Discover Paradise in Hawai'i: The Ultimate Guide to Maui

Drive the road to Hana: Maui is packed with so many unique experiences for families. One of our personal favorite things to do when on Maui is to drive the iconic road to Hana. Hana Highway is a 52 mile drive of breathtaking coastline, lush rainforests with rainbow eucalyptus trees. There is world-class hiking, cascading waterfalls and olivine tide pools for swimming. You will also find some of Maui’s best hidden gems as you drive the road to Hana.

Take a Molokini Crater snorkel tour: This was hands-down one of my three-year-old daughter’s favorite things we did while on Maui. Molokini Crater is a half-moon-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater surrounded by coral reefs. Because of its shape, the crater boasts some of the best snorkeling conditions in the world with clear visibility up to 150 ft and calm, sheltered water. This is perfect for families with younger children. Some tour companies even feature extra things like seaboards, glass-bottom boats and/or waterslides, making it the ultimate family thing to do when on Maui.

See a sunrise at Haleakala National Park: Watching the sun rise at the crater and summit of Mount Haleakala is an experience that must be felt. I have heard many people describe it as a ‘spiritual experience’, and it is. There is such a loud silence that you can feel as you wait in the darkness for the sun to start to rise above the clouds and turn the sky into a rainbow of colors. If you want a unique cultural experience that is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, a sunrise summit adventure while on Maui should be at the top your list.

Take an open-door helicopter tour: If you are truly seeking an unparalleled adventure, Maui is the perfect spot to hop aboard an open-door helicopter tour. Some tours even take guests to Molokai, Hawaii’s fifth largest island, that boasts some of the world's steepest and most dramatic coastlines. These cliffs are best viewed from the outside looking in, so what better way to see them than from a birds-eye view on a private helicopter tour?

Hiking in Maui’s gorgeous, lush landscape is one of my family’s favorite things to do. Maui has a great mix of trails ranging from easy to difficult intensity levels. Trails bend through the Hawaiian rainforest and past cascading waterfalls, leading to one-of-a-kind views. Natural olivine pools can be seen along the coastline, and are perfect for swimming.

Mama’s Fish House is a family-owned restaurant perched perfectly on the bank of Maui’s north shore, near Paia, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Mama’s features a Polynsian-inspired menu that showcases the fresh catch of the day and other locally-sourced ingredients. If you want fresh seafood, a taste that is authentic Maui and an unforgettable view during dinner, then make reservations at Mama’s Fish House. You’ll thank me later, I promise.

I’m not sure if shave ice should technically be considered a ‘food’, but no trip to Maui can be complete without a stop at Ululani’s Shave Ice. But, what sets Ululani’s apart from all the other shave-ice stands on Maui? They hand-shave their ice into a smooth, creamy texture. They also use organic, fresh fruit syrups that explode authentic, tropical flavors in each bite. I particularly appreciated the organic syrups with natural sugars and no artificial dyes. It is great for health-conscious travelers such as ourselves.

If you love a good ol’ American cheeseburger, Cool Cat Cafe in Kihei is the place to go. Cool Cat is a 1950’s vintage-style themed restaurant serving up classic and unique combinations of burgers, fries and milkshakes. Cool Cat Cafe has been voted and named ‘The best burger on Maui’, and after eating there, it is evident why.

Old Lahaina Luau has some of the most delicious, authentic Hawaiian food. It is also considered to be the most traditional luau on the island of Maui. Guests are greeted with fresh flower leis and the backdrop is a jaw-dropping sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Old Lahaina allows guests to experience and participate in ancient Hawaiian culture and traditions through their authentic cuisine, local artisans and musicians and cultural hula dances.