Guide to One Day in Lahaina Old Town, Maui Hawaii

One of the biggest questions from people planning a trip to Maui is “where should we stay”? My recommendation is to stay in Wailea, but take a day trip to the popular area of Lahaina. This guide and one day itinerary for Lahaina old town explains where to eat, what to do, and what to see to make the most of a day trip.

To get to Lahaina, use your rental car and take advantage of the free parking at the edge of town, or use a rideshare service. Once in Lahaina, all of the historic sites, art galleries and other tourist destinations are easily walkable.

No matter where you are staying in Maui, spending one day in Lahaina is a must. Read on to learn how to plan your time in Lahaina old town to see the popular sites and eat the best food.

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Where to Visit in Maui

There are three main tourist regions of Maui. Depending on your interests, you will choose to stay in either Hana, Wailea or Lahaina old town.

Hana– Hana is found on the east shore of Maui and is known for its jungle, eco-tourism and the famous road to Hana. Stay here if you prefer a tranquil, natural getaway.

Wailea– Wailea is the luxury capital of Maui. On the south-west shore of Maui, Wailea is known for ultra-luxury resorts, high-end dining, and dry weather. This is my favorite place to stay.

Lahaina– Lahaina and Kaanapali are the most popular tourist area in Maui. Kaanapali is the original resort area of Maui and is full of amazing resorts at a range of price points. Lahaina old town is full of local culture, stunning views, and great shopping. If you are not staying in Lahaina, this one day in Lahaina guide is for you.

What to Do in One day in Lahaina Old Town

There are many activities to do in Lahaina old town. Some activities include snorkeling, a walking tour of the Lahaina historic trail, whale watching, or visiting a Lahaina luau. To maximize your day, the below activities are the best use of time.

Banyan Tree

At the beginning of old town Lahaina, you will find a giant banyan tree. It will look like many different trees but is in fact only one with many branches and anchors. The Lahaina banyan tree was planted in 1873 and is the largest of its type in the United States.

At least, take some photographs with the tree and marvel in its size. If you have more time, relax on a bench under the tree and watch the world go by.

Walk through Lahaina Old Town

You can easily see all of old town Lahaina in half a day. The old Lahaina center is a stretch of three blocks along the water. Lahaina town has colorful, tropical architecture that represents the culture of Maui.

Starting at the banyan tree mentioned above, walk the main street, stopping at local shops along the way. The shops you can expect to find are souvenirs, fine art, luxury jewelry, tropical clothing, and local goods. I recommend walking up one side of the street then back on the other to be sure you do not miss any shops.

Try Local Treats

When in Maui, you must try some of the local treats. My personal favorites are shave ice and dole whip. Be sure to try at least one of these, if not both. Both treats are offered at many locations in Lahaina old town and will be easy to find.

Tip: Hawaiian shave ice is not shaved ice. If anyone is advertising “shaved ice,” do not go there, it will not be authentic.

Visit Whalers Village and Ka’anapali

North of Old Town Lahaina sits the resort area of Ka’anapali. As mentioned above, Ka’anapali has a variety of resorts at many different price points. If you have extra time during your one day in Lahaina, drive up to the Whaler’s village in Kaanapali. This shopping center has many stores, restaurants, and great ocean views.

Where to eat in Lahaina Old Town

Eating delicious food needs to be part of your one day in Lahaina. Lahaina has many food options with a focus on seafood and casual American fare. The below options are great for lunch or a casual dinner.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Cheeseburger in Paradise is a fan-favorite serving up burgers with a wide variety of toppings. They also offer tacos, salads, and other options if you are not in the mood for a burger. Be sure to try out their mai tai or lemonade thyme mai tai for a fun tropical drink.

Another huge benefit to Cheeseburger in Paradise is the stellar location. The two story restaurant is directly on the water and every seat has an amazing view of the Lahaina harbor.

Kimo’s Maui

Kimo’s is another great option for lunch in Lahaina. This spot offers casual American food with an emphasis on seafood. I recommend ordering the ahi tuna stack to start, the burger for an entrée, and the luau pie for dessert. Yep, you better come hungry!

In addition to delicious food, the large deck with umbrellas makes Kimo’s the perfect lunch spot. To make it even better, the mai tais are stellar and come in a fun tiki glass. Be sure to check this spot out during your one day in Lahaina.

Monkeypod Kitchen

If you choose to eat in Kaanapali instead of Lahaina old town, Monkeypod is a great choice. This fun happy-hour spot is in the whaler’s village mentioned above.

Monkeypod Kitchen is well-known by tourists due to the great drinks, amazing ocean views and fun small bites. You truly cannot go wrong with anything on the menu here.

Read here for the best Maui restaurant for every occasion.

Where to stay in Lahaina

If you choose to stay in the Kaanapali area of Maui and spend more than one day in Lahaina, the Westin is a great option. As with all Westin properties, the service is good, the rooms are updated, and there are plenty of amenities. Onsite at the Westin Maui, you will find 5 restaurants, a large pool, a fitness center, and a spa. Nearby, easily walk to the beach or Whaler’s village shopping center.

Summary of One Day in Old Town Lahaina

This quick Lahaina travel guide will help you plan the best one day in Lahaina old town. Your day in Lahaina will be full of shopping, eating, and sightseeing and will be a great part of your Maui vacation. Be sure to take time to interact with locals, soak in the views and relax a bit.

If you enjoyed this guide to Lahaina or have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comments below.