Maui is a gorgeous place to visit, and contrary to popular belief that it is just a couple’s getaway, it can be exciting for the entire family. There are so many sights to see, and places to visit that it can be a real learning experience and quite enjoyable for people of all ages.
Many resorts are now catering to families by offering programs for the younger guests that include daily beach activities, waterfall tours, bird watching, and aquatic playgrounds that will allow all the children to have the time of their lives. In particular, The Westin Maui at Kaanapali Beach Resort has a great reputation for catering to children. In fact, there are a lot of Maui hotels and resorts that are so much more than just a room to sleep in; they are an experience you just can’t miss.
In Maui, there is so much more to see than the beach. The natural beauty that surrounds Maui can be found in a trip to Haleakala National Park with its diversity of ecosystems and tropical animals that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. To allow children to understand the underwater environment, you should take a day trip to the Maui Ocean Center which was voted Hawaii’s top rated family attracted by the Zagat Survey.
Children are very tactile creatures, which means they enjoy touching and feeling everything they can get their hands on. The Maui Ocean Center allows them to do just that with their incredible touch pool that is connected to the 750,000 gallon aquarium that hold sharks and tropical fish. It is an unbelievable exhibit that people of all ages will love. Another hands-on experience that is popular with children is the Hawaii Nature Center that is located in the Iao Valley on Maui. There are rainforest walks to teach them about all the different species of plants and animals, and it includes 30 interactive exhibits. One exhibit even features the world’s only carnivorous caterpillar.
What can be more exciting for children then to get to experience their own whale watching adventure. The Pacific Humpback whales are plentiful in the winter and are a great sight to behold. After finishing the day watching the whales you should plan a trip to the Whalers Village Museum which is free for everyone. Displaying over 70 species of whales, it is a great place for children to learn about the migration and life of a whale.
Another great adventure for children is the Lahaina Kaanapali Railroad which takes the family on a six mile trip through the beautiful landscape of Maui. You will not only get a view of the West Maui Mountains, but you will also be able to see the islands that are neighboring Maui. It is a wonderful way to see Maui from a slow moving train.
Of course, no trip to Hawaii would be complete without an authentic luau which is included in most resorts and hotels. The Old Lahaina Luau is another great choice when you want to take in the culture of Maui as the natives do. With Hawaiian dance and music, along with delectable foods, you can’t go wrong with this excursion.
As you can see, Maui is not just for the couples in love. There is something for the entire family to see and do while visiting Hawaii.
