Even though we stay in South Kihei, we try to get to West Maui for at least one night a trip. One of our favorite West Maui traditions is an evening at Whaler’s Village, an outdoor mall in Ka’anapali.
Open from 9:30 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week, we are usually there long after dark. Parking can be validated for up to 3 hours, but guests staying in the area can easily access Whalers Village via the complimentary Ka’anapali Trolley.
Whaler’s Village Restaurants
After a sunset walk along the beach path toward Black Rock (to the right), we head back for dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants.
One of my favorite Maui moments is listening to live music with a fruity umbrella drink in my hand and feet in the sand at Hula Grill’s more casual Barefoot Bar (Caution: service is often slow). Or, if we think the kids can handle a more upscale experience, we eat upstairs at the recently renovated Leilani’s. Leilani’s also offers a downstairs patio bar (great Mai Tais), which is probably the most kid friendly of the Whaler’s Village restaurants. Monkeypod also just opened, but we prefer the South Maui location.
SECRET: Around sunset, there is usually an hour or so wait for all the restaurants. If you are starving and don’t care where you eat, put your name in at both restaurants, grab the pagers and window shop in the mall or walk along the beach front path (don’t go too far) until the first one rings. Obviously, be kind and return the other pager and tell them to take you off the list!
After dinner, we incorporate some “play” and parent “down time” into our evening. We wander down to the play area with our make-your-own frozen yogurt from Yogurtland. The kids love running around and climbing on this play structure, and I love the comfy chairs and the fact that I don’t have to worry about sunscreen at night.
SECRET: Be sure to try the Taro flavor fro-yo. I can’t describe the flavor but it’s AMAZING!!! (And I don’t like poi). And don’t forget to get your parking validated.
Free Entertainment
Whaler’s Village also offers weekly events perfect for families. Movie nights, lei making classes, live music, hula and ukulele lessons, and my favorite — keiki performing free hula shows. Check the Whaler’s Village website for days and time.
Shopping
Whaler’s Village has some great shopping opportunities. Stores offer something for everyone selling high-end jewelry and watches, surf apparel, designer clothes, flip flops, sweets, art and more. Blue Ginger Kids has some cute things for little ones and be sure to try some free samples at Honolulu Cookie Company!
