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

Freeport

Those who flock straight to L.L. Bean and see nothing else of Freeport are missing out. The city's charming backstreets are lined with historic

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

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

Cape Elizabeth

Winslow Homer painted many of his famous oceanscapes from a tiny studio on the rocky peninsula known as Prout's Neck, 12 miles south of Portland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Casco Bay Islands

The islands of Casco Bay are also known as the Calendar Islands, because an early explorer mistakenly thought there was one for each day of

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

Machias

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

Jonesport and Beals Island

Center Lovell

Old Orchard Beach

Rockport

Somesville

The Arts District

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

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

Brunswick and the Harpswells

The Old Port

Wells

The West End

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

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

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

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