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One Week in Maui: A family-friendly Itinerary
Now that I live on the West Coast, I’ve started exploring the Hawaiian Islands one by one. Three years ago, we spent 8 days in Oahu, and this year, we spent one week in Maui. Since we have a 4-year-old, we try to keep our flights to 6 hours or less. As my son becomes more independent, traveling has started to feel a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. These days, our vacations are centered around family-friendly activities that we all genuinely enjoy.
This year’s big trip to Maui was breathtaking. The palm trees, the fresh island air, the warm breeze, the smell of banana bread, and the vibrant, local food were exactly what my heart and soul needed. As a family, we were craving a break from the day-to-day so we could slow down and reconnect. We had a blast! This was one of our most special trips yet with our son, and one we’ll never forget. See more on Instagram.
Table of Contents
7-Day Maui Itinerary
Arrived Late + Checked In
- Car Rental
- Picked up Chick-fil-A in Kahului on the way
- Checked into the Grand Wailea Maui in Wailea
Day 1: Pool & Beach Day
- Walked around Wailea
- Breakfast & Coffee at Akamai Coffee in Wailea
- Checked out the resort and enjoyed the day by the pool & lazy river
- Get ready for dinner
- Drove to Kaanapali
- Dinner at Hula Grill in Kaanapali
Day 2: Haleakala (Volcano 10,000 ft above sea level)
- Breakfast & Coffee at Cinnamon Roll Place in Kihei
- 3 Hour Drive up to Haleakala – keep jackets as it gets down to 50 degrees
- Dinner – We stopped at Maui Shrimp at the Maui Food Trucks of Kihei (I don’t recommend Maui Shrimp – see below: Where to Eat)
Day 3: Iao Valley
- Breakfast & Coffee at Maui Bread Company in Kihei
- We drove 40 minutes to Iao Valley State Park from Wailea
- Hiked through the scenic trails, and my husband & son took a dip in the stream – the water is cold
- Dinner – We stopped at Paia Fish Market in Kihei (South Side)
- Sunset Walk on The Wailea Beach Path
Day 4: Pool & Beach Day
- Breakfast & Coffee at Loulu located at the Grand Wailea
- Spent a day at Baby Beach & Water Slides by the Pool Area
- Lunch by the pool at Wailea Surf Haus
- Get ready for dinner
- Dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea
Day 5: Road to Hana
- Started driving at 8:00 am
- Stops we made: Twin Falls (Sanjiv went swimming here), West Wailua Iki Stream, Honolewa Stream (waterfalls)
- Breakfast & Coffee at Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread – get here early – there is a line
- Lunch at Hana Farms – the most delicious pizza!
- Turned around and headed back at 3:30 pm
- Dinner – we pulled over and enjoyed leftover pizza
Day 6: Pool & Beach Day
- Breakfast & Coffee at the famous Kihei Caffe in Kihei
- The boys enjoyed a beach day while I hit The Shops at Wailea
- Afternoon pick-me-up at Maui Matcha (didn’t love it) at The Shops at Wailea
- Lunch at the beach at Wailea Surf Haus
- Krish wanted Taco Bell for dinner – there’s one in Kihei
Day 7: Pool & Beach Day
- One more time – Breakfast & Coffee at the famous Kihei Caffe in Kihei
- Picked up dessert from Sugar Beach Bake Shop in Kihei
- Spent a day at the baby beach & lazy river by the pool area
- Get ready for dinner
- Dinner at Coconut’s Fish Cafe in Kihei (Kamole location)
- After dinner, walk on the beach under the moonlight – it was magical
Last Day – Checked Out
- Headed back home to California
- Quick Breakfast & Coffee
- Headed to Kahului Airport (OGG)
- Dropped Car Rental off
- Back home to California
Where We Stayed
When it comes to Maui, the two most popular areas to stay are Kaanapali (West Maui) and Wailea (South Maui).
- Kaanapali is more lively, crowded, and budget-friendly, with family resorts near Lahaina (still recovering from the 2023 fires). It’s further away from the Road to Hana and not as centrally located.
- Wailea is more upscale and quiet, with beautiful beaches and luxury resorts. It’s closer to Kihei, which boasts great coffee shops, food trucks, and casual dining. It also offers easier access to Iao Valley, Haleakala, and the Road to Hana.
Why We Chose Wailea
- It’s more centrally located – perfect for our three-day trips.
- Kihei’s food scene is my kind of vibe. I’m all about the food.
- I was drawn to the lush, family-friendly Grand Wailea resort.
Grand Wailea Maui
The Grand Wailea Maui is a stunning, family-friendly resort with beautiful grounds, multiple pools (including a lazy river, water slides, and baby beach), and direct access to the Wailea Beach Path – great for post-dinner walks. It’s also a short stroll to The Shops at Wailea.
Pros:
- Beautiful resort
- Kid-Friendly resort with a baby beach, lazy river, water slides, easy beach access, and lots of pools.
- Walking distance to The Shops at Wailea
- Ocean-view rooms with two queens
- Renovated bathroom with great lighting and mirrors
- Nespresso coffee machine + pods
- Spa-like bath amenities with guava and coconut
- Overall, good service and clean rooms
Cons:
- Given the cost per night, the bedrooms were nice, but it could use an update – it didn’t have that ‘zha zha zoo’ luxurious feel, you know?
- Limited beach chairs unless you snag them before 7 am or pay $75 from 12–5 pm (which felt like a money grab)
- $55 daily resort fee + $75 valet for daily parking adds up fast
- Restaurants at the resort are pricey, but convenient
Final Thoughts:
Would I stay here again? Yes – with a young child. But as my son gets older, I’d likely try something a bit more adult-friendly with nicer rooms at a similar price point.
Hotel Rating: 4.5 / 5
Things to do in Maui with Kids
- Haleakala
A Volcano that sits 10,000 ft above sea level. It’s about a 3-hour from Wailea. Wear comfortable shoes, bring jackets, and wear layers – it gets windy and chilly down to 50 degrees at the top. - Iao Valley
Roughly a 40-minute drive from Wailea. Wear comfortable shoes for hiking and bring swimsuits if you or your kids want to swim in the streams or waterfalls. - Road to Hana
This is a full day adventure and a lot of fun. I loved Road to Hana. We left Wailea around 8 am and returned to our hotel by 8 pm, turning back at 3:30 pm. Expect lots of scenic stops, waterfalls, and winding roads. - Pool & Beach days
We spent four full days relaxing at the resort’s pool and beach areas. The baby beach is perfect for little ones. In the evenings, we headed out for dinner. - Food Adventures (see below)
As a foodie, I had to drag my family around to enjoy various tastings of banana bread. Thankfully, my son loved every minute of it.
Maui’s Must-Visit Food Spots: My Top Picks
Breakfast & Coffee
- Kihei Caffe, Kihei
Best breakfast in Maui! A must-do! Best pancakes and French toast! Do NOT miss this! Expect a wait, but the line moves quickly.
What to order: Iced coffee with half-and-half is excellent. Try French toast topped with banana and macadamia nuts, French toast topped with pineapple and coconut, or pancakes topped with banana and macadamia nuts, all paired with iced coffee.
Rating: 5 / 5 - Akamai Coffee, Wailea
Delicious breakfast spot in Wailea. Pricey, but worth it.
What to order: Iced matcha with oat milk + 1 pump vanilla, Hawaiian honeybee latte with oat milk (half sweet), banana bread, huevos rancheros were lighter than usual, but so good.
Rating: 4.5 / 5 - Cinnamon Roll Place, Kihei
Best cinnamon rolls, and surprisingly, the banana bread too! The lady at the counter can be rude, and you may feel rushed, but don’t miss this place. I wish I had tried the Hawaii latte and mango bread. A must-do!
What to order: Cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting, regular banana bread, vanilla mac-nut iced coffee with oat milk (half sweet).
Rating: 5 / 5 - Maui Bread Company, Kihei
A German-Hawaiian bakery. Fresh breads and delicious coffee. This place gets busy, but the line moves quickly. It reminded me of 85 Degrees Bakery Cafe. I wish I had tried the pina colada sweet bun.
What to order: Hot coffee with half-and-half, Hawaiian muffins with coconut, pineapple, and macadamia nuts. Chocolate croissant pretzel, and cheddar sourdough.
Skip: Lilikoi sweet bun and coconut iced coffee (way too sweet).
Rating: 4.25 / 5
Lunch & Dinner Spots
- Hula Grill, Kaanapali
Amazing ambiance, situated right by the beach, with excellent service and vibes. Live music & hula show in the evenings! Sit at the Barefoot Bar. A must-do! I also recommend Duke’s – their sister restaurant.
What to order: fresh-squeezed mai tai, akamai mai tai, wood-grilled fish, hula pie, pineapple upside-down cake (tad sweet, but delish).
Notable: macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi (good, not amazing).
Skip: Hawaiian ceviche (lacked flavor).
Rating: 4.25 / 5 - Monkeypod Kitchen, KiHei
Best Mai Tai and strawberry cream pie! Great family-friendly dinner spot! I wish I had tried a salad and pizza here instead of the fish tacos. A must-do!
What to order: Monkeypod mai tai, macadamia nut-crusted fresh fish, and the keiki Maui beef cheeseburger with fries for kids was excellent, as was the strawberry cream pie.
Skip: fish tacos had an aftertaste – maybe it was from the peanuts.
Rating: 4.5 / 5 - Hana Farms, Hana
Delicious farm-to-table pizza. Loved the open-air dining and cool breeze. A must-do on your way to Hana. Gluten-free options available! I wish I had tried their Caesar salad, too!
What to order: lilikoi + hibiscus soda combination (so good), margherita pizza, build-your-own pizza -> red sauce + regular mozzarella + jalapeno + pineapple + red onion + jalapeno cream on the side.
Rating: 4.75 / 5 - Coconut’s Fish Cafe, Kihei
A healthy & delicious casual dining option in Kihei. I wish I had tried the macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi,
What to order: fish tacos (a tad too much cole slaw, but excellent), blackened mahi mahi plate, coconut shrimp, keiki cheeseburger, and fries for kids.
Rating: 4.5 / 5 rating - Paia Fish Market, Kihei-Kamole location
A healthy and casual lunch or dinner spot in KiHei. I wish they had better seating, as it gets hot.
What to order: mahi mahi + blackened + cajun rice + home potatoes.
Rating: 4.25 / 5 rating - Wailea Surf Haus, Wailea at Grand Wailea Resort
Pricey poolside dining. The food is good, but it can be a miss occasionally.
What to order: French fries were delicious, kalbi-marinated chicken sandwich with spicy aioli, and the pina colada.
Rating: 4.25 / 5
Right side (top to bottom): French Toast with pineapple & coconut from Kihei Caffe, Cinnamon Roll from Cinnamon Roll Place
Where to Find the BEST Banana Bread in Maui
I was on a mission to find the best banana bread in Maui, and I was convinced it would be Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread. Not quite. I tried banana bread at five different places, and honestly, I found most of them a bit too sweet for my taste.
That said, based on flavor, texture, moistness, and overall balance, my favorite came from an unexpected spot – Cinnamon Roll Place, which is known for its cinnamon rolls. Below are four out of the five spots I visited. Out of respect, I’ve left one off the list – their banana bread was dry, crumbly, and overly sweet.
- Cinnamon Roll Place, Kihei
My favorite. This local gem is famous for its outstanding cinnamon rolls, but don’t overlook the equally delicious banana bread. It had a darker color, strong banana flavor, and the perfect moist texture. Yes, it was still on the sweet side, but it was my favorite overall. - Sweet Beach Baked Shop, Kihei
Second favorite. Famous for their malasadas (get there before 10 am), but we missed them, so we grabbed a loaf of their banana bread streusel instead. It had a great texture, a darker color, and a bold banana flavor. Moist, rich, and delicious. - Akamai Coffee, Wailea
Third favorite. I came here for coffee and breakfast, but was pleasantly surprised by the banana bread. Lighter in color than the others, but still very moist with a nice banana-forward flavor. A solid option if you’re already stopping for coffee in Wailea. - Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread, Ke’anae Peninsula
Aunty Sandy’s is the classic choice for banana bread on Maui, and while I wanted to love it, I found it slightly doughy with a mild aftertaste – possibly due to the use of baking powder or soda. It was served warm, moist, and lightly sweet, but surprisingly lacked a strong banana flavor.
What to Order: The Mango Strawberry Banana Smoothie is SO GOOD and refreshing!
Food Spots We Missed (But Were On My List!)
Mama’s Fish House, Paia
Book way in advance – this iconic oceanfront restaurant books up months ahead. I tried emailing them, but no luck. It’s a splurge, but people rave about the food and experience.
Kranken Coffee, Wailea & Kihei
This coffee spot came highly recommended, but I didn’t get a chance to visit – there were just too many others I wanted to try first! They also make great smoothies.
808 Deli, Kihei
Known for sandwiches, including a few vegetarian options. They also have a nice breakfast menu. Great for a quick, casual lunch.
Nalu’s South Shore Grill, Kihei
This was on my radar, but I skipped it because the fish options didn’t appeal to me personally. That said, they offer some excellent vegetarian options.
Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, Olowalu
Famous for their pies, which receive rave reviews. It just felt like a bit of a trek for us, so we had to pass this time.
Merriman’s, Lahaina
A gorgeous, upscale restaurant with ocean views that felt more like an “adults-only” place. We skipped this one since I didn’t think it would be ideal with our 4-year-old. Book 60 days in advance if you plan to go.
South Maui Fish Company, Kihei (food truck)
This spot is famous for its grilled fish. Sadly, it was closed on Sunday, and our plans didn’t align after that.
TIP: Designer Bags in Hawaii
One thing I learned: designer bags (such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, and more) are often cheaper in Hawaii. Additionally, Hawaii has a 4.7% tax rate, which helps keep the total cost lower. If you’re thinking of buying a designer bag and don’t plan to visit Europe (where you’ll typically find the best deals) anytime soon, Hawaii is worth considering.
Maui Cost
Maui is EXPENSIVE, which came as a sticker shock to me! It was even more costly than Oahu. While in Maui, Kaanapali is more budget-friendly than Wailea, it’s still pricier than most hotels in Oahu. In general, the dollar doesn’t go too far in Maui, but with a bit of planning, you can still make it work!
Cost Breakdown for 1 Week in Maui:
- Flights
- Car Rental
- Accomodations
- Food
- Activities/Day Trips
Tips to Save on Your Maui Vacation
- Stay in Kihei – You’ll find more budget-friendly vacation rentals and Airbnb. Many of these places come equipped with a kitchen, allowing you to opt for cooking if you prefer.
- Skip resort dining – Food at hotels is expensive. Personally, I prefer the local coffee shops and restaurants anyway – it’s more fun to try new places and gives you an authentic taste of Maui.
- Travel during shoulder season
My motto: Pick your splurges wisely. Spend on what matters most to you and save where you can. 🙂
O’ahu vs. Maui: Which Island is Right for You?
Having visited both O’ahu and Maui, I personally loved O’ahu – I’m a city girl at heart. My husband, on the other hand, is all about Maui – it’s his favorite Hawaiian island, and he’s been there several times already.
Oʻahu has more of a city-meets-beach vibe. It’s lively, with lots of shops, restaurants, and things to do. If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, the North Shore offers a slower pace and a quieter experience. I also found the food in Oʻahu to be better overall, especially the roadside shacks – they were my favorite. Check out my post on how we spent 8 days in O’ahu.
Maui, in contrast, is quieter and more laid-back. It’s definitely more beautiful and scenic than Oʻahu, but you’ll likely need a car to get around. I absolutely loved the coffee shops in Maui, but when it comes to restaurants and local food shacks, Oʻahu wins for me.
Hope you found this Maui Guide helpful. Happy planning!
This is such a great and informative guide. Thank you for the info. I’m planning a trip to Maui and came across your blog. This is great.
Thank you for your comment, Doug. Glad I could help. 🙂