solo traveler. In addition to being a great vacation destination, it’s also the perfect location for buying a second home in West Maui.
With an eclectic mix of things to do, you won’t have to worry about growing bored of Lahaina. To give you an idea, here are some of the best things to do while in the area.
Things to Do in Lahaina for Nature Lovers
1. Hike the Lahaina Pali Trail
The five-mile Lahaina Pali Trail takes you by cliffs, lava rocks, and grasslands. This is the same trail settlers used in the 1900s, and it provides amazing ocean views. Prepare for your trip by layering your clothes, wearing hiking boots and packing plenty of snacks and water. Sections of the trail can be challenging to traverse, and there are elevation changes that can result in varying weather conditions.
2. Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail
The Kapalua Coastal Trail is an easy hike that takes you along the coastline, and it’s about a 20-minute drive from Lahaina. The path is mostly paved and runs 2.5 miles in one direction. It takes you by several resorts, Hawea Point, DT Beach, Ironwoods Beach, and other attractions. Consider spending a full day here to fully explore all of the things to do nearby.
3. Launiupoko Beach Park
Just south of Lahaina Town is one of West Maui's best beach parks, Launiupoko Beach Park. Situated perfectly below the Launiupoko residential neighborhood, this beach is perfect for kids, for big group get-togethers in the grass, or for beginning surfers. The waves are consistent and small in the summer months making it a great place to learn surfing.
The Best Things To Do on Maui By Area
Things to Do in Lahaina for Foodies
4. Have Brunch at Mala Tavern
One of my favorite brunch places to eat in Lahaina is Mala Tavern. You can admire ocean views while sipping on a coffee (or mimosa) to start off your day on a good note. You can also enjoy Pacific Rim and Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner here, including many that feature fresh seafood and local produce.
5. Dine at Lahaina Grill
This is a fine-dining restaurant with white tablecloths and a convenient location near Front Street. It offers everything from caviar and escargot to ravioli, fresh seafood, steak, lamb, and more. There is also an extensive list of fine wines and cocktails–perfect for a date night.
6. Eat at Star Noodle
Star Noodle is a contemporary Asian restaurant with an open-air patio on Front Street. Its menu includes a large selection of noodle dishes for lunch and dinner. Other menu options include New York steak, ahi avo, dumplings, and more.
7. Have a Beer at Maui Brewing Company
Maui Brewing Company is a lively pub that offers its own handcrafted lagers and ales. With a great menu featuring traditional pub fare as well, this is a popular spot for a casual meal. This Lahaina location of the famous Hawaiian brewery always has limited-release beers to try, and there are special events that make this a great spot to visit frequently.
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Things to Do in Lahaina for Families
8. Visit the Outlets in Lahaina
One of the top Lahaina nearby attractions for dining, shopping, and special events is the Outlets of Maui. Located on Front St., this is also a great spot for people-watching, an oceanfront stroll, and window shopping.
Among the many shops, you can find art galleries, ice cream shops, and even an arcade. At Warren & Annabelle’s Magic, your family can enjoy comedy and magic performances. Because these shows sell out, you should buy your tickets ahead of time.
Where Can I Hang Out In Lahaina?
Lahaina has many terrific places to just hang out, depending on the type of 'hanging' you're looking for. My favorite places to hang out are Mala Tavern, Down the Hatch, and Fleetwoods on the Roof. If you're looking to 'cruise' somewhere besides a bar, check out Baby Beach or the beach in front of the Shops at 505.9. Tour the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm
Maui Dragon Fruit Farm is a fully-operational 27-acre farm that offers tropical fruit-tasting walking tours, and these tours give you insight on sustainable farming. While dragon fruit is the main crop grown here, the farm also produces sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, and papayas.
The venue also has many other fun-filled experiences, including zip-line tours, Aquaball adventure tours, and an alpaca farm tour. Reservations are recommended for all activities.
10. Glass Blowing at Moana Glass
Glass artwork is captivating, and you can create your own pieces while in Lahaina, Maui, at Moana Glass. Lessons that cover the use of the equipment and glass-blowing techniques are available. This experience is suitable for children and adults with no prior experience. The best part? At the end of the lesson, you can leave with the glass piece you’ve made!
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Free Things to Do in Lahaina
11. Check Out the Banyan Tree
You don’t have to spend money to have a great time in West Maui because there are plenty of free things to do in Lahaina. The Maui Banyan Tree is among the largest of its kind in the United States and is located right off of Front Street near Lahaina Harbor.
This is a 150-year-old tree that stands 60 feet tall and casts a cool shadow over more than two-thirds of an acre! Art in the Park is one of the many events that take place under the tree. You can admire the tree’s canopy on one of the many benches surrounding it, or you can appreciate its size from the nearby Cool Cat Café or the Historic Lahaina Courthouse.
12. Visit the Best Beaches in Lahaina
Maui is renowned for its world-class beaches, and in Lahaina, some of the best beaches are only minutes away from you. DT Fleming Beach spans 1,500 square feet, close to the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, and is a great spot for bodyboarding and surfing. Black Rock Beach is not far from Ka'anapali Beach, and it stands out with its black lava rocks.
This area is highly regarded for cliff jumping and snorkeling. These are only some of the many beaches in Lahaina that are perfect for fun days in the sun. Just steps from Front Street, Baby Beach is a family favorite for its calm waters.
13. Spend a Day at Papalaua Wayside Park
This park covers 6.7 acres and provides free access to its gorgeous beach. The area is great for kayaking, surfing, and snorkeling. Several picnic tables and public restrooms are also available, making this an ideal, picturesque place to spend a memorable day outdoors in the Lahaina area.
The Papalaua and Ukumehame area is also a great place to learn to surf!
14. Stroll Along Front Street
Front Street is one of the most famous streets in Maui. It’s known for its endless possibilities of shopping, dining, and other attractions (like #8 and #17!). Front Street is also a great place to go for a night out or for a stroll along the seaside. You'll see a ton of art galleries and other interesting shops to pop into.
What is Special about Lahaina Maui?
Lahaina is special for many reasons. Lahaina was originally the capital of the Royal Hawaiian Kingdom and has a lot of interesting history. It has certainly changed a lot since then and Lahaina Harbor was once a large whaling harbor. Now, Front Street stands as Lahaina's main attraction, but its also the gateway for the rest of West Maui with Ka'anapali Resort and Kapalua Resort just up the road. When you think of Lahaina, don't just think of Lahaina town, all of West Maui is kind of its own thing with a huge variety of different things to do. Check out my article on the Things to Do in Ka'anapali.Things to Do in Lahaina at Night
15. Enjoy the Culture at the Old Lahaina Luau
The fun continues after the sun goes down with many things to do in Lahaina at night, including a visit to the Old Lahaina Luau. The Old Lahaina Luau is the ultimate destination for Hawaiian culture at its finest. You can enjoy a traditional Hawaiian meal overlooking the ocean and under the glow of tiki torches. The performance includes ukulele and drum music, hula dancing that tells the area’s story, and stunning costumes.
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16. Take a Sunset Cruise From Lahaina Harbor
Sunsets off the coast of Maui are stunning, and a sunset cruise gives you a magical way to experience them. Numerous tour companies offer a variety of sunset cruises, including romantic cruises, dinner cruises, and more. As the sun goes down, you may even spot some of the aquatic life native to the area.
17. Experience the Nightlife in Lahaina on Front Street
Whether you are in the mood for dancing, live music, or specialty cocktails, you can live it up on Front St. The nightlife in this area offers something for everyone with more than two miles of fun destinations. Fleetwood’s at Front Street features live musical performances, an impressive menu, and a large drink selection. The Dirty Monkey dive bar and the Sly Mongoose tiki bar are popular spots to consider as well.
Evan’s Favorite Things to Do in Lahaina
18. Sailing and Snorkeling Tours
There are several beaches in Lahaina that are popular for snorkeling, and you can also head out on a boat tour for a different experience. Many of the tours that leave from Lahaina go to Lanai for day trips and others go to Olowalu or up the coast to Honolua Bay. There are also sailing tours, including dolphin and whale watching excursions. Some tours from Lahaina include meals and cocktails as well.
19. Lahaina Jodo Mission
Japanese culture has played a major role in Maui’s history; one of the great ways to explore that history is by touring the Lahaina Jodo Mission. This Buddhist temple was built in 1912, and it is accompanied by lush gardens, a 12-foot-tall Buddha station, and a pagoda. Special events are held here on select days, including the O-bon service in July, the Autumn Equinox service in September, and others.
20. Stay At Puamana
Where is the best place to stay in Lahaina on vacation? I'd definitely have to say Puamana. These oceanfront condos sit in a gated community just off Front Street. The grounds are kept immaculate and the amenities include a beachfront pool and tennis courts. Puamana has a vintage charm about it and has the island vibes you're looking for on Maui.
Wrapping Up
While visiting West Maui is always an amazing experience, the best things around Lahaina are yours to enjoy year-round when you invest in a Lahaina condo. Whether you’re a nature lover, a foodie, or you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, there are endless ways to spend your time in Lahaina.
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Posted by Evan Harlow R(S) 82003 on
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