Best Places to Visit on Maui

Best Places to Visit on Maui

Maui is awash with beautiful beaches and spectacular scenery. The food scene is also on the rise, from fine dining to food trucks. Once your belly is full and your skin is sun-kissed, consider diving deeper to explore what makes Maui different from other tropical destinations. Check out these unique places to visit on your next visit to the alluring island of Maui.

An underwater scene at an aquarium, perfect for local getaways, features various colorful fish swimming near a rocky coral reef. Visible species include yellow, blue, and spotted fish around the coral structures, with a gravelly bottom. The water has a blueish hue.

Maui Ocean Center

Whether reshaping your ideas about apex predators with a cage-free shark dive, breathing deep in the Aquari-om yoga classes, or being transported to the immersive virtual underwater world of Humpback Whales, there’s a lot to explore in addition to the usual aquarium fare at the Maui Ocean Center. You might just need more than one visit.

More info: Maui Ocean Center

A detailed model of a Hawaiian double-hulled canoe with ornately decorated sails is displayed in a museum exhibit. A sign next to the model reads "Hokule'a," followed by a description about the canoe's history and significance, making it one of the must-see places to visit on Maui.

Maui Historical Society at the Bailey House

If you’re curious about artifacts that point to the historical lives of Maui’s residents, you’ll find a lot to look at Hale Ho’ike’ike at the Bailey House. Get drawn into the fine craftsmanship that went into making both instruments of both daily life and royal accouterments in pre-contact (prior to the arrival of Westerners) Hawaii.

More info: Maui Historical Society

A group of dancers wearing traditional Hawaiian attire performs on stage. Dressed in green dresses with floral garlands around their necks and heads, and fur-like adornments on their wrists and ankles, they extend their arms outward in a graceful pose. Such performances are among the cherished places to visit on Maui.

Maui Arts and Cultural Center

There’s nothing quite like catching a show or a movie on the great lawn at the MACC (Maui Arts and Cultural Center) with Haleakala and an impressive row of swaying palms as the backdrop. The MACC hosts lively events on the lawn, a diverse range of performing artists on the stage in the indoor theater, and shares substantial and innovative artist exhibits in the Schaeffer Gallery. Check their calendar for what’s happening when you’re in town.

More info: Maui Arts and Cultural Center

A beige, single-story house with a gabled roof and a prominent front porch, surrounded by lush green plants and palm trees reminiscent of places to visit on Maui. Wooden steps lead up to double front doors, with a large planter at the base. The house features large windows and wooden latticework.

Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum

3957 Hansen Rd, Puunene

Explore the history of the sweet stuff that blanketed the central valley on Maui for over 150 years. The sugarcane industry involved important figures in Maui’s post-colonial history, important issues such as water rights, and shaped the diverse population that continues to live, play, and work on the island.

More info: A&B Sugar Museum

A group of people sits at long tables in a bright room, concentrating on drawing or writing on paper. Art supplies are scattered on the tables, similar to the creative energy you might find at places to visit on Maui. The room has windows, cabinets, and shelves holding various items. The atmosphere appears studious and collaborative.

Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center

Located on the spectacular grounds of the Kaluanui Estate, this thriving center for art welcomes all ages to art classes and exhibitions. Their artist in residence program has brought fascinating individuals from around the world to create permanent or temporary art installations — often with the help of the community. Be sure to pop into their gift shop which is filled with hand-crafted treasures by local artists.

More info: Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center

Three polo players wearing red and white uniforms, labeled with numbers 2 and 3, ride horses with red leg wraps on a grassy field. Trees and a green fence are seen in the background under a partly cloudy sky, reminiscent of scenic places to visit on Maui.

Polo in the Country

Sunday afternoons are for tailgating on the side of a volcano. If you visit Maui during the right season (April to June or September to November), pull up to the field and take in the exciting scene that rolls out. The horses are magnificent, the competition is fierce, and there is always fun to be had.

More info: Maui Polo Club

Looking for more locally inspired Hawaii travel tips? Subscribe to our Aloha Friday Newsletter?

Follow us on Instagram @localgetaways!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top