Things to Do in Maine
Searching for the best things to do in Maine? Well, you are in the right place! Maine is a state of rugged coastlines, charming seaside towns, and endless natural beauty, making it one of the most captivating places to explore in New England. From its iconic lighthouses and lobster shacks to its forests, lakes, and mountains, Maine offers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
I’ve wandered along rocky shores, explored vibrant towns filled with local character, and enjoyed peaceful escapes surrounded by nature. Whether you’re planning a summer getaway on the coast, a fall foliage trip, or a winter retreat, Maine has no shortage of incredible things to do and experiences to enjoy that I found on my recent four week road trip. Here are the ones I recommend, and I think you’ll love them too.
1. Best Things to Do in Freeport - just a 25-minute drive from Portland
We usually start our Maine road trip in Portland but I want to tell you about Freeport first because it offers such a unique selection of things to do.
Freeport, Maine, turned out to be one of the coolest towns I’ve explored in New England, and honestly, it’s an absolute dream for a weekend getaway. Freeport is the famous home of L.L.Bean since 1917. The flagship store is actually open 24/7 right downtown so you can't miss it. I know shopping isn’t everyone’s thing, but here it felt unusually fun with so many affordable finds
From Portland, it was a quick 25-minute drive north to Freeport, a town of about 8,500.
I stopped at the Freeport Historical Society ($5 donation) to learn about the town’s shipbuilding and farming past before exploring Harraseeket Harbor.
We stayed at Harraseeket Inn ($185) for two days, a classic New England lodge with cozy fireplaces and a restaurant focused on locally sourced food.
I also loved stumbling upon the Desert of Maine, which was one of the most unusual and underrated attractions I’ve ever seen in New England. It’s a quirky hidden gem where I walked across rolling sand dunes surrounded by forest...it felt so unique! You can buy tickets online for $21.
Next was Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park...it completely won me over and I think it's one of the best things to do in Maine. Hiking along the wooded trails along the water and spotting ospreys was the kind of spectacular outdoor experience that makes Maine so magical. It's an awesome family adventure.
When we needed a food break, we had great pizza at Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro and awesome barbecue at Buck's Naked BBQ & Studio Bar.
- Location: Map & Directions
For me, Freeport is a brilliant idea for a getaway, whether you’re into shopping, nature, food, or just unusual, interesting adventures, it has a little bit of everything, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.
2. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor meant discovering a hidden gem nestled on Maine’s spectacular coast. There were incredible views, sounds and smells all around. My son adored it! I think it's the absolute best place to connect with nature, art, and thoughtful design all at once on a day trip or weekend getaway form Portland.
From Portland, it was about a 1-hour 15-minute drive northeast to Boothbay.
We wandered through the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, a unique, imaginative haven that delighted every sense (from fragrant herbs to cascading water). It was our favorite sensory experience of the trip.
I also adored the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden, where creative play areas and a maze made it an awesome family-friendly escape.
Hunting for the Guardians of the Seeds (those giant, magic troll sculptures by Thomas Dambo) was an exciting, unusual adventure through the forests and shoreline.
We also relaxed by the serene Vayo Meditation Garden which is romantic and restful.
Themed gardens throughout (like the Dahlia Garden, Burpee Kitchen Garden, Fairy House Village, and Learning Apiary) made every section of the Gardens feel unique and delightful.
We savored a snack in the café, browsed locally made treasures in the Gardenshop, and enjoyed a cheerful picnic among the blooms—a truly affordable yet magical experience.
- Location: Map & Directions
Whether you're a gardening enthusiast, art lover, traveling with kids, or simply seeking tranquil beauty, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the most spectacular, under-the-radar escape in Maine, and an absolute must-see on any East Coast itinerary.
3. Schooner Stephen Taber
Sailing aboard the Schooner Stephen Taber in Rockland, Maine, is one of the most unusual adventures you can have on the coast.
From Portland, it was about a 1 hour 45-minute drive northeast to Rockland, a city of roughly 7,000. Once a shipbuilding and lime-processing hub, today it’s known as the Lobster Capital of the World.
Schooner Stephen Taber is a National Historic Landmark, launched back in 1871, and is actually the oldest documented sailing vessel in continuous service in the United States. Imagine experiencing that as well as drifting past hidden coves, lighthouses, and the spectacular rocky shoreline of Penobscot Bay.
Meals onboard are fresh, locally sourced dishes and often enjoyed on deck with ocean breezes and priceless views.
What makes the Schooner Stephen Taber such a hidden gem is how it combines history, adventure, and relaxation.
4. Seashore Trolley Museum
Visiting the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport turned out to be one of the most unique and underrated experiences I’ve had in Maine.
From Portland, it was about a 40-minute drive south to the Seashore Trolley Museum, founded in 1939, making it a great day trip in Maine. The museum preserves more than 250 transit vehicles, from horse-drawn streetcars to vintage electric trolleys from across the U.S. and abroad.
Admission is $15 for adults, which includes unlimited trolley rides along a 1.5-mile restored section of the old Atlantic Shore Line Railway.
Walking through the barns, I saw everything from early Boston streetcars to rare European trams. We stayed at the Kennebunkport Inn ($195) overnight, just a short drive away in Dock Square.
Just a short drive from the coast, this hidden gem completely transported me back in time with its fascinating collection of historic streetcars, trolleys, and transit vehicles from around the world.
I loved stepping onto the beautifully restored trolleys and actually riding along the museum’s heritage railway because it was such an unusual way to experience history in motion.
- Location: Map & Directions
For families, the museum is an absolute dream. Kids can climb aboard different vehicles, explore exhibits, and even watch restoration work in progress, which makes it a fun and educational day trip all at once.
5. Colby College Museum
Exploring the Colby College Museum of Art in Waterville, Maine, felt like stumbling upon one of the most underrated cultural gems in New England.
Set on Colby’s beautiful campus, just about an hour north of Portland, the museum completely surprised me with its cool collection and welcoming atmosphere. It’s also free so now you are out of excuses. Fuel up your car and do on your next day trip!
I loved wandering through the galleries and discovering an exceptional mix of American art, from classic works to bold contemporary pieces. The collection includes some of the best Wyeth family paintings, which felt like a true Maine treasure to see in person.
One of my favorite moments was stepping into the modern galleries filled with large-scale installations and unique sculptures that gave the museum a cool, cosmopolitan vibe, even in this quiet college town.
The museum’s Lunder Collection absolutely blew me away. With works by Whistler, Remington, and O’Keeffe, it felt like an unusual and spectacular surprise to find such masterpieces tucked into central Maine.
I also enjoyed the way natural light filled many of the galleries, making the art feel alive.
- Location: Map & Directions
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, a romantic cultural stop, or just a hidden gem to explore on a weekend getaway, the Colby College Museum of Art is one of the coolest, most affordable, and most magical experiences in Maine.
6. Wiggly Bridge Distillery
I was completely taken by the story, the way this distillery started as a family project and has grown into one of the most underrated places to visit in Maine.
From Portland, it was about a 45-minute drive south to York, a seaside town of around 13,000. Wiggly Bridge Distillery takes its name from a tiny suspension bridge built in the 1930s that still “wiggles” as you walk across it.
What I loved most was how hands-on everything felt. I got to see the actual copper stills (built by hand!). Other visitors enjoyed their bourbon and also thought the rum was exceptional.
- Location: Map & Directions
If you’re planning a weekend getaway in southern Maine, check out Wiggly Bridge Distillery.
7. Things to Do in Kennebunkport
I thought that Kennebunkport was one of the best day trips in Maine. Why? It's easily accessible from Portland, just a 40-minute drive south, and it offers a number of diverse things to see and do.
Kennebunkport, a town of around 3,600, has drawn summer visitors for over a century. The Dock Square area, with its 18th- and 19th-century buildings, was once a shipbuilding hub.
I browsed art galleries, souvenir shops, and lobster shacks before heading to the Seashore Trolley Museum ($15 admission), the oldest and largest electric railway museum in the world. We stayed at the Captain Lord Mansion ($235) for two days, a historic 1812 sea captain’s home turned elegant inn.
- Location: Map & Directions
Goose Rocks Beach was my personal highlight. Its soft sand and wide shoreline are not to be missed at sunset.
8. Best Things to Do in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine, completely won me over with its views, food and tons of things to do.
We flew from Austin to Portland (about 4 hours with a layover, fares around $200–$320 round trip) and landed in a compact city of roughly 68,000. Instead of renting a car, we explored Portland on foot and by bus. The METRO Route 8 looped us to the waterfront and the arts district. $2 fare was so affordable!
We browsed the Portland Museum of Art ($18 admission), walked around Deering Oaks Park for some exercise (55 acres with ponds and trails), and capped the day with oysters and craft beer in the Old Port at Street & Co. For lodging, we booked the Portland Harbor Hotel ($185) for two days, centrally located and easy for a car-free visit.
Set right on Casco Bay, this lively city is just two hours from Boston, but it feels like an entirely different world...laid-back, scenic, and filled with unusual experiences I didn’t expect.
I couldn’t resist hopping on a ferry out to Peaks Island (17 minutes one way from Portland, $14 for an adult, $7 for a child), and the short ride gave me spectacular bay views.
What I loved most was how Portland mixes big-city cool with small-town warmth. Whether it’s strolling along the Eastern Promenade, taking a brewery tour, or just soaking in ocean views, it’s the kind of place that feels both lively and relaxing all at once.
- Location: Map & Directions
For me, Portland is one of the most spectacular and memorable coastal cities in Maine...an affordable, exciting, and unique destination worth every minute.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, what makes Maine so special is the variety of experiences it offers. I always find something unique here, whether it’s exploring the coastline, enjoying a family-friendly garden adventure, or soaking in a romantic weekend getaway.
More to explore...
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
