Once prized by Hawaiian royalty as the kingdom of Hawaii’s first capital, visitors can still see remnants of this town’s colorful history in the restored buildings and sites of its downtown historic district. Spanning the size of an entire city block, you’ll also find the United States' largest banyan tree in the historic district. The town also provides excellent shopping venues, restaurants, bars, entertainment and over 40 art galleries. The nearby Ka'anapali coast offers great water sports, beach activities and some of the world’s best whale watching from November through May; while Honolua Bay, north of Lahaina, is an excellent option for snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing.