On a beautiful crisp breezy morning we chose to visit the Maui Tropical Plantation. This lovely place has been created from an old sugar plantation and mill. As we walked through the garden following the trails nearest the buildings, we saw a variety of native plants—several in bloom. What a lovely way to begin the day.
The Mill House
Since we arrived early The Mill House restaurant wasn’t open yet. That gave me the opportunity to photograph the facilities without disturbing any patrons.
The restaurant utilized much of the old sugar mill’s abandoned machinery in the décor and some of the equipment was incorporated into water features.
Several outside tables were arranged around the water. What a beautiful spot to dine.
Inside, the open wall and tall ceilings made the room feel like a large covered porch.
One of Maui’s earliest locomotive engines, the Claus Spreckels (on loan to the restaurant), added to the sugar plantation theme.
Travel Tips
We chose a self-guided tour in the gardens nearest the buildings. However, plantation tours will take you through the private grounds, showcasing a variety of native Hawaiian plants. The tour also provides a live coconut husking demonstration.
• Daily Tram Times: Hourly tours from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
• Go early for the coolest temperatures and to avoid the crowds.
• Adults: $20; Children (ages 3-12): $10
• Tickets can be purchased online, but are non-refundable and cannot be combined with any discounts.
• https://mauitropicalplantation.com/plantation-tour
Splurge on lunch at The Mill House after your morning tour. The restaurant advertised innovative farm-driven dining, which utilized produce from within the plantation’s grounds, and with select farmers and providers.
• Open Daily: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Happy Hour 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Reservations (808) 270-0333
• https://mauitropicalplantation.com/mill-house-dining
• Location: 1670 Honoapi’ilani Highway, Waikapu
As we finished our walking tour of the garden, we arrived at an open courtyard beside the large gift shop (see photo above). The luscious aroma of warm cinnamon greeted us. A shopkeeper in the kiosk was roasting cinnamon macadamia nuts. Nearby the Mill House Roasting Company offered coffee and The Scoop provided ice cream.
We were able to resist all those choices. But if I had it to do over again, I’d definitely buy some of those cinnamon nuts and splurge on lunch at The Mill House.
What about you? Where have you taken your favorite garden tour? Name the garden in the comments below. Perhaps I can visit it, too.
Until next time . . . Travel Light,
SuZan
© 2018 SuZan Klassen
SuZan Klassen 
The botanical gardens in Denver are lovely! And Powell Gardens in the KC Metro as well.
Hmm. I’ll have to put them on my bucket list. Thank you for sharing.
beautiful
Why thank you!
Smith Family Gardens and Luau Kauai
Hmm. I’ll have to check into those. Thank you for the suggestions!