Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens is Maui's best-kept family secret — a free, stroller-friendly native plant garden in Kahului that offers a peaceful, educational alternative to the island's more commercialized attractions. The 7-acre garden focuses on Hawaiian native and Polynesian-introduced plants, making it a living museum of the island's botanical heritage.

For families, this is a wonderful change of pace from beach days and tours. The paved and compacted pathways are stroller-accessible, making it rare among Maui's outdoor attractions. The scale is just right for younger kids — enough to explore without exhausting little legs, with interesting plants and nooks to discover along the way.

Pick up the free self-guided tour map at the entrance and let kids lead the exploration. The map points out specific plants by name and gives context about their traditional Hawaiian uses — taro, breadfruit, native Hawaiian herbs, and tropical trees all feature prominently. Kids who engage with the garden as a scavenger hunt (finding each plant on the map) tend to have the most fun.

The garden is managed by a non-profit, so admission is free and donations are genuinely appreciated. There are no gift shops, no rides, and no admission booths — just thoughtfully maintained garden paths and helpful volunteers who love talking to curious kids.

Hours are limited — Monday through Friday 8 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM, closed Sunday. Plan accordingly, as the Saturday window is easy to miss. This is an excellent complement to a visit to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center next door, or a stop during a Kahului errand day.