161 Best Places to Shop in Maine, USA

An eclectic collection of Maine-produced books, puzzles, toys, clothing, and art like carved birds and a myriad of alpaca items. Always call ahead or check the Facebook page for updated hours. 

Jam-packed with gifts, souvenirs, fudge, books, cards, tote bags, home-decor items, jewelry, clothing, and so much more, this inviting, old-fashioned store has been a fixture on Main Street since 1940. Dogs are always welcome, and always get a biscuit. Don't miss the little back porch overlooking the harbor. Locals look forward to the annual half-price sale before the store closes in late October.

Started in 1982, the Turtle Gallery resides in the 1876 Centennial House and barn. Exhibits range from contemporary painting and sculpture to crafts. There's also an outdoor sculpture garden.  

Located at the very southern end of Main Street, this small shop-factory in a sweet house is a great place to pick up well-priced, lightly scented, 100% vegan soaps made from pure olive, palm, and coconut oils with such additional ingredients as aloe, lemongrass, rosemary, citrus, and rose petal; there are more than a dozen varieties. Place unwrapped squares of soap in provided small, waxy bags and save $2 off the price of gift-wrapped bars. The shop also sells gift-boxed soaps plus a small selection of white pottery goods and skincare accessories.

Proprietor Laura Brown displays beautifully handcrafted, sleek, and functional items for the home in an open and uncluttered space, drawing visitors in to browse and buy. The appealing selection ranges from handsome pottery and leather goods to textiles, soaps, and jewelry. Brown features rotating art shows in a gallery nook at the back of the shop.

Hand-cast bronze doorbells and wind chimes are among the items sold at this longtime Prospect Harbor studio. You can also buy finely crafted quilts, wood-fired pottery, and fine cabinetry and furniture made by the owner's family, as well as cards, wild blueberry jam, jewelry, and such by other Maine artisans. Ask for a tour of the foundry---you might even catch a "pour," done several times a week. Open June to mid-October and otherwise by chance or appointment.

In this real-life candy land, you'll find anything your sweet tooth could be craving: "penny" candy, gummies, fudge, chocolates, truffles, jellybeans, taffy, hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, and so much more. Seasonal treats include hot-chocolate bombs and molded chocolates for every holiday.

Wendilee Heath O’Brien's paintings in watercolor, oil, pastel, Asian ink, and kinpakku (Japanese traditional gold leaf) are sold at her studio gallery, where visitors often catch the artist at work and are welcome to listen in if she's teaching a class. Many works depict Down East landscapes, perhaps with people or children in the scene, but her repertoire includes abstract works, still lifes, and portraiture. A whimsical garden path leads to this year-round gallery behind the artist’s home on Winter Harbor’s Main Street. Notecards featuring her work (buy 10 and get one free!) and another artist's pottery are also sold. 

Sweeten your visit to Freeport with a taste of Maine’s official state treat: the whoopie pie, consisting of two small cake rounds with a creamy filling. The selection here includes the classic chocolate cake with vanilla filling as well as some 20 enticing variations, including banana cream, mint, red velvet, and peanut butter. These discs of deliciousness come individually packaged, making them great for gifts as well as on-the-go snacks.

Calling all chocoholics! In a big, pumpkin-color house and barn at the lower end of Main Street, you'll find a wonderland of tempting treats, including chocolate-covered blueberries, turtles, almond butter crunch, truffles, fudge, and many more old-fashioned confections. They're all made by a dozen chocolatiers working in the adjacent barn; ask about taking a factory tour. Wilbur's has a second shop downtown on Bow Street.

In a collection of 19th-century buildings, you'll find beautifully crafted Windsor-style beds, chests, china cabinets, tables, highboys, and chairs, as well as Shaker pieces. There are 18 rooms of furniture on display, but most items are made to order. Be sure to peep into the converted barn workshop to watch the skilled artisans at work. It's easy to understand why the cost of larger pieces reaches into the thousands.