Top 13 Things To Do in Wailuku, Maui
Visiting Maui but don’t want to travel far? Wailuku, known for its charming small-town feel, is a great place to start your next excursion without venturing across the island. The best part? Travelers can find lots of nearby things to do to make their Maui trip unforgettable. From simple attractions like shopping at Wailuku’s Native Intelligence, to exploring one of Maui’s many nearby hikes. It’s only a 10-15 minute drive from the Kahului Airport and a central location for getting to either side of the island, which makes it a great choice when deciding where to stay. So grab your sunscreen, here’s a list of recommendations to help you start exploring!
Maui Attractions
Iao Theater- This historic theater on N. Market Street is the oldest theater on the island and home to the Maui OnStage Production Company.
Maui Tropical Plantation- Tram tours offered to explore Hawaii’s fruits and plants. Shop, dine, and explore farmlands and a lagoon.
Maui Zipline Company, where you can zipline over the West Maui mountains! Located within the Maui Tropical Plantation grounds.
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens- Although the address is in Kahului, not far away from the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center is a garden showcasing Maui’s plants and their role in Hawaiian culture.
Maui Swap Meet- also in Kahului but close by is an outdoor flea market with local crafts & goods, every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM.
Hiking on Maui
Iao Valley- a lush valley with rich cultural and spiritual values, complete with a nature center and views of Iao Needle. A three mile drive or 45-ish minute walk from the hostel.
Waihee Ridge Trail- A short drive away from the hostel is one of the best hikes on the island! A steep incline at the start will reward you with picturesque mountain and coastline views all along the ridge.
13 Crossings (Makamakaole Stream Trailhead)- you’ll cross this stream- you guessed it- thirteen times during this hike. Walk through a bamboo forest as you make your way to two gorgeous waterfalls.
Shopping in Maui
Native Intelligence- a Hawaiian goods store with the best authentic gear. For locals, this shop holds some of the best historically accurate merchandise and tools, with art that will make your Aloha transformative. Why shop anywhere else? This shop is locally-owned and always a great place to ask questions. Just make sure to say “Mahalo!”.
CUT Market- A secondhand boutique with vintage and trendy attire that also buys gently used clothing.
Request Music- Stacked with new & used music, comic books, posters, and more, Maui’s only record store is right on N. Market Street. A blast from the past with vintage items, vinyl, and cassette tapes as well as DVDs and CDs.
Queen Ka'ahumanu Center- Closer to Kahului is where you will find many department and speciality stores. This is also often where you will transfer buses if you’re heading from Wailuku to Paia or Kihei, for example.
Artwork around Wailuku
Murals- Wailuku is home to over murals sprinkled throughout town. Check out the map on our Activities Board to guide you!
Wailuku also has an abundance of locally owned restaurants and bars to sample. Read our post about where to eat and drink in Wailuku for more information about local restaurants on Maui.
Looking for a little more guidance? Feel free to stop by the Howzit Hostel reception desk. Our staff can provide more customized tips to help you make the most of your Maui vacation.