Complete Seven Day Maui Itinerary

After you pick up your rental car (an essential on Maui), beeline it to the Plate Lunch Marketplace, just two minutes away from Kahului Airport. This cluster of food trucks features eats from some of Maui's best chefs, who have shifted away from the demanding restaurant scenes to start their own businesses. Go for a plate of Crispy Garlic Shrimp from Thai Mee Up, or an Umami Smash Burger from Havens.

Next, make the short trek from Kahului to Wailea to check-in at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. After getting settled, head up to Monkeypod for an early dinner (and some of the best Mai Tais on the planet).

If you're coming from the US Mainland, you'll probably be getting up very early. Make a stop at the Ka'ana Kitchen buffet (try the mochi waffles!), then pick up snorkel gear at the Bumbye Beach Kiosk at the Andaz.

Mornings are the best time to snorkel on Maui. Make the one-minute walk from the Andaz to Ulua Beach, and explore the vibrant underwater world along the lava rock point. You'll likely see sea turtles, colorful schools of fish, and big red pencil urchins.

After some mid-morning relaxation and lunch by the pool, make the drive to Paia for some afternoon shopping.

This colorful north-shore town was once one of the busiest towns on Maui, and today it's known for its eclectic shops and bevy of restaurants. Stop for a drink at the buzzy Belle Surf Cafe, shop the unique offerings at Pearl, grab a pizza from Flatbread Pizzo Co (get the Mopsy!), and head to the eastern corner of Paia Bay Beach. Here you can watch the sunset and (hopefully) encounter basking sea turtles (keep a legal distance of 10 feet, please).

Take it slow this morning. Maybe enjoy a mimosa at Ka'ana Kitchen or head up the street to Akamai Coffee Co for Maui-grown coffee and a boutique breakfast experience.

Come afternoon, make the drive to Iao Valley, one of the most sacred historical sites on Maui. This is where King Kamehameha I led one of the largest battles in Hawaii's history in an effort to unite the islands under one rule. History aside, the scenery at Iao Valley is out of this world. Vertical and impossibly-lush valley walls tower thousands of feet above you, while an icy stream cuts through the middle of the park. Spend an hour or two exploring the park (be sure to make reservations first) before heading to Wailuku.

Wailuku is a funky town with a ton of character. Explore the offerings on North Market Street, where Hawaiian-owned artisan shops, boutiques, coffee shops, thrift stores, and antique stores abound. Stop by Native Intelligence, Paradise Now, and C.U.T. Market for shopping, and don't miss the inventive cocktails at Esther's Fair Prospect.

For dinner, head back to Wailea for delicious eats (and beautiful views) at Gather. Reservations are recommended, but you can usually get away with walk-ins.

Spend the morning relaxing and enjoying the resort's amenities (the spa is calling!). Or, if you're the type who can't sit still, drive out to La Perouse Bay, where you can see lava plains created by Maui's last lava flow. Alternatively, you can walk the Wailea Beach Path or snorkel at Maluaka Beach, also known as "Turtle Town."

Around 12pm, drive about 50 mins to the old ranching town of Makawao. This adorable town is one of Maui's most historic, and today is littered with boutiques, art galleries, and cafes. Grab a coffee at Vida by Sip Me, and spend an hour exploring the town. Grab some snacks at Rodeo General; you'll need them later.

For lunch, stop by the food trucks at Kulamalu Town Center. Here you can find burgers, pizza, Thai food, and more. Next, you'll make the long drive up to the 10,023 foot summit of Haleakala, where you'll witness one of the best sunsets of your life. Bring warm clothes for this one! (Entry to Haleakala National Park is $30 per car. Save your receipt for entry to Haleakala National Park's Kipahulu District, entry is good for three days. There is no food or gas within the park.)

I recommend entering the park a few hours before sunset so you have time to explore. Walk the nature trail at Hosmer Grove, check out the park's visitor center and many overlooks, then spend some time at the summit soaking in the grandeur of Haleakala's massive crater.

Here comes the important part: Sunset at Haleakala gets VERY crowded. I recommend driving about halfway down towards the visitor center and finding a secluded pull-out to watch the sunset. The view is practically the same; you won't be surrounded by hundreds of other people, and you won't get stuck in the gridlock that happens each and every night in the summit parking lot. Parking lower down also means little-to-no traffic, and you'll have time to make it to Restaurant Marlow for Neapolitan pizza before they close at 9 pm.

Check out of the Andaz early and head east towards the sleepy hamlet of Hana. Stop for breakfast at Baked on Maui in Haiku, located in a pineapple cannery turned surfboard shaping mecca.

Once you're nice and fueled up, drive until you reach the Keanae Peninsula (about an hour from Haiku). Here you can soak in the sights and grab a loaf of Aunty Sandy's famous banana bread. You can also stop at Pua'a Ka'a State Park (read: waterfalls) and Nahiku Marketplace a few miles up the road. (Note: Car break-ins are common in Hana, and I never advise leaving your car unattended with luggage in it. However, the above spots are generally very busy, and your car will likely always be in sight distance. Just use your best judgment and exercise vigilance.)

Next, beeline it to the Hana-Maui Resort. Check in, drop off your luggage, then backtrack 10 minutes to Waianapanapa State Park. This stunning coastal park is best known for its black sand beach, unique rock formations, and historical sites. You need reservations to enter; no exception. I recommend booking the last slot: 3-6pm.

First up: After breakfast, make the 30-45 minute drive to Haleakala National Park at Kipahulu (bring your receipt from sunset for free entry!). Here you can hike the four-mile out-and-back Pipiwai Trail, which takes you past enormous banyan trees, through a dense bamboo forest, and leads to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Just be sure to stand behind the signage as rock fall happens frequently.

The hike can take anywhere between 1.5 to 4 hours, depending on your pace and how long you spend admiring the sites along the trail.

Next, head back towards Hana with a stop at Wailua Falls. You'll find this massive waterfall just off the road, with a small swimming hole at the base.

After the hike, grab lunch in Hana Town (whether at one of the many food trucks or Hana Ranch Restaurant) and visit Hamoa Beach. Hamoa Beach, in my opinion, is the most beautiful beach on Maui, with shade trees and swimming-pool-like waters.

After a long morning, retreat back to the comfort of Hana Maui Resort. Hang by the pool, lounge in your ocean view bungalow, or visit the spa.

Take it slow and soak up your last morning in paradise. Take a stroll around the Hana Maui Resort grounds, go for one last dip at Hamoa, or sneak in a last-minute massage at the spa.

On your way back to the airport, stop by Ho'okipa Beach Park to watch the surfers, then grab lunch at Tin Roof in Kahului, the iconic eatery by Chef Sheldon Simeon, for one last taste of the islands.