Step into this tiny but informative museum for an overview of the town's cowboy past and bite-size insight into Hawaii's history. There are antique…
Shutterstock
North Shore & Upcountry
This wild, lush and sometimes posh region of Maui is home to an extraordinary concentration of variety. In a half-hour drive, you can ascend from the beaches of the North Shore (including the world’s windsurfing capital) through the jungle of the lower slopes, and break out into open Upcountry hills, where cowboys still roam the range, and farmers work the island’s Garden Belt. Communities change accordingly. The hip surfer town of Paʻia gives way to Makawao’s Old West architecture, which dissolves into a handful of stores in mud-on-boots Keokea, after which the road rolls on to eternity – and maybe, we've heard, to Oprah's house.
The region begs for a lazy country drive, taking in athletic surfers, artsy shops, forest trails, mountain views and organic cafes at your own pace. For the adventurous, there’s plenty of ziplining, paragliding and mountain biking.
Explore North Shore & Upcountry
- MMakawao History Museum
Step into this tiny but informative museum for an overview of the town's cowboy past and bite-size insight into Hawaii's history. There are antique…
- Aliʻi Kula Lavender
On a broad hillside with panoramic views of the West Maui Mountains and the Central Maui coast, this charming lavender farm is a scenic place to relax and…
- HA Baldwin Beach Park
Bodyboarders and bodysurfers take to the waves at this palm-lined county park about a mile west of Paʻia. The wide sandy beach is lovely for sunbathing…
- HHoʻokipa Beach Park & Overlook
Hoʻokipa is to daredevil windsurfers what Everest is to climbers. It reigns supreme as the world’s premier windsurfing beach, with strong currents,…
- SSacred Garden of Maliko
This unique nonprofit is a self-described healing sanctuary offering a meditative moment on your trip. Your kids will love the rock-garden labyrinth walk…
- HHui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center
Occupying the former estate of sugar magnates Harry and Ethel Baldwin, Hui Noʻeau is a regal setting for a community arts center. In 1917 famed architect…
- WWorcester Glassworks
This family-run studio and gallery has produced some amazing pieces over the years, particularly the sand-blasted glass in natural forms (eg seashells)…
- SSpreckelsville Beach
Extending west from HA Baldwin Beach, this 2-mile stretch of sand is a good walking beach. Its nearshore reef makes it less than ideal for swimming, but…
- TTavares Beach
For a quiet 100yd stretch of sand, try this unmarked beach a short drive northeast from downtown, just beyond mile marker 7. Things liven up on weekends,…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout North Shore & Upcountry.
See
Makawao History Museum
Step into this tiny but informative museum for an overview of the town's cowboy past and bite-size insight into Hawaii's history. There are antique…
See
Aliʻi Kula Lavender
On a broad hillside with panoramic views of the West Maui Mountains and the Central Maui coast, this charming lavender farm is a scenic place to relax and…
See
HA Baldwin Beach Park
Bodyboarders and bodysurfers take to the waves at this palm-lined county park about a mile west of Paʻia. The wide sandy beach is lovely for sunbathing…
See
Hoʻokipa Beach Park & Overlook
Hoʻokipa is to daredevil windsurfers what Everest is to climbers. It reigns supreme as the world’s premier windsurfing beach, with strong currents,…
See
Sacred Garden of Maliko
This unique nonprofit is a self-described healing sanctuary offering a meditative moment on your trip. Your kids will love the rock-garden labyrinth walk…
See
Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center
Occupying the former estate of sugar magnates Harry and Ethel Baldwin, Hui Noʻeau is a regal setting for a community arts center. In 1917 famed architect…
See
Worcester Glassworks
This family-run studio and gallery has produced some amazing pieces over the years, particularly the sand-blasted glass in natural forms (eg seashells)…
See
Spreckelsville Beach
Extending west from HA Baldwin Beach, this 2-mile stretch of sand is a good walking beach. Its nearshore reef makes it less than ideal for swimming, but…
See
Tavares Beach
For a quiet 100yd stretch of sand, try this unmarked beach a short drive northeast from downtown, just beyond mile marker 7. Things liven up on weekends,…
Guidebooks
Learn more about North Shore & Upcountry
Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.