Maine Travel Guide

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Fodor's Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire
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Classic townscapes, rocky shorelines punctuated by sandy beaches, and picturesque downtowns draw vacationing New Englanders to Maine like a magnet. Counting all its nooks, crannies, and crags, Maine's coast would stretch for thousands of miles if you could pull it straight. The Southern Coast is the most visited section, stretching north from Kittery to just outside Portland, but don't let that stop you from heading farther "Down East" (this nautical term is Maine-speak for "up the coast"), where you'll be rewarded with the majestic mountains and rugged coastline of popular Acadia National Park. Slow down to explore the museums, galleries, and shops in the larger towns and cities, like Portland, and the antiques and curio shops and harborside lobster shacks in the smaller towns and fishing villages. Despite the cold North Atlantic waters, beachgoers enjoy miles of sandy—or, more frequently, rocky—beaches, with sweeping views of lighthouses, forested islands, and the wide-open sea. The most visited areas in inland Maine are the Western Lakes and Mountains—stretching west and north from the New Hampshire border—and the North Woods—extending north from central Maine. This area attracts skiers, hikers, campers, canoeists, anglers, and other outdoors enthusiasts.

Fodor's Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire
Ready to experience Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire? The experts at Fodor's are here to...

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Cliff House Cape Neddick, Maine

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The Best Hotels in the USA

Cliff House Cape Neddick, Maine

Top Destinations

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The Southern Coast

The Maine Coast's southernmost stretch—including Kittery, the Yorks, Ogunquit, the Kennebunks, and Biddeford—features miles and miles of inviting...

Portland

Maine's largest city may be considered small by national standards—its population is just 66,000—but its character, spirit, and appeal make...

Penobscot Bay

Few could deny that Penobscot Bay is one of Maine's most dramatically beautiful regions. Its more than 1,000 miles of coastline is made up of...

Western Lakes and Mountains

From Sebago Lake, less than 20 miles northwest of Portland, the sparsely populated Western Lakes and Mountains region stretches north and west...

Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island

With some of the most dramatic and varied scenery on the Maine Coast—and home to Maine's only national park—Mount Desert Island (pronounced...

The Mid-Coast Region

Lighthouses dot the headlands of Maine's Mid-Coast region, where thousands of miles of coastline wait to be explored. Defined by chiseled peninsulas...

Way Down East

Slogans like "The Real Maine" ring true Way Down East, where raw, mostly undeveloped coast dominates the remote region. Even in summer here...

The North Woods

Moosehead Lake, Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, and the four-season resort town of Greenville are dispersed within Maine...

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport

The town centers of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are separated by 5 miles and two rivers, but united by a common history and a laid-back seaside...

Bar Harbor

A resort town since the 19th century, Bar Harbor is the artistic, culinary, and social center of Mount Desert Island, and it serves visitors...

Blue Hill Peninsula

If you want to see unspoiled Down East Maine landscapes, explore art galleries, savor exquisite meals, or simply enjoy life at an unhurried...

Camden

More than any other town along Penobscot Bay, Camden is the perfect picture-postcard of a Maine coastal village. It is one of the most popular...

Side Trips From Portland

The shoreline at nearby Cape Elizabeth may look familiar–-Winslow Homer famously painted these scenes. Homer’s studio and the iconic Portland...

Bethel

Bethel is pure New England: a town with white clapboard houses, white-steeple churches, and a mountain vista at the end of every street. The...

Rockland

This town is considered the gateway to Penobscot Bay and is the first stop on U.S. 1 offering a glimpse of the often-sparkling and island-dotted...

Millinocket

Millinocket, a former paper-mill town with a population of about 4,000, is a gateway to Baxter State Park and Maine's North Woods. Millinocket...

Greenville

Greenville, tucked at the southern end of island-dotted, mostly forest-lined Moosehead Lake, is an outdoors lover's paradise. Boating, fishing...

Rangeley

Situated on the north side of Rangeley Lake along Route 4, Rangeley has long attracted anglers and winter-sports enthusiasts. The vastly forested...

Eastport

Connected by a granite causeway to the mainland at Pleasant Point Reservation, Eastport has wonderful views of the nearby islands, and because...

York Harbor

A short distance from the village proper, York Harbor opens to the water and offers many places to linger and explore. The harbor itself is...

Acadia National Park

With about 49,000 acres of protected forests, beaches, mountains, and rocky coastline, Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national...

Schoodic Peninsula

The landscape of Schoodic Peninsula's craggy coastline, towering evergreens, and views over Frenchman Bay are breathtaking year-round. A drive...

Blue Hill

Nestled snugly between 943-foot Blue Hill Mountain and Blue Hill Bay, the village of Blue Hill sits right beside its harbor. About 30 miles...

Sebago Lake Area

The shores of sprawling Sebago Lake and fingerlike Long Lake are popular with water-sports enthusiasts, as are Brandy Pond and many other bodies...

Biddeford

Biddeford is waking from a deep sleep, having devolved into something of a ghost town for a good deal of the past half century. It's a ghost...

Cape Neddick

...

York Beach

Like many shorefront towns in Maine, York Beach has a long history entertaining summer visitors. Take away today's bikinis and smartphones,...

Ogunquit

A resort village since the late 19th century, Ogunquit made a name for itself as an artists' colony. Today it has become a mini Provincetown...

York Village

Spending an afternoon in York village is like going back in time—and you really only need a couple of hours here to roam the historic streets...

Lubec

Lubec is one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise. A popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts, it offers plenty of...

Bangor

The state's second-largest metropolitan area (Portland is the largest), Bangor is about 20 miles from the coast and is the unofficial capital...

Damariscotta

The Damariscotta region comprises several communities along the rocky coast. The town itself sits on the water, a lively place filled with attractive...

Bridgton

U.S. 302 becomes Main Street in picturesque Bridgton, whose 10 lakes are popular for boating and fishing. Steps from the tree-lined downtown...

Kittery

Known as the "Gateway to Maine," Kittery has become primarily a major shopping destination thanks to its massive complex of factory outlets...

Bath

Bath has been a shipbuilding center since 1607. The result of its prosperity can be seen in its handsome mix of Federal, Greek Revival, and...

Wiscasset

Settled in 1663, Wiscasset sits on the banks of the Sheepscot River. It bills itself "Maine's Prettiest Village," and it's easy to see why:...

Pemaquid Point

Pemaquid Point is the tip of the Pemaquid Peninsula, bordered by Muscongus and Johns bays. It’s home to the famous lighthouse of the same name...

Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Brooksville

Winding through hills, the roads leading to the villages of Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Brooksville take you past rambling farmhouses, beautiful...

Belfast

Lots of Maine coastal towns like to think of themselves as the prettiest little town in the state, and any judge would be spoiled for choice...

Stonington

Stonington is at the southern end of Route 15, which has helped it to retain its small-town flavor. The boutiques and galleries lining Main...

Monhegan Island

If you love rocky cliffs, this is your place. And if you happen to be an artist you might never leave; studios and galleries are all over the...

Searsport

Searsport is well-known as the antiques and flea-market capital of Maine, and with good reason: the Antique Mall alone, on U.S. 1 just north...

Kingfield

In the shadows of Mt. Abraham ("Mt. Abram" to locals) and Sugarloaf Mountain, home to the eponymous ski resort, Kingfield has everything a ...

Deer Isle Village

Around Deer Isle Village, thick woods give way to tidal coves. Stacks of lobster traps populate the backyards of shingled houses, and dirt roads...

Boothbay

The shoreline of the Boothbay Peninsula is a craggy stretch of inlets, where pleasure craft anchor alongside trawlers and lobster boats. The...

Brunswick

Lovely brick and clapboard buildings are the highlight of Brunswick's Federal Street Historic District, which includes Federal Street and Park...

Bass Harbor

Bass Harbor is a tiny lobstering village with a relaxed atmosphere and a few accommodations and restaurants. If you're looking to get away from...

Port Clyde

Sitting at the end of the St. George Peninsula, the sleepy fishing village of Port Clyde is a haven for artists, with a number of galleries...

Machias

...

Jonesport and Beals Island

...

Castine

A summer destination for more than 100 years, Castine is a well-preserved seaside village that serves as an excellent base for exploring the...

Thomaston

Thomaston is a delightful town, full of beautiful sea captains' homes and dotted with antiques and specialty shops. A National Historic District...

Isle au Haut

Isle au Haut thrusts its steeply ridged back out of the sea south of Stonington. French explorer Samuel D. Champlain discovered Isle au Haut...

Center Lovell

...

Old Orchard Beach

...

Northeast Harbor

The summer community for some of the nation's wealthiest families, Northeast Harbor has one of the best ports on the coast, which fills with...

Somesville

...

Rockport

...

Tenants Harbor

Tenants Harbor is a quintessential coastal harbor: dominated by lobster boats, its shores are rocky and slippery, and its village streets are...

Lincolnville

Lincolnville’s area of most interest is Lincolnville Beach, where you'll find a few restaurants, the ferry to Islesboro, and a swimming beach...

Bucksport

The stunning Penobscot Narrows Bridge, spanning the Penobscot River, makes Bucksport, a town founded in 1763, well worth a visit, even if you...

Wells

...

Brunswick and the Harpswells

...

Southwest Harbor

Across the water from Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor sits on the south side of the entrance to Somes Sound, which cuts up the center of...

The Southern Coast

The Maine Coast's southernmost stretch—including Kittery, the Yorks, Ogunquit, the Kennebunks, and Biddeford—features miles and miles of inviting...

Portland

Maine's largest city may be considered small by national standards—its population is just 66,000—but its character, spirit, and appeal make...

Penobscot Bay

Few could deny that Penobscot Bay is one of Maine's most dramatically beautiful regions. Its more than 1,000 miles of coastline is made up of...

Western Lakes and Mountains

From Sebago Lake, less than 20 miles northwest of Portland, the sparsely populated Western Lakes and Mountains region stretches north and west...

Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island

With some of the most dramatic and varied scenery on the Maine Coast—and home to Maine's only national park—Mount Desert Island (pronounced...

The Mid-Coast Region

Lighthouses dot the headlands of Maine's Mid-Coast region, where thousands of miles of coastline wait to be explored. Defined by chiseled peninsulas...

Way Down East

Slogans like "The Real Maine" ring true Way Down East, where raw, mostly undeveloped coast dominates the remote region. Even in summer here...

The North Woods

Moosehead Lake, Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, and the four-season resort town of Greenville are dispersed within Maine...

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport

The town centers of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are separated by 5 miles and two rivers, but united by a common history and a laid-back seaside...

Bar Harbor

A resort town since the 19th century, Bar Harbor is the artistic, culinary, and social center of Mount Desert Island, and it serves visitors...

Blue Hill Peninsula

If you want to see unspoiled Down East Maine landscapes, explore art galleries, savor exquisite meals, or simply enjoy life at an unhurried...

Camden

More than any other town along Penobscot Bay, Camden is the perfect picture-postcard of a Maine coastal village. It is one of the most popular...

Side Trips From Portland

The shoreline at nearby Cape Elizabeth may look familiar–-Winslow Homer famously painted these scenes. Homer’s studio and the iconic Portland...

Bethel

Bethel is pure New England: a town with white clapboard houses, white-steeple churches, and a mountain vista at the end of every street. The...

Rockland

This town is considered the gateway to Penobscot Bay and is the first stop on U.S. 1 offering a glimpse of the often-sparkling and island-dotted...

Millinocket

Millinocket, a former paper-mill town with a population of about 4,000, is a gateway to Baxter State Park and Maine's North Woods. Millinocket...

Greenville

Greenville, tucked at the southern end of island-dotted, mostly forest-lined Moosehead Lake, is an outdoors lover's paradise. Boating, fishing...

Rangeley

Situated on the north side of Rangeley Lake along Route 4, Rangeley has long attracted anglers and winter-sports enthusiasts. The vastly forested...

Eastport

Connected by a granite causeway to the mainland at Pleasant Point Reservation, Eastport has wonderful views of the nearby islands, and because...

York Harbor

A short distance from the village proper, York Harbor opens to the water and offers many places to linger and explore. The harbor itself is...

Acadia National Park

With about 49,000 acres of protected forests, beaches, mountains, and rocky coastline, Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national...

Schoodic Peninsula

The landscape of Schoodic Peninsula's craggy coastline, towering evergreens, and views over Frenchman Bay are breathtaking year-round. A drive...

Blue Hill

Nestled snugly between 943-foot Blue Hill Mountain and Blue Hill Bay, the village of Blue Hill sits right beside its harbor. About 30 miles...

Sebago Lake Area

The shores of sprawling Sebago Lake and fingerlike Long Lake are popular with water-sports enthusiasts, as are Brandy Pond and many other bodies...

Biddeford

Biddeford is waking from a deep sleep, having devolved into something of a ghost town for a good deal of the past half century. It's a ghost...

Cape Neddick

...

York Beach

Like many shorefront towns in Maine, York Beach has a long history entertaining summer visitors. Take away today's bikinis and smartphones,...

Ogunquit

A resort village since the late 19th century, Ogunquit made a name for itself as an artists' colony. Today it has become a mini Provincetown...

York Village

Spending an afternoon in York village is like going back in time—and you really only need a couple of hours here to roam the historic streets...

Lubec

Lubec is one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise. A popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts, it offers plenty of...

Bangor

The state's second-largest metropolitan area (Portland is the largest), Bangor is about 20 miles from the coast and is the unofficial capital...

Damariscotta

The Damariscotta region comprises several communities along the rocky coast. The town itself sits on the water, a lively place filled with attractive...

Bridgton

U.S. 302 becomes Main Street in picturesque Bridgton, whose 10 lakes are popular for boating and fishing. Steps from the tree-lined downtown...

Kittery

Known as the "Gateway to Maine," Kittery has become primarily a major shopping destination thanks to its massive complex of factory outlets...

Bath

Bath has been a shipbuilding center since 1607. The result of its prosperity can be seen in its handsome mix of Federal, Greek Revival, and...

Wiscasset

Settled in 1663, Wiscasset sits on the banks of the Sheepscot River. It bills itself "Maine's Prettiest Village," and it's easy to see why:...

Pemaquid Point

Pemaquid Point is the tip of the Pemaquid Peninsula, bordered by Muscongus and Johns bays. It’s home to the famous lighthouse of the same name...

Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Brooksville

Winding through hills, the roads leading to the villages of Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Brooksville take you past rambling farmhouses, beautiful...

Belfast

Lots of Maine coastal towns like to think of themselves as the prettiest little town in the state, and any judge would be spoiled for choice...

Stonington

Stonington is at the southern end of Route 15, which has helped it to retain its small-town flavor. The boutiques and galleries lining Main...

Monhegan Island

If you love rocky cliffs, this is your place. And if you happen to be an artist you might never leave; studios and galleries are all over the...

Searsport

Searsport is well-known as the antiques and flea-market capital of Maine, and with good reason: the Antique Mall alone, on U.S. 1 just north...

Kingfield

In the shadows of Mt. Abraham ("Mt. Abram" to locals) and Sugarloaf Mountain, home to the eponymous ski resort, Kingfield has everything a ...

Deer Isle Village

Around Deer Isle Village, thick woods give way to tidal coves. Stacks of lobster traps populate the backyards of shingled houses, and dirt roads...

Boothbay

The shoreline of the Boothbay Peninsula is a craggy stretch of inlets, where pleasure craft anchor alongside trawlers and lobster boats. The...

Brunswick

Lovely brick and clapboard buildings are the highlight of Brunswick's Federal Street Historic District, which includes Federal Street and Park...

Bass Harbor

Bass Harbor is a tiny lobstering village with a relaxed atmosphere and a few accommodations and restaurants. If you're looking to get away from...

Port Clyde

Sitting at the end of the St. George Peninsula, the sleepy fishing village of Port Clyde is a haven for artists, with a number of galleries...

Machias

...

Jonesport and Beals Island

...

Castine

A summer destination for more than 100 years, Castine is a well-preserved seaside village that serves as an excellent base for exploring the...

Thomaston

Thomaston is a delightful town, full of beautiful sea captains' homes and dotted with antiques and specialty shops. A National Historic District...

Isle au Haut

Isle au Haut thrusts its steeply ridged back out of the sea south of Stonington. French explorer Samuel D. Champlain discovered Isle au Haut...

Center Lovell

...

Old Orchard Beach

...

Northeast Harbor

The summer community for some of the nation's wealthiest families, Northeast Harbor has one of the best ports on the coast, which fills with...

Somesville

...

Rockport

...

Tenants Harbor

Tenants Harbor is a quintessential coastal harbor: dominated by lobster boats, its shores are rocky and slippery, and its village streets are...

Lincolnville

Lincolnville’s area of most interest is Lincolnville Beach, where you'll find a few restaurants, the ferry to Islesboro, and a swimming beach...

Bucksport

The stunning Penobscot Narrows Bridge, spanning the Penobscot River, makes Bucksport, a town founded in 1763, well worth a visit, even if you...

Wells

...

Brunswick and the Harpswells

...

Southwest Harbor

Across the water from Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor sits on the south side of the entrance to Somes Sound, which cuts up the center of...

Portland

Maine's largest city may be considered small by national standards—its population is just 66,000—but its character, spirit, and appeal make...

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport

The town centers of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are separated by 5 miles and two rivers, but united by a common history and a laid-back seaside...

Bar Harbor

A resort town since the 19th century, Bar Harbor is the artistic, culinary, and social center of Mount Desert Island, and it serves visitors...

Camden

More than any other town along Penobscot Bay, Camden is the perfect picture-postcard of a Maine coastal village. It is one of the most popular...

Bethel

Bethel is pure New England: a town with white clapboard houses, white-steeple churches, and a mountain vista at the end of every street. The...

Rockland

This town is considered the gateway to Penobscot Bay and is the first stop on U.S. 1 offering a glimpse of the often-sparkling and island-dotted...

Millinocket

Millinocket, a former paper-mill town with a population of about 4,000, is a gateway to Baxter State Park and Maine's North Woods. Millinocket...

Greenville

Greenville, tucked at the southern end of island-dotted, mostly forest-lined Moosehead Lake, is an outdoors lover's paradise. Boating, fishing...

Rangeley

Situated on the north side of Rangeley Lake along Route 4, Rangeley has long attracted anglers and winter-sports enthusiasts. The vastly forested...

Eastport

Connected by a granite causeway to the mainland at Pleasant Point Reservation, Eastport has wonderful views of the nearby islands, and because...

York Harbor

A short distance from the village proper, York Harbor opens to the water and offers many places to linger and explore. The harbor itself is...

Blue Hill

Nestled snugly between 943-foot Blue Hill Mountain and Blue Hill Bay, the village of Blue Hill sits right beside its harbor. About 30 miles...

Sebago Lake Area

The shores of sprawling Sebago Lake and fingerlike Long Lake are popular with water-sports enthusiasts, as are Brandy Pond and many other bodies...

Biddeford

Biddeford is waking from a deep sleep, having devolved into something of a ghost town for a good deal of the past half century. It's a ghost...

Lubec

Lubec is one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise. A popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts, it offers plenty of...

York Beach

Like many shorefront towns in Maine, York Beach has a long history entertaining summer visitors. Take away today's bikinis and smartphones,...

York Village

Spending an afternoon in York village is like going back in time—and you really only need a couple of hours here to roam the historic streets...

Cape Neddick

...

Ogunquit

A resort village since the late 19th century, Ogunquit made a name for itself as an artists' colony. Today it has become a mini Provincetown...

Kittery

Known as the "Gateway to Maine," Kittery has become primarily a major shopping destination thanks to its massive complex of factory outlets...

Bridgton

U.S. 302 becomes Main Street in picturesque Bridgton, whose 10 lakes are popular for boating and fishing. Steps from the tree-lined downtown...

Bangor

The state's second-largest metropolitan area (Portland is the largest), Bangor is about 20 miles from the coast and is the unofficial capital...

Damariscotta

The Damariscotta region comprises several communities along the rocky coast. The town itself sits on the water, a lively place filled with attractive...

Bath

Bath has been a shipbuilding center since 1607. The result of its prosperity can be seen in its handsome mix of Federal, Greek Revival, and...

Pemaquid Point

Pemaquid Point is the tip of the Pemaquid Peninsula, bordered by Muscongus and Johns bays. It’s home to the famous lighthouse of the same name...

Belfast

Lots of Maine coastal towns like to think of themselves as the prettiest little town in the state, and any judge would be spoiled for choice...

Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Brooksville

Winding through hills, the roads leading to the villages of Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Brooksville take you past rambling farmhouses, beautiful...

Wiscasset

Settled in 1663, Wiscasset sits on the banks of the Sheepscot River. It bills itself "Maine's Prettiest Village," and it's easy to see why:...

Kingfield

In the shadows of Mt. Abraham ("Mt. Abram" to locals) and Sugarloaf Mountain, home to the eponymous ski resort, Kingfield has everything a ...

Searsport

Searsport is well-known as the antiques and flea-market capital of Maine, and with good reason: the Antique Mall alone, on U.S. 1 just north...

Deer Isle Village

Around Deer Isle Village, thick woods give way to tidal coves. Stacks of lobster traps populate the backyards of shingled houses, and dirt roads...

Stonington

Stonington is at the southern end of Route 15, which has helped it to retain its small-town flavor. The boutiques and galleries lining Main...

Boothbay

The shoreline of the Boothbay Peninsula is a craggy stretch of inlets, where pleasure craft anchor alongside trawlers and lobster boats. The...

Bass Harbor

Bass Harbor is a tiny lobstering village with a relaxed atmosphere and a few accommodations and restaurants. If you're looking to get away from...

Brunswick

Lovely brick and clapboard buildings are the highlight of Brunswick's Federal Street Historic District, which includes Federal Street and Park...

Old Orchard Beach

...

Isle au Haut

Isle au Haut thrusts its steeply ridged back out of the sea south of Stonington. French explorer Samuel D. Champlain discovered Isle au Haut...

Thomaston

Thomaston is a delightful town, full of beautiful sea captains' homes and dotted with antiques and specialty shops. A National Historic District...

Port Clyde

Sitting at the end of the St. George Peninsula, the sleepy fishing village of Port Clyde is a haven for artists, with a number of galleries...

Center Lovell

...

Jonesport and Beals Island

...

Machias

...

Castine

A summer destination for more than 100 years, Castine is a well-preserved seaside village that serves as an excellent base for exploring the...

Bucksport

The stunning Penobscot Narrows Bridge, spanning the Penobscot River, makes Bucksport, a town founded in 1763, well worth a visit, even if you...

Northeast Harbor

The summer community for some of the nation's wealthiest families, Northeast Harbor has one of the best ports on the coast, which fills with...

Lincolnville

Lincolnville’s area of most interest is Lincolnville Beach, where you'll find a few restaurants, the ferry to Islesboro, and a swimming beach...

Rockport

...

Somesville

...

Tenants Harbor

Tenants Harbor is a quintessential coastal harbor: dominated by lobster boats, its shores are rocky and slippery, and its village streets are...

Brunswick and the Harpswells

...

Southwest Harbor

Across the water from Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor sits on the south side of the entrance to Somes Sound, which cuts up the center of...

Wells

...

Portland

Maine's largest city may be considered small by national standards—its population is just 66,000—but its character, spirit, and appeal make...

Kennebunk and Kennebunkport

The town centers of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are separated by 5 miles and two rivers, but united by a common history and a laid-back seaside...

Bar Harbor

A resort town since the 19th century, Bar Harbor is the artistic, culinary, and social center of Mount Desert Island, and it serves visitors...

Camden

More than any other town along Penobscot Bay, Camden is the perfect picture-postcard of a Maine coastal village. It is one of the most popular...

Bethel

Bethel is pure New England: a town with white clapboard houses, white-steeple churches, and a mountain vista at the end of every street. The...

Rockland

This town is considered the gateway to Penobscot Bay and is the first stop on U.S. 1 offering a glimpse of the often-sparkling and island-dotted...

Millinocket

Millinocket, a former paper-mill town with a population of about 4,000, is a gateway to Baxter State Park and Maine's North Woods. Millinocket...

Greenville

Greenville, tucked at the southern end of island-dotted, mostly forest-lined Moosehead Lake, is an outdoors lover's paradise. Boating, fishing...

Rangeley

Situated on the north side of Rangeley Lake along Route 4, Rangeley has long attracted anglers and winter-sports enthusiasts. The vastly forested...

Eastport

Connected by a granite causeway to the mainland at Pleasant Point Reservation, Eastport has wonderful views of the nearby islands, and because...

York Harbor

A short distance from the village proper, York Harbor opens to the water and offers many places to linger and explore. The harbor itself is...

Blue Hill

Nestled snugly between 943-foot Blue Hill Mountain and Blue Hill Bay, the village of Blue Hill sits right beside its harbor. About 30 miles...

Sebago Lake Area

The shores of sprawling Sebago Lake and fingerlike Long Lake are popular with water-sports enthusiasts, as are Brandy Pond and many other bodies...

Biddeford

Biddeford is waking from a deep sleep, having devolved into something of a ghost town for a good deal of the past half century. It's a ghost...

Lubec

Lubec is one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise. A popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts, it offers plenty of...

York Beach

Like many shorefront towns in Maine, York Beach has a long history entertaining summer visitors. Take away today's bikinis and smartphones,...

York Village

Spending an afternoon in York village is like going back in time—and you really only need a couple of hours here to roam the historic streets...

Cape Neddick

...

Ogunquit

A resort village since the late 19th century, Ogunquit made a name for itself as an artists' colony. Today it has become a mini Provincetown...

Kittery

Known as the "Gateway to Maine," Kittery has become primarily a major shopping destination thanks to its massive complex of factory outlets...

Bridgton

U.S. 302 becomes Main Street in picturesque Bridgton, whose 10 lakes are popular for boating and fishing. Steps from the tree-lined downtown...

Bangor

The state's second-largest metropolitan area (Portland is the largest), Bangor is about 20 miles from the coast and is the unofficial capital...

Damariscotta

The Damariscotta region comprises several communities along the rocky coast. The town itself sits on the water, a lively place filled with attractive...

Bath

Bath has been a shipbuilding center since 1607. The result of its prosperity can be seen in its handsome mix of Federal, Greek Revival, and...

Pemaquid Point

Pemaquid Point is the tip of the Pemaquid Peninsula, bordered by Muscongus and Johns bays. It’s home to the famous lighthouse of the same name...

Belfast

Lots of Maine coastal towns like to think of themselves as the prettiest little town in the state, and any judge would be spoiled for choice...

Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Brooksville

Winding through hills, the roads leading to the villages of Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Brooksville take you past rambling farmhouses, beautiful...

Wiscasset

Settled in 1663, Wiscasset sits on the banks of the Sheepscot River. It bills itself "Maine's Prettiest Village," and it's easy to see why:...

Kingfield

In the shadows of Mt. Abraham ("Mt. Abram" to locals) and Sugarloaf Mountain, home to the eponymous ski resort, Kingfield has everything a ...

Searsport

Searsport is well-known as the antiques and flea-market capital of Maine, and with good reason: the Antique Mall alone, on U.S. 1 just north...

Deer Isle Village

Around Deer Isle Village, thick woods give way to tidal coves. Stacks of lobster traps populate the backyards of shingled houses, and dirt roads...

Stonington

Stonington is at the southern end of Route 15, which has helped it to retain its small-town flavor. The boutiques and galleries lining Main...

Boothbay

The shoreline of the Boothbay Peninsula is a craggy stretch of inlets, where pleasure craft anchor alongside trawlers and lobster boats. The...

Bass Harbor

Bass Harbor is a tiny lobstering village with a relaxed atmosphere and a few accommodations and restaurants. If you're looking to get away from...

Brunswick

Lovely brick and clapboard buildings are the highlight of Brunswick's Federal Street Historic District, which includes Federal Street and Park...

Old Orchard Beach

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Isle au Haut

Isle au Haut thrusts its steeply ridged back out of the sea south of Stonington. French explorer Samuel D. Champlain discovered Isle au Haut...

Thomaston

Thomaston is a delightful town, full of beautiful sea captains' homes and dotted with antiques and specialty shops. A National Historic District...

Port Clyde

Sitting at the end of the St. George Peninsula, the sleepy fishing village of Port Clyde is a haven for artists, with a number of galleries...

Center Lovell

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Jonesport and Beals Island

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Machias

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Castine

A summer destination for more than 100 years, Castine is a well-preserved seaside village that serves as an excellent base for exploring the...

Bucksport

The stunning Penobscot Narrows Bridge, spanning the Penobscot River, makes Bucksport, a town founded in 1763, well worth a visit, even if you...

Northeast Harbor

The summer community for some of the nation's wealthiest families, Northeast Harbor has one of the best ports on the coast, which fills with...

Lincolnville

Lincolnville’s area of most interest is Lincolnville Beach, where you'll find a few restaurants, the ferry to Islesboro, and a swimming beach...

Rockport

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Somesville

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Tenants Harbor

Tenants Harbor is a quintessential coastal harbor: dominated by lobster boats, its shores are rocky and slippery, and its village streets are...

Brunswick and the Harpswells

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Southwest Harbor

Across the water from Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor sits on the south side of the entrance to Somes Sound, which cuts up the center of...

Wells

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The Southern Coast

The Maine Coast's southernmost stretch—including Kittery, the Yorks, Ogunquit, the Kennebunks, and Biddeford—features miles and miles of inviting...

Penobscot Bay

Few could deny that Penobscot Bay is one of Maine's most dramatically beautiful regions. Its more than 1,000 miles of coastline is made up of...

Western Lakes and Mountains

From Sebago Lake, less than 20 miles northwest of Portland, the sparsely populated Western Lakes and Mountains region stretches north and west...

Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island

With some of the most dramatic and varied scenery on the Maine Coast—and home to Maine's only national park—Mount Desert Island (pronounced...

The Mid-Coast Region

Lighthouses dot the headlands of Maine's Mid-Coast region, where thousands of miles of coastline wait to be explored. Defined by chiseled peninsulas...

Way Down East

Slogans like "The Real Maine" ring true Way Down East, where raw, mostly undeveloped coast dominates the remote region. Even in summer here...

The North Woods

Moosehead Lake, Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, and the four-season resort town of Greenville are dispersed within Maine...

Blue Hill Peninsula

If you want to see unspoiled Down East Maine landscapes, explore art galleries, savor exquisite meals, or simply enjoy life at an unhurried...

Side Trips From Portland

The shoreline at nearby Cape Elizabeth may look familiar–-Winslow Homer famously painted these scenes. Homer’s studio and the iconic Portland...

Schoodic Peninsula

The landscape of Schoodic Peninsula's craggy coastline, towering evergreens, and views over Frenchman Bay are breathtaking year-round. A drive...

The Southern Coast

The Maine Coast's southernmost stretch—including Kittery, the Yorks, Ogunquit, the Kennebunks, and Biddeford—features miles and miles of inviting...

Penobscot Bay

Few could deny that Penobscot Bay is one of Maine's most dramatically beautiful regions. Its more than 1,000 miles of coastline is made up of...

Western Lakes and Mountains

From Sebago Lake, less than 20 miles northwest of Portland, the sparsely populated Western Lakes and Mountains region stretches north and west...

Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island

With some of the most dramatic and varied scenery on the Maine Coast—and home to Maine's only national park—Mount Desert Island (pronounced...

The Mid-Coast Region

Lighthouses dot the headlands of Maine's Mid-Coast region, where thousands of miles of coastline wait to be explored. Defined by chiseled peninsulas...