Maui Sunriders - Haleakala Bike Tours

Showing posts with label paia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paia. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2015

Delicious Places to Grab a Bite in Paia After You Bike the Volcano

Great Places to Eat in Paia After You Bike the Volcano

Undoubtedly you'll work up an appetite after you bike the volcano. And as you end your Haleakala downhill bike tour in Paia, there are a number of awesome places to eat in addition to the terrific shopping areas this quaint town has to offer.

So, if you’re looking for a great place to have a relaxing dinner, explore some of these Paia restaurants (which are in no particular order) . . .

For tasty fish burgers, fish tacos, and other large-portioned seafood plates, Paia Fish Market (above) is a very popular restaurant on the corner of Baldwin Ave. and Hana Highway. While not the most romantic dinner for two location with its order-at-the-counter and bench seating style, this eatery is a great place to unwind and recap your Haleakala biking adventures in a relaxed aloha atmosphere.

mamas fish houseMama’s Fish House on the other hand is a restaurant where you can make reservations weeks in advance. This lovely eatery has picturesque views of the ocean and a unique island ambiance that draws people in from across the world. The elegant seafood dishes are as delicious as the views. However, Mama’s Fish House is a bit pricey ,but does serve some excellent seafood dishes along with great service.

paia restaurants

For some Tex-Mex while you’re on the island, stop in at Milagros Food Company. They have a nice selection of tequila to accompany their delicious Mexican and seafood dishes.

charleys
With its country theme and down-home delicious food, Charley’s Restaurant & Saloon is another great place to have dinner and enjoy some live music. Known for their barbecue and corn bread as well as their pancakes during breakfast, Charley’s is also a famous spot for Willie Nelson to hang out at.

flatbread co paia
If you’re in the mood for some tasty pizza after your Haleakala bike tour down the volcano, try the Flatbread Company. They have gourmet pizzas and flatbreads using local ingredients along with some great salads.

dazooAt the Dazoo Restaurant, you can pick your own flavors to add to the main dish mixing and matching combinations, while having one of their award-winning cocktails. Try Dazoo’s for an exciting and interesting dining experience.

As a lively little town all its own, Paia boasts some unique restaurants that you just must try while you’re here. So start your day by biking the Maui volcano and then enjoy a delicious meal at one of our great one-of-a-kind Maui restaurants.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Must-Do Upcountry Maui Activities

Most people just think of Maui as miles of golden beaches filled with surfers, palm trees, and beach bums basking in the sun, and that would be a good snapshot of the Valley Isle, but there is another totally different, but equally as gorgeous side of the island – Upcountry Maui. Here, on the slopes of the Haleakala volcano is a beautiful countryside of rolling hills, crisp clean air, beautiful scenic views, and charming communities brimming with character. As for things to do, there are plenty of activities for the Maui vacationer to try in Upcountry . . .
Paia Town. 
Most would say the drive into Upcountry Maui generally starts in the small town of Paia on the North Shore. In our charming little town, there’s still plenty to do, especially for the avid shoppaia town mauiper. In Paia, there are numerous little shops, boutiques, art galleries, and great restaurants in this former Hawaiian plantation village. Close by are some awesome beaches, including the “windsurfing capital of the world,” Ho’okipa Beach. Maui’s little Paia is also where you can rent bikes to ride for the day or take a bike tour of Haleakala volcano.
Haleakala sunrise bike tour.
haleakala volcano tour
A favorite Upcountry Maui activity for many visitors is the Haleakala sunrise bike tour. Although you don’t have to go at sunrise, most would say it’s definitely worth getting up early for and one of the most incredible sights they’ve ever seen. On our self-paced Haleakala sunrise bike tours, guests are driven up to the summit of Haleakala (at 10,023-ft) to watch this incredible sunrise above the clouds and see the spectacular cinder landscape at Haleakala Crater. Then guests are taken to the staging area at 6,500 feet where they get ready to bike down the volcano! Because our Haleakala bike rides are self-paced, guests have the freedom to stop along the way back down at the many towns, scenic areas, restaurants, shops, and farms on the route all the way to Paia. So really, our Haleakala bike tours allow guests to enjoy, not just one, but numerous Maui activities, all in one day – all at your own pace.
Kula Lodge & Restaurant 
enjoy-early-morning-breakfast-kula-lodge
On our Haleakala sunrise bike tour, you could stop to have lunch at the Kula Lodge. This “romantic hideaway” is the perfect spot to have gourmet pizza from their wood-burning pizza oven or take a picture amid a backdrop of blossoming protea, carnations, and other tropical flora as well as gorgeous views of the West Maui Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Makawao – Paniolo Country, Ziplines & Pineapple Tours
Another little town you’ll visit along the scenic Haleakala sunrise bike tour is Makawao in what’s known here as Paniolo Country. Paniolo is the term for the “Hawaiian cowboy” and Makawao is a town where the cowboys still herd cattle on ranches and compete in real rodeo competitions. But Makawao is also filled with interesting boutiques and is a top art destination with numerous local artists and art galleries. In Makawao, there are also zipline tours available at the Piiholo Ranch or you can take a guided Maui Pineapple Tour at the Hali’imaile Pineapple Plantation.
Ali’I Kula Lavender Farm
IMG_0014OrchidHouseBlooming
If you’re staying in Upcountry after your Haleakala bike tour or want to see more in Upcountry, you might head back up to Kula for a visit to the beautiful and fragrant Ali’I Kula Lavender Farm. You can take a guided tour of the lavender farm, have a gourmet picnic, or purchase some lavender bath and body products in their shop.
Kula Botanical Garden
If you would like to see more of the tropical flora found on this dormant volcano, check out the botanical garden in Kula. You can take a self-guided tour or a guided group tour of this beautiful tropical oasis.
Maui Wine & Ulupalakua Ranch
Nestled on the slopes of Haleakala in an area known as Ulupalakua is Maui Wine, the only commercial winery on the island. On the histomaui wineric site of the famous Rose Ranch, you can enjoy a tour and tasting of this beautiful estate and vineyard. Try some of their unique, flavorful pineapple wines like Hula O’Maui, made from locally grown Maui pineapples, as well as their grape and sparkling wines. Then, you can grab a bite to eat at the Ulupalakua Ranch Store that features fresh Maui Cattle Company beef and Ulupalakua elk burgers.
There’s so much to see and do in Upcountry Maui that you may want to stay a few days enjoying the fresh mountain air and the variety of exciting Maui activities available here in beautiful Upcountry Maui.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

See Paia After Your Maui Bike Ride!

Exploring Paia After Your Maui Volcano Bike Ride
The Maui volcano bike ride from the peak of Haleakala down to our little shop in Paia offers bike riders the chance to explore even more of this beautiful area. After their Maui volcano bike ride, many guests stay in Paia for the rest of the afternoon to see all that this unique town has to offer.
As one of the “Coolest Little Towns in Maui,” Paia is full of exciting and unique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and boutiques that have something for everyone. In this “shopper’s paradise,” you can stop into the Biasa Rose clothing store or Moonbow Tropics for some of the latest fashions or browse through the Paia Trading Company for some eclectic antiques to take home. For some great home décor pieces, you might visit Pearl, a lovely home furnishings boutique located in the same shopping area as us on Baldwin Ave. So after your Maui volcano bike ride, you can quickly get to shopping and sightseeing in our fascinating little town.

Over the years, the art scene has really grown so much that it has attracted some big name attention. The New York Times did a piece on our little surfing town a few years back, “Where Wetsuits and Art Meet in Maui.”

“. . .the chill surfer vibe has been joined by a buzzing art scene, with a half-dozen new galleries representing artists like Mary Mitsuda, David Ivan Clark and Udo Nöger,” the NY Times wrote. “Their works have not only attracted the attention of the international art-collecting crowd, who come here on spending holidays, but also that of major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.”

So if you want to check out some of these great artists, you might visit the Art Project Paia or the Paia Contemporary Gallery located along the Hana Highway.

And of course, you will probably be looking for somewhere to eat after your Maui volcano bike ride, so there’s some delicious places to eat along the town’s shopping district. The Paia Fish Market is always a fan-favorite with its large-portioned seafood plates. Café Des Amis is renowned for its great Mediterranean and Indian cuisine. And for a fun and interesting dining experience, try the Dazoo Restaurant where you can pick your own flavors, mixing and matching, to add to the main dish along with having one of their award-winning cocktails.

While the in-town shops and restaurants of Paia have much to offer, the beaches near Paia also boast some exciting attractions. Known as the “windsurfing capital of the world,” Paia attracts professional windsurfers, kitesurfers, and board surfers from all over the world. So stop by Ho’okipa Beach to catch a glimpse of some pro windsurfers testing out their latest tricks.

This once bustling plantation town is now a laid back venue for local residents and visitors to enjoy the more authentic Hawaii. Here, away from the more crowded resort areas, you can relax and enjoy this charming little village still surrounded by fields of sugar cane and the gorgeous beaches of Maui.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Can't Miss Maui Activities - Volcano Bike Ride, Molokini, Road to Hana...

Are you planning a vacation to beautiful Maui soon? This delightful Valley Isle has so many treasures, so many adventures that it can be very hard to narrow down your vacation list of Maui activities. You may have to move to Maui to see all the wonders of this island. But for now a vacation may have to do. So for your vacation, we’ve created a list of some of our own favorite Maui activities – in addition to the thrilling volcano bike ride of course. These Maui activities are sure to provide a vacation full of breathtaking experiences.

Dinner and Shopping on Front Street
Close to Lahaina Harbor is captivating Front Street – a quaint blend of restaurants, charming boutiques, jewelry shops, art galleries, and a hint of historic Old Town Lahaina. There’s also numerous historical buildings in this area of Lahaina including the Old Courthouse with its large banyan tree in the town square known as Banyan Tree Park. Have dinner alongside a panoramic oceanfront view of the sunset at the Lahaina Fish Co. This historic whaling village has so much to see and do. No vacation to Maui is complete without an afternoon of shopping and dining in this picturesque part of Lahaina on the west coast of Maui.

Whale Watching
whale watching mauiFrom the Lahaina Harbor you can venture onto a whale watching tour to see one of the ocean’s most splendid creatures, the humpback whale. These remarkable mammals make Maui their home during the winter months, from December to May with the peak season from January through March.  There are a number of Maui whale watching tours available including charter boats, passenger rafts, and catamarans that offer guided tours. Seeing these marvelous creatures in person is another Maui activity that should not be missed.

Snorkel Molokini
When you see the beauty of Maui’s mountains, rainforests, and beaches, you may think that this is the most beautiful place on earth, and arguably it's at least one of the major contenders. But beneath the surface of Maui, lies another world of brilliance that’s equally, if not more amazing. Molokini is a small, moon-shaped island about three miles off the southwest coast of Maui. This crescent-shaped island is in reality a partially-submerged volcanic crater and was named a State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District. Molokini Crater is home to a plentiful array of vibrant coral reefs and more than 250 species of tropical fish and marine life including whitetip reef sharks and manta rays, making it one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in Maui. The clear, tranquil waters of Molokini make for a great day of snorkeling with visibility of up to 150 feet. Because of the unbelievable marine life you’ll see around this stunning island crater, snorkeling Molokini is certainly a must for your Maui activities list!

Road to Hana
hana mauiThen you’ll need to spend a day on the legendary Road to Hana. This rugged, exhilarating drive from Kahului to the little town of Hana is one of the most beautiful scenic drives you’ll ever take, in addition to your Maui volcano tour biking down Haleakala. This road, however, is not for the faint of heart to drive (there are van tours available). With its endless curves and one-lane bridges, the Road to Hana offers a ride into another world through fascinating rainforests where you can stop and hike to incredible waterfalls and glorious pools. On this world-famous drive, you’ll see spectacular views of the ocean, its coastlines, and beaches, all from awe-inspiring cliffs. Stop along the way at a local fruit stand for a snack. Take your time at each scenic spot to take in the awe-inspiring beauty, but be sure to keep track of the time so that you don’t have to drive this winding road at night. So if you’re up for even more adventure after your Maui bike tour, plan a day to travel the Road to Hana.

Maui Volcano Bike Tour
haleakala sunrise bike tourThe Haleakala sunrise bike tour is undeniably a not-to-be-missed Maui activity. Seeing the sunrise above the clouds at the summit of Haleakala volcano is indescribable. The sunrise on Haleakala is truly mesmerizing. See the dynamic Haleakala Crater and its volcanic cinder desert. Our self-paced Maui volcano bike tour is an ideal way to bike down Haleakala and see all the gorgeous sights of Upcountry Maui. Bike at your own pace from the top of Haleakala volcano all the way to the sea to the quaint town of Paia. Along the way you can stop at delightful restaurants and shops, see protea farms, paniolo cowboys, and breathtaking views stretching out over the hills out to the sea. The Haleakala sunrise bike tour is one of the most memorable things you can do in Maui.