Top things to do in Maui, Hawaii with kids

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Witness a glorious sunrise from the top of a giant volcano. Enjoy beautiful beach getaways, spot gorgeous waterfalls, hike through amazing landscapes. Maui has it all and more.

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Maui Travel Guide

Here are the top things to do in Maui especially with kids. Check out the tips here to plan your ideal vacation in Hawaii!

Best season to visit

• April, May and September, October are considered ideal months to visit Maui.
• It is the least crowded in Spring(late April to mid June) and Fall (September to mid December).
• Maui is more expensive in December and January.
• Weather-wise it is always warm in a beach location way with an average of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with summer having slightly higher temperatures than winter.

Plan what works best for you.

Places to stay

There are many options to stay right from backpackers’ hostels and moderately budgeted hotels to fairly rated luxurious vacation homes in Maui.

Low seasons might see discounted prices. Also, depending on what you want to do in Maui, you should decide where to stay.

If you plan to stay for a long duration, as in months, check out any volunteer programs before you go. Some places do offer free stay for certain hours of work.

Top things to do in Maui

All seasons:

• Haleakala National Park, Kahului, Iao Valley State Park, Wailuku for eateries.
• Golfing in South Maui, East Maui for beautiful waterfalls and rainforests along with gorgeous beaches.
• Farm tours, Horseback riding, Biking, Zip-lining through the jungle, Art galleries, Hula dance.
• Surfing, hiking through a bamboo forest, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving.
• Windsurfing at Kanaha Beach Park.
• Fish ponds, aquariums.
• Maui Ocean Center, Hawaii Nature Center.
• Helicopter tours.
• Sunset cruises.
• Road to Hana scenic drive. (Not for people with motion sickness or infants prone to spit ups)
• Try any farm tours or culinary adventures.
• More beaches at Makena, Wailea, Kihei and Kaanapali. Colorful (red, black) beaches.

Winter: Whale-watching (from late December to mid March)

As for other things to do in Maui: there is so much to do, the list is endless!!

Things to do in Maui -> our recommendations:

How to reach

Kahului in Central Maui has the main airport of this island. Island Air seems to have the cheapest flights among the Hawaiian islands.

You can use one of the many major airlines that offer direct flights from various cities in the United States if you are already in the States. Flying from Chicago seems to get the cheapest tickets.

*Note: There are restrictions on bringing your pets to Hawaii as it is a rabies-free state and wants to main that status. So, if you want to bring your pet, look up their quarantine guidelines.

Good to know facts

English is spoken widely throughout Hawaii. Apart from English, Hawaiian and Pidgin are also spoken.

A few Hawaiian words:

Aloha – greeting when you see or part from anyone

Mahalo – Thanks

Ohana – Family

Time Zone: HAST is UTC – 10 (Two hours behind PST). Daylight saving is not followed.

You can order a free travel planner guide from the Hawaii Official Tourism website.

Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii, a state in United States of America, most popular for its tourist-friendly beaches and getaways.

Getting around Maui

Maui does have its own bus transportation, but not all attractions are accessible by bus. Car rentals are not too expensive in this island. So, your best option would be a car rental.

You can rent a car right at the airport or from any reputable rental agency to use on the trip. Driving is similar to driving in other states of the US. That is, the driving seat is on the left side of the vehicle. Any valid international driving license can be used.

Many hotels offer shuttle services to and from the airport too.

Also read: Top travel secrets shared by travel blogging Moms

Food spots to hit in Maui

Hawaiian Regional Cuisine seems to be a tempting fare and Hawaiian Food is something everyone recommends you to have when you visit this exotic island.

As vegetarians, we did not experiment too  much. These restaurants have good reviews though.

• Sam Sato’s
• Tamura’s
• Joy’s Place (vegetarian)
• Veg Out (vegetarian)
• Choice (vegan)

When in doubt, consult the locals. I prefer to visit restaurants that the locals frequent.

The Valley Isle

Maui is also known as “The Valley Isle” because of its valley of Iao, which is a sacred burial ground for Hawaiian chiefs.

With so much to do and see in this amazing destination, you would need at least a week in Maui to really explore at least a little of it.

But really, even if you get only 3 days to spare, go for it. Maui is a year-round destination that must be visited at least once in a lifetime.

Haleakala National Park

Haleakala crater is a very famous spot for witnessing glorious sunrises and sunsets. It has various hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. But it is a must-have experience at this volcano site.

Road to Hana Scenic Drive

This scenic 50-mile+ road drive would take at least 4-hours and has around 600 hairpin bends and numerous one-lane bridges!! You get so many guaranteed scenic vista spots to stop and enjoy.

If you are not motion-sick (and if your kids can take it), this is a highly recommended thing to do. You will be rewarded generously with nature’s bounty. Gorgeous waterfalls, lush rain-forests, black beaches and more await you. St. Sophia’s Church  can also be spotted in Hana.

Have a lovely vacation. Aloha! 🙂

Also read: Free things to do in San Francisco with kids