A reward awaits when the walk spills into pretty Perkins Cove, with its lobster boats, shops, galleries, waterside eateries, and a drawbridge where visitors gather and watch the action. Benches line Ogunquit’s Marginal Way. To make this a surefire thing to do, you must also swim. You might not have guessed it but Maine is one of the best winter destinations for snowbirds. And the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in Dover-Foxcroft dedicates one day each year to sampling a variety of flavor combinations of this famous dessert sandwich, which Mainers claim was a local invention (Pennsylvania may beg to differ). Maine is one of the largest producers of wild blueberries in the world and produces almost 10 percent of all of the blueberries in North America. Simple, cozy, as comfortable as a favorite sweater. Home to over 3,500 miles of coastline stuffed with an abundance of fish, Maine is unsurprisingly a popular destination for travelers hoping for a big catch. We have reviews of the best places to see in Maine. So many visitors to the Maine coast halt at Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, as if there was an electric fence just beyond. If you’ve never gotten a glimpse of North America’s most adorable bird, the Atlantic puffin, you’re in luck: Maine is one of the only places in the world you can find them. Maine Events From seasonal fairs and food festivals, concerts and art exhibits, holiday craft fairs and tree lighting ceremonies, there is always something to do in Maine. There was no running water — the owner had drained the pipes before the cold settled — so early every morning, I cut a hole in the ice and carried buckets of clear, potable, and very cold water into the cabin, where it warmed in a big tub by the always-stoked woodstove. 101 Unforgettable Things to Do in Maine | Roaming the Americas We thoroughly enjoyed reading your article and learning more about Maine. You’ll have your pick of lobster shacks to frequent, but some of the most beloved spots to throw on a bib are Bite Into Maine in Cape Elizabeth, Red’s Eats in Wiscasset, McLoon’s Lobster Shack in South Thomaston, and Young’s Lobster Pound in Belfast. https://vacationidea.com › destinations › best-things-to-do-in-maine.html Learn More. Maine Things To Do. | Things to Do in Maine, Photo courtesy of Susan McKenna/Maine Windjammer Association. Unlike the many other LL Bean franchise stores across the state, the original is the only one that is open for customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. What began with one or two hardy rafting companies in a northwoods hamlet has today grown into one of the elite white-water rafting centers in the East. Skip the line and book fun activities and tours with Expedia. There’s a reason Maine’s state slogan is “the way life should be.” With some of the world’s most breathtaking coastal scenery, charming lighthouses, bushes of blueberries, lobster shacks, and unique wildlife, spending any amount of time in New England’s northernmost state can feel like living in a postcard. These wooden, masted ships are far different from your everyday cruise; while they feature auxiliary engines for maneuvering, their primary mode of force is simply wind and sails. I will find a sliver of beach, or one of those granite outcroppings, settle down to listen to the waves and seabirds, and open my bag of doughnuts. The beach is steps from the front porch, and it’s one of those beaches where most everyone is local. No visit to Maine is complete without a moose sighting. This day comes in layers. Ready to plan a trip? Of all the things to do in Maine, my winter day would be spent skiing the only lift-serviced, above-tree-line snowfields in the east. Rockland, one of the most picturesque towns in the state, is an art lover’s dream, filled with independent galleries and antique shops set right on the harbor. It’s not all rocky coasts: southern Maine is home to some of New England’s most spectacular white-sand beaches, perfect for a serene stroll among crashing waves or an afternoon building sandcastles and collecting seashells. This is one of those under-the-radar museums that stays with you. As I write this, both of my sons now live in snow country far from New England, where mountains climb above 10,000 feet and snow cover is measured in hundreds of inches, and I admit that I partially blame their days skiing the Sugarloaf snowfields. Information of Maine events, wildlife, tours, hiking, restaurants, lobsters and lighthouses. No one who comes to Maine leaves without eating lobster. Go from season to season in New England with this delightful wall calendar. Chef-guided standouts include Duckfat, Eventide Oyster Co., Hugo’s, and Fore Street, which has been a James Beard Award semi-finalist every year since 2011. The glamorous Kennebunkport may be best known as the summer residence of former President George H.W. She's been with TripSavvy since 1998. We think Mel is as New England as they come. Every fourth Sunday in March, sugar shacks throughout the state open their doors for Maine Maple Sunday, where visitors can learn about the maple-making process and sample plenty of the sweet treat. If you're looking to stock up on filling for fresh blueberry pie, cobbler, or muffins, Berry Best Farm in Lebanon, Ives Berry Farm in Saco, and Crabtree's Blueberries in Sebago are among the many places that offer pick-your-own packages. There are so many things to do in Maine. Annual Events . We have reviews of the best places to see in Maine. For amazing memories and exceptional … Featured. Art lovers can spend time perusing the nine museums that comprise the Maine Art Museum Trail, whose highlights include the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, the Farnsworth Art Museum, and the Monhegan Museum of Art, located on a remote island off of Boothbay Harbor. For dessert, don’t miss unique donuts made from Aroostook County potatoes at The Holy Donut. Discover 83 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Maine from International Cryptozoology Museum to Jordan Pond Popovers. Written by. The official website for the Maine Office of Tourism. The store even hosts an annual concert series every summer, as well as outdoor movie nights, food trucks, yoga classes, and a weekly summer camp for children. Txs…We are going to stop at Ogunquit returning from our coming RoadTrip and now we have a very useful info about this place!!! | Things to Do in Maine. I am drawn to Bowdoin’s leafy campus in Brunswick for its history (Hawthorne, Longfellow, and Robert E. Peary all went here), but also because the setting — the small town on the fringes of the campus with its eclectic mix of shops and eateries — has always reminded me of why Maine has such a pull for so many people. About 100 miles, in fact. See which places our readers like the best, and vote for your favorites. Art history nerds shouldn’t miss Winslow Homer’s Prouts Neck studio, a converted carriage house where he painted some of his most notable works, and the Olson House in Cushing, Maine, best known as the grey house in the background in Andrew Wyeth’s best-known painting, "Christina’s World. Events. Find what to do today or anytime in January. Situated along the shores of Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Portland Head Light sits at the entrance of the shipping channel into Casco Bay. For pet owners, Gooch’s Beach, Middle Beach, and Mother’s Beach in Kennebunk are particularly scenic and very dog-friendly. Kim Knox Beckius. One of Maine's most famous sons, many of superstar author Stephen King's horror classics, including "Carrie," "Pet Sematary," and "IT," have been set in his home state of Maine. If you’re feeling ambitious, don’t miss the annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day every September, a veritable “lighthouse crawl,” during which visitors can visit over 20 of the state’s most historic lighthouses. Admission costs $17.50 for adults, $16 for seniors, $10.50 for children from 6-12 and is free for children younger than 6. Even if you aren’t an avid birdwatcher, a puffin cruise during the summertime is one of the most authentic Maine experiences you can have, and June and July, in particular, are the best times to spot these creatures. During the climb, you also come across to the Baxter State Park. Facebook; Twitter; Kim Knox Beckius is a Connecticut-based travel writer, author, photographer, and editor. Admire the Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse Source: Andrea LG Ferguson / shutterstock Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse. The cornerstone of Baxter State Park and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, this 5,269-foot tall rock formation was named “Katahdin,” meaning “greatest mountain,” by the indigenous Penobscot people who first settled in Maine centuries ago and has gained legendary status as one of the most challenging climbs in the United States. If you want to visit Maine, this is a complete guide to help you decide where to go and what to do in Maine. Popham Beach offers perfect views of rocky coast and lighthouses, as well as a walkable land bridge to coastal scenery on Fox Island. There is plenty to do for children and adults of all ages to make your Maine vacation fun and memorable. Things to Do in Maine, United States: See Tripadvisor's 981,891 traveller reviews and photos of Maine tourist attractions. It’s my way of focusing on what really are my absolute favorite things to do in Maine — and how much I’d miss doing them. These schooners were not built for luxury — the cabins can be a challenge to maneuver in for couples — but, oh, when you settle on the deck and smell food cooking in the galley, and the entire day stretches ahead, sea, sky, breezes, the woes of a tight cabin disappear. Things to Do in Maine, United States: See Tripadvisor's 981,408 traveller reviews and photos of Maine tourist attractions. I began writing from that cabin by the lake, and when people ask me about things to do in Maine I will always include a visit to Harrison and Waterford, Bridgton and then to Denmark and Lovell, and on into Fryeburg, where each October the great Fryeburg Fair celebrates fall’s bounty. And last but not least, Bar Harbor, best known as the gateway to Acadia National Park, is an active traveler’s paradise, home to scenic walking trails and challenging hikes. Bush, but it remains an upscale getaway filled with luxury lodging and acclaimed dining. The Best Places to See Fall Colors in New England, The 20 Best Places to Eat Lobster in Maine, A Road Trip to Hit the Best East Coast Beaches, Maine's Most Stunning Fall Foliage Drives, The 9 Best Maine Vacation Rentals of 2021, More Than Just P-Town: Enjoy These Gay-Friendly New England Getaways, New England’s 10 Most Beautiful Lighthouses. Acadia, especially off-season, when the brunt of summer trekkers have left and you have the views, the carriage roads, the prime camping spots relatively to yourself, rewards the biker, the walker, the photo-op-seeking driver, the seascape lover, the nature lover. Some of my choices are influenced by memories of being new to Maine, and some by memories of my sons when they were young, laughing with delight during the many trips we took to Maine. Next year a friend and I are going to kick off our 50by21 project for our 2 homeschooled daughters. The Maine coast is considered one of the most beautiful cruising areas in the world, and there’s no better way to take in its sights than aboard a windjammer, the historic merchant ship whose tradition has its roots in Maine. As a Maine native, I have always been proud of my state’s unique culture and way of life. This is a top 10 list but there are so many things to do in Maine that we couldn't limit ourselves! Not to mention that some of the best beaches in the mid-coast are only half an hour away. https://mainetoday.com › do-this-2 › things-to-do-this-weekend There may not be a greater contrast between two one-mile walks than Katahdin’s Knife Edge and this coastal beauty. Best Things to Do in Portland, Maine From lobster boat tours to Maine potato donuts, plan your next trip to Maine's favorite seaside city with this guide to the best things to do in Portland, Maine. Two 80-pound chocolate cubs and a 380-pound chocolate mother bear have since joined Lenny at the shop. This is one of my more offbeat “Things to Do in Maine” favorites. In July, the Maine Potato Blossom Festival celebrates everyone’s favorite undercover vegetable with potato-themed events like mashed potato wrestling and a potato picking contest. Look below for our suggestions for scenic drives, antique shopping, cruises, children's museums, horse racing, history trails, woods walks, and more great things to do on your vacation adventure. Past houses that have stood for two centuries, because they were built by shipbuilders who knew how to make wood fit together to make something practical and beautiful. The narrow, rock-strewn path has made more than a few intrepid climbers sink to their knees and take a hand over hand approach where it narrows to precipices. Here, if I had only 10 days to spend in one of my most loved places, are my favorite things to do in Maine. 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