Top 10 Things to Do in Upcountry Maui

You’ve heard of the magic it holds, you’ve seen it in photographs, and now it is time to set out and explore all the beauty that is Upcountry Maui. Nestled on the slopes of Mount Haleakala lies four major components that help to make up what we call “Upcountry.” These four major components include the towns of Pukalani, Makawao, Kula, and Ulupalakua. Here are the best things to do in Upcountry Maui.

Best Upcountry Maui Activities

Although many might consider this region of Maui to be more of a visual journey, we have highlighted the Top 10 must-see destinations along the way in this article. So please fasten your seat belts as we set out on a journey that is sure to leave an impression.

01

Haleakala Crater

No trip to Maui is complete if you don’t experience the sunrise or sunset at Haleakala Crater. It’s a long journey up the mountain to the crater summit at 10,023 feet, but as you can imagine, the views are unsurpassed. Sit on top of the clouds and watch the sun rise or set over the Maui central valley. A destination where pictures speak louder than words, Haleakala (which means “House of the Sun”) is an incredible sight to take in.

Along with the breathtaking views at sunrise and sunset, Haleakala National Park offers several hiking trails along the crater for the more active individual, and there are a handful of companies that offer biking tours down the mountain as well, such as Haleakala Bike Company. Downhill biking tours are available after sunrise and are a great way to cruise down the mountain. Another great way to take your Haleakala adventure to the next level is to rent a cabin down in the crater and stargaze after sunset.

No matter how you choose to enjoy this unique volcano, always keep safety in mind, as there is less oxygen available at such high altitudes.


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02

MauiWine

Ready to sip some wine in the countryside? Look no further than MauiWine. Located next to Ulupalakua Ranch Store, MauiWine produces and bottles a variety of wines uniquely made from both pineapple and traditional grapes. As you enter the property at Maui’s only winery, take in the sights of beautifully carved Italian Cypress trees made into sculptures that reflect the rich history of the land.

Ideally, it is best to plan a visit to the winery around the time of 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., where you can participate in a free walking tour. Starting in the beautiful tasting room, take the opportunity to try some of the wines that have been grown, produced, and bottled right at this very property. As you continue into the King’s quarters, enjoy a tour that begins with an introduction of the rich history, and goes on to explain the processes of making and producing some of Maui’s most memorable wines. The tour takes you through every aspect of production, including the cellar where the wine is in storage for fermentation.

After your tour, be sure to snag some of your favorite bottles to share the experience with friends and family. They even ship bottles to the mainland!


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03

Ulupalakua Ranch Store

Set alongside the “back side” of the Road to Hana is Ulupalakua Ranch Store. When coming from Upcountry, enjoy the beautiful drive through blooming Jacaranda trees as the road twists and turns along the countryside. As you head around to the Ulupalakua Ranch Store, make sure you bring your appetite. What once used to be a pit stop to people visiting the winery has now become a destination for fantastic food!

Executive Chef, Will Munder, cooks up some delicious meals including slow-roasted beef brisket, and burgers made from lamb, beef or elk. Everything at the ranch is now made from scratch and sourced as local as possible. With the charm of the old cowboy heritage to pair with the delicious selection of food and unique gifts, you can’t go wrong with this destination Upcountry.


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04

Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm

The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm is truly a sight for sore eyes. Set along the slopes of Haleakala at about 4000 ft elevation, the lavender farm is a great place to visit for the entire family. Visit the farm and take a guided walking tour learning all about the history of the property and about the varieties of lavender grown on the farm, or roam the fields on your own just taking in the sights and smells of the beautiful countryside.

Another unique way to experience the farm is by taking a crafting class. Throughout the year, AKL offers a variety of classes to engage your inner artist, including everything from wreath making to living container gardens. And for the kids – look no further than AKL’s treasure hunt. Starting at the Gallery Gift Shop, the treasure hunt will take you through less-traveled sections of the farm as you uncover hidden treasures.
Alii Kula Lavender Farm

When you’re ready to wrap it all up, be sure to exit through the gift shop as the farm has an outstanding gallery and cafe filled with everything imaginable that can be made using lavender infusions.


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05

O’o Farm

One of the unique ways to experience the farm culture of Upcountry Maui is to visit O’o Farm. Standing out from the crowd, O’o delivers an exceptional farm-to-table experience in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. The breakfast tour, known as the “Seed to Cup” tour, places more of an emphasis on the coffee that is being grown and roasted on site at the farm, while the lunch tour offers more in-depth information on farming practices and growing vegetables.

In this unique tour, guests have the opportunity to learn and see first hand the farming practices of an organic and biodynamic farm while helping to harvest and create a beautiful salad to go with their lunch. Once the walking tour is complete, the tour group will then proceed to the outdoor kitchen and dining area where the farm chef has prepared a special meal sourced directly on site. The only thing left to do at this point is to sit down, soak up the beautiful country scenery, and appreciate the care and hard work that goes into creating a beautiful meal as you enjoy every moment, from one bite to the next.

No matter which tour you choose at O’o Farms, having the unique opportunity to dine and tour at the very place your food is being grown and cultivated is something very special that just about anyone would enjoy.


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06

Upcountry Farmers Market

The Upcountry Farmers Market is definitely one of the local favorites. Held every Saturday right in the middle of beautiful farm country, this market boasts everything from organically grown leafy greens and vegetables, to freshly picked tropical fruits, coconuts, kombucha, coffee, homemade bread, farm-fresh eggs, cold-pressed juices and more!

Set along the hillside of Haleakala, you can enjoy the beauty of this open-air market as you try something unique like some freshly juiced sugarcane to go alongside with some homemade banana bread.
No matter how you choose to indulge at the Upcountry Farmer’s Market, you will want to make it a point to get there early before the goods sell out!


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07

Makawao Galleries & Shopping

Makawao is considered to be one of the most visited towns of Upcountry Maui. What used to be an old cowboy town filled with paniolo (cowboys) is now home to many amazing galleries filled with working artists, unique gift shops, and many fantastic dining options. While roaming the streets of Baldwin and Makawao Avenue, be sure to check out some of the incredible galleries filled with paintings, sculptures, blown glass, woodcarvings, handcrafted jewelry, and more.

Many of the shops sell locally made goods, and some offer great consignment finds. As you take in the scenery of fantastic artwork and peruse the shops seeking out little treasures, be sure to save time for the delicious fresh-baked creme puffs at Komoda Bakery. These delightful baked pastries sell out fast, so you will want to hit this spot early! Some other great options for grabbing a bite to eat are Polli’s, Sip Me Maui, Habibi, and a variety of food trucks located in the courtyard across the street from Rodeo General Store.

However, if it’s a taste of the rich history of this historic cowboy town that you’re looking for, look no further than the Makawao History Museum. You will find this museum tucked between the little shops that line the east side of Baldwin Avenue. This small but charming museum chronicles the history of Makawao from its establishment in ancient Hawaii to its rodeo culture.

If you’re visiting Maui during 4th of July, make sure to head to Makawao Town for their lively annual parade and rodeo.

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08

Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center

With a rich history that dates back to the 1800s as one of Maui’s very first sugar mills, Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center has since transformed itself into a destination that has become a platform for creativity through exceptional visual arts education. Founded in 1934, Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center is a nonprofit arts education organization that offers everything from artist lectures, exhibitions, events, tours, classes and workshops for all ages, and more!

Enjoy free entry into the historic Kaluanui Estate where you can view the Hui’s current art exhibition, peruse the gallery shop for unique gifts made by local artists, and watch the artists in action creating everything from ceramics to paintings, photography and more!

Afterward, enjoy a stroll through the Hui grounds on either a guided or self-guided tour taking in the breathtaking surroundings.


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09

Pukalani Country Club

Made up mostly of residential real estate, the small town of Pukalani boasts very little to the eye of the tourist. With a few local grocery stores, a public pool and the charm of a small town, Pukalani is often surpassed by many people visiting the island. However, one destination that makes the “Top 10” list of things to do Upcountry lies right here in this sleepy little town.

In Hawaiian, the word Pukalani means “Entrance to Heaven,” and this is what you will get at the golf course of Pukalani Country Club. Offering an 18-hole course across the span of nearly 160 acres at a par 72, Pukalani Country Club offers some tremendous golfing to even the well-seasoned golfer. Set along the gentle hillside of Upcountry, this golfing destination provides remarkable views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Valley.


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10

Visit Surfing Goat Dairy

If you love to see those cute baby goats and are a fan of goat cheese and, well, everything goat, this farm experience is for you!

Located on the beautiful slopes of Maui’s Haleakala Crater in lower Kula, Surfing Goat Dairy has been producing award-winning Maui gourmet goat cheeses for over nine years. This working farm has won a total of 18 National Awards! They offer twenty-five different kinds of cheese with a rating of 81+ points and fourteen different cheeses with a rating of 91+ points from the American Dairy Goat Association and the American Cheese Society.

You can choose from three different types of tours: The Daily Casual Tour is only 30 minutes and gives you an overview of farm life – and you get to meet some goats!

The Evening Chore and Milking Tour lets you assist in the evening chores while touring the farm and experiencing a day in the life of a goat farmer. You will learn to hand-milk a goat, then help with the evening feedings and learn more about our award-winning cheeses. You’ll even go home with a ribbon saying, “I Milked a Goat Today!” This is a great behind-the-scenes look at a working farm.

One of the most popular tours is the Grand Dairy Tour. You will learn about the farm’s history and then learn how to hand-milk a goat. Be a goat herder and help lead a herd from the milk stand out to the pasture. Learn about the entire process of cheesemaking through the dairy viewing window. And you’ll enjoy a fantastic goat cheese tasting and can pick up some tasty treats from the gift shop for when you get home.

This family-friendly goat farm tour is sure to give your group lots of fun and delicious memories for years to come.


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BONUS ENTRY

Ocean Vodka

Those in search of a truly unique Maui tour should make sure to check out Ocean Vodka! At the 80-acre organic farm, guests will learn about the history of sugar cane farming, and at the distillery, they will get to see how the vodka is made and bottled. Of course, there will be samples at the end for all of-age guests to try!

Trip Advisor reviewers have voted this tour the 7th out of the 15 best things to do on Maui, and rightfully so. Ocean Vodka is the last commercial sugar cane manufacturer left on the island and offers a rare glimpse into the history of farming on Maui. Their tasting experience will teach guests about the island’s culture, and they will have the chance to taste five of the seven spirits made on the farm.

Ocean Vodka now boasts a new cafe as well! It has already risen through the ranks of OpenTable and TripAdvisor as one of the highest-rated places to eat on the island. Their sommelier-led chef prepares Upcountry pairings of farm-fresh food and the best spirits and wines that Maui has to offer. There is also live music at the cafe seven days a week, so guests can enjoy local tunes as they dine and take in the best sunsets on the island from their bi-coastal viewpoint.

Between the tour of the farm and distillery, the tasting experience, and a first-rate meal at the cafe, Ocean Vodka is a great all-in-one place to spend an afternoon in Upcountry Maui.


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Mahalo Nui Loa for reading Pride of Maui’s Top 10 Things to Do in Upcountry Maui article. The activities in the upcountry part of Maui are truly spectacular. What’re your favorite things to do or places to visit?

Andrea Riggins

Andrea is a business and tourism professional with a passion for travel and writing, along with a deep love for Maui and the Hawaiian Islands, Andrea enjoys sharing the best of her experiences with her readers.