Are you planning a vacation to Maine? There are so many beautiful places to explore – from the stunning coastline to historic cities – there truly something for everyone.
Experience the outdoors on a cruise around Moosehead Lake or Monhegan Island’s lush vegetation. Or visit the world-renowned Maine Maritime Museum to gain more insight into this state’s vibrant maritime past. There are so many tours that take you to many or most of the sights below.
Quoddy Head State Park
Quoddy Head State Park, situated on the easternmost point in America, offers visitors an unforgettable natural landscape to explore. Spanning 532 acres with forests, bogs and trails, there’s plenty to do here – from hiking and camping to boating and fishing!
Photographers will love this park, with its abundance of natural beauty and wildlife. There are various scenic hiking trails to choose from, including the Coastal Trail which offers stunning ocean views as well as several unique stops along the way.
Gulliver’s Hole (a narrow chasm formed by erosion of volcanic rock), High Ledge (150-foot bluff), and Green Point – where hikers can access the beach – are all worth visiting for their stunning vistas that will surely take your breath away!
From the park’s parking lot, visitors can choose from four scenic trails that begin and end at Green Point. The Inland Trail is the shortest option at 0.75 miles roundtrip and winds through conifer woods filled with mosses and lichens. Plus, it has a steady incline leading up to Green Point where you’ll get great views of West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in the distance.
Another great option is the Bog Trail, a short but interesting hike through bog areas. As you stroll, you will learn about different plant species as you explore.
The Coastal Trail is the longest option at 4 miles, providing more challenging terrain with spectacular ocean views. Along the way you’ll pass many picturesque spots such as Gulliver’s Hole and High Ledge, as well as Carrying Place Cove where you can relax on the beach after your hike.
The Inland and Coastal trails are part of Cobscook Trails, an expansive network of hiking trails located in eastern Washington County that strives to increase opportunities for nature-based recreation and tourism. To discover more about these trails, visit Maine Trail Finder for more information.
Lubec and Campobello Island
Lubec is the easternmost town in the United States and offers stunning coastal scenery and charming small-town vibes. Just across the border in Canada is Campobello Island, where you can visit the summer home of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, known as Roosevelt Campobello International Park.
Asticou Azalea Garden
Asticou Azalea Garden is an ideal spot to get in touch with nature. Spend some time here admiring stunning flowers, a pond, and intricate landscaping over the course of several hours.
The garden is part of Mount Desert Island Land and Garden Preserve, open daily from dawn to dusk from May through October. To access it, park in a small lot next to Route 3 in Northeast Harbor and follow a path into the garden.
Charles Savage designed this garden in 1956 and 1957, adapting traditional Japanese design features for coastal Maine’s climate and setting.
A winding circular path leads visitors through a series of garden rooms that invite serenity and reflection or bring to focus an especially beautiful vista. There are also stone benches strategically placed throughout so visitors can sit back, take in the scenery, and listen to birdsong.
While you’re there, why not visit the Thuya Gardens? They are part of the Land & Garden Preserve and connected to Asticou Azalea Garden via a walking trail that connects them.
Established by Charles Savage in 1980, this garden was created out of his passion for native plants and study of Japanese garden design. Much of the plant material came from Reef Point Estate – home to renowned landscape architect Beatrix Farrand during her summer residence near Bar Harbor – which Savage then relocated with help from John D. Rockefeller Jr. It includes two iconic trees: a weeping hemlock north of Main Bridge and Alberta spruce near North Bridge.
Maine Solar System Model
Located along Route 1 in Aroostook County, the Maine Solar System Model is a scale model of our solar system, with the sun represented by the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s campus and the planets represented by various landmarks along the route. It’s a unique way to learn about our solar system while taking a road trip through northern Maine.
Monhegan Island
If you’re searching for a place to enjoy Maine’s coastal splendor without having to drive, Monhegan Island is an ideal destination. Though only one square mile in size, this island is packed with charm, adventure, and breathtaking views. You can visit via boat tour.
Two-thirds of this island are protected as nature preserves, leaving it pristine and wild. The best way to explore this charming sandbar is on foot, bicycle or horseback. You’ll come across a quaint village with art galleries, eateries and shops as well as an historic lighthouse that can be explored on foot.
Monhegan Island’s most beloved attraction is the Monhegan Museum of Art & History, situated in a lighthouse keeper’s house and open most summer days. Here you’ll find an exquisite collection of paintings by renowned American painters like Rockwell Kent, Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper.
Hiking is a popular activity on Monhegan. There are numerous trails that wind through forests, granite shores and cliffs with stunning views of the ocean.
Cathedral Woods is an incredible area to explore and hike through, boasting rare flowers and plants. Additionally, Whitehead cliffs offer breathtaking views of the ocean as it crashes into them. Visit Cathedral Woods today and you won’t be disappointed!
Sea kayak tours of the island can also be an adventure, though this option requires more skill as sudden ocean swells may capsize your vessel. If you’re interested in this activity, Monhegan Kayak Rentals offers rentable kayaks.
Once your adventures on Monhegan are over, take a leisurely walk through the charming coastal village and savor its relaxed pace of life. Visit some of the many small stores for some souvenirs of Monhegan or just browse for unique finds.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Located in Boothbay, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a hidden gem that spans over 300 acres of stunning gardens, woodlands, and waterfront trails. It’s the largest botanical garden in New England and offers a serene and picturesque experience with beautiful flowers, sculptures, and water features.
Maine Maritime Museum
The Maine Maritime Museum in Bath is one of the best places to learn about Maine’s vibrant maritime history. Its permanent and temporary exhibits offer a fascinating look into boat building, shipwrecks, fishing trips, and more from Maine’s shoreline.
Visitors to the Kennebec River Museum can admire the surrounding beauty from its expansive outdoor grounds or explore historic shipyard buildings inside. Several narrated tours are also provided during summer months, as well as lighthouse and nature cruises on the Kennebec.
At the museum, visitors can explore America’s only remaining shipyard – where giant schooners were constructed – and a life-sized sculpture of the giant wooden sailing vessel Wyoming. You can even climb aboard one of these historic vessels to learn how the industry has changed over time, or check out an array of lobster traps and buoys from around New Hampshire.
While in Montreal, be sure to visit the iconic Donnell House where docents share stories about a prominent shipbuilding family from Victorian times. Guests can even take an audio-guided tour of the home and check out its first-floor rooms.
In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum also hosts several special events throughout the year. Events like ‘Tis the Season and Mixers & Merriment honor Maine’s Midcoast region’s female entrepreneurs in hospitality, craft beverage production, and the arts.
Experience Bath’s vibrant maritime culture through a guided tour of Donnell House or join one of their boat cruises departing from its boat shop during summer months. Additionally, there are several other activities offered at this fascinating attraction that will give you an immersive feel for Bath’s maritime history.
Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory
Fort Knox, located in Prospect, is a historic fort that dates back to the 19th century and offers guided tours, cannon firings, and stunning views of the Penobscot River. Adjacent to Fort Knox is the Penobscot Narrows Observatory, which is the tallest public bridge observatory in the world. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village
Located in New Gloucester, the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village is the last active Shaker community in the world. Explore their beautifully preserved buildings, learn about their history and traditions, and even attend a Shaker music concert or workshop.
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
This picturesque byway in Western Maine takes you through the scenic Rangeley Lakes region, known for its pristine lakes, lush forests, and stunning mountain vistas. Along the way, you can stop at charming towns, go fishing, hiking, or enjoy other outdoor activities.
Moosehead Lake
Moosehead Lake is the largest body of water in Maine, spanning 40 miles long and covering 75,000 acres. It offers fishing, hiking, boating, wildlife viewing and more all within its wilderness boundaries. Situated in Maine’s Highlands region just three hours away from Portland and Augusta by car or plane, Moosehead Lake can be explored at your leisure.
The stunning beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains makes it the ideal location to rejuvenate. You can spend your day boating or swimming, hiking mountain trails, exploring fall foliage or simply curling up with a good book. It truly has something for everyone.
This tranquil destination is perfect for families, outdoor adventurers and those seeking peace and quiet. Choose from log cabins to world-class inns and cottages in an unbeatable setting.
Koppen Dfb, with its humid continental climate (Koppen Dfb), makes it an ideal fishing spot due to the abundance of landlocked salmon and trout. There are a few spots around the lake for fishing enthusiasts including Lily Bay and Spencer Bay; you may even rent a boat to explore other parts of the water.
Moosehead Lake offers calm and easy-to-navigate waters for a peaceful paddle. Plus, there are numerous islands scattered across the lake which you can access by kayak or canoe.
There are plenty of great restaurants in the area, such as Spotted Cat Winery at the south end of the lake. Additionally, visitors to Moosehead Marine Museum can explore sea-related treasures and artifacts up close.
Moosehead Lake is best enjoyed from a vacation rental or cabin, though you can also take advantage of its swimming and boating opportunities. You could even take a cruise aboard the Katahdin, an historic steamboat that sails around the lake.
Maine Mineral & Gem Museum
Located in Bethel, the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum is a fascinating museum that showcases Maine’s rich mineral and gemstone heritage. You can learn about the geology of the region, see stunning displays of minerals and gems, and even try your hand at gold panning.
Desert of Maine
Maine has its own “desert,” a unique geological phenomenon located in Freeport. The Desert of Maine is a 40-acre expanse of sand dunes and glacial silt that provides a surreal and unexpected landscape in the midst of Maine’s lush forests.
Maine Lighthouse Trail
Maine has over 60 lighthouses, and the Maine Lighthouse Trail is a unique way to explore these historic maritime beacons. You can drive or hike along the trail, which spans over 300 miles and offers stunning coastal scenery and a glimpse into Maine’s maritime history.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the most spectacular places to visit in the world. While Acadia National Park is a well-known destination in Maine, not many people realize that it offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. The park is far away from major cities, which means you can enjoy dark skies and stunning celestial views on a clear night. Besides stargazing, Acadia National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty and outdoor adventures. There are plenty of things to see in Acadia National Park that will leave you in awe. From panoramic vistas and rocky coastlines to serene lakes and lush forests, Acadia National Park offers a diverse range of landscapes to explore.
One must-see attraction is Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak on the East Coast, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding islands and ocean. Jordan Pond, with its crystal-clear waters and picturesque mountain backdrop, is another must-visit spot for nature lovers.
The Park Loop Road, a scenic drive that winds through the park, offers stunning vistas of the rocky coastline, including the iconic Thunder Hole, where waves crash against the cliffs with a resounding boom. The park is also dotted with historic stone bridges, scenic hiking trails, and charming carriage roads, perfect for exploring on foot, bike, or horse-drawn carriage. Wildlife enthusiasts will also be delighted by the chance to spot deer, foxes, seals, and a variety of bird species that call the park home. Acadia National Park is a true gem of Maine and offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and natural beauty.
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