26 Top Things to Do in Maine in 2023

The Pine Tree State is initially a nature lover’s paradise. On the subject of 90% of Maine is wooded area land, together with 32 state parks and Acadia Nationwide Park, its indeniable crown jewel. On peak of that, the elements hardly exceeds 85 levels in the summertime, making it a marvelous break out from spaces with warmer climates. Fall brings improbable foliage around the state, whilst wintry weather and spring are the very best occasions to comfortable up in a cabin and revel in wintry weather sports activities or seasonal gala’s.

Past mountaineering, swimming and whale staring at, Maine additionally provides an excellent collection of top-notch eating places, a bustling artwork scene and heaps of alternative family-friendly actions. Whether or not you are looking to ski down Sugarloaf Mountain, respect sculptures on the Farnsworth Artwork Museum or consume unending lobster rolls alongside the coast, a getaway to Maine guarantees a fun-packed shuttle that you will not quickly disregard. Learn on for extra main points at the peak issues to do in Maine. Be aware: A few of these Maine sights shut for the wintry weather season, so be sure you test opening hours ahead of making plans a go to for the less warm months.

Scenic Acadia Nationwide Park is a significant draw for travelers and Maine citizens alike. Some of the 10 maximum visited nationwide parks within the nation, Acadia attracts 4 million guests every year with its secluded seashores, rugged mountains, dense forests and craggy coastal perspectives alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Guests can get their hearts pumping on with reference to 160 miles of mountaineering trails, the most well liked of which come with the Beehive Loop, the Cadillac Mountain North and South Ridge trails, and the Jordan Pond loop. Along with mountaineering, guests can motorbike, kayak, swim, bird-watch and stargaze within the park. When starvation moves, head to Acadia’s sole eating venue: the Jordan Pond Space Eating place. In step with contemporary vacationers, the eatery’s signature popover bread and tea – everlasting menu pieces for the reason that Nineties – aren’t to be ignored.

Portland has all of the choices of a quintessential Maine vacation spot (lighthouses and lobster rolls abound), nevertheless it additionally boasts noteworthy artwork, meals and leisure scenes. Will have to-dos on a Portland holiday come with exploring the department stores and eating places that line the captivating cobblestone streets of the Previous Port district, walking alongside the Jap Prom waterfront park, perusing the Portland Museum of Artwork, and indulging in native beers on a brewery excursion. Traveler-approved resorts come with the Portland Harbor Lodge and The Press Lodge, Autograph Assortment, and world-class eateries like Duckfat, Central Provisions and DiMillo’s at the Water (a floating eating place) are certain to provoke.

Whether or not you might have owned the signature Bean Boots all of your lifestyles or just wish to see what this Maine-made store is all about, a go to to L.L.Bean’s flagship location is a should if you are within the captivating city of Freeport (lower than 20 miles northeast of Portland). Opened in 1917, the multilevel venue draws 3 million guests every year. Snap a photograph out entrance with the 16-foot all-weather boot reproduction ahead of perusing the shop’s many outdoorsy departments, from attire to tenting to fishing provides. The flagship location additionally includes a 3,500-gallon aquarium, a restaurant and ancient shows all through the shop, however what inspired earlier guests maximum is the massive collection of pieces. The most productive phase? You’ll be able to go to this L.L.Bean on every occasion your time table permits, as it’s open 24 hours an afternoon, twelve months a yr.

Thought to be the gateway to Acadia Nationwide Park, Bar Harbor is a wonderful position to unwind and reset. Nature fanatics will in finding unending tactics to benefit from the outdoor on this Mount Desolate tract Island city, from coastal walks alongside Frenchman Bay (a traveler favourite) to bird-watching in more than one parks and preserves. Foodies will likely be happy right here, too: Contemporary seafood is the vacation spot’s uniqueness, however its artisan ice cream stores, craft breweries and old fashioned breakfast cafes also are crowd pleasers. This space of Maine boasts high stipulations for wild blueberries, so forestall by way of a neighborhood farm or farmers marketplace between overdue July and mid-September to select some up. When it is time to mattress down, keep on the idyllic Steadiness Rock Inn, the splendid Harborside Lodge, Spa & Marina (a seasonal belongings) or a neighborhood holiday condo.

From mid-April thru October, animal fanatics are in for a different deal with. Travelers can watch in marvel as majestic humpback, pilot, minke and finback whales migrate during the state’s coastal waters. Whale staring at sizzling spots come with Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Casco Bay and Kennebunkport. Hop aboard a ship excursion with an organization like Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. or Cap’n Fish’s Cruises for the most efficient vantage level – and do not disregard to deliver your digicam, binoculars, sunscreen and layers of clothes, as temperatures can dip as you sail clear of the mainland. Fresh vacationers advisable taking a cruise at sundown for the most efficient perspectives, although early morning excursions supply one of the vital easiest herbal lights and calmest waters. Summer season’s transparent skies and loss of fog make it the best time of yr to identify those delicate giants, however the probabilities of seeing a whale on excursion are slightly prime all through all the whale staring at season.

The old fashioned beach city of Cape Elizabeth is a must-visit spot for someone touring to the Portland space. Its postcard-worthy crown jewel is the Portland Head Mild – the oldest lighthouse in Maine. Positioned in scenic Castle Williams Park, the lighthouse dates again to the overdue 1700s and stands 80 toes tall. If you find yourself completed photographing the construction, head into the adjoining keepers’ space museum to be informed extra in regards to the historical past of the world. Spend the remainder of the day in Cape Elizabeth at Crescent Seaside State Park or Two Lighting State Park ahead of heading again to Portland or bedding down at native lodging, akin to traveler-loved Inn by way of the Sea.

Stretching simply over a mile alongside the rocky coast, the Marginal Approach is without doubt one of the most pretty strolling paths New England has to supply. The well paved path within the old fashioned city of Ogunquit (about 10 miles south of Kennebunkport) connects Ogunquit Seaside to Perkins Cove, an enthralling fishing village with stores and eating places. Fresh vacationers highlighted the beautiful ocean perspectives and cliffside summer time wildflowers as one of the vital easiest attractions in their shuttle; they praised the simple, flat stroll and abundance of benches alongside the best way (39, to be actual). On the finish of your walk, grasp a lobster roll at Footbridge Lobster or take pleasure in American fare at That Position in Ogunquit.

There are many seaside locations to choose between in Maine, however Kennebunkport must be on the peak of your listing. Plan to spend all of your holiday on (or a minimum of close to) the water, whether or not you are fishing, sunbathing or crusing. Traveler-approved spots come with Colony and Goose Rocks seashores, the small fishing village of Cape Porpoise, and Dock Sq.. Guests can grasp contemporary seafood at The Clam Shack or dine on the White Barn Inn Eating place – a Forbes 5 Superstar- and AAA 5 Diamond-designated eatery. In the case of accommodation, take your pick out of sumptuous homes like Nathaniel Lord Mansion, or e book some of the space’s old fashioned lodges and cottages.

Even though excursions within the mythical horror novelist’s haunted place of abode are not to be had, vacationers nonetheless agree {that a} fast forestall at Stephen King’s home is a should when touring thru Bangor, Maine. From the out of doors, guests can see (and take footage of) the crimson Victorian mansion’s quirky options, from the spider- and dragon-adorned iron fence to the entrance backyard’s 15-foot-tall wooden sculpture, which used to be carved out of a lifeless tree and contours an array of mystical creatures surrounding a bookcase. Fresh guests say that the valuables is particularly eerie within the fall, and lots of counsel signing up for a kind of three-hour tour with SK Excursions to be informed extra about places the place King has lived, labored and filmed a few of his maximum iconic motion pictures.

Previous vacationers agree that Monhegan Island – which is best obtainable by way of boat – is a beautiful position to spend an afternoon. Positioned 10 miles off the coast and residential to only 70 year-round citizens, the unspoiled island options wildlands with 9 miles of cliffside mountaineering trails, a small village with stores and eating places, a lighthouse, and an artwork museum. A couple of lodges and different accommodation choices dot the island, so you’ll keep in a single day if you want. Guests have a couple of other choices to succeed in the island. One selection is an hourlong ferry trip from the mainland city of New Harbor between Might and mid-October with Hardy Boat Cruises. Or, depart from Boothbay Harbor on a 90-minute crusing with Balmy Day Cruises, which is in carrier from June thru September.

As the biggest botanical gardens in New England, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are a sight to behold. Travelers in Boothbay (about 60 miles northeast of Portland) had unending reward for the seasonally opened, well-maintained gardens, noting how stunning and stress-free the go to used to be for members of the family of every age. You’ll be able to discover 300-plus acres of colourful reveals, together with a dahlia lawn, a butterfly space, a bee habitat, a meditation lawn, and several other lawns and plush wooded area grounds. Tickets must be bought on-line prematurely, and common guests can grow to be participants to achieve loose admission and different perks.

For a seaside holiday within the Pine Tree State that exams all of the bins, head to Previous Orchard Seaside. The coastal lodge city about 20 miles south of Portland boasts 7 miles of sand to stretch out on, in addition to a pier with eating places and stores. Households particularly love the Palace Playland amusement park, which includes a Ferris wheel, journey rides and carnival video games. Fashionable accommodation choices on the town come with seaside space leases, resorts and lodges immediately at the water; check out the beachfront, family-owned Edgewater Motor Inn for perks like a heated pool and an electrical automotive charging station.

To include Maine’s beautiful herbal areas with out the crowds of Acadia Nationwide Park, pay a go to to Baxter State Park. The kind of 210,000-acre park sits within the middle of the state close to town of Millinocket, positioned round 70 miles north of Bangor. It’s house to Maine’s tallest mountain, Mount Katahdin, which towers about 5,270 toes tall. The hike to the highest is strenuous (and now not advisable for green climbers), however the fabulous perspectives are definitely worth the effort, in keeping with previous guests. Nonetheless, vacationers of all talent ranges can include the outside by way of putting in place a tent at one among 300-plus campsites and mountaineering thru your number of 215 miles of trails. If you are fortunate, you may even see flora and fauna like moose and deer as you adventure during the barren region (simply stay an eye fixed out for bears, too).

Annually at the first weekend in August, tens of 1000’s of attendees from close to and a long way swarm town of Rockland (positioned about 85 miles southwest of Bar Harbor) for the once a year five-day Maine Lobster Pageant. Greater than 20,000 kilos of scrumptious native lobster is introduced in to feed the hundreds, and the pageant options seafood cooking contests, are living track, arts and crafts distributors, a parade, wine and beer tastings, a 5K race, and extra for purchasers of every age. Previous guests reported having a number of a laugh on the pageant, and so they have been happy to seek out overflow parking at within sight colleges with trip carrier to the grounds. The 2023 pageant is ready to have loose admission. Vacationers can keep for the weekend (or all 5 days) at their pick out of resorts and bed-and-breakfasts; favorites come with the LimeRock Inn and 250 Major Lodge.

Past the Marginal Approach, Ogunquit has all of the makings of a calming getaway. Spend your days sunbathing and swimming on the kind of 3-mile-long Ogunquit Seaside or extra secluded Footbridge Seaside, or wander during the Ogunquit Museum of American Artwork (open seasonally) to look greater than 3,000 works. Fresh vacationers advisable exploring the old fashioned city on the old fashioned trolley, which generally runs between the summer time and early fall. A keep at sumptuous Cliff Space Maine simply south of city is bound to go away you feeling rejuvenated because of its 9,000-square-foot spa, whole with cliff perspectives, saunas, steam rooms and natural botanical remedies. Further facilities on the trendy beach lodge come with indoor and out of doors swimming swimming pools, loose espresso and tea stations on every ground, gardens, and oceanfront positive eating venues.

Positioned in Carrabassett Valley in western Maine, Sugarloaf Mountain is a year-round getaway for vacationers having a look to get energetic. Within the hotter months, travelers can hike, mountain motorbike, golfing, kayak and zip line. However guests say Sugarloaf actually shines within the wintry weather with its chilly climate sports activities: It provides the one lift-serviced, above-treeline snowboarding within the jap U.S. and is the biggest ski space east of the Rocky Mountains. Snow fanatics can take part in cross-country snowboarding on greater than 30 miles of trails, in addition to snowshoeing and ice skating. After a complete day of task, get some leisure on the on-site Sugarloaf Mountain Lodge, or hire out a condominium or non-public house if you are touring with a gaggle.

Never-ending a laugh awaits at Funtown Splashtown USA. The as it should be named leisure venue in Saco (lower than 20 miles south of Portland) is composed of 2 sections: a water park and an amusement park. Guests having a look to get their hearts pumping can revel in thrill rides like Maine’s best wood rollercoaster, the tallest log flume in New England or a drop tower that sends vacationers right into a 220-foot loose fall. More youthful consumers may have their pick out of tamer amusement park sights as properly, together with a kiddie educate, bumper boats and a vintage carousel. In the meantime, at the wetter aspect of the park, vacationers can zoom down the Poseidon’s Plunge waterslide, splash within the lagoon and cargo the entire kin onto a raft slide. Fresh vacationers stated their youngsters had a blast on the park, however they do warn that prices for foods and drinks can briefly upload up. After a fun-packed day, retire to The Beachwood in within sight Previous Orchard Seaside, which has direct seaside get right of entry to and facilities like fish fry amenities.

Positioned in Rockland, the Farnsworth Artwork Museum homes 15,000 items that spotlight Maine’s function within the historical past of American artwork. Opened in 1948, the 20,000-square-foot museum options rotating reveals highlighting artists like sculptor Louise Nevelson and fresh American realist painter Jamie Wyeth. Fresh vacationers praised the curated selection of works, noting that the museum used to be properly definitely worth the shuttle to Rockland. After traveling the museum, grasp a meal at a old fashioned eating place within sight, akin to farm-to-table eatery Primo or family-owned informal joint Hill’s Seafood Co.

An idyllic Bar Harbor break out located simply 4 miles north of Acadia Nationwide Park, Terramor Outside Hotel opened in 2020 and provides a mix of nature and comfort, making it some of the peak glamping accommodations within the U.S. Spend your holiday mountaineering, fishing, stargazing, playing a meal on the Resort, or soaking within the pool and sizzling bathtub. Every fashionable, glamping-style tent is geared up with electrical energy, ceiling enthusiasts and warmers, Wi-Fi get right of entry to, and screened home windows and porches. Some have non-public toilets and extra perks like fireplace pits. Previous visitors on the belongings had heaps of reward for the lodge, highlighting the cozy lodging, beautiful perspectives and pleasant personnel.

Open seasonally from Might 1 to Oct. 31 (and once more for the vacation season from the Friday after Thanksgiving during the Sunday after New 12 months’s Day), Victoria Mansion used to be built between 1858 and 1860 as a personal house. Additionally known as the Morse-Libby Space, the Portland place of abode first opened as a museum in 1941. It’s the best surviving U.S. construction adorned by way of inner dressmaker Gustave Herter, and it portrays one of the vital maximum well-preserved Italian villa-style structure within the nation. Victoria Mansion provides each guided and self-guided excursions that show off surprising artifacts and one-of-a-kind decor. Fresh vacationers have been completely inspired by way of the valuables and located the excursions to be informative.

The Casco Bay Islands contain an collection of coastal cities close to Portland providing a number of a laugh issues to do. The comfy, small-town vibe supplies the best surroundings to unwind with motorbike rides, scenic walks and attractive seafood. Peaks Island is the most well liked island as a result of its many facilities and proximity to Portland, however guests who would love a extra complete flavor of the world must believe the traveler-approved Mailboat Run day cruise. Operated by way of Casco Bay Traces, the kind of three-hour excursion visits 5 other islands – Little Diamond, Nice Diamond, Cliff Island, Lengthy Island and Chebeague Island – and offers slightly of historical past on every.

Controlled by way of the Maine Ancient Society, the Wadsworth-Longfellow Home is a Nationwide Ancient Landmark that dates again to 1785. It housed 3 generations of Wadsworth and Longfellow members of the family, probably the most widely recognized of whom used to be Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, crucial literary and cultural determine in 1800s American society. Nowadays, guests can excursion the Portland space from June to October to look many authentic family artifacts, in addition to the luxurious Longfellow Lawn positioned at the back of the valuables. Fresh vacationers felt the house used to be properly preserved and loved exploring at their recreational.

On the Maine Maritime Museum, travelers can be informed all in regards to the state’s nautical historical past whilst taking in perspectives of the Kennebec River. The 20-acre campus in Bathtub options each indoor reveals and a big out of doors shipyard for guests to discover. Traveler favorites come with the museum’s quick ancient movies, an excellent selection of send equipment, and shows of maritime artifacts and paintings. After traveling the premises, guests can end out the day with an hourlong river cruise to look the shipyard and within sight lighthouses (to be had seasonally).

Maine has no scarcity of lighthouses to choose between, however Nubble Mild is price a go to if you are within the city of York. Inbuilt 1879, the construction – which is at the Nationwide Sign up of Ancient Puts – welcomes guests all through the yr to color, take footage, fish or settle in for a picnic. Fresh vacationers reported the picturesque forestall used to be definitely worth the shuttle for the perspectives by myself, noting the lighthouse and ocean vistas are stunning regardless of the season. When making plans your go to, remember the fact that the present store and restrooms are best open from early Might thru mid-October.

Positioned in Portland, Allagash Brewing Corporate is an impartial craft brewery that receives rave opinions from vacationers and locals alike. Its signature Belgian-style wheat beer – Allagash White – is a must-taste, however near to each palate will discover a bitter, barrel-aged, wild or spontaneously fermented beer that tickles their fancy. Guests can revel in their brews within the family-friendly tasting room or acquire tickets for a extra curated, 1.5-hour tasting consultation of 5 beers in The Cellars. Previous consumers enjoyed the brewery’s comfy environment each indoors and outside, in addition to the scrumptious beers and on-site meals truck, which serves up lobster rolls and different Maine specialties.

Affiliated with Bowdoin School in Brunswick, Maine – round 25 miles northeast of Portland – the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum is a singular enchantment showcasing all issues Arctic. Based in honor of Robert E. Peary and Donald B. MacMillan, graduates of the school from the overdue 1800s who explored the Arctic area, the museum homes expedition apparatus, herbal historical past specimens and different items of passion. Previous reveals have detailed the historical past of girls explorers within the Arctic, canine sledding all through historical past and the have an effect on of world warming at the area. Previous guests loved perusing the loose enchantment, highlighting the reveals with Arctic clothes, Inuit paintings and extra.

Be aware: The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum used to be closed on the time of e-newsletter. It’s slated to reopen in overdue spring in a brand-new house: the John and Lile Gibbons Middle for Arctic Research.

Nicola Wood is a senior shuttle editor who has visited 26 international locations (and counting). She researches locations around the U.S. and out of the country each for her task and her personal long term holidays. Maine is on her shuttle bucket listing, and she or he’s installed numerous hours scouring the web for the most efficient puts to stick, go to and consume – so that you would not have to.