What To Do on a Rainy Day in Maui

You want to make the most of your Maui vacation, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate. The good news is, there’s still plenty to do and see on Maui that’s indoors. From where to soak up local arts and culture, to the best shopping and entertainment, here’s a list of our favorite rainy day activities to keep in your back pocket. They also happen to be an excellent way to get out of the sun if you’re baked to a crisp.

1. Visit the Maui Arts and Cultural Center

The Maui Arts and Cultural Center or MACC located in Kahului is a hive of artistic activity. They have rotating art exhibits, film festivals, concerts, plays, and more. Artists from all over the United States and beyond come to perform here. Check the calendar on their website for current and upcoming events and to purchase tickets. You can drop by the Schaefer International Gallery, open Tuesday - Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm.

2. Escape!

Located in Whalers Village Mall in Lahaina, Maui Escape Rooms offers several different themed escape rooms like “Pirate Ship”, “Prison Break”, and “Tesla’s Inheritance” at various levels of difficulty. An escape room is an interactive adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategy to complete the objectives at hand and break free of the room. It’s a great activity for groups and families, and children are welcome. The number of participants required range from 2-8 people per game, with 60 minutes to solve the puzzle. In Wailuku, Mystery Maui Escape Room offers a different take on the same idea. It’s recommended to book ahead online or by phone.

3. Treat Yourself to a Spa Day

The Grand Wailea Resort is home to an award-winning spa, voted top 10 spas in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler and Leisure magazines. It’s also the largest spa in Hawaii, with 40 treatment rooms and a  50,000 sq. foot facility. They are known for their extensive array of water therapies including cascading waterfalls, saunas, and Japanese style baths. The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua offers a variety of unique body and facial treatments using island flowers, plants, and organic herbs. Couples sessions are available.

4. Indulge In Some Retail Therapy

For higher-end shopping, Whalers Village in Ka’anapali and the Shops at Wailea south of Kihei offer plenty of luxury and brand name options like Louis Vuitton, Sephora, Tommy Bahama, and more. Both have some excellent places to eat as well. The Queen Ka’ahumanu Center is Maui’s largest shopping mall, located in Kahului. It’s here you can find your typical mall shops like Victoria’s Secret and department stores like Macy’s.

5. Visit Hui No’eau

Located in Upcountry Maui, the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center has a gallery with rotating exhibitions open to the public and a gift shop. This non-profit arts center offers community classes and workshops as well. It is located on the property of the historic Kaluanui estate, belonging to the Baldwin family. Ethel Baldwin and her daughter along with a group of friends started the arts club in 1934. Since then it has served as a gathering place for many of Maui’s greatest artistic minds.

6. Check out the Aquarium

As mentioned in our previous blog on activities to do with kids on Maui, the Maui Ocean Center aquarium in Wailuku is a fascinating place to spend the day. It’s named one of the Top 10 Aquariums in the World by TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice. They have more than 60 interactive exhibits and are always adding new things. One recent addition is a 3D surround sound film experience where visitors can come eye to eye with humpback whales and hear their songs beneath the waves. They also offer Aquari-OM - a weekly yoga class on Tuesday nights from 5:45 - 7 pm in the presence of sharks, rays, and hundreds of fish. The classes are open to adults and children ages 5 and up. You must bring your own yoga mat. Registration is required on their website.

7. Go to a Museum

Hale Hoʻikeʻike, part of the Maui Historical Society has Maui’s largest collection of antiquities and historical artifacts in Wailuku. In Lahaina, the Baldwin House Museum, in the historical home of doctor and missionary James Baldwin dates to 1834. Nearby, the Wo Hing Temple Museum, built in 1912 is the only Chinese temple in the Hawaiian Islands. The temple displays artifacts associated with Chinese immigrants to Maui and shows early moving pictures of the island made by Thomas Edison. An admission fee of $7 gives you access to both the Baldwin House and the Wo Hing Temple.

8. See a Movie

There are several movie theatres to choose from on the island of Maui. The Maui Mall Megaplex in Kahului has supersized plush reclining chairs for extra comfort and a variety of showtimes and films. Next door to the theatre is the Fun Factory if you want to play some video and arcade games. The Maui Mall is home to numerous shops and a Whole Foods with an extensive hot and cold bar if you want to grab a bite or do some shopping before or after the movie. If you’re looking for an option closer to West Maui, the Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina has a smaller theatre.

We hope this list of rainy day activities has you feeling inspired to soak up Maui’s rich arts and culture! Do you have a favorite art gallery, shop, or indoor activity we missed? We’d love to hear from you.

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