Maine has earned its Vacationland nickname from the rocky shoreline to the quite a few lovely lighthouses. It is an exquisite state with many locations to go to on trip – together with a number of beautiful coastal cities.
I typically advocate visiting Maine in July and August for the warmest climate—it is the perfect time to expertise out of doors actions. We have now additionally loved journeys to Kittery, Portland, and Freeport within the winter after they had been much less crowded. Nonetheless, in the event you do this, you will not be capable to do any water actions.
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order/click on by means of considered one of these hyperlinks might lead to a fee paid to us. I’ve obtained complimentary/discounted admission, inns, and transportation (on the Amtrak Downeaster) to a few of these areas (and have paid for others), however all opinions are my very own.
These locations may also be nice street journeys from Boston in the event you go to Massachusetts for summer time trip. Whereas we might advocate staying in a single day, you could possibly all the time go to a few of the extra southern areas for only a day journey or a number of areas on a street journey.
The Finest Locations to Go to in Maine
Attending to Maine
Usually, most individuals visiting Maine drive there, both as a separate journey or a part of a New England street journey. There are a number of airports, the biggest being Portland Worldwide Jetport. As well as, Amtrak affords the Downeaster practice, which stops at a number of well-liked Maine cities.
This can be a conventional practice, not an auto practice, so you will not have entry to your automobile on trip. Some locations in Maine are very walkable, nevertheless, so you might not want it relying on the place you go.
Portland, Maine
Portland Maine is considered one of my favourite street journeys from our dwelling in Massachusetts. This waterfront metropolis (the biggest metropolis in Maine) is a giant foodie vacation spot, with many scrumptious eating places, nice breweries, and distinctive cafes. Go hungry, as there are such a lot of stuff you’ll need to attempt.
Town affords a number of well-known districts, together with Outdated Port alongside Casco Bay. This picturesque space of the town is dwelling to many eating places and affords boat excursions in season. Are you trying to attempt a few of that well-known Maine lobster? We advocate the Highroller Lobster Co., a enjoyable, informal restaurant within the metropolis’s heart the place you will get lobster rolls and different lobster dishes.
A number of fantastic museums are additionally within the metropolis, together with the Portland Museum of Artwork, the Youngsters’s Museum and Theatre of Maine (which not too long ago moved from the Arts District to Thompson’s Level), and the Tate Home Museum.
Like purchasing? There are various small reward, ebook, meals clothes, and memento retailers round city. Portland is a good place to buy items. Visiting in the summertime? Do not miss seeing a Portland Sea Canines recreation at Hadlock Area.
If you happen to select a downtown resort, you’ll be able to park at your resort and depart your automotive there more often than not. Portland could be very walkable and has an airport and an Amtrak practice station in the event you’d desire to journey that means. It is rather less than a 2-hour drive from downtown Boston.
Listed below are a few of the greatest locations to remain in Portland.
Driving to Portland? Do not miss a cease on the lovely Portland Head Lighthouse, which is a good picture alternative. It is a well-liked place, and you may usually see photographs of the lighthouse on guidebooks and postcards.
Kittery, Maine
Situated proper over the New Hampshire border is Kittery, Maine, a coastal city greatest recognized for its nice outlet malls. These are spaced out throughout a number of completely different complexes alongside Route 1. Retailers embody New Stability, Lululemon, Crate and Barrel, and Adidas.
Along with the shops, there are some enjoyable retailers like Yummies (a retailer stuffed with sweet) and the Kittery Buying and selling Put up.
Kittery additionally affords a number of eating places, Fort McClary State Park, Take Flight Adventures, Badger’s Island, and the Isles of Shoals.
Outdated Orchard Seaside, Maine
Love the seaside? Journey to Outdated Orchard Seaside, positioned on the Maine shoreline. It’s a conventional seaside city providing mini-golf, paddleboarding, boat excursions, and extra actions.
It is also dwelling to Palace Playland, New England’s solely amusement park on the beachfront. This well-liked vacationer attraction affords an arcade, kiddie rides, and conventional halfway rides.
The world options a number of motels, household inns, inns, and close by campgrounds. These are largely unbiased motels somewhat than chain inns.
Freeport, Maine
Freeport, Maine, is hottest because the resort of L.L. Bean. Along with the flagship retailer, there’s additionally the L.L. Bean Outlet, the L.L. Bean Residence Retailer, the L.L. Bean Bike, Boat, and Ski Retailer, and the L.L. Bean Searching and Fishing Retailer.
However there are additionally plenty of different shops past L.L. Bean in Freeport. These embody Sperry, Winery Vines, and Coach. You will additionally discover unbiased retailers and small chains providing toys, tub and physique merchandise, artwork, and items. Do not miss a cease at Depraved Whoppies, the place you should purchase Maine’s signature Whoppie Pies.
Different actions within the space embody boat cruises alongside Casco Bay and Wolfe’s Neck Heart. This farm affords animals, workshops, bike and kayak leases, and extra.
Free parking is obtainable all through Freeport. There’s additionally an Amtrak practice station.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Boothbay Harbor is a well-liked summer time trip vacation spot in Maine. This small city affords retailers with artwork, pottery, clothes, and extra. There are additionally waterfront native eating places the place you will get Maine lobster and different seafood.
One in all Boothbay Harbor’s hottest points of interest is the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. It is open seasonally, and youngsters will love the large troll statues all through the gardens.
These 5 trolls, known as the Guardians of the Seeds, are manufactured from recycled supplies. They’re scattered all through the gardens, and a few require strolling to see. You should use the maps supplied by the gardens to seek out them – they’re marked on the map with massive footprints.
You may additionally need to take a ship journey within the space. Cap’N’Fish’s Cruises works with the Nationwide Audubon to showcase the Audubon’s Puffin Undertaking. Throughout the cruise, you may see wildlife, lighthouses, and extra – it is an ideal tour for nature lovers.
The Maine State Aquarium is one other well-liked attraction. The state runs it, nevertheless it was closed for renovations this previous 12 months.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, Maine, have lengthy been well-liked summer time trip locations. Right here, you’ll be able to go to seashores and take a ship tour. Dock Sq. additionally affords retailers and eating places, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.
If you’re visiting with out youngsters, we advocate staying on the White Barn Inn. This lovely inn is quaint and comfy, however the wonderful restaurant is the actual draw.
Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit, Maine, a stylish and artsy seaside city, is considered one of my favourite locations in Maine. I like to recommend visiting in July and August, when the climate is ideal for a day on the sandy seaside.
Ogunquit could be very walkable, with restricted parking. So, I like to recommend staying at a resort or resort within the downtown space to be able to depart your automotive and stroll. A trolley additionally visits the favored points of interest throughout the summer time months.
Along with visiting Ogunquit Seaside, you may need to stroll alongside Marginal Solution to Perkins Cove, a small waterfront space with reward retailers, ice cream retailers, and eating places. Do not forget to cease and look at the gorgeous scenes as you stroll. I like taking photographs as I stroll on Marginal Means.
The nonprofit Ogunquit Playhouse affords reveals all through the season in the event you get pleasure from theater. Their upcoming schedule is on their web site.
Throughout our go to to Ogunquit, we loved staying on the Meadowmere Resort. It is positioned in an ideal spot, and you may stroll to Ogunquit Seaside, Perkins Cove, and Marginal Means.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine, on Mount Desert Island, is among the hottest summer time trip locations in New England resulting from its proximity to Acadia Nationwide Park (the primary attraction within the space). Like different locations to go to in Maine, we advocate visiting within the hotter summer time months to be able to make the most of all the actions.
There are numerous methods to discover the realm. Oli’s Trolley affords excursions of Cadillac Mountain, Acadia Nationwide Park, and downtown Bar Harbor. This guided tour is top-rated, and we advocate reserving your tickets upfront.
There are additionally Acadian Boat Excursions, providing fishing excursions, guided excursions, sundown cruises, and extra. Relying on the tour booked, you can even see close by lighthouses and puffins. There are many enjoyable issues to do close to Acadia.
Sebago Lake, Maine
We cherished our go to to Migis Lodge positioned proper on Sebago Lake. This household wilderness resort affords conventional lake actions, a youngsters’ membership, scrumptious meals, and exquisite lodging.
Migis is open in the summertime and could be very well-liked. Typically, friends ebook for a similar week and cabin 12 months after 12 months, so in case you are interested by attending, you may need to make a reservation as quickly as attainable. It is an American plan all-inclusive resort (aside from alcohol), and you will not have to go away as soon as you might be there.
Different Locations to Go to in Maine
Along with the locations we have highlighted right here, there are different factors of curiosity to go to in Maine. These embody:
- Camden Hills State Park (Camden, Maine)
- Moosehead Lake and the Kennebec River
- Cape Neddick Lighthouse in York
- Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park
For many locations to go to in Maine, you may have to drive. There’s the Amtrak Downeaster practice as nicely. It travels from Boston, MA’s North Station to the next station stops:
- Brunswick, ME
- Freeport, ME
- Portland, ME
- Outdated Orchard, ME
- Saco, ME
- Wells, ME
- Dover, NH
- Durham, NH
- Exeter, NH
- Haverhill, MA
- Woburn, MA
