Lahaina

Most visitors arrive on Maui by plane via Kahului Airport (OGG). The vast majority of visitors rent cars there and drive to various Maui destinations, including Lahaina. The Honoapiilani Highway (route 30) is a very picturesque drive along the shore which gets you directly to Lahaina. The drive from the airport is about 40 minutes, though the road may get congested sometimes.
Some people fly to West Maui Airport, which is closer to Lahaina (about 15-20 minutes drive).

By boat

Cruise ships sometimes anchor near Lahaina and passengers get tendered to shore.

Lahaina is very compact, and easily explored on foot. If driving, it is advisable to park one's car and walk. There are a couple of free parking locations, but most charge a nominal fee. In some places, stores can validate your parking ticket.
Front Street is the main thoroughfare of Lahaina, where most popular places are located.

Lahaina is not known as a sightseeing destination, and instead is focused mainly on food, souvenirs, and night life. In the course of those activities, however, there are a couple of attractions worthy of attention:

• PGA Tour's Mercedes-Benz ChampionshipThe Plantation Course at Kapalua hosts the golf tournament every January.

• Vic-Maui Yacht RaceThe longest offshore sailboat race on the West Coast which starts in Victoria, BC, Canada and ends in Lahaina.

• Banyan TreeConsidered the center of the city, this huge tree occupies an entire city block. It's one of the largest Banyan trees in the world and was planted in 1873.

• Carthaginian 2

  phone: +1 808 661-3262
  address: Lahaina Small Boat Harbor
  A replica of a whaling ship. Great to look at, especially at sunset. Kids will especially enjoy it.

• Pioneer Mill Co Smokestack and Locomotive Exhibit

  address: 275 Lahainaluna Rd
  Outdoor exhibit dedicated to the old sugar plantation company.

• Old Lahaina LuauWidely respected as the best and most authentic Hawaiian luau in the Pacific, the Old Lahaina Luau is a feast for the eyes and stomach. Enjoy fire dancing, hula, tasty drinks and a large assortment of tropical dishes.

• Take a whalewatching cruiseVarious boats can take you on dinner cruises, whale watching cruises, fishing rides, or to the island of Lanai. Look for good deals but beware of the "too good to be true" offers, they probably are. Note that during the whale season you'll see whales no matter where you go so getting a separate whale watching cruise may not be necessary. On the other hand, they are usually cheap.

• Sugar Cane Train

  phone: +1 808 667-6851
  address: 975 Limahana Pl Ste #203
  This is the only train in the whole of Hawaii. It shuttles between Lahaina and Kaanapali. It operated a holiday train in Dec 2019, and hopes to restart regular service in May 2019.

• Front StreetTake a stroll down the Front Street, along the shore. Watch people, enjoy the weather, relax.

• Halloween in LahainaLahaina is home to one of the wildest Halloween parties on the islands. 25-35,000 costumed participants fill the streets each year to enjoy the jovial festivities. Some of the more elaborate costumes have taken over a year to make, which adds to the complexity of the colorful scene.

• The Baldwin Home Museum

  phone: +1 808 661-3262
  address: 120 Dickenson St
  One of several Museums run by the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. Entry is only allowed during tours. Don't miss the candlelit tour every Friday night starting at 6PM.

• Wo Hing Museum

  address: 848 Front St
  Admission includes Baldwin Home.

• Lahaina Heritage Museum

  address: 648 Wharf St
  Offers visitors a comprehensive, interactive look at the rich and varied history of Lahaina from pre-contact Hawai‘i to the Monarchy era, including the missionary and whaling period, and from the Plantation era to early tourism.

• Lahaina Historic Trail65 significant sites, museums and buildings that represent the history and culture of the town over a period of more than 500 years.

Lahaina is a tourist town so you will find many stores selling souvenirs, cruises, activities, art, Hawaiian trinkets, etc. If you're staying for a while, there is a supermarket in Lahaina, and Costco, Wal-Mart and other big stores in Kahului.

• ABC StoresThey are all over Hawaii, and you will find a couple of them in Lahaina.

• Old Lahaina Book Emporium

  phone: +1 808 661-1399
  address: 834 Front St
  A fantastic book store chockablock with used books in stacks, shelves, counters, and aisles; a bookstore lover's dream. More than 25,000 quality used books are lovingly housed in this shop, where owner JoAnn (and sometimes Ann) treats books and customers well. Specialties include Hawaiiana, fiction, mystery, sci-fi, and military history, with substantial selections in cookbooks, children's books, and philosophy/religion. You could pay as little as $2 for a quality read, or a whole lot more for that rare first edition. Books on tape, videos, the classics, and old guitar magazines are among the treasures of this two-story emporium.

• Lahaina Cannery Mall

  phone: +1 808 661-5304
  On the northern side of town, this is a fully enclosed air-conditioned mall that can provide a nice respite from the sun. Other than that, your regular mall with some Hawaiian specific stores.

There is no shortage of places to eat, despite the small size of the city. There are several restaurants that feature fish along front street that are also oceanside.

• Aloha Mixed Plate

  phone: +1 808 661-3322
  address: 1285 Front St
  Beach view from a tiki-torch laden deck and very reasonable (on the beach in Lahaina next to the Old Lahaina Luau behind the Lahaina Cannery Mall (apparently owned by and supplied by the same kitchen as the Old Lahaina Luau). Authentic unprententious Hawaiian Cuisine service and quality very good for the price (the Panko-Breaded Haupia Hawaiian dessert with passionfruit sauce is very good).

• Bubba Gump

  phone: +1 808 661-3111
  A theme restaurant based upon its namesake, "Forrest Gump", this restaurant is fun for the whole family (especially if you like shrimp), and a lot cheaper than some other Lahaina restaurants. Right on the ocean in Lahaina.

• Cheeseburger in Paradise

  phone: +1 808 661-4855
  address: 811 Front St
  A burger joint that launched a chain traces is origins to Lahaina. The burgers are okay, but there is a great party atmosphere, live music, and it's the view that makes the restaurant. A very popular place with tourists so lines can be long.

• David Paul's

  phone: +1 808 667-5117
  No view, and very expensive. a block from the ocean in Lahaina. But the food and service are outstanding.

• Cool CatzLess of a party atmosphere than Cheeseburger in Paradise, but the food is rated higher.

• Hard Rock CafeThe view from this restaurant sets it apart from other Hard Rock Cafes; ask to sit outside and you will be blessed with a view of the ocean as well as neighboring islands.

• Io

  phone: +1 808 661-8422
  Great beachfront views and wonderful innovative food, including unusual vegetarian presentations.

• Kimo's

  phone: +1 808 661-4811
  address: 845 Front St
  A Lahaina classic for decades, Kimo's is on the ocean side of Front Street in the middle of town. Make reservations for dinner if you don't want a long wait.

• Lahaina Coolers

  phone: +1 808 661-7082
  address: 180 Dickenson
  A couple blocks off of Front Street but worth searching out for reasonably priced delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, indoors or out.

• Lahaina Fish Company

  phone: +1 808 661-3472
  address: 831 Front St
  Sunset views are magnificent from this cozy restaurant; if a couple comes before sunset, they would even sit you next to one another so that you both can enjoy. the food is delicious too.

• Lahaina Store Grille & Oyster Bar

  phone: +1 808 661-9090
  There are several restaurants with ocean views in Lahaina, but this restaurant on a rooftop is the only one that gives you a 360-degree view of both the ocean and the mountains. Food is good but service is slow. If the weather isn't indicating a rooftop experience, the downstairs dining area is covered, offers a great view, and has a slightly more casual menu with appropriately lower prices.

• LonghisConsistently gets mixed reviews; some love it, others will never go back.

• Prison St Pizza

  phone: +1 808-662-3332
  address: 133 C Prison St
  New Jersey-style pizza. They sell beer.

• Lahaina Grill

  phone: +1 808 6675117
  address: 127 Lahainaluna Rd
  High class eating establishment in downtown Lahaina. Top rated food from steak to fish, great daily specials and options for kids.

Most of the aforementioned reastaurants have great bars. Places like Moose McGillycuddy's and Cheeseburger in Paradise become night clubs after hours. Hard Rock Cafe is on Front Street. Those are just a few choices.

As beaches in Lahaina are not that great, most people prefer to stay in other places on Maui, such as Kaanapali which is only 10-15 minutes away.

• Garden Gate Bed and Breakfast

  address: 67 Kaniau Rd
  Ocean-view rooms with private decks.

• Hyatt Regency Maui

  phone: +1 808 661-1234
  address: 200 Kohea Kai Dr
  Surrounded by 40 beachfront acres with plenty to do. Enjoy the spa, championship golf and tennis, scuba dive, or ride the waves.

• Kahana Sunset

  address: 4909 Lower Honoapiilani Hwy
  Condo rentals set on a secluded white sand beach and surrounded by a tropical garden setting.

• Lahaina Boarding House

  phone: +1 808 661-8285
  address: 446 Hauola Pl
  Rooms available to single adults on a nightly, weekly or monthly basis. Fully furnished, including TV and WiFi. The house is located 2 blocks from the hwy, 5 blocks from Front St. It is close to stores, beaches, and the public bus system.

• Lahaina Maui Vacation Rentals

  phone: +1 206-949-5758
  address: 660 Wainee St
  Three vacation rentals in the heart of Lahaina.

• Lahaina Shores Beach Resort

  address: 180 Dickenson St
  The only hotel in Lahaina that is right on the beach (good for sunbathing, not so good for swimming because of all the corals), it's minutes away from the city center, right next to 505 Front Street shopping center. Offers condos with full kitchens.

• Maikai Hale Oceanfront Estate Vacation Rental Property

  phone: +1 808 667-4663
  address: 1423 Front St
  The oceanfront vacation rental property backyard, living room, kitchen and master bedrooms showcase sweeping ocean views while the front of the house gazes at the peaceful west Maui mountains. From sunrise to sunset,it can serve as a breathtaking backdrop for all vacations or special events. Your wedding party can stay together with the wedding couple at your private wedding location on Maui! Sleeps up to 16 in 5 suites and ohana, outdoor heart-shaped pool, jacuzzi.

• Marriott's Maui Ocean Club Lahaina and Napili Villas

  phone: +1 808 667-1200
  address: 100 Nohea Kai Dr
  Spacious villa accommodations.

• The Mauian on Napili Bay

  phone: +1 808 669-6205
  address: 5441 Lower Honoapiilani Rd
  44-unit Napili Bay beachfront lodging. Most rooms have a fully-equipped kitchen and are stylishly furnished. Rooms without kitchens have mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave oven. All have private lanai and Tempur-Pedic beds.

• Old Lahaina House

  address: 407 Ilikahi St
  Laid-back romantics, this is the home for you. Short walk to the sandy beach and the Historic Lahaina Town!

• Outrigger Aina Nalu

  address: 660 Wainee St
  Condos in a garden in a residential community.

• Whalers Realty Property Management Co.

  address: Fairway Shops, Ste #118, 2580 Kekaa Dr
  This company manages numerous Maui vacation rentals. Homes and condos from the luxurious to the affordable are available.

• Ka'anapali Beach Hotel

  phone: +1 808-661-0011
  address: 2525 Kaanapali Pkwy
  Featuring oceanfront accommodations along Kaanapali Beach.

• The Plantation Inn

  phone: +1 808-667-9225
  address: 174 Lahainaluna Rd
  Sister property to the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel. 18 beautiful guestrooms & suites. Free breakfast included.