From breathtakingly rugged shores, tranquil bays and secluded islands to soaring mountains and waterfalls, Maine offers it all when it comes to spectacular scenery. The Pine Tree State also boasts many charming towns that make for an ideal weekend getaway, including these.
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Maine with a breathtaking coastline, picturesque lighthouse, and even soaring mountains. Kayaking and canoeing tours are popular on the water, as are hiking and biking the numerous scenic trails on land, including a trek to the top of Cadillac Mountain that offers jaw-dropping vistas. In the nearby town of Bar Harbor, you can learn about native Wabanaki people at the Abbe Museum and stop by the unique Two Cats Café, which offers tasty meals and the chance to purchase cat-themed souvenirs. Of course, you won’t want to miss the chance to dine on the area’s specialty: lobster, which can be found on nearly every corner.
Rockland
The picturesque fishing village of Rockland exemplifies Maine’s slogan, “the way life should be.” A place where mountains meet the ocean in the heart of the mid-coast area, visitors can enjoy all sorts of fun on water and land, including sailing, boating, and hiking. There are fun local hangouts that include coffee shops for fueling up with an espresso made from micro-lot beans and a house-made pastry. While many shops were once boarded up, there are now many colorfully decorated places that welcome visitors in to browse or buy, thanks to the downtown revitalization. Explore the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center with its diverse Maine artisan collection and dine in oceanfront eateries with an emphasis on the bounty of fresh, local seafood. If you’re here during the first weekend of August, you can take part in the annual lobster festival too.
Camden
This “jewel of the Maine coast” as it’s often called, Camden was once a haven for manufacturing, but today it’s mostly known as a popular tourist destination. It’s so postcard-perfect, you may mistake it for a movie set – in fact, Camden has been used as the setting for several films, including 2001’s “In the Bedroom” and the 1957 drama, “Peyton Place.” Sailboats fill Penobscot Bay while waterside seafood beckons. Take a stroll through the High Street Historic District to take in classic New England architecture and perhaps enjoy sailing around Camden Harbor or hiking through Camden Hills State Park.
Cranberry Isles
The Cranberry Isles offer a peaceful escape that can be reached with just a 30-minute ferry ride from Mountain Desert Island. Great Cranberry offers fantastic hiking and biking, as well as museums, gift shops, and spectacular views of the mountains in Acadia National Park. The free Island Explorer shuttle will bring you around the island and offers the chance to visit a number of spots along the way like the Cranberry House, which boasts three gorgeous gardens, a historical museum, a cafe and a walking trail.
Wiscasset
Wiscasset overlooks Sheepscot River and has managed to retain much of the charm that represents quintessential Maine and New England, with its streets lined with old lovely churches and magnificent historic homes. There are interesting sites on nearly every corner, including some of the most famous architectural landmarks in the region, like the Nickels-Sortwell House on Main Street with its Federal-style architecture, an elliptical stairway with rope-like carvings and a gorgeous oval skylight. Castle Tucker is a not-to-be-missed Victorian-style mansion known for its upstairs piazza that overlooks the river.
Monhegan Island
Monhegan Island is situated 12 miles off the mainland, accessed by ferry from Boothbay Harbor, Port Clyde and New Harbor. One of its charms is that it has no paved roads or cars. Today, people visit to enjoy quiet solitude and striking natural scenery. The island is a haven for artists and other creative types during the warmer months, and it hosts miles and miles of trails that draw those who enjoy hiking. There are treks that lead up to some of the highest ocean cliffs in Maine and through peaceful wooded areas. Visitors also can view lighthouses, explore museums, enjoy chats with the islanders and watch artists at work in the summer.
Kennebunkport
This southern Maine coastal town sits along the Kennebunk River, about a mile from its mouth on the Atlantic. Dock Square is its best-known attraction, the center of town that hosts a wide range of local craft shops selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to souvenirs along with a diverse array of eateries. With so much water, Kennebunkport is also famous for its boating excursions like whale watching trips and lobstering adventures where visitors can step into the shoes of a real-life fisherman and even pull up a lobster trap. You also can rent a canoe or kayak and head out onto the water on your own, then retreat to one of the area’s cozy cottages.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor is a pretty, laid-back coastal town with a rich history, quaint local shops and outstanding dining, while also offering the opportunity for world-class boating excursions. It boasts authentic charms, a working waterfront, tranquil coves, lighthouses, and rocky shores. The village itself features brick sidewalks, gentle hilly terrain and attractive hand-painted signs, while a 1,000-foot-long bridge connects the east and west sides of the harbor for easy access to all types of fun activities. Some 25 daily boat excursions leave right from the harbor, some of which offer the chance for close-up encounters with wildlife such as seals, puffins and whales.
Castine
This “secret” New England destination has long been popular with locals, but few visitors seem to discover it, offering a chance to stray off the beaten tourist path. Castine offers picturesque seaside charms along with lighthouses, historic farms, forts and a host of fabulous inns for overnight stays. Here you can enjoy sailing on Penobscot Bay and visiting the Castine and Dice Head lighthouses, the latter of which is open for public tours.
Grafton Notch State Park, Newry
Grafton Notch State Park in Newry is an outdoor lover’s paradise nestled among some of the most spectacular mountains in the Mahoosuc Range. The park offers rugged terrain for backcountry hiking, including 12 of the Appalachian Trail’s most challenging miles. If you aren’t up for that much of an effort, there are a number of short treks leading to impressive waterfalls and gorges, like Screw Auger Falls. A less than half-mile walking path from Route 26 leads to the beautiful 23-foot waterfall, which follows a narrow gorge along Bear River. Below the falls, the river traverses through a series of cascades, past large potholes, grottoes and shallow wading pools, ideal for a refreshingly cool dip on a hot summer’s day.
