13 Best Things to do in Lahaina (Maui)

Maui has so many amazing activities scattered throughout the island that’s it’s easy to just go, go, go. But I recommend slowing down a little bit to enjoy a few hours wandering through Lahaina. There are several activities that are sure to appeal to your interests, including shopping, dining, museums, desserts and more. Plus, it’s a short drive from the Ka’anapali beach area – a popular resort area on Maui.

CURRENT NEWS

My heart breaks to see photos of the devastation in Lahaina because of the fires, and to learn about the impact that’s having on so many people. Maui Information Guide setup a page with updates about the fires, and here’s what it said about Lahaina (as of August 9, 2023): Lahaina Harbor is gone, and the banyan tree is charred (it’s said that if the roots are healthy, it will likely grow back, but it looks burned). Much of Front Street and Lahaina Town has burned, including at least some of Puamana.

More than 100 people lost their lives and there are many people still missing or unaccounted for. My heart goes out to the people of Maui. I know the situation is still fluid, and I’ll do my best to update this page as things develop, but I want you to be aware of it as you plan any visits to Maui.

If you’re in a position to provide support for the people of Maui, here’s a reputable organization to who you can make a donation – Maui Strong Fund. How will those funds be used? “Funding will support evolving needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services as identified by our partners doing critical work on Maui.”

While the devastation in Lahaina is heartbreaking, the rest of Maui is open. I’ve got a friend living on the island and his hope is that people will still visit Maui as planned, but will need to avoid the Lahaina area. There are opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the island and even volunteer. Tourism is such a big part of the economy in Maui, so visitors can continue to enjoy the beauty of Maui.

The article below is outdated

The fires have changed the landscape and offerings. The town will rebuild – I’m confident of that. But for the time being, this article only conveys what it was – not what it will yet become.

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Here’s a rundown of 13 different things you can enjoy while visiting the city of Lahaina in Maui.

NOTE: It doesn’t make a lot of sense to arrive too early in Lahaina for shopping. We arrived around 9 a.m. and found that some of the shops and places weren’t open. So while you’ll find parking easier, you’ll be waiting and wandering a little bit until stores and restaurants start to open.

Where is Lahaina and Where Do I Park?

Lahaina is a coastal town located on the west side of the island. It’s roughly 25 miles from the Kahului airport on Maui and less than five miles south of the Ka’anapali Beach Resorts. As you approach the town from the Honoapiilani Highway, follow the signs to Front Street – the main street of Lahaina. Front street runs right along the coast and is where you’ll find almost every activity listed below.

When it comes to parking, there are several options from which to choose. Some are free, but most are paid. The largest free Lahaina parking lot is at the corner of Prison Street and Front Street.  Since it’s free, it’s often full. But that doesn’t mean you can’t check it out to see if you get lucky. This lot does have a 3-hour limit.

One of the largest paid parking lots is near the Outlets of Maui. There’s another one behind the popular Wharf Cinema Center. These two options are probably the least expensive of the paid parking lots. Plus, if you purchase something from a store in those shopping areas, they’ll validate some of your parking. But youoi can find several other paid parking options scattered throughout the town. Just look for the blue signs with the letter P on them.

1. Visit the Art Galleries Along Front Street

We love to grab original pieces of art from our travels. If you’re like us, or just enjoy seeing some pretty amazing art from the Hawaiian culture, the art galleries along Front Street are perfect for you. Many of the galleries feature art from local artists, so it’s a fantastic way to capture a visual masterpiece to remind you of your trip to the islands.

We purchased a small piece of art – a 7″x5″ watercolor painting. That was manageable for us to transport with us, and even manage it in our carry-on bags when we flew home. But if you purchase larger pieces of art, the gallery can coordinate shipping it to your house.

Even if you have no intention of buying a piece of art, the variety of art available along Front Street makes for a beautiful gallery stroll.

2. Enjoy a Harbor Tour of Other Excursions

If you’re looking for adventures on the water – or around Maui – you can find adventure stores in Lahaina. Just west of Banyan Tree Park in central Lahaina are rows of booths where you can book several adventures:

• Reef boat tours
• Whale watching tours
• Fishing adventures
• Snorkel tours
• Submarine ride
• And more…

There are several activities to choose from, so if you’re looking for a fun adventure on the water, you can find it in Lahaina.

3. Relax Under a Banyan Tree

In the middle of town, you’ll find a large tree surrounded by benches. We were wondering if this was one tree, or several trees that all grew together. Turns out, it’s Maui’s oldest living Banyan tree. As Banyan trees grow, branches grow toward the ground. When they reach it, they burrow into the ground and become roots. Thus, there are several trunks to this tree as it stretches out across the park.

From the center of the tree (the main trunk), branches reach out 100 feet in all directions. The canopy covers pretty much the entire park. With benches below the tree, it’s a great place to sit and people watch. Or think about your next adventure on Maui.

4. Explore the Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse served as a customs house for whaling and trade ships as well as a center for government offices and court functions during the Monarchy period. It’s located next to the famous banyan tree described above.

The building consists of four different sections – a visitor center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) exhibits, museum and art gallery. The building is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is a great place to learn more about the history of the island and the town of Lahaina.

5. Learn about the Old Fort

Around the area of Banyan Tree Park used to be large, thick walls made of coral rocks. Initially built as a fortress of sorts, it had cannons on top, aimed at the ocean. Those walls were later take down to build other buildings – namely a prison enclosure.

Back in 1960, a replica – at least the corners – were built as part of a Hollywood movie set. The replica is what remains, and can help you see what the old enclosure used to look like. In front of the courthouse, along the street, are a few of the cannons that were mounted on top of the walls. There are plaques nearby and I encourage you to read them to learn about the area.

6. Enjoy the Old Lahaina Luau

Luaus are indicative of a visit to Hawaii. It seems like people are always asking which luau they should book during their trip to the island. On Maui, one of the more popular luaus is the Old Lahaina Luau. A luau is a wonderful opportunity to learn about, see, taste and smell the traditions of Hawaii.

Interestingly enough, there are two different seating options available at this luau. You can sit in a chair at a table, or you can sit on a pillow on the ground in the more traditional method. As much as I would like to experience the traditional setting, my back would appreciate the seated-in-a-chair option.

If you do plan to participate in a luau, you MUST book your seats well in advance of your visit. As soon as you book your flights and hotel, a luau is next in line. Otherwise, you may miss the change – we did. The Old Lahaina Luau lasts roughly 3 hours and runs five nights a week, so you have options. They usually start around 5:15-6:15, depending on the season and day of the week.

7. Grab a Shave (not Shaved) Ice from Ululani’s

Whenever I told people my wife and I were going to Maui, multiple people told me I needed to grab a shave ice from Ululani’s. Did you notice I wrote shave ice instead of shaved ice? You’ll notice it on the sign in the photo above as well. This treat is different than the snowcones you get from a little stand in front of a grocery store on the mainland. These treats are worthy of the hype.

On Maui, there are two different locations of Ululani’s. The one in Lahaina is the most popular one. But if you’re staying at the resorts along Ka’anapali beach, there’s a stand near the Hyatt Regency Maui.

There are several different options on the menu, so I recommend visiting them multiple times so you can taste each of those different options. After all, you’re on vacation. 😉

8. Snag a Bite to Eat at one of the Many Restaurants

When we were ready to grab a bite to eat, we had multiple restaurants to choose from. We weren’t the only ones seeking a meal, which means there were waits at almost every place. Some restaurants had an hour+ wait, while others had 15-20 minutes. So you can take your pick.

We found restaurants with a variety of options – seafood was my hope, but my wife can’t stand seafood. There was a burger joint that we liked, so we had our name on the list. But then we wandered over to The Wharf and opted to eat at Cool Cat Cafe because we had a coupon we’d picked up from the check-in desk at Kapalua Zip Lines. We were even able to do some shopping in the complex while we waited for our table to be ready.

9. Visit the Wo Hing Chinese Museum

As more and more people from China moved to Maui in the late 1800s to find work in the sugar plantations and sugar mills, Chinatown came to be. As the years passed, the Chinese people looked for ways to connect with others and celebrate their culture. The social hall that stands today was originally built in the early 20th century. In 1983, a restoration project was launched to restore this building. Today, it’s a museum and gift shop that’s worth visiting while you’re in Lahaina.

10. Visit the Lahaina Jodo Mission

The Jodo Mission in Lahaina is commemorative of the Japanese culture in Maui. It’s a location not often found by tourists, but I recommend tracking it down. In the courtyard, there’s a 12-foot-high statue of the Amida Buddha, which was made in Japan in 1968. It was transported and installed to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese people arriving in Hawaii.

Next to the statue is a 90-foot-tall pagoda with a 3000-pound Temple Bell. That bell rings eleven times each evening at 8 p.m. To be honest, I’m not sure why that number at that specific time.

11. Wander the Baldwin Home Museum

Why is this house so significant? It’s the oldest house still standing on the island of Maui, built in 1834-1835. The home faces prevailing winds from the ocean with larger windows in the front, consists of 24-inch thick walls (constructed of coral, sand and lava rock with rough-hewn timber framing) and high ceilings, keeping the interior cool.

Rather than telling you all about the history of the home and it’s inhabitants, I would encourage you to visit the home in person.

Here’s a rundown on admission costs for a visit to the Baldwin Home Museum:

• $7 for Adults
• $5 for Seniors/HI Residents/Military/Veterans
• FREE for Members
• FREE for Children 12 & Under (accompanied by an adult)

12. Refresh with a Classic Hawaiian Dole Whip

Dole Whips are right up there with Ululani’s Gourmet Shave Ice, but not as unique. There are several places in Hawaii, and a few in Maui along Front Street to grab a Dole Whip. My first official Dole Whip was on the island of Oahu at the Dole Plantation. That’s my gold standard of Dole Whips, since I LOVED it and had it from the source.

The ones in Maui are delicious, and my wife and I grabbed one to enjoy on a bench along Front Street. That said, I’ve got to admit… it wasn’t quite as good as the one I had in Oahu.

13. Shop for Souvenirs in Town and at the Outlets

My wife was so excited to do do some dress shopping in Hawaii. The dresses there are so much more decorative and colorful than what you’ll find at JC Penny, Target or other department stores on the mainland. In our efforts to satisfy her colorful dress craving, we spent a while wandering The Outlets of Maui.

The largest chunk of time was spent in a popular clothing store in Hawaii – Hilo Hattie. My wife tried on several dresses with varying designs. She was hopeful that I would pick out a shirt that matched one of her dresses so we could match. But I didn’t see me wearing any of the shirts in my day-to-day life back on the mainland, so I passed on that opportunity. She ended up purchasing about four new dresses.

The Outlets of Maui feature several other popular clothing stories – like Coach Outlets, Gap Factory, Kate Spade, Lucky Brand, Skechers, Michael Kors and more. Beyond clothes, there are also toy shops, general stores and more.

Summary

With so many wonderful things to do on Maui, there’s something fun about window shopping, learning about cultures and history and enjoying some great food. Lahaina allows you to enjoy all of that on your own schedule. Plan on spending a few hours in downtown Lahaina to grab some clothing, book an adventure on the water or find a new piece of art for your home.

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