Maine Vacations & Places to Visit

Portland is a popular tourist destination in southern Maine. Known as the state's main population center, Portland is home a selection of unique attractions. Visitors generally spend time in the Old Port district, which boasts cobblestone streets, quaint brick buildings, and picturesque views of the Fore River. Other attractions in Portland include the Portland Head Lighthouse, the Arts District, and eight unique beaches. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the city, and for nature-lovers, Portland has plenty of space for hiking, biking, fishing, golf, skiing, and more. Kids can stay busy at Portland's amusement parks, museums, and discovery centers.

Cape Elizabeth is an easy 20-minute day trip from Portland (8.5 miles via ME-77 N). The Lobster Shack at Two Lights is a great restaurant here.

Home to nearly 6,000 people, Bar Harbor is a quiet town that got its start as one of the premiere destinations in the East for wealthy Americans. Following the devastating Mount Desert Island fire in 1947, Bar Harbor became a tourist hotspot for all types of vacationers and attracted several prestigious universities and businesses.

Some of Bar Harbor's best features are Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain. During cruise season, massive ships make upwards of 100 visits to Bar Harbor's main port. The town is also a popular waypoint for cyclists on the Northern Tier Bicycle Route.

Acadia National Park is home to some of Maine's most incredible landscapes. Known as the first eastern national park, Acadia boasts granite peaks, winding bike trails, and sprawling bodies of water. Acadia is an ideal destination for all kinds of outdoor adventures like climbing, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, and birdwatching.

In the summer months, you can swim and sunbathe on the shores of vast lakes. Some of the main attractions within the park are Bass Harbor Head Light, Cadillac Mountain, Isle au Haut, Park Loop Road, the Schoodic Peninsula, and the Wild Gardens of Acadia. Acadia National Park is open throughout the year.

Dubbed the prettiest place in Maine, Camden has a rich history that stretches back to 1768. The town was originally inhabited by Native Americans. After Maine was recognized as a state, Camden's economy became centered on ship building and other forms of manufacturing.

Today, Camden draws tourists from all over the world because of its rugged mountains, spacious lakes, and meandering rivers. It is one of the few spots along the Atlantic Seaboard where the water and mountains come together in one place. In recent years, Camden has attracted a thriving community of retirees because of its peaceful and secluded location.

Bangor is located along the edge of the Penobscot River. Home to 150,000+ people, Bangor is a lively city that began as a hub for the lumber and shipbuilding industries. Thanks to the Penobscot River, lumber workers could easily transport logs between main cities along the river's edge. Today, Bangor has evolved to become the center of the pulp and paper industry in Maine.

The town is a prime destination for adventure-seekers since it is surrounded by thick woods, vast waterways, and mountains that receive snow in the winter months. Bangor is also home to a massive casino that houses a 7-story hotel and more than 1,000 slot machines.

Bangor weekend itinerary at a glance:

Bangor is 2 hours from Portland, Maine.

The Bay of Fundy is shared between the United States and Canada. Known for having the highest tidal range in the world, the Bay of Fundy can recede up to 55 feet at certain times of the year. The bay is a popular tourist destination because of its gorgeous surroundings.

Dense forests, picturesque islands and islets, and spacious parks are located throughout the bay. A famous area known as the Hopewell Rocks is situated close by. For entertainment, visitors can go sea kayaking, take a whale watching trip, or explore the many hiking trails that surround the Bay of Fundy. The Canadian city of Saint John is also easily accessible from here.

Celebrated for its delectable lobster, Rockland is a classic example of a coastal town in Maine. It was recognized as the “Coolest Small Town in the US” by Budget Travel and the “Top Adventure Town in Maine” by National Geographic Travel.

Downtown Rockland is filled with quaint shops and restaurants housed in buildings that date back hundreds of years. Travelers can experience Rockland's incredible coastal scenery by joining a windjammer tour. For an all-day getaway, guests have the option of taking ferries to see the islands of North Haven, Vinalhaven, and Matinicus. There are also plenty of options for sunset cruises and sailing excursions in Rockland Harbor.

Augusta is the capital of Maine and the ninth-largest city in the state. Situated along the Kennebec River, Augusta's origins stretch back to the early 1600s. However, the city didn't grow into the bustling place that it is today until the 19th century.

Some of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city include the historic Blaine House, the Lithgow Public Library, the Maine State Museum, the Capitol Building, and the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine located at the University of Maine at Augusta. The city also offers plenty of options for shopping, entertainment, lodging, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.

The city of Bath, Maine is home to less than 10,000 people. Located in Sagadahoc County, Bath is popular among tourists because of its unique 19th-century architecture. It is known as the “City of Ships” because of its lengthy history in the shipbuilding and iron working industries.

Visitors can enjoy checking out the Maine Eastern Railroad, the Chocolate Church Arts Center, the Bath Skate Park, and the Marine Maritime Museum. Bath also has several beautiful parks and recreation areas where guests can hike, jog, relax, and take in the scenery. The Whiskeag Trail is one of the most popular spots for hiking in the city.

York is located near the southern tip of Maine. Nestled by the Gulf of Maine, it is probably best known as a resort destination. The town is home to three 18-hole golf courses and four pristine beaches. Visitors also enjoy seeing Mount Agamenticus and Cape Neddick.

York has a handful of distinctive buildings that have been transformed into shops, restaurants, galleries, and other tourist attractions. For accommodation, visitors can choose from a range of motels, hotels, inns, and vacation rentals. York is easy to reach from most of Maine's major cities, including Augusta and Portland.

Stay at the Cliff House, 1 hour from Portland (40 miles via I-95 S).

What's Nearby: Perkins Cove, The Marginal Way, Cape Neddick Light