When was the last time you actually felt thankful at Thanksgiving? Between all the work, the expense, and certain complaining family members, this most idyllic holiday often seems more like a chore than a celebration of thankfulness, making a Thanksgiving vacation to Maui and a stay in our Maui Life Realty holiday hideaways a very excellent suggestion. Offering warm and wonderful days filled with sunshine and relaxation, plus all the holiday activities you love but none of the chores, this guide to why Maui is the perfect Thanksgiving destination will help give you back your feelings of thankfulness.
Grateful for Beach Days
As the first snow may have already fallen in your hometown, here in Maui, summer continues on its gentle ways. The mercury does fall a bit, dropping to about 70 or 80 degrees (absolutely perfect!), but the water stays warm and the sun shines bright, so you can plan that day at the beach, decide to take up scuba diving, or try your hand at surfing. Coming home tan for the Christmas season is just another way the blessings of a Maui Thanksgiving continue to give long after you have returned home.
Thankful Someone Else Will Be Cooking
Don’t get us wrong, there is nothing like a home-cooked meal to make us feel all warm and wonderful, but honestly, the Thanksgiving feast can be a bit much. All the work, all the expense, and yes, the complaints of those family members who seem to have forgotten how hard you may have worked to feed the family. Many restaurants on Maui will be open on this wonderful day, creating, serving, and clearing away the meal you love to devour, including the ones listed below.
- The Plantation House, 2000 Plantation Club Drive in Kapalua – Serves a traditional turkey feast at a fixed price with a chef’s carving station.
- Merriman’s Kapalua, 1 Bay Club in Lahaina – Reservations are recommended for a visit to Merriman’s Kapalua, offering their regular a la carte menu, plus a Harvest Plate special with organic turkey as the star of the meal. Pumpkin pie is available for purchase by the slice.
- Hula Grill Kaanapali, 2435 Kaanapali Parkway in Lahaina – A traditional turkey dinner is served at the Hula Grill for a fixed price.
Gilligan’s Island Thanksgiving Luau, 470 Lipoa Parkway in Kihei
What is the difference between a Thanksgiving luau and a regular luau? The Thanksgiving one takes place on Thanksgiving, and Gilligan’s Island offers an authentic adventure that will add a new layer of excitement to your holiday travels! If this holiday getaway is your first time on Maui, the beauty of this ancient ceremony will welcome you correctly, and because the luaus are held every night at 5 PM, if you prefer sticking to your normal traditions, you can participate after a long day of Black Friday shopping on the 29th. If you have visited many times before, the luau will be like coming home, while seeming like new with every visit.
Black Friday Shopping
Because our holiday hideaways offer laundry rooms that allow you to pack light and save room in your luggage for souvenirs, Black Friday shopping may be next on your list of Thanksgiving activities. Everyone knows that Christmas begins almost as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared away, and a visit to Kihei Kalama Village, located at 1941 S Kihei Road in Kihei, may be where you want to start your shopping adventures. Offering shops and boutiques that we can almost always promise you don’t have at home, the recipients of your expedition will surely know how much you love them when they open each gift. Good Living Hawaii, Bindi’s Boutique, and Bada Gift Shop are a few of our faves, but be sure to explore all the stores and when you get tired, thirsty, or hungry, you can take a break at Dog and Duck Irish Pub or Kahale’s Maui’s Local Dive Bar without having to leave the premises.
At Home with Maui Life Realty
The moments you spend at home in our Maui Life Realty holiday hideaways will add wonder and warmth to your Hawaiian getaway while also providing an integral piece to your celebration. Our fully equipped kitchens will make cooking the holiday feast fun and easy, and watching the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on state of the art televisions will remind you how lucky you are to celebrate where the sun is shining and winter coats are not needed. (How do people live in those cold places, anyway?) Sleep deep while sugar plums dance through your kiddo’s head, already anticipating the joys of the next holiday, and when you awaken each morning feeling peaceful and rested in our Maui escapes, you will discover that yes, it is possible to feel thankful at Thanksgiving. Reserve your favorite holiday haven today!