5 Best Sights in Makawao, Maui

The visitor center is at the crater summit, about a 30-minute drive south of the park headquarters and the Summit District entrance. Inside, you'll find exhibits, and there's also a trail leading to Pa Kaoao (White Hill), which offers excellent views of the valley and is a short, easy walk. The center is generally open daily year-round, although the hours may vary depending on the season.

Go behind the scenes to see how vodka, rum, whiskey, and gin are produced—from distillation to bottling—on this tour, which pairs nicely with a tour of the nearby Maui Pineapple Farm. Indeed, the distillery’s flagship brand, Pau Vodka, is made with Maui Gold pineapples, creating a unique liquor that’s clean and easy to drink. At the end of the tour, you can taste it and other spirits. Afterward, stop by the gift shop for all things pineapple. If you're feeling peckish, Haliimaile General Store, open for lunch and dinner, is just across the road.

The grande dame of Maui's visual arts scene, "the Hui," hosts exhibits that are always satisfying. Located just outside Makawao, the center's main building is an elegant two-story Mediterranean-style villa designed in 1917 by Hawaii's architect of the era, C. W. Dickey. Explore the grounds, see locally made products, and experience community enrichment through art. Crafts, drawing, photography, and glass blowing are some of the classes offered.

Pineapple exudes tropical happiness, and it just so happens Maui has the only tour of a working pineapple plantation in the United States. You'll join a worker on a stroll through the sunny fields and hear all about the especially sweet Maui Gold pineapples, sampling the fruit in various stages of maturity along the way. The best part? Everyone gets a free pineapple at the end! For an extra fee, you can also tour the nearby Haliimaile Distilling Company to learn about its operations and taste Pau Maui Vodka, the world's only pineapple vodka. Time things right, and you'll be able to enjoy lunch or dinner at the renowned Haliimaile General Store just across the street from the distillery.

Hawaii’s first major tequila-production site is something to be seen—massive agave plants punctuate fields that formerly served as a BMX park. Production is very small, and bottles are only available at limited retail outlets on Maui and the distillery, making the tour and tasting a must-do activity. The staff is tiny and close-knit; it’s easy to spend a whole afternoon just chatting about the operation over tasting glasses of tequila.