The Pine Tree State is mostly a nature lover’s utopia. Nearly 90% of Maine includes forest area, including 32 state parks and Acadia National Park, the state’s undisputed crown treasure. Maine also has an excellent range of high-quality restaurants, a thriving cultural scene, and a plethora of family-friendly activities year-round. Whether you want to ski down Sugarloaf Mountain, admire sculptures at the Farnsworth Art Museum, or eat countless lobster rolls along the ocean, a vacation to Maine promises to be an unforgettable experience. Read on for more information about the best things to do in Maine.
Acadia National Park
Scenic Acadia National Park is a popular destination for both tourists and Maine locals. Acadia, one of the top ten most visited national parks in the US, attracts 4 million tourists each year with its quiet beaches, steep mountains, dense forests, and jagged coastline views along the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors may get their hearts racing on almost 160 miles of hiking routes, the most popular of which are the tough Beehive Loop, the tranquil Jordan Pond loop, and the flexible Cadillac Mountain North Ridge and South Ridge paths. Cadillac Mountain is a famous location for dawn and sunset photography; from early October to early March, it is the first point in the United States to watch the sun rise.
Portland
Portland has all of the amenities of a classic Maine vacation (outdoor activities and lobster rolls abound), but it also has a thriving art, cuisine, and entertainment scene. On a Portland trip, must-dos include exploring the shops and restaurants that line the quaint cobblestone streets of the Old Port neighborhood, strolling along the Eastern Promenade waterfront promenade, visiting the Portland Museum of Art, and sampling local beers on a brewery tour.
The Portland Harbor Hotel and The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection are both traveler-approved. World-class restaurants such Duckfat, Eventide Oyster Co., Central Provisions, and DiMillo’s on the Water (a floating restaurant) are guaranteed to please. Check out Portland’s best bed-and-breakfasts for a more intimate stay.
Shop at the flagship L.L.Bean Store
Whether you’ve had the distinctive Bean Boots your entire life or just want to see what this Maine-made business is all about, a visit to L.L.Bean’s flagship site in the lovely town of Freeport (less than 20 miles northeast of Portland) is a must.
While the main store is being “re-booted” with renovations until late 2026, you may shop at Camp L.L.Bean, a massive tent in the parking lot inspired by the retailer’s Acadia 8-Person Cabin Tent. The “Hunting & Fishing,” “Bike, Boat & Ski,” and “Home” businesses on campus will stay open throughout renovation.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor, known as the gateway to Acadia National Park, is a great spot to relax and unwind. Nature enthusiasts will find many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in this Mount Desert Island community, including coastal walks along Frenchman Bay (a popular tourist destination) and cultural activities like as downtown Bar Harbor’s Abbe Museum (open seasonally). This museum is Maine’s sole Smithsonian Affiliate, preserving the history and culture of the Wabanaki, the state’s native people.
Foodies will be thrilled at Bar Harbor, too. The resort is known for its fresh seafood, but it also has artisan ice cream stores, boutique brewers, and tiny breakfast cafés that attract visitors. When it’s time for bed, stay at the lovely Balance Rock Inn or the opulent Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina.
Take a whale watching cruise
From mid-April until October, animal lovers are in for a real treat. Watch in awe as majestic humpback, pilot, minke, and finback whales eat and bask in the state’s coastal waters. Popular whale viewing destinations include Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Portland, and Kennebunkport.
For the finest vantage position, take a boat trip with a firm like Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. or Cap’n Fish’s Cruises; remember to bring your camera, binoculars, sunscreen, and layers of clothes, since temperatures can drop as you travel away from the mainland. Recent passengers suggested taking a boat after sunset for great vistas, while early morning cruises offer some of the best natural lighting and calmest waterways.
Cape Elizabeth and the Portland Head Light
The picturesque coastal village of Cape Elizabeth is a must-see for anybody visiting the Portland region. Its postcard-worthy crown gem is the Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse. The lighthouse, which rises 80 feet tall and is next to the gorgeous Fort Williams Park, was built in the late 1700s. The lighthouse tower is only accessible to the public on Maine Open Lighthouse Day each year.
Once you’ve finished shooting the building, visit the museum in the former keepers’ house (open seasonally) to discover more about the lighthouse’s history. Spend the remainder of the day in Cape Elizabeth at Crescent Beach State Park or Two Lights State Park before returning to Portland or sleeping in local lodgings, such
Ogunquit
Ogunquit has all the makings of a relaxed vacation, replete with an old-fashioned trolley to assist you explore the picturesque town throughout the summer. Spend your days sunbathing and swimming on the nearly 3.5-mile-long Ogunquit Beach or the more quiet Footbridge Beach, or visit the Ogunquit Museum of American Art (open seasonally) to see over 3,000 paintings.
Recent visitors have praised the scenery along Marginal Way, a 1.25-mile coastal walking route that connects The Sparhawk Oceanfront Resort at Ogunquit Beach to Perkins Cove, a historic active fishing cove with a variety of lovely stores and restaurants. Footbridge Lobster in Perkins Cove serves lobster rolls, while That Place in Ogunquit serves American meals. Finish the great day with a performance in Ogunquit.