A lovely place that gives an nearly excellent slice of life, the northeasternmost state of Maine is considered one of North America’s fantastic gems. It’s a spot recognized for its beautiful rocky shoreline, maritime historical past, and laid again way of life, however discover this space a bit additional afield and also you’ll additionally discover pristine lakes, thick forests, fairly islands, and engaging seaside enclaves. From majestic historic lighthouses to elegant sandy seashores listed here are one of the best and most lovely locations to go to in Maine…
1. Casco Bay Islands – among the most beautiful locations to discover in Maine
Based mostly within the southern coast of Maine, stretching from Cape Small to Cape Elizabeth, Casco Bay is an inlet within the Gulf of Maine that gives probably the most stress-free and enjoyable getaway locations.
The Casco Bay Islands are popularly referred to as the “The Calendar Islands” due to the number of distinct islands and actions they provide. These embrace kayaking, boating, schooner rides, biking, climbing, and extra. Casco Bay is a thriving hub of artwork, leisure, and gourmand meals. The meals scene is exemplary with a formidable vary of ethnic delicacies, really contemporary seafood, and Michelin-star kitchens.
2. Portland Head Mild, Portland – a ravishing historic gem in Maine
Awarded “America’s Foodiest Small Town”, Portland is dwelling to probably the most marvelous gourmand eating places and culinary experiences. Apart from its creative glamour, Portland additionally has a wealthy historical past and is dwelling to the oldest lighthouse in Maine. Portland Head Mild is an iconic lighthouse situated on a chunk of land on the entrance of the transport channel into the well-known Portland Harbor.
This prestigious gentle station is automated, and the tower and beacon are managed by the US Coast Guard. There’s additionally a maritime museum that was previously the lighthouse keepers’ dwelling and a seaside and garden for picnics and to benefit from the spectacular views.
The beautiful city of Portland is exclusive in that it effortlessly binds its particular previous with the fashionable current and fast-changing future.
3. Bar Harbour, Frenchman Bay – a tranquil magnificence spot to discover in Maine
Named in honor of the well-known French Explorer Samuel de Champlain, who first sailed in and found this area for France in 1604, the Frenchman Bay is a big water physique of ocean between the northeastern shoreline of Mount Desert Island and the southern coast of Maine.
The bay consists of quite a few beautiful islands comparable to Bar Island, Bald Porcupine, Sheep Porcupine, and Lengthy Porcupine. Bar Island is the most well-liked and well-known of those, recognized for its pure coastal magnificence. Views of luxurious yachts and boats within the thick morning mist, glistening afternoon daylight, and towards night seaside sunsets make a go to to Bar Harbour really price it. The island additionally presents unbelievable nature actions like biking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and even whale and seal watching.
4. Augusta – the engaging historic metropolis which has grown to be the attractive capital of Maine
Previously an English buying and selling put up on the Kennebec River, Augusta now’s the capital metropolis of Maine. This superb metropolis presents guests an opportunity to discover and luxuriate in its state’s important historical past.
From the outstanding Maine State House and elaborate State Museum to the 18-century Previous Fort Western that’s the oldest surviving wood fort within the nation, and the town is dwelling to many must-see sights. It additionally homes the 224-acre pine tree park and botanical gardens of Viles Arboretum, which supply climbing, biking, and cross-country snowboarding trails, all 12 months spherical.
5. Acadia Nationwide Park – protects the pure great thing about the very best rocky headlands alongside the Atlantic shoreline
A jewel within the crown, Acadia Nationwide Park alongside the Atlantic shoreline in Maine is a nationwide treasure that protects the pure great thing about the excessive rocky coastlands and preserves the wealthy native cultural heritage of the area.
The Acadia area has over 150 miles of climbing trails, the place you possibly can get pleasure from loads of journey actions. Main points of interest embrace the Cadillac Mountains for hikes, Sand Seashore for stress-free, Park Loop Street for drives, Jordan Pond for picnics, and the awe-striking Otter Cliff and Thunder Gap. With unequalled views and an abundance of actions and wildlife, it’s no shock that this park with over 3.5millions visits a 12 months is likely one of the most visited nationwide parks in the USA and in all of North America.
6. Previous Orchard Seashore – probably the most lovely locations to go to in Maine
‘Something for everyone’ – that’s the motto at Previous Orchard Seashore! This heat and welcoming coastal city with a small inhabitants of round 9000 residents is a staple Maine getaway spot. The city’s appeal could be vouched for by the over 70,000 guests that come to remain right here each summer time.
OBB has a shocking 7-mile-long, family-friendly seaside. Its delicate, sandy seaside is ideal for stress-free, tanning, throwing a frisbee, swimming, browsing, and extra. The attractive Previous Orchard Seashore Pier, built-in 1898, hosts eating places, retailers, and as soon as upon a time, even a on line casino. The Palace Playland is likely one of the final remaining oceanfront amusement parks within the nation and hosts a carousel, rides, arcade video games, and meals truthful stalls on the pier. The native purchasing is stylish and lodging comfy. Get pleasure from a stroll on the vigorous boardwalk or some tranquil time on the woodsy Ocean Park. Both approach, a go to to Previous Orchard Seashore ensures an unforgettable expertise that may go away you desirous to return.
7. Rockport – one of many fairly hidden gems of Maine
Titled by Forbes Journal as considered one of America’s Prettiest Cities, Rockport is a laid-back little city that’s best for a calming getaway. Rockport derives its identify from its rocky terrain and its distinguished limestone trade. Apart from being recognized for supplying limestone, Rockport can be the house of the well-known Andre the Seal – a childhood guide primarily based on a real story and became a blockbuster film.
There’s a flourishing artist and occasions group with quite a few artwork exhibitions at native galleries or on the famend Farnsworth Museum in addition to occasional live shows, occasions, and festivals. The city’s Kids’s Chapel is a rare outside chapel with a magical backyard. A must-see attraction is the Belted Galloway Cows (generally referred to as Oreo Cows) which reside on a scenic farm managed by the Maine Coast Heritage Belief. This beautiful 136-acre farm made up of lush inexperienced pastures, unspoiled coasts, woods, and wetlands and runs farm excursions and artwork exhibits which are undoubtedly a sight to see. Rockport additionally presents a plethora of enjoyable water actions comparable to kayaking, crusing, boat excursions, schooners excursions, and sundown dinner cruises with excellent views of Penobscot Bay.
The handy location of this mid-coast Maine city between Kennebunkport and Bar Harbor makes it simply accessible and thus popularly visited.
8. Camden Hills State Park – an important place to go to to absorb the midcoast’s magic
Camden Hills State Park is an impressive park, recognized for its scenic views of the Camden Hills, Penobscot Bay and its islands, and the Cadillac Mountain from the highest of Mt. Battie. This beautiful park includes of an in depth community of trails for avid and newbie hikers, alike. Mt. Megunticook, the very best peak of Camden Hills, is a ravishing trek by foot with unbelievable views.
The drive to Mt. Battie Auto Street within the fall presents beautiful views of the hillside in fall foliage colours. In the summertime, Camden Hills State Park attracts professional campers and adventurous households for enjoyable actions like biking, tenting, and sleeping underneath the celebrities and.
9. Kennebunkport – a reasonably Maine coastal recognized for its beautiful seashores
The attractive city of Kennebunkport is a well-liked vacation spot due to the huge number of distinctive points of interest. From the stress-free seashores to the scenic boat excursions, the native eating places to the superb purchasing, the spectacular lighthouses and heritage historical past, and artwork museums, Kennebunkport really has so much to supply. Well-known websites embrace the well-preserved Sea Captain Mansions, the native museum with the First Household Exhibit on Bush Household, the historic artifacts at Brick Retailer Museum, and the world-famous Seashore Trolley Museum.
Dock Sq., the middle of city in Kennebunkport, is understood for its native boutiques and craft retailers. The close by decrease village is situated alongside the river and ocean and presents boating, browsing, canoeing, kayaking, and whale watching actions. You too can hire bicycles and scooters, go {golfing}, play tennis, go to a wellness spa or take a day journey to the stunning Cape Porpoise and its harbor or Goat Island Mild. Kennebunkport is certainly the ‘place to be all year-round’ with so many unbelievable sights and actions.
10. Two Lights State Park – a protected space in a quaint and picturesque a part of Maine
Two Lights State Park, situated within the rocky coastal area of Maine, is a very talked-about getaway spot due to its picturesque views of the shoreline, the lighthouses on it, and the stretched waters of Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The park will get its identify from the dual lighthouse located close by that have been the primary twin lighthouses on the coast of Maine. The japanese gentle is an lively and automatic gentle station whereas the western one has ceased operation and is now a non-public dwelling.
This 41-acre ocean-facing park stands above the rocky coast and accommodates spacious floor, with picnic tables for strollers and hikers to benefit from the refreshing sea breeze because the watch ships crusing out and in of the Portland Harbor. Two Lights State Park and its lighthouses are really beautiful and their magnificence is even depicted within the well-known portray “Lighthouse at Two Lights” by Edward Hopper.
11. Baxter State Park – a ravishing massive wilderness space completely preserved as a state park
Based mostly in Piscataquis County, Baxter State Park is a one-of-a-kind completely reserved state park. This intensive space of wilderness is undisturbed, tranquil, and a paradise of nature-lovers. The park is stuffed with ponds for boating and paddling. You may hire kayaks and canoes at pondside campgrounds. Mountain climbing is standard across the Chimney Pond space, which is a 2-hour scenic hike from the roadside. There are quite a few different strenuous climbing trails or stress-free treks obtainable.
You could find old-school tenting with primary rustic amenities, no electrical energy, no showers, and solely outhouses. Something that isn’t naturally obtainable comparable to consuming water, meals, clothes, sleeping, cooking, and different gears have to be introduced with you. The concept is that campers can really immerse themselves and change into one with nature. Not for the faint-hearted however really a as soon as in a lifetime wilderness expertise, tenting within the park means sleeping underneath the celebrities, amongst the timber with the sounds of the wind, water, and birds.
Apart from the serene great thing about the pure vegetation, guests may spot many animals like moose, black bear, white-tailed deer, and lynx that reside throughout the park.
12. The Maine Statehouse – probably the most lovely constructing to go to in Maine
The Maine State Home was constructed utilizing standard Maine granite, one 12 months after Augusta turned the Capital of Maine. Based mostly on the design of the Capitol constructing for Massachusetts, this State Home was constructed to accommodate the State Library and to supply workplace house for departments.
Although the constructing was transformed and enlarged, the unique entrance was preserved. A dome, surmounted by a statue, “Lady of Wisdom”, rising over 100 toes, was constructed to switch the unique cupola. The enduring statue is product of copper and overlaid with gold and stands 15 ft. tall. This lovely constructing is understood not just for its unbelievable structure but additionally for its wealthy heritage historical past. The Maine State Home and its 34-acres State grounds signify grace and classicism, magnificence.
13. Ogunquit – named the “beautiful place by the sea”
Rightly named by the Abenaki tribe, Ogunquit means ‘beautiful place by the sea’. This beautiful fishing village is a sexy vacationer spot due to its rugged pure magnificence and thriving native artwork. In style for internet hosting artwork exhibitions and galleries, Ogunquit has a vibrant artwork, tradition, and theatre scene. There’s loads of eating, purchasing, and lodging choices and a welcoming group in Perkins Cove, Ogunquit. The boutique shops show distinctive works by native vogue designers in addition to handcrafted jewellery. Whereas purchasing, it’s an absolute should to cease by the native sweet store and take a look at the contemporary salt-water taffy.
This coastal city has miles of beautiful sandy seashores which are standard for households and {couples} and are excellent for constructing sandcastles, amassing seashells, splashing waves or just stress-free. You may expertise a novel hands-on expertise on boats that provide excursions and even constitution social gathering cruises. Other than the favored outside actions, Ogunquit additionally has a taking place nightlife.
14. Moosehead Lake – a shocking space to discover in Maine
Because the identify suggests, Moosehead Lake is dwelling of the moose, the place the moose truly outnumber folks. This pristine lake area is understood for its solitude and serenity. You may get pleasure from a peaceable break a stroll across the lake, trek the forest trails, and witness the attractive wildlife.
Moosehead Lake effortlessly combines quiet tranquility with thrilling journey. Outside fans can get pleasure from quite a few actions in these wild woodlands whereas free-spirits can take within the mesmerizing lake views. Moosehead is a very particular vacation vacation spot!
15. West Quoddy Head Mild – a well-liked attraction to discover in Maine
Set on the eastern-most level of the USA, West Quoddy Head Lighthouse is a rare location that offers you the prospect to see the primary rays of the solar that gentle the nation. Initially in-built 1806 after which re-built in 1858, this historical gentle station lies throughout the Quoddy Head State Park and features a tower with lovely stone carvings on the base, a keeper’s quarters, a service constructing, and oil home.
The grounds even have climbing trails, inexperienced picnic areas, and close by cliffs, all with spectacular views. West Quoddy Head Mild makes this listing due to probably the most mesmerizing views of the primary dawn of the nation and the superb alternative to sight whales.
