Got Wanderlust? Check Out Our Family's Favorites on Maui and Kauai
Aloha!
Maybe it’s the rainy weather, or the fact that we’re approaching that hibernation period, but I’ve been reminiscing on our summer vacation a lot lately. The Wallinger Family are lovers of the Hawaiian islands, especially Maui. We’ve spent many wonderful vacations there, and The Plantation House in Kapalua happens to be the spot where Wes and I said, “I do!” Needless to say, the magic isle holds a very special place in our hearts.
This past summer we got to experience two weeks in paradise: one week on Maui, and one on Kauai. The differences between these two islands are striking, but they are each amazing vacation spots. Below are some of our favorite stops on each island.
Maui Favorites
We typically stay in the Napili or Kaanapali regions when we visit Maui. There’s tons to do, great beaches, and it feels like our home away from home. Here are a few of our must-do’s while on the island (disclaimer - most are food/drink spots):
Front Street, Lahaina - the perfect spot to shop and dine. A must see while you’re there: the banyan tree. This famous tree is over 150 years old, and is the size of an entire city block.
Napili Market - this grocery store has the BEST poke around. Seriously, do not miss this if you are a poke fan like us. The market shopping center is also home to Maui Tacos, which has been a family favorite for many years.
Fleetwoods on Front St - owned by the famous Mick Fleetwood, this restaurant in Lahaina is a special spot. Grab a seat on the rooftop and enjoy their happy hour fare while admiring the views. They are also home to our favorite mai tai (the Mai Tyler). Wes considers himself a mai tai connoisseur, and this is the best he’s tried.
Down the Hatch - also located on Front Street in Lahaina, this is a hidden gem. It’s tucked in the bottom courtyard of a shopping center, but the vibe, food, and drinks are incredible.
Maui Pineapple Store - for the pineapple Dole Whip fans out there, this is the best of the best. It’s made to order, and they literally cut open a fresh pineapple, blend up the chunks, and serve it out of the same pineapple. Plus, they have the cutest trinkets in their storefront.
Ululani’s Shave Ice - There are so many great shave ice spots on the islands, but this is one of our favorites. They have tons of flavor combinations or you can create your own. Pro tip: get vanilla ice cream on the bottom!
Kauai Favorites
We’ve only been to Kauai twice so we’re not as familiar. But, we stayed in an adorable little town called Kapa’a, this year and we really enjoyed the slow, simple vibe. Here are some of our favorites spots that we discovered this summer:
Lava Lava Beach Club - this beachfront restaurant is attached to the Kauai Shores Resort, and it was a favorite during our stay on the island. Their happy hour is fantastic, and the atmosphere is simply lovely.
Keahua Arboretum - a perfect day trip, and totally worth venturing out. The drive there was breathtaking and the final destination was equally impressive. Max loved running around and exploring, checking out the rainbow eucalyptus trees, and watching the local youth jumping from rocks Into the creek. Levi loved taking a nap in his stroller.
Downtown Kapaa - the Main Street is full of different shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. It’s a great place to grab some souvenirs and try a fresh cold pressed juice at Kauai Juice Co.
Smith’s Fern Grotto Tour - similar to the jungle cruise with its cheeky entertainment, this was one of my favorite parts of our trip. Yes, it poured rain the entire time. But, it made for an even better story. The scenery is strikingly beautiful and it was such a change from what we’re used to on Maui. The lush jungle we hiked through on our way to the grotto was full of vibrant colors, and the boys sure loved hearing the roosters and frogs.