Welcome to the best things to do in Maine!
Maine is quite possibly my favorite state in New England.
When I visited, I immediately fell in love with the rugged scenery, storybook towns, and all the delicious food.
I even Zillow’ed houses in Portland- just to see, of course.
(Am I the only one that does that?)
On today’s post, I’ve put together a list of all the best things to do in Maine.
Let’s dive in.
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1. Explore Portland
First up is the largest city in Maine, Portland!
Portland is a major foodie town, packed with old-world charm.
The quaint downtown of Old Port is lined with cobblestone streets, 19th-century brick buildings, and a salty-aired working harbor.
This historic district is where you’ll find Portland’s trendy scene of restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.
Some of Maine’s best eateries live here, like Duckfat, Holy Donut, and Eventide Oyster Co.
South Portland is home to the adorable Portland Breakwater Light, or “Bug Light.”
Just a short drive out of town, you’ll find one of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses, the Portland Head Light.
Of course, craft beer enthusiasts will also love touring all of the famous breweries in the area.
Read more: 10 Best Things To Do In Portland, Maine
2. Visit Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of America’s most visited parks, for good reason.
It’s the country’s easternmost national park, boasting 47,000 acres of woodlands, rocky beaches, and granite peaks.
It’s so far east, it sees the first daily sunrises of the continental United States!
Driving or hiking up Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast, is a must.
Standing at 1,530 feet, the summit boasts beautiful, 360-degree views of Bar Harbor and the surrounding islands and bay.
After that, try spotting some of the wildlife that live here, including moose, bears, and whales.
Another Maine bucket list item is stopping for tea and popovers in the historic Jordan Pond House Restaurant.
You also must visit the iconic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
3. Explore Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is the charming gateway town to Acadia National Park.
It’s also been a summer vacation haven for centuries.
In the 19th century, many prominent families (including the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers) built grand summer cottages on the island.
Today, lots of the historic, Gilded Age architecture still stands, framed by beautiful scenery.
There’s lots of wonderful hiking in the area, with plentiful views of rocky coastline.
Summer in Bar Harbor also brings some of the best whale watching in the country.
In fact, I think a visit to Bar Harbor and Acadia is one of the best summer trips to do in the USA!
Related: Best Summer Vacations In The USA
4. Go lighthouse hopping
I don’t know about you, but when I think of “Maine,” I immediately think of rocky seaside cliffs topped with picturesque lighthouses.
So, one of the best things to do in Maine is track down some of its most beautiful lighthouses!
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
One of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses sits in Acadia National Park, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor.
Definitely take the stairs down to the front of the cliff for the most dramatic views.
Cape Neddick Light (Nubble Light)
Many consider “Nubble Lighthouse” one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States.
It’s located in southernmost Maine, in the town of York.
It was actually the last lighthouse in North America to become automated, saying goodbye to its keeper in 1987.
Today, it’s become a photography destination, due to its beautiful tower and gingerbread-like cottage.
Portland Head Light
Just a quick drive out of Portland, you’ll find Maine’s oldest lighthouse.
The Portland Head Light was actually commissioned by George Washington, and completed in 1791!
Here, you can explore around the lighthouse’s museum and gift shop, as well as the surrounding coastline.
Just outside, Fort Williams Park offers 90 acres of coastal hiking paths, picnic tables, gardens, and beaches.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
The West Quoddy Head Lighthouse was constructed in 1808, and commissioned by Thomas Jefferson.
Sitting at the easternmost point of the contiguous United States, this is a stunning spot to see the country’s first rays of daylight.
Its red and white tower is also the only “candy striped” tower in the United States.
Related: Maine Instagram Captions
5. Try a Maine lobster roll
Officially, a true Maine lobster roll is defined as, “A hot dog roll, center cut, that is toasted—preferably buttered and then toasted—filled with nothing but fresh lobster meat; big chunks, not shredded, not frozen.”
The lobster is then tossed with mayo for added creaminess, and served cold.
(This is according to Kathy Gunst, a James Beard Award-winning food journalist and longtime Mainer.)
Of course, the title of “BEST lobster roll in Maine” is highly contested, so you have to try as many as you can to decide for yourself!
You know, for research purposes.
I came across a few particularly delicious varieties in Portland.
Some of my favorites were the lobster rolls at Eventide Oyster Co. and the lobster taco from Highroller Lobster Co.
6. Explore Kennebunkport
Known for its historic streets, beautiful beaches, and classic New England charm, Kennebunkport is another top destination in Maine.
Located in southern Maine, Kennebunkport’s wide sandy beaches and seaside resorts really shape the town’s vibe.
Here, you’ll find adorable shops in Dock Square, and the famous Nubble Lighthouse is an easy trip south.
Also make sure to stop for some fresh seafood at the famous Clam Shack.
7. Go leaf-peeping
Leaf-peeping is the perfect reason to visit Maine in the fall.
One of the most popular places to catch some stunning fall foliage is in Acadia National Park.
Further inland, you’ll find more spectacular leaf-peeping in Baxter State Park and along the Rangley Lakes Scenic Byway.
I find that pictures never do the magic of fall in New England justice!
Know that it can be hard to time fall foliage perfectly, but you can find detailed foliage reports on the maine.gov website to help you plan your trip to the fullest!
8. Explore Camden
Camden is located in the Midcoast region of Maine, roughly halfway between Kennebunkport in the south and Bar Harbor in the northeast.
All along this stretch, dozens of adorable beach towns dot the coastline.
Camden is just one of the highlights!
One of the best things to do here is hike up to the top of Mount Battie, in Camden Hills State Park.
The Camden Snow Bowl is also the only ski area on the East Coast where you can see the ocean from the slopes.
In town, the High Street Historic District is home to some beautiful buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
9. Take a ferry to a Casco Bay Island
A very Maine thing to do is take a ferry to an island only accessible by boat.
The Casco Bay, which borders Portland, holds hundreds of such islands. Although just a handful are open to the public.
The easiest way to visit the islands is with Casco Bay Lines, located in Portland.
They’ve been in business for over 150 years!
The six Casco Bay Islands they travel to are natural gems, each boasting their own history and attractions.
The closest and most populated, Peaks Island, has a small-town feel and is perfect to explore by bike.
Great Diamond Island is home to the luxurious Inn At Diamond Cove.
There are no cars allowed on this island, making it feel extra magical.
10. Visit the L.L. Bean Flagship Store
Giant Bean Boot, anyone?
One of Maine’s biggest claims to fame is being home to the founder of L.L. Bean.
Because of this, L.L. Bean is deeply intertwined with Maine culture, and they’ve opened up their flagship store in Freeport.
The town of Freeport is on the way north out of Portland, so I think it’s worth stopping by on your way up the coast.
Especially to snap an essential pic with the giant Bean Boot!
I haven’t visited the store myself, but I’ve honestly heard great things.
Things like… it’s basically the Maine version of Disney!
The store is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
Around the holidays, it transforms into a Maine winter wonderland, full of lights and Christmas decor.
11. Go whale watching
Summer in Maine brings perfect whale watching conditions.
From mid-April through October, whales migrate south to warmer waters.
They pass through the Gulf of Maine on the way, and stop to feed in the area.
Watching a whale breach in its natural habitat is so exciting, and I recommend it to everyone.
Just make sure to book your tour on a day when clear skies are forecasted.
The Gulf of Maine is notoriously foggy, and the fog will really make it hard to spot the whales.
12. Explore Ogunquit
One of the most famous beach towns in Maine is Ogunquit, known for its sprawling white shores.
The name Ogunquit, in the language of the Algonquin, literally means “Beautiful Place by The Sea.”
And it’s easy to see why!
Located in southern Maine, it’s an easy getaway for a lot of New Englanders.
Make sure to go for a stroll on the Marginal Way, a 3-mile scenic walkway that connects Ogunquit Village to Perkins Cove.
There, you’ll find adorable shops, art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.
There’s also a great hike at the nearby Mt. Agamenticus, which offers 360 degree views at the top.
13. Hit the slopes at Sugarloaf
When you think of Maine, do you typically think of skiing?
I know I don’t!
That is, until I heard of Sugarloaf Mountain.
As if I needed any more reasons to visit Maine!
Nestled into Maine’s western mountains, Sugarloaf is actually the highest ski area east of the Rocky Mountains.
From the top, you can catch views of Vermont, New Hampshire, Canada, and Mount Katahdin.
The ski area boasts 13 lifts and 160 runs.
In the warmer months, you can hop on the scenic chairlift, or explore the area by hike or bike.
14. Discover Baxter State Park
This one is for the people that really want to get off the beaten path.
If that’s you, then one of the best things to do in Maine is explore Baxter State Park.
This park is MUCH more remote, and much less visited than Acadia National Park.
But, that means having pristine wilderness to yourself, and a much higher chance of spotting wildlife.
In fact, moose sightings are super common here!
One of the most notable things to do in Baxter is climb Mount Katahdin.
This is the highest mountain in Maine, standing at 5,269 feet.
The climb is pretty challenging, involving a lot of exposure and usually taking 8-12 hours to complete.
The Knife Edge portion of the trail traverses the ridge line, with 2,000 foot drop-offs on either side.
Avid hikers travel from all over the country to knock this off of their bucket list!
Although, another way to explore this wilderness is on a scenic flight tour.
Flying over the Maine Highlands and seeing Mount Katahdin from a birds-eye view sounds totally amazing.
15. Go sailing
What better way to watch a beautiful Maine sunset over the bay, than on a sailboat with a glass of champagne in your hand?
I can’t think of any other way I’d want to end the day!
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