Maine Travel Guide
Coastal Beauty and Quintessential New England…
Maine is known for its rugged beauty and quintessential New England charm. Pine forests are abundant here, earning Maine’s nickname, the Pine Tree State. Visitors flock here for its dramatic coastal scenery, iconic lighthouses, and beautiful seaside towns.
In the south of the state, you’ll find cool port destinations and cities like Portland, who is known for its great culinary scene, notably seafood, historic architecture, the gorgeous Casco Bay Islands, and iconic lighthouses like Portland Head Light.
Going up the coast you’ll find more picturesque harbors, art colonies like Rockland, and the famous Penobscot Bay, a great place for sailing and lobster boat tours.
Make your way further north and you’ll find yourself at one of the most beautiful national parks on the east coast, Acadia National Park. Here you are rewarded with breathtaking views, wildlife, and plenty of hiking opportunities.
The town of Bar Harbor serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park, providing lovely inns for lodging and fresh seafood dining.
In Northern Maine, you can visit the remote wilderness of Baxter State Park and the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Trail. This area of the state is especially known to outdoor enthusiasts and moose spotting!
Maine’s distinct four seasons offer unique experiences from summer beachcombing to magnificent New England fall foliage. But truly, it’s a wonderful destination year-round.
Quick Tips for Visiting Maine
When is the best time to visit Maine?
The best time to visit Maine is from late spring (May to June) and fall (September to October), in between the popular summer season.
During these seasons, Maine enjoys mild temperatures and clear skies, ideal for enjoying its stunning coastal scenery, hiking trails, and all the charming towns.
Spring brings blooming wildflowers and migrating birds and perfect for outdoor activities.
Fall offers spectacular foliage, making it a prime time for scenic drives and leaf-peeping, especially in regions like Acadia National Park and the western mountains.
Summer (July to August) is warm and popular for coastal activities, but it can be crowded in tourist areas like Bar Harbor and Portland. This is the best time for enjoying Maine’s beaches.
Winter (December to February) is cold with snow, great for winter sports in areas like the Maine Highlands and Sugarloaf. However, some coastal attractions may be less accessible during this season.
Your best time to visit Maine depends on whether you prefer vibrant summer scenes, serene fall colors, or winter activities.
How Much Time Do I need in Maine?
How much time you need for a visit to Maine depends on your interests and areas you want to explore. If you’re focusing on a specific destination like Portland or Bar Harbor, you can enjoy the main attractions in a long weekend of 3 to 4 days.
To experience Maine fully, plan to spend at least 7-10 days to explore the state’s diverse landscapes and attractions.
This allows time to visit coastal destinations like Acadia National Park and its scenic drives, hike in Baxter State Park, and explore charming towns like Camden and Kennebunkport.
With a week or more, you can enjoy Maine’s rugged coastline, picturesque lighthouses, outdoor activities such as hiking, whale watching, and visit cities like Portland and Augusta.
What is Maine most famous for?
Maine is best known for its stunning coastal New England landscapes, natural beauty, and incredible seafood.
Maine offers breathtaking scenery from Acadia National Park’s rugged cliffs and scenic drives, to its picturesque lighthouses and charming coastal towns.
Being on the coast, you can bet Maine is famous for its seafood, particularly its succulent lobster and fresh clams, often enjoyed in iconic lobster shacks and seaside restaurants.
Visitors can explore charming towns like Portland, known for its vibrant arts scene and historic Old Port, and Bar Harbor, a gateway to Acadia. Maine’s forests and mountains offer hiking, wildlife viewing, and spectacular fall foliage that’s famous within the New England region.
Any Must Try Food in Maine?
The must try dishes to try in Maine are obvious, the seafood!
First, the Maine lobster, available year-round but especially savory in summer and early fall when the meat is sweetest.
Lobster rolls, a quintessential Maine treat, feature chunks of fresh lobster meat lightly dressed with mayo and served in a buttered, toasted bun. Although we prefer the hot buttered version.
Blueberries are another seasonal highlight, with Maine being one of the largest producers of wild blueberries in the world; they’re best enjoyed fresh in late summer or early fall or incorporated into pies and jams.
Don’t miss Maine’s clam chowder, typically made with fresh clams and a creamy broth, perfect on chilly coastal evenings.
Lastly, whoopie pies, a classic Maine dessert, consist of two soft chocolate cakes sandwiched together with a fluffy filling.
What’s the best way to get around Maine?
The best way to get around Maine for a traveler is by car. This allows flexibility to explore different destinations within the state such as Acadia National Park, the coastal towns, and the scenic byways like the Coastal Route 1 at your own pace.
Maine’s scenic highways offer stunning drives through coastal and forested areas, perfect for experiencing the natural beauty the state has to offer.
In addition to driving, ferries are a fantastic option for visiting Maine’s islands. Regular ferry services connect mainland ports to islands like Monhegan, Vinalhaven, and the Cranberry Isles, offering picturesque views of the coastline and a unique travel experience.
While cities like Portland and Bangor have public transit options, renting a car provides the most efficient and flexible way to navigate Maine’s landscapes and charming towns.
Explore our guides
Portland
One of the coolest cities in New England is without a doubt Portland. This is where we ate our weight in lobster rolls (hot with butter of course), explored Peaks Island by golf cart, went lighthouse hopping including stopping at the most photographed lighthouse in the USA at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, and fell in love with the historic streets in Old Port.
