A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Reno vs. Maui for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Reno or Maui?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Reno or Maui? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Reno

Reno is a vibrant, energetic, and growing city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Maui

Maui is a adventure-filled, breathtaking, and stunning island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Reno and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reno or Maui?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Maui. Although Reno and Maui are both popular with visitors, Maui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Maui is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Reno is known for its museums, food, and nightlife. Maui is more touristy than Reno and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also home to Haleakala National Park. Reno is popular for its casinos and nightlife scene.

How is Reno different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Maui and Reno. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Reno or Maui?

Reno is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Reno offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Is the Food Better in Reno or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Reno is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Reno. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Reno or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Reno is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Reno know how to have a good time. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Reno or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reno is not a resort destination.

Maui is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Reno is not a resort destination.

Is Reno or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Reno is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Reno is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Reno or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is renowned for the beach. However, Reno is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Maui. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Reno is not a beach destination.

Is Reno or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Reno is not a hiking destination.

People visit Maui specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Reno or Maui?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Reno and Maui.

Reno has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.

Maui is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Reno or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Maui is a very family-friendly destination. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Reno. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

Is Reno or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is renowned for couples. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Maui makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

Is Reno or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Reno and Maui.

Public transit is mostly limited in Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Reno or Maui a more walkable city?

Reno is a city with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

Maui is not a very walkable city. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Reno Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Reno?

How long in Reno or Maui?

Both Reno and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Reno. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Reno, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Reno. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Maui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Maui than Reno. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Maui that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reno than Maui if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Reno.

One day in Reno or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Reno. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Maui. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Reno or Maui?

Reno is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Maui is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Reno or Maui?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the growing destination of Reno. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the stunning destination of Maui. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Reno or Maui?

The growing city of Reno offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the adventure-filled island of Maui. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reno and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui than you might in Reno.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reno Expensive? and Is Maui Expensive?.