Experience the Wailele Polynesian Luau at The Westin Maui Resort

Maui Insider Tips

Looking for insider tips for things to see and do in Maui, Hawaii? I have recently returned from the Hawaiian Islands and I’m happy to share some Maui “must do” recommendations with you.

The first experience I do with visitors from out of town is to go to a Luau – it is a must see for people who have never been to Hawaii.  A favorite is the Old Lahaina Luau. Their performers are very talented and the pacing of the show keeps your interest.  The buffet is also one of the best from any luau. I recently tried the Wailele Polynesian Luau at The Westin Maui Resort and enjoyed the five member fire knife dancers, as well as Fiji and Maori performances.

Ko Restaurant at The Fairmont Kea Lani offers plantation era-inspired cuisine

Authentic Hawaiian dining Maui-style

If you are looking for an authentic Hawaiian dining experience,  Ko Restaurant at The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui offers plantation era-inspired cuisine.  They have truly represented  Maui cuisine  from the main cultures of the island all brought together when working the sugarcane fields.  The menu features Portuguese stew,  lobster tempura, chicken and mushroom lumpia, Maui Cattle Company ribeye, pancit, and coconut gelato. FYI, the restaurant is undergoing a major renovation and will be opening in February of 2012.

Want to impress your dining companion?  Go to Restaurant Nick’s Fishmarket Maui and order the Strawberries Panzini – Ulupalakua Ranch strawberries flambéed tableside with Grand Marnier served with Hawaiian brown sugar, Devonshire Cream & Chocolate sauce – the presentation of this dessert alone is worth it!  Located at The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort. Save me a bite!

And if  you like fresh fish at a great price, locals know to go to  Eskimo Candy in Kihei (South Maui).  They have the freshest fish caught by the owners, but hurry because they will sell out!

Kihei Caffe has got great breakfast treats and espressos.

If you haven’t been to Maui before, you should try Mama’s Fish House, just past the hippy town of Paia. The menu lists the fresh fish and who caught the fish daily.  Another splurge and one of my favorite restaurants is Lahaina Grill located on Front Street. They are known for quality cuisine, knowledgeable servers, and expansive wine list.

Maui works outs

If I want to be adventurous or simply get a cardio work out on the water,  go to any of the beaches in Kihei and Wailea for stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, Hawaiian canoe experience or surfing lessons.

Fitness buffs will love an active day outdoors in Maui. There are an unlimited amount of activities to try, from walking or hiking, to SCUBA diving, outrigger canoe paddling, surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, ziplining, snorkeling, paragliding, and, of course, horseback riding!

My favorite walking route is the 1.5 mile winding walk along the Wailea beaches – it is perfect in the early morning.

Early birds, bring your camera with you for sunrise at Haleakala (and lesser known – sunset AND late night at the top of Haleakala)   Other “must do” photo opportunities: Seven Sacred Pools on the road to Hana, Iao Valley, Twin Falls, Front Street Lahaina, Honolua Bay, Bamboo Forest, Black sand beach, Hookipa lookout point

If you walk to the top of Pu’u ‘ula ‘ula (Red Hill) – summit of Haleakala in the West Maui Mountains – you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view.

Try the Hawaiian Canoe Experience - anyone can try it - free to guests of Fairmont Kea Lani

Insider Tip: Listen to your mother

My teenagers wanted to be sure to return home to California with Hawaiian tans.  Of course they didn’t listen to dear old mom me when I shared that the Hawaiian sun was very strong and the importance of re-applying sunblock. Needless to say, they both fried themselves on our first day in Hawaii and spent the entire next day in the hotel room drinking Gatorade to re-hydrate and slathered in Aloe vera lotion. By the way – they missed out on surf lessons due to their sun burns.

Upcountry Maui

At  Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area the weather is usually cooler and sometimes misty, but always beautiful.  The intoxicating scent of the trees will encourage you to journey farther into this state park located upcountry Maui near Kula. While you are upcountry, visit O’o Farms located in the Waipoli (misting forest) district of Kula for a farm to table garden tour.

If you come to Lahaina, visit Aloha Mixed Plate Beachside Grill

Lahaina, Maui

If you come to Lahaina, Maui, get your picture taken at the famous banyan tree off Front Street.  It is one of the largest Indian Banyan trees in the world expanding over a 200 foot area. While in Lahaina, stop at Aloha Mixed Plate for the affordable food and stay for the water front views.

Are you looking for some Maui night life? For dancing, go to “the triangle” in Kihei (South Maui).  There are several different types of bars from Dog N Duck to Tiki Lounge, to Ambrosia, to Life’s a Beach – each has live entertainment.

Insider Tip: If you like sushi, Sansei Kapalua and Kihei is the place for late night dining.  They offer half  price sushi after 10 pm plus karaoke!

MauiTime is the newspaper the locals read to keep up on what’s happening on the island.

If you happen to be visiting Maui in June, check out the Maui Film Festival Wonderful movies are shown outdoors on a golf course, under the stars.

Go on a whale watch in the winter time to view the majestic humpback whales!

Come play in The West Maui's 87,00 square foot aquatic playground

Traveling with kiki?

Will you be traveling with  keikis? The Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea is worth a visit.  This Hawaiian aquarium features a turtle lagoon, hands-on tide pool, discovery center, and a 54-foot clear tunnel allowing you to walk among sharks, stingrays, and other fish.  Book online for discounts. Check out The Ohana Mama for additional tips from a local Maui mom blogger.

What are your favorite things to do on the Island of Maui?

Thanks to Wendy Harvey and  for assistance with this post.  Photos and YouTube video by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau and Hawaiian Air.

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Visiting Las Vegas, Nevada? Take a trip down the strip.

Planning a trip to LAS VEGAS? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in Sin City.

A must-do in Vegas, especially for the first time visitor, is to see all of the hotels and casinos on the strip.  Each one is an attraction of its own, with its own theme. The shows in Las Vegas are also really like nowhere else in the world. One show I always take visitors to is Mesmerized- a hypnosis show. I’ve seen it several times and still am amazed every time at the things the hypnotist makes the audience do.

If you are looking for typical Vegas cuisine, I recommend the buffet at the Wynn. Las Vegas is the city of gluttony and this place is the ultimate in great food in exorbitant amounts. The buffet has just about every kind of food you can imagine – from Kobe beef burgers to pizza to sushi- and it’s all exceptionally well done.

Looking to get away from the bright lights of the city? Take a day trip to the Grand Canyon. No place can make you feel as small as this massive canyon in the middle of the desert.

Feel like escaping the Las Vegas strip? Take a side trip to the Grand Canyon.

Las Vegas casinos

When you come to Las Vegas, take your picture in front of every casino on the strip. 

Seeing a lot of gambling? Las Vegas is best known for its casinos. However, Las Vegas has plenty of other entertainment like the amazing shows for you to enjoy while you’re in town. Las Vegas is also host to plenty of trade shows during the year such as Luxury Travel Expo.

MIX lounge at the top of Mandalay Bay offers an amazing view of the Las Vegas Strip at night

Views of the Las Vegas strip at night

The observatory on top of the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, the Eiffel tower at the Paris Hotel & Casino and the MIX lounge at the top of the Mandalay Bay offer an amazing view of the Strip at night.

If you feel like escaping the big city, there are plenty of activities and parks to see around Las Vegas. Just to name a few: Mount Charleston, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, Area 51 and the  Grand Canyon.

Have a daytime pool party atThe Cosmopolitan's Bamboo Pool.

The casinos on the strip are so huge you will do quite a lot of walking in Las Vegas, make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes. In case you are wondering, walking is definitely the best way to explore the Las Vegas Strip.

Las Vegas Museums
Las Vegas has a few interesting museums you might want to consider checking out while in town. The most popular ones are: Atomic Testing Museum, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, The Neon Museum and the Madame Tussaud’s Museum.

Enjoy a night out on the town? There are plenty of options to choose from and your dancing doesn’t only have to happen at night. There are some great daytime pool parties during the warmer months from April through October like Encore Beach at the Encore, Rehab at MGM Grand, and many others. At night, some of the most popular dance clubs are Tao at The Palazzo, Lavo, and XS.

One of the popular nightclub's on the Las Vegas strip is TAO at Palazzo

If you have some extra time you should go downtown and check out Fremont Street for a somewhat more local feeling of Las Vegas. View the Fremont Street Experience and other street performances.

Traveling with kids in Las Vegas

If you are traveling with kids, you might want to take them to the Adventuredome Theme Park at Circus Circus Hotel. If you are able to afford a big splurge, I think a better spend would be on one of the many Cirque du Soleil shows. I went to “O” at the Bellagio and it was fantastic!

What are your favorite things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada?

Thanks to Eran Ackerman, founder of  SmarterVegas.com for assistance with this post. Grand Canyon photo courtesy of Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown.

Visiting colorful Curacao? Save time for a trip to Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Are you visiting Curaçao for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in dushi Korsou – the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.

Did you know that downtown Willemstad, in the Dutch Caribbean of Curacao, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

If you are looking for typical Curaçaon cuisine, I recommend Jaanchie’s on the West end of the island.

Looking for a quiet place to escape and unplug from the digital world? Check out one of the beautiful beaches on the western part of the island.

When you come to Curacao, takes pictures at the Floating Market in Willemstad

When you come to Curaçao, take your picture on the floating bridge in front of the colorful Handelskade.

The best item on the menu at Restaurant La Bahia, is the Keshi Yena (Stuffed Gouda Cheese).

Seeing a lot of Iguanas on the island? Curaçao is best known for Iguana soup – oh my!

Plenty of Iguanas to be found in Curacao

Looking for cheap and authentic food in Curaçao, go to Marshe Bieuw, the Old Market, in downtown Willemstad – where the locals eat.

For quality Swiss and French cuisine, go to the five star Bistro Le Clochard.

In Curaçao, take your picture with an ostrich at the Ostrich Farm!

For your best pictures and viewing, walk to the top of Riffort Village.

The Fort Nassau offers great views and Handleskade is the best place to watch or experience the Heineken Regatta Curacao.

In Curaçao, outdoor enthusiasts will want to hike Christoffel Park or hop on one of Eric’s ATVs.

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Jan Thiel walkway.

If you are a museum lover, Curaçao’s best museum is Kura Hulanda Museum.

Ready to enjoy a night out on the town? For a night of dancing, go to Mambo Beach.

Eat authentic Curacao food at Marshe Bieuw in Willemstad, Curacao

The Truk’i Pan  – a food truck,  is the spot for late night dining.

K-Pasa, offers movie reviews and will keep you posted on what’s happening in Curaçao.

You can tell a lot about Curaçao from visiting and watching Carnival, the island’s Mardi Gras!

In the spring you should attend Curaçao Kite Festival.

In the summer you should plan a trip with Substation Curaçao.

Did you know that Curaçao is known for its annual North Sea Jazz Festival? Plan a visit to Curaçao in the fall, this Labor Day weekend.

Come to Curaçao for pagaras and firework events in the winter – all the local business participate.

Visit Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Willemstad, Curacao. The oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere.

Insider Tip:  Check out the often over-looked Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Curaçao. The oldest synagogue still in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere.

Go to Landhuis Daniel for a great breakfast treat or coffee.

If you are looking for a dolphin experience, just outside of Willemstad you can visit Dolphin Academy, and have lunch at the Seaside Terrace.

Do you plan to travel around the entire island of Curacao? You’ll need to rent a car. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Curacao, which offers transportation to the resort from the airport and an inexpensive shuttle service to downtown Willemstad.

Don’t miss the Sea Aquarium if you have kids traveling with you.

What are your favorite things to do in one of the Caribbean ABC islands of Auruba, Bonaire and Curacao?

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Thanks to Curacao Tourism for assistance with this post. I was a guest of Hyatt Regency Curacao.