Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (Things to do in South Maui)
I’ve listed nine things you have to do if you ever find yourself in South Maui! I give you specifics about why we enjoyed our stay at this particular hotel (The Four Seasons) but will also list activities in this area even if you choose to stay somewhere else.
If you have a special occasion to celebrate like a birthday or anniversary and want to go all out, the Four Seasons Maui is THE place to go. From the lei necklaces, drinks, and snacks we received upon arrival to the incredible amenities like the adult only infinity pool, this place impressed me every day. I’ll give you specifics about why I enjoyed our stay at this particular hotel but will also list activities in this area (southern Maui) even if you choose to stay somewhere else. There are several other hotel and Airbnb options in south Maui, so check them out to see what’s best for you.
1. Go on a run/walk on the Pathway by Wailea Beach
Pathway by Wailea Beach
Beach Pathway Run
There is a pathway along Wailea beach in front of the hotels with gorgeous views. We ran on this beach pathway almost every day! Grab a cup of free coffee from your hotel and get out there early as it becomes more crowded the later you wait. In total, the pathway is about 2 or 3 miles. If you are staying at the Four Seasons and wake up too late, you can always use the outdoor treadmills at the hotel. They have virtual runs, a great view of the hotel outdoor area, cold fruit-infused water, towels, and everything you could imagine to enhance your workout.
If you walk out of the hotel and choose to start your run or walk to the left on the Wailea Beach Pathway, it’s a little less crowded and stops at a dead end after about a mile. We continued through the dead end into the parking lot and then straight into a neighborhood to discover a private beach down the way, full of chickens!
If you walk out of your hotel and go to the right, the pathway is a little more crowded and you’ll pass by lots of major hotels plus the Wailea Shops. There’s also a cute beach bar along this way called The Whale’s Tale where you can grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner and coffee or cocktails. We stopped here for a drink and ended up seeing a huge turtle lounging on some rocks in the ocean right in front of us!
Huge turtle we discovered by the Whale’s Tale Beach Bar
Whale’s Tale Beach Bar
2. Spend the day on Wailea Beach
The resort provides towels, chairs, and umbrellas, but if you’re not staying at the hotel, bring your own! The beach is public and therefore free for everyone and is also one of the most beautiful beaches in Maui. You can rent snorkeling gear if you’re feeling adventurous or simply lounge on the sand all day. We ended up seeing a huge rainbow on the day we went out! One thing to keep in mind is that drinking alcohol is prohibited on the beach.
3. Spend the day at the Serenity Pool
If you do decide to stay at the Four Seasons, the Serenity Pool is the Adults Only pool with views that will blow your mind! It is open until 7-sunset, has a swim-up bar (opens at 9am), and starts serving food at 11:30. Servers will let you pick a chair and deliver your food and drink from there, or you can choose to swim up to the bar to order. There are a couple of hot tubs in addition to the long infinity pool. The food and drink at this pool and at every restaurant at the hotel ain’t cheap, but they are quality and worth it!
4. Visit Maui Brewing Company
We’re from Asheville, NC (Beer City USA), so beer is a big deal for us. We had to make the short 10 minute drive to Maui Brewing, especially since we had rented a car. It was raining this particular morning (apparently we visited Maui during a weird weather week) and thought “this is our opportunity!” Just when we arrived to the brewery, the sun came out and we were able to sit at an inside table next to the huge open doors to the front yard of the brewery. The beer was very tasty (we both ordered flights to find our favorite one), and we also ordered the house cut fries with kurikake and sriracha. They were DIVINE!
5. Eat at Monkeypod Kitchen
Just up the road about a mile from the hotel is a restaurant, Monkeypod, that we heard multiple people rave about. The staff as well as some travelers who had visited Maui before said we MUST try Monkeypod… so we did. Twice. We first stopped there on our way back from Maui Brewing. Stuffed from fries, we weren’t really that hungry so we just tried a drink and an appetizer. We were so impressed that we made reservations for dinner for the next day (Friday) and we’re glad we did, because it was packed! Their Mai Tai was the. best. Mai. Tai. I’ve. ever. had. It’s made with silver rum, dark rum, lime, house-made macadamia nut orgeat, orange curacao, and topped with a dairy-free honey-lilikoi foam. Our bartender, and then our server, said the best thing on the menu was (hands-down) the grilled Ahi, so I went for it. It came with jalapeño mashed potatoes and bok choy, and was —dare I say— better than the Mai Tai.
6. Have Breakfast in Bed (or Breakfast on Balcony hehe)
Enjoy the spectacular views from your hotel room by ordering room service for breakfast. The resort has something for everyone including gluten and dairy free items. I ordered the gluten and dairy free pancakes, and my husband got the Breakfast Quesadilla. YUM!
7. Go on a Whale Watch
Whale Season in Hawaii is between November and April, so if you find yourself here during these months, book a whale watch! We went through Alii Nui ($149 each), and I can’t say enough about them and their employees. They picked us up at our hotel, provided all you can eat drinks (alocholic and non) and appetizers. The staff was enthusiastic, friendly, and helpful throughout the boat ride. Plus, we saw a bunch of whales! One even swam right under our boat! It was amazing.
8. Eat dinner at Ferraro’s beachfront restaurant
Even if you’re not staying at the Four Seasons, go eat at Ferraro’s! Make a reservation 15-30 minutes before sunset (make this days or weeks in advance if you can and note that you’d like to sit beachfront), and watch the sun go down while eating pasta and drinking red wine. It’s magical.
9. Eat lunch at Tommy Bahama’s
Isn’t that a store, you ask? Yes, but it’s also a restaurant! It’s located in The Shops at Wailea so is only a short walk away. I ordered the Lump Blue Crab & Avocado Salad. In addition to the delicious food, they gave us a postcard and pen at the end of our meal, so we could write to our family and then mailed it for us. How nice is that?
I feel like most of the activities I recommended involve food and drinks, but hey, isn’t that what a vacation is? A few things we didn’t get to this time around that are on my list: The Road to Hana, Mama’s Fish House, paddle boarding, helicopter tour, and a hike (we had planned one, but the weather was unusually bad that day). Have you been to Hawaii? Which island? What were your favorite spots? What else should I add to my list?
Cru Café (Lunch)
Here’s another food pic I snapped in Charleston, SC when visiting a couple weeks ago. We stopped at Cru Café for lunch on Saturday. I got the Duck Confit Arugula Salad (baby arugula, tomato, candied pecans, fried onions, and port wine vinaigrette) and we all split the Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer.
Here’s another food pic I snapped in Charleston, SC when visiting a couple weeks ago. We stopped at Cru Café for lunch on Saturday and unfortunately didn’t make reservations, but luckily they had one table open for walk-ins. I got the Duck Confit Arugula Salad (baby arugula, tomato, candied pecans, fried onions, and port wine vinaigrette) and we all split the Fried Green Tomatoes as an appetizer. OMG, so good. Plus, the restaurant is an 18th century home, and if the weather’s nice, you can have lunch or dinner on the front porch! They also serve dinner. I highly recommend making reservations, ‘cause this place is popular for good reason.
MENU: CLICK HERE
Hours
(As of now due to COVID)
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY,
12PM – 8PM
Address
18 Pinckney Street
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
Darling Oyster Bar Brunch
This beautiful Bloody Mary comes from The Darling Oyster Bar in Charleston, SC. Staples of theirs include Shrimp & Grits, French Toast, Crab Cake Benedict, and a Smoked Salmon Quiche.
This beautiful Bloody Mary comes from The Darling Oyster Bar in Charleston, SC when my sister and I were wedding venue hunting. Y’all need to go look at the @darling_oyster_bar instagram to see how cute this place is. Brunch here is a perfect way to start your day in Charleston. If you can, make reservations ahead of time, because they book up fast!
We also ordered the blueberry and cinnamon biscuit for an appetizer/dessert. The meal I finally decided on?The seafood frittata with lobster, king grab, shrimp, bacon, fennel, goat cheese, crispy potato, and arugula salad. Other staples of theirs include Shrimp & Grits, French Toast, Crab Cake Benedict, and a Smoked Salmon Quiche.
Townhouse
I’m on the road again! Avoiding fast food and finding real food while traveling is always a fun challenge for me.
I’m on the road again! Avoiding fast food and finding real food while traveling is always a fun challenge for me. For the flight, I packed snacks (almonds, RX bar, and a banana... I always avoid plane food) and I do my research before arriving to our destination to find restaurants that have food Tyler and I will both like.
Last night’s dinner was at Townhouse in Birmingham, MI. It was amazing! Tyler got their award winning burger accompanied with the most delicious truffle fries and rosemary garlic aioli (I plan to recreate this at home 😍). I ordered the trout, probably the best tasting thing I’ve had in a while. It looked and tasted like salmon... only better. It came with fingerling potatoes, green beans, marcona almonds, brown butter, and charred lemon. I loved how on the menu they let you know which meals are gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian. They also have the option of a topless or naked burger (I wish more restaurants would do this!!!). If you ever find yourself in the Detroit area, eating at Townhouse is a must!
MENU: CLICK HERE
Address
180 PIERCE STREET
BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009
Hours
MON - THUR: 11AM - 12AM KITCHEN CLOSES @ 10PM (MON-TUE) & 11PM (WED-THURS)
FRI: 11AM - 2AM KITCHEN CLOSES @ MIDNIGHT
SAT: 10AM - 2AM KITCHEN CLOSES @ MIDNIGHT
BRUNCH 10AM - 3PM
SUN: 10AM - 12AM KITCHEN CLOSES @ 10PM
BRUNCH 10AM - 3PM
Best Bars and Restaurants in Portland, Maine
We were in Portland for 48 hours, and how I wish I had more time there! Even though we only a couple of days, we made the most of the time we had. Here’s a list of five of our favorite food and drink spots!
My husband and I are on a fifty state tour! We’re completing it in chunks, and this time around we are in New England. Our first stop was Portland, Maine.
We were in Portland for 48 hours, and how I wish I had more time there! Even though we only a couple of days, we made the most of the time we had. Here’s a list of five of our favorite food and drink spots!
1) Portland Lobster Company
For lunch, we stopped at Portland Lobster Company who’s known for their fresh, delicious seafood. It was cold and rainy, so we kept warm inside and people watched by the window. They also had a heated outdoor patio right next to the water!
I ordered the Lobster Garden Salad and Tyler got the New England Clam Chowder in a bread bowl. Both were incredible! If you’re ever in Portland, be sure to check this place out. The staff was super friendly, and they have everything from fries to a full lobster dinner.
Hours:
Sunday through Thursday - 11AM to 9:30PM
Friday and Saturday - 11AM to 10PM
Website: http://www.portlandlobstercompany.com/
2) Gritty McDuff’s or “Gritty’s”
What I loved about this cozy, charming pub is that they had normal pub grub, but they also had some healthy options to choose from too. I felt like I had been transported to England due to the traditional style of the pub. They have a large upstairs area and a smaller, cozier, downstairs as well. The beer, food, and ambiance were all perfect and it is located on Fore Street in the center of everything.
I ordered the oysters and Tyler got chicken tenders and fries (pictured above). We both ordered beers but they have a variety of other drinks to choose from!
Address:
396 Fore Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Hours: 11:00am to Close
Website: http://grittys.com/
3) Liquid Riot
Liquid Riot is known for their house made beers but they also have spirits and gourmet bar food! Tyler and I stuck with beer since we already ate, but we definitely want to go back one day to try their food (it sounded delicious!) We loved the beer and atmosphere and we also enjoyed the fact that they provided a couple of games to play. We chose shuffle board, and I made a huge comeback to beat Tyler!
Address:
250 Commercial St
Portland ME 04101
207 221 8889
Hours: Sun – Thurs: 12-11pm
Fri & Sat: 12-1am
Website: http://liquidriot.com/
4) Novare Res
We had friends suggest that we visit Novare Res, a taproom that serves international beer and food. They had a variety of beers and other drinks to choose from plus a large food menu. We had a little trouble finding it at first, because it’s a bit hidden behind the street, but once we found it we were happy to take off our rain jackets and stay there for a while. The vibe was so relaxed and cozy, and the wait staff was very friendly and attentive. We were so busy drinking and chatting with friends that I forgot to a take a picture, so I snapped a quick one right before we left.
Address: 4 Canal Plaza, Suite 1, Portland, ME 04101
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 4-1
Friday 3-1
Saturday & Sunday 12-1
Website: http://novareresbiercafe.com
5) Blyth & Burrows
If you’re looking for a cocktail and appetizer or night cap and snack, Blyth & Burrows is the spot. They have a plethora of signature cocktails and a delicious choice of upscale small plates.
They are located in the middle of a ton of cute shops. Tyler and I browsed around the shops and then stopped here for a drink before dinner.
Address: 26 Exchange Street
Portland, Maine 04101
Hours:
M – F: 4 PM – 1 AM
Sat: 4 PM – 1 AM
Sun: 4 PM - 1 AM
Website: https://www.blythandburrows.com/
We were able to squeeze in lots of food, drinks, and shopping in the short time we were in this charming city. We brought the rain with us but despite the dreary weather, we still had the best time. This is an extremely short list of places, and we know there are many more to explore when we come back again to visit. Because it poured down rain, we weren’t able to get our run in at the Eastern Promenade, and there were a few more restaurants and bars on our list that we simply didn’t have time for. Have you been to Portland? What are your favorite spots?
Crawford's Bar & Grill
Last night, we landed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and we found this beautiful restaurant called “Crawford’s” that had food Tyler would like, like flatbreads (i.e., pizza) and healthy options like salads, chicken, and fish.
My husband and I are still on the road, and I’m proud to say I have not eaten any fast food! Several years ago, I’d be downing a McDonald’s burger and fries, but now I am committed to finding real food so I can feel my best for this trip. Seeing as I can’t cook food at home (I’ll leave that to Sarah this week 👩🏻🍳), I’ll be sharing my travel-food choices with you all ✈️
Last night, we landed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and we found this beautiful restaurant called “Crawford’s” that had food Tyler would like, like flatbreads (i.e., pizza) and healthy options like salads, chicken, and fish.
I ordered the salmon with broccoli and wild rice, and Tyler made fun of my “oh-my-gosh-this-food-is-so-good” face which he says actually looks extremely angry. Anyway, it was so damn delicious. I took what little leftovers I had back to the hotel so I could have it for lunch today before we continue on our journey north.
And yes, of course I snagged a couple bites of Tyler’s pizza :) I’d be crazy not to! 🤪
Crawford's website: http://crawfordssf.com/
Hours:
Monday-Thursday
4:00 PM to midnight
Fri & Sat:
3:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Sunday
3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Address:
Crawford's Bar & Grill
214 S. Phillips Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD, 57104
Filling Station Coffee
Today we’re in Kansas City, Missouri, and breakfast was at this cute café, @fillingstationcoffee right next to where we’re working. When I found them online and saw they served brunch all day, I knew this way my kind of place.
My husband and I are on the road again! We are doing a lot of traveling this year for work which is awesome, but it does make eating well a bit more challenging. I make sure to research before we leave to find restaurants that have plenty of healthy options. That and packing my own snacks for the plane and hotel rooms keep me on track… at least more on track anyway. Part of traveling means adapting and making the most out of where I am at the moment. Luckily I don’t have any food allergies, so I can be a bit flexible.
Today we’re in Kansas City, Missouri, and breakfast was at this cute café, Filling Station Coffee right next to where we’re working. When I found them online and saw they served brunch all day, I knew this way my kind of place. Plus they have a little bit of everything… quinoa bowls, quiche, salads, sandwiches, and juice.
I opted for the “Everyday Bowl” which was kefir, cooked quinoa, banana, blueberries, toasted sesame seeds, spiced honey, and peanut butter and paired it with their cold brew coffee. It was so good! If you’re ever in the area, check this place out. Orrrr you can always just recreate this tasty “Everyday Bowl” at home, and adapt it to make it your own!
Website
http://www.fillingstationcoffee.com
Hours
MONDAY-FRIDAY 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM
SATURDAY, SUNDAY 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
KITCHEN CLOSES AT 3:00 PM
Address (Midtown Location)
2980 McGee Trafficway
Kansas City, MO