best towns to visit in maine on the coast

18 Coastal Towns in Maine: Hidden Gems & Popular Must Visit Spots

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Are you looking for coastal towns in Maine to explore? It takes just under three hundred miles of driving to make your way up the Maine coast from the New Hampshire state line in Kittery all the way to the Canadian border. 

That slow meander up the shoreline takes you through countless coastal Maine towns and fishing villages filled with fry shacks, lobster pounds , and stunning scenery that’s made Maine’s oceanfront a tourist destination.

Maine’s reputation as “Vacationland,” however, has clearly gotten out.  During the busy summer months, most of the well-known coastal towns in Maine are plagued by long lines for a lobster roll, traffic, and overbooked hotels trying to keep up with demand.

Interestingly, once you account for all the peninsulas and harbors and coves along Maine’s jagged shoreline, that 300 miles of driving actually covers more than 3,000 miles of coastline.  That’s right: 3,478 miles to be exact, and that doesn’t even count the islands.

If you’re willing to take a trip off the usual route and down some small, quiet peninsulas and back roads, you’ll discover Maine’s hidden gem coastal towns and villages that you likely didn’t know existed. You’ll find fewer people, less crowds, and more fun in these quaint destinations. 

And the tried and true popular coastal towns in Maine are still there for you to enjoy, too!

Table of Contents

Beautiful Coastal Towns in Maine

One of the sweetest Maine beach towns, Harpswell is an easy and quick drive from Portland, Freeport, or Brunswick.  Despite this proximity to cosmopolitan life, its unique geography makes it the perfect spot for some quiet exploring and long, windows-down coastal cruises with far less crowding and tourists.

A vast chain of stretched-out peninsulas and islands with only two roads connecting to the mainland, Harpswell on a map looks like someone took the trimmings of holiday wrapping paper and glued them together.  The two main peninsulas at their very tips are only a mile apart—yet driving between them takes somewhere around 45 minutes. 

Harbors, coves, oyster farms, fish shacks on stilts, candy shops, lobstering outfits, and well-managed walking paths offer ample distractions while you explore the jigsaw puzzle of land holding back the sea.  If you want a taste of Maine’s unique and rugged coastline while still being able to hit the outlets in Freeport, this Maine coast town is calling your name.

Five Islands

A reality of life in coastal Maine you’ll quickly discover while you make your way up the seaside: nothing is as close as it seems. 

Roads from town centers to coastal vistas and harbors follow old farm routes and back roads put down long before tourists were trying to find some fried haddock. 

It’s a good thing, though: getting to Five Islands requires a gorgeous drive through Bath, Woolwich, Arrowsic, and Georgetown.  Getting to this coastal Maine town is half the fun, as is knowing everyone else is stuck waiting in line in Portland for an overpriced cocktail.

This tiny Maine village looking out over an old guard of islands at the mouth of the Sheepscot River has a famous seafood shack, countless summer homes, and a constant quorum of painters with easels capturing the scene.  There’s ample parking, a working waterfront, charming shops, and picnic tables on the public wharf for you to sit and enjoy the salty air.

Across the Sheepscot River you’ll see Southport Island and your first view of the Boothbay Harbor region; despite being only two thirds of a mile away you’ll need an hour on the road to get there.  

Christmas Cove

Located on Rutherford Island at the terminus of a stretched-out finger of land in South Bristol, Christmas Cove is a haven of quiet harbors and secret beaches.

Squeezed between the Damariscotta River and Johns River, it’s also prime real estate for the delicious oysters that have put coastal Maine on the map as a shellfish lover’s paradise.

South Bristol is chock full of cafes, fish joints, and working wharfs that always feel welcoming and yet authentic. The Coveside Restaurant and Marina offers quintessential Maine coastline views of moored sailboats and weathered boathouses. The single road and draw bridge onto the island limits traffic and tourism, and the old-world wharves lining the road will have you snapping pictures all day. 

Christmas Cove is the perfect example of beating the crowds in Midcoast Maine by going just a bit farther than others are willing to go.  

Just a ten minute drive from the famously photogenic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, New Harbor is tucked into a tiny sliver of protected Maine shoreline that gets far less traffic and visitors.

With Audobon boat tours, ferries to some of Maine’s most iconic islands, and every imaginable kind of seafood battered and fried on a sunny patio with the faint sounds of boats in and out of the harbor—there’s no shortage of ways to experience and enjoy this slice of Maine coast.

Use New Harbor as your home base to explore Round Pond, Yellowhead, Bristol, and Colonial-era Pemaquid complete with an historic fort. Puffin cruises are a local favorite—come for the sightings of these fluffy and colorful seabirds but stay for the dramatic sunsets off their habitat on Eastern Egg Rock Island.

Want to work off those fry shack calories? The Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust has dozens of trailheads for nature walks with gorgeous ocean views. 

If it’s been a while since you’ve visited coastal Maine, you might not have heard or thought much about Biddeford, but it’s having a serious glow up right now and won’t be a hidden gem for long.

Not only does it have the gorgeous coastal Maine views that are high in demand, but downtown Biddeford is growing quickly into quite the vacation destination while still flying enough under the  mainstream radar to be considered a coastal Maine hidden gem.

Check out the craft breweries and the boutique shops downtown, watch the sunset at the beach, then check out some of the incredible restaurants that are turning this coastal town in Maine into the next foodie destination.

Winter Harbor

It’s nearly impossible to think of coastal Maine and not immediately conjure up images of Acadia National Park and it’s world-famous oceanside peaks, hikes, and drives. Yet overcrowding in Bar Harbor, the main town and tourist hub on Mount Desert Island where most of Acadia lies, has increasingly become a hot button issue with locals and tourists alike. 

Avoid all this and see the newer, quieter section of Acadia—gifted to the park from private donors—with a gorgeous, hour-long drive northeast to the Schoodic Peninsula and the tiny town of Winter Harbor. 

Winter Harbor has the same climate and views as Mount Desert Island with less of everything else. There are a few restaurants, a small grocery, miles and miles of biking trails, a few campgrounds and inns, and not much else. 

In other words: perfect.  Enjoy this quiet, sleepy section of Acadia while tourists in Bar Harbor fight over parking.

Spruce Head Island

The planning and research leading up to a coastal getaway in Maine is part of the fun: crawling through guidebooks and scrolling Google Maps looking for the smallest stretches of serene shoreline.  To that end, choosing a location that’s not only charming and beautiful but also strategically located makes a big difference. 

Enter: Spruce Head in South Thomaston. 

An easy and worthwhile drive to some of the most iconic locations on the Maine coast—Port Clyde, Tenant’s Harbor, Marshall Point Light made famous from a Forest Gump cameo, and Owl’s Head— staying in Spruce Head is quieter than all of those combined.  Open pastures looking out over the seashore, a stunning array of tidal islands, and seaweed-covered shallows will stay with you long after you’ve left Maine.

A low bridge with equally noteworthy views connects Spruce Head to Spruce Head Island and one of Maine’s best-known lobster pounds that locals hope you won’t find: McLoon’s Lobster Shack.

Enjoy the views, one of the best lobster rolls in the state, and maybe even plan a day trip from Port Clyde to Monhegan Island while you chow down. McLoon’s is BYOB, too, so keep a cheap bottle of bubbles in the cooler for a proper getaway lunch.

One of the oldest towns in New England, this Midcoast town has had plenty of time to perfect its small town charm! Downtown is as cute as a button, featuring only a few small shops like Compass Rose Books, a cozy bookstore with a cafe.

A visit to the Castine Historical Society is certainly in order for anyone interested in Maine history, and sometimes there are historical walking tours.

The Pentagoet Inn and Wine Bar is situated in a meticulously kept Queen Anne Victorian. If you’re looking for somewhere to lay your head in Castine, this would be a solid option.

Click Here to Check Prices & Book!

Blue Hill Bay

Yes, you’re right: this is a region, not a town in coastal Maine. Yet it’s so tucked away that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was all one small, spread-out village.

Blue Hill Bay is a sleepy peninsula of ex-urbanite retirees, artists, small farms, and families that have been fishing these cold, unspoiled waters for generations. They all share one important thing in common: they like their space, and their quiet.

Sharing the peninsula with Blue Hill and the photogenic shoreline along Blue Hill Falls—a perfect place for a picnic, mind you—are the towns of Brooklin and Sedgewick.

Tiny, family-owned campgrounds and cabin-in-the-woods rentals dot the landscape. Caterpillar Hill in Sedgewick hosts one of Maine’s best views: a panoramic hilltop vista looking out over Penobscot Bay and its collection of islands.

Despite its off-the-beaten-path location and vibes, this coastal Maine hidden gem has an amazing array of high quality art galleries, restaurants, general stores, wine bars, and even a brewery. For urban amenities in a peaceful, rural setting—Blue Hill Bay is the place to be.  

Rockland is one of those classic coastal Maine towns that make for a perfect vacation destination. Not only is this town full of gorgeous coastal Maine scenery, but you’ll also find art galleries, museums, and great restaurants in Rockland, too.

If you’re up for an adventure on water, consider taking a traditional Maine windjammer cruise, sailing out of Rockland. You can check out what it’s like here: Sailing on a Maine Windjammer Cruise: Everything you Need to Know

Stonington & Deer Isle

Connected to the mainland by a series of bridges, the town of Stonington occupies the southern-most tip of Deer Isle. The entirety of the island feels far-flung and hidden away, yet it’s convenient enough to get to by car.

Stonington’s lobster haul is consistently the largest in the state, landing tens of millions of dollars of those tasty ocean bugs you can’t get enough of for summer dinners. 

True to its name, Stonington was an important source of granite used to build up coastal towns with federal-style custom houses and courts and city halls; a number of historic quarry sites remain.

Stonington checks all the boxes for a Maine coastal getaway: picturesque cliffs lined with spruce and rose hips, roadside lobster pounds, miles and miles of pristine hiking with accessible trailheads, a rare sand beach, and a quiet downtown lined with shops looking out over a harbor filled with fishing boats and dories. 

If you’re wanting to make the very most out of your visit to coastal Maine, head to Saco in the summer. The shoreline is the place to go to rent a cottage, eat at lobster shacks, fish from the stone piers, walk the sand beaches, and enjoy the quiet parks that are made of shaded groves opening onto seaside vistas. 

Conveniently nestled between Old Orchard Beach and Biddeford, there’s plenty to do both outside and inside this Maine town! You’ve got trails to explore at Ferry Beach State Park , jet ski, kayak, and boat rentals at Camp Ellis , and two very popular waterparks at Aquaboggan Water Park and Funtown Splashtown .

Needless to say, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the summer at this seaside town.

Machiasport

Nestled into the mouth of the Machias river as it winds its way through into Maine’s interior woods and lakes, Machiasport is a long haul.  In the words of Mainers, it’s “ really up there. ” And it’s worth it. With less than 1,200 year-round residents, it’s a true Downeast village that feels lost in time.

Just a few inns, rentals, cafes, and a whole lot of fishing boats and marinas. It’s an easy drive from Machiasport to the state’s best and most jaw-droppingly beautiful coastal hike over rugge d, mist-wrapped terrain: Cutler Coast Public Preserved Land.  You’ll find most of the out-of-towners are resting up between big hikes. 

If outdoor activity is a big priority for trip to coastal Maine, this is a great place to stay: plan to add Great Wass Island Preserve, Jasper Beach, and Roques Bluff to your itinerary. When you’re this far up there , finding a quiet stretch of coastline, backing your car down towards the water, and having a picnic or cookout right out of your trunk is about as rustic and wonderful as it gets. 

Damariscotta

Damariscotta has been made somewhat famous because it has two very popular annual local festivals. The Pemaquid Oyster Festival is a tribute to the oyster industry that has kept Damariscotta prosperous over many generations, and the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta that is the perfect celebration of fall.

Damariscotta is also home to the Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site. This massive midden, or oyster shell heap, was left behind from the indigenous people of this area hundreds of years ago, and it’s a truly fascinating sneak peek at the history of this region.

PS just a quick 10 minute drive up the road is world famous Red’s Eats. It’s basically an institution when it comes to lobster pounds in Maine!

Boothbay Harbor

Basically the epitome of a beautiful seaside village in Maine, Boothbay Harbor is big on natural beauty and attractions.

Home of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, this is almost 300 acres of beautiful walking paths, gardens, and art installations that are the perfect place to spend a day.

Then there’s Boothbay Railway Village , an outdoor history museum that shows what this area of Maine was like in the late 19th-mid 20th century. This is just a very cool place to visit for kids and adults alike.

Board the Bennie Alice from Pier 6 and attend the Cabbage Island Clambake , a great way to experience this unique Maine tradition!

Known as the “Beautiful Place by the Sea,” it’s hard to find a prettier Maine coastal community than Ogunquit .  You can wander around Perkins Cove, walk Marginal Way, visit the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, and catch a performance at the famed Ogunquit Playhouse.

This beautiful seaside town is perfect for those looking for all that pretty coastal Maine eye candy.

Lubec’s charming downtown looks right into Canada: the international border is so close to its shops, galleries, restaurants, brewery, and museum that the limited cell reception in this quiet town will often result in a “Welcome to Canada! To activate your international data plan…” text message from your carrier.

Y ou’ll learn to ignore them pretty quickly while you’re busy exploring Quoddy Head State Park with it’s iconic red and white striped lighthouse—at the Northeastern-most point of the United States, mind you—and miles and miles of hiking trails looking out and over seacliffs into the ocean.

Expect fog, but also expect to love it; locals call this stretch of rocky, rugged shoreline The Bold Coast, and the mist fits right in with the stark beauty of the wind-swept trees and sheer cliffs.

Fun Fact: Roosevelt Campobello International Park, co-managed by the United States and Canada, is on an island over the Canadian Border but only accessible through Lubec.

Of course, Camden isn’t a hidden gem coastal Maine spot, but it’s obviously popular for a reason. This is one of those spots that has a little something for everyone.

Head to Barrett’s Cove on Megunticook Lake and enjoy some freshwater swimming, or go hiking at Camden Hills State Park. If you’re more an inside person, spend an afternoon at the tasting room at Blue Barren Distillery or see what’s happening at the Camden Opera House.

Camden is also a bit of an up and coming foodie destination, too, so keep some of these top restaurants on your radar! Book a Windjammer Classic Day Sail to round out the experience.

Of course, these aren’t all the best coastal Maine places to visit, but these are some of my favorites.

York Beach, Ogunquit , Freeport, Bar Harbor , Kennbunkport —sound familiar? Of course they do; when you search online to plan a trip to Coastal Maine these are the most popular destinations that pop up. 

There’s nothing wrong with heading to the most popular coastal destinations in Maine, but now you’ve got the insider info on how to find the hidden gems, too.

Read these next:

• 7 Dazzling Puffin Tours in Maine
• 8 Essential Things to Do in Kennebunkport, Maine
• 30 Most Charming Small Towns in New England
• Maine Coast Road Trip: Kittery to Bar Harbor Road Trip Itinerary

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10 Prettiest Coastal Towns In Maine

The Maine coast is home to some of the most beautiful spots in America, including our list of the 10 prettiest coastal towns in Maine.

By Tracey Minkin

Feb 22 2022

Fall foliage comes to Camden, Maine.

How can one stretch of coastline be home to so many beautiful towns? Here, we celebrate ten of the prettiest coastal towns in Maine. All are especially beautiful in summer, but are well worth a visit any time of the year.

10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in Maine

Leave Route 1’s hurly-burly behind to discover this historic little town at the mouth of the Penobscot River estuary. No wonder Castine has been drawing artists for 150 years—there’s even a 3-day plein air art festival in July. See more: From water level with Castine Kayak’s daily summer tours.

LEARN MORE: Castine, Maine | A Historic Midcoast Maine Town

Plan Your Perfect Summer Adventure: Get The Free Ultimate New England Summer Guide!

Kennebunkport

The Kennebunk River adds even more waterline charm to the small shops, elegant ship captains’ homes, and fishing ports of this vibrant Southern Maine town of 3,474. We think it’s one of the most well-deserved Maine vacation spots around, especially when you factor in a visit to The Clam Shack . Stay in one of Kennebunkport’s many inns or embrace the outdoors with an upscale “glamping” experience at Sandy Pines Campground . See more: From the river and harbor on Rugosa Lobster Tours .

Some Maine destinations have to be experienced to be believed. Perched on Mount Desert Island at the gateway to Acadia National Park , this historic resort town still resonates with the Victorian splendor of bygone days, not to mention the backdrop of Cadillac Mountain . See more: Lighthouse and National Park Tour via catamaran.

Boothbay Harbor

Surrounded by islands and lighthouses, Boothbay Harbor is a Mid Coast magnet for fishing, sailing and cruising. So much so, the town seems half-boats, half-buildings. Don’t miss a visit to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens or a stroll across the Boothbay Footbridge (including the famous Boothbay Harbor Bridge House ). It’s the longest wooden footbridge in the country. See more: From the water aboard the Schooner Lazy Jack .

LEARN MORE: Things to Do in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Damariscotta

An all-American small town with shipbuilding roots, Damariscotta sits colorfully on the tidal Damariscotta River and hums with shops, restaurants, a community theatre and the state’s first Reny’s Department Store. See more: From the river, aboard the bright-red River Tripper at Damariscotta River Cruises .

One of Maine’s proudest and highest-producing lobstering harbors with more than 300 boats, this Down East town perched on spectacular, granite Deer Isle, shares its beauty with tourists but retains a solid, hometown feel. See more: Take the mail boat to tiny Isle au Haut for a true Down East experience.

The self-dubbed “Jewel of the Coast” is a well-deserved moniker, and this Mid-Coast harbor town of 4,823 on Penobscot Bay is tucked where mountains reach down to the sea. It’s one of our favorite places to visit in Maine in winter, too, thanks to its many wonderful inns and restaurants . See more: From the water, on the Schooner Surprise .

LEARN MORE: Rockport & Camden | Two Miles of Coastal Beauty

A warm and cozy Down East community that retains the splendid historical architecture of its 18 th -century shipbuilding roots, Blue Hill’s harbor is a watery gateway to Acadia National Park. See more: From above, hiking Blue Hill Mountain .

The harbor of this tiny coastal town is considered the most picturesque one in Maine… and that is high praise indeed. Further, it’s bounded by a lovely verdant park, complete with a resident seal (in marble). We’re talking about Andre the Seal , of course. See more: From the harbor aboard the Schooner Yacht Heron .

LEARN MORE:  Rockport, Maine | A Charming, Historic Harbor Town

Pure, Down East, and unspoiled. No gift shops, no tourist traps. Here, there’s a daily view of lobster boats in the small harbor, with Canada’s Grand Manan Island in the distance. A nearby colony of puffins and a working lighthouse (where you can spend the night) make this tiny, far-flung town a true beauty. Few coastal Maine towns can deliver such an authentic experience. See more: Check out those puffins with Bold Coast Charter Company .

Do you love the Maine coast as much as we do? What are your picks for the prettiest coastal towns in Maine? Towns with the best beaches in Maine? The best lobster rolls in Maine ? Let us know!

This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated. 

SEE MORE: 10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England 25 Best Beach Towns in New England 10 Best Seaside Inns in New England

Tracey Minkin

Tracey Minkin is the Travel Editor at Coastal Living Magazine. Her work has appeared in magazines and online, including Travel + Leisure, Coastal Living, Outside, and Men's Journal. Connect with Tracey Minkin on Instagram.

21 Stunning Beach Towns in Maine You MUST Visit!

By: Author Girl with the Passport

Posted on Last updated: April 5, 2023

Categories North America

Okay, look. I know that “stunning beaches” may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider traveling to Maine. But, come on people, hear me out! Because this great state has a long (like 3,478 miles in total), rugged, ever-dynamic coastline that is brimming over with some of the absolute best beach towns in Maine that you ever did see. 

Charming little fishing villages with a series of wood plank docks where all the lobster boats sit, eagerly waiting to check the traps that are associated with their unique and colorful buoys. 

And while I personally wouldn’t go swimming here since the beaches of Maine can be hella rocky and the water can be super cold (like between 63°F to 68°F in the dead of summer), there are a ton of super charming coastal towns in Maine that you’ll DEFFO want to check out. 

A series of idyllic little villages where you can get the best lobster rolls, enjoy stellar panoramas of the nearby Atlantic Ocean, take a nifty little boat ride to one of the state’s many off-shore islands, and basically just live the luxe life…Maine style. 

Now, will some of the best beach towns in Maine be beyond obvious? Umm, yeah. I mean, they are popular for a reason (yes Bar Harbor, I’m looking at you). 

But, I’ve traveled to Maine so much (At least once or twice a year since I was born. And no, I’m not going to reveal how old I am.  Suffice it to say that I am well over twenty.) that I know all about some of the state’s most amazing hidden gems too. 

Super cool beach towns in Maine that are relatively devoid of crowds (crowd-free is the way to be) but that will still satiate your need for sand and surf. 

So, if you’re ready, let’s swan dive into this wicked awesome guide to 15 of the best coastal towns in Maine. 

Pro Tip: Again, I would not go swimming at any of these beautiful beaches. Unless, of course, you are a small child who is totally immune to the cold. Maine’s beaches are also notoriously rocky so pack water shoes if you want to swim.

Personally, though, I’d swim at Echo Lake if I was gonna swim anywhere. It’s near the towns of Fayette, Mount Vernon, and Readfield, and waters reach a balmy (note the sarcasm) 73°F in August. 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

If you’re booking a trip right now then I IMPLORE you to get travel insurance – even if it’s not from me. 

After all, this past year has been a wild ride and I don’t want you to lose money because government regulations have changed. 

Truth be told though, I’ve never traveled without travel insurance and don’t think you should either – especially since I think we’ve all had plans drastically change because of the pandemic. 

Therefore, find an insurance agency that covers travel changes related to COVID-19, like my two all-time faves World Nomads and Safety Wing . You can also read more about which policy is right for you in my full review here .

1. Kennebunkport

Okay, yeah. Item one on this list of the best beach towns in Maine is pretty dang obvious and not exactly a state secret since it’s easily one of the best romantic getaways in Maine . 

But what this iconic coastal town in Maine lacks in secrecy, it more than makes up for in awesomeness since there is a TON to do here. 

However, let’s start with the beaches since, uh, hello, this post is all about the best beach towns in Maine. 

Well to start, Kennebunkport is home to a couple of different beaches, the most notable of which are:

• Colony Beach – This is a short stretch of rocky sand near the Kennebunk River is known for its small waves, You can venture out onto the breakwater rocks and see all of the boats gliding through the harbor. You can also do like the locals do and fish for stripers here. 
• Goose Rocks Beach – This is easily the area’s most beautiful beach since it sits outside town and is more secluded near Cape Porpoise. It also features soft sand (a rarity in Maine) and is a great place to go for a stroll and enjoy stellar views of Timber Island. You can also visit nearby Goat Island Light since it’s a super cool lighthouse that is still in use.  

You could also leave the comforts of land completely and join one of the many scenic boat tours that depart from Kennebunkport daily. 

Because depending on your interests, you could join a whale watching tour that will take you 17 miles offshore to Jeffrey’s Ledge to see (hopefully) whales or do a two-hour lobstering excursion to see what the life of a lobsterman is really like as you sail past Walkers Point where the Bush family has a summer home. 

However, if you’re not visiting during the summer, then you can always marvel at the historic mansions that line Summer Street and Ocean Avenue or learn about the area’s rich history at the Brick Store Museum, the Nott House, and the uber-famous  Seashore Trolley Museum.

And when you get hungry, head to Dock Square and enjoy a nice meal at Striper’s, the Clam Shack (get the lobster roll), Alissons,  Old Vines Wine Bar, and White Barn (it’s New England’s only five star, five-diamond restaurant and features a decadent, five-course price fixed menu.

Pro Tip: Try to visit in the off-season (read, not summer) since the crowds will be less intense and the hotel prices will be WAY cheaper. 

Where to Stay: Try The Tides Beach Club for a high-end stay (rooms start at $250 per night) or The Breakwater Inn and Spa for a nice but more reasonably priced stay (rooms start at $130 per night).  

Venture 130 miles north of Portland on route 1 and you’ll find one of the prettiest beach towns in Maine – a historic place that is small enough to feel off the beaten path but large enough for you to find tons of things to do. 

It sits at the mouth of the Penobscot River estuary and is home to a ton of traditional (and grand) New England-style homes that date all the way back to 1796 when the town was first founded. 

So, when you’re not out admiring all of these jaw-droppingly beautiful private homes, stop by the Wilson Museum or the Castine Historical Society to discover the area’s rich history (the historical society sits inside a super cute former schoolhouse).

You could also check out the oldest continuously operating post office in the US (it’s a really pretty building and way cooler than it sounds), do an epic kayak tour with Castine Kayak’s, or stop by Dyce Head Lighthouse, which was first built in 1828.

Next, take a stroll along Wadsworth Cove Beach before heading back into town for some delightful baked goods from MarKel’s Bakehouse or some delicious lobster rolls from The Breeze & Castine Variety.

You’ll also definitely want to stop into the super quirky The Compass Rose Bookstore and Cafe since they have a version of Castine-opoly that you can totally play. I mean really, how cool is that?

Yup, just a super fun, quiet place that is easily one of the best coastal towns in Maine. 

Pro-Tip : If you can, try and stay at The Castine Inn . Not only is the service exceptional, but it overlooks Penobscot Bay and sits inside a wonderful, historic home that was first built in 1898. The Inn also has this awesome wraparound porch and a charming little garden for you to explore.

You can also get breakfast (not included) which is served in the light and bright dining room and get to stay in one of 21 individually decorated rooms that start at $120 per night in the off-season. 

Where to Stay: You could also book a room at the lovely, Pentagoet Inn. It sits inside a gorgeous Queen Anne-style home, with an amazing wraparound porch, that is just a 5-minute walk from the Castine Historical Society and a little over a mile away from Dyce Head Lighthouse.

Rooms are also pretty reasonable and start at $140 per night. 

3. Bar Harbor 

Yeah, this is another one of the best and not-so-secret beach towns in Maine since Bar Harbor is largely known as the gateway to everybody’s favorite…Acadia National Park. 

Therefore, if at all possible, avoid the busy summer season since the area is inundated with cruise ship patrons and selfie-stick wielding tourists of the slightly annoying variety. 

But once you actually get there, you’ll love it because this is one of those sweet coastal towns in Maine where there is a ton to do!

It’s all also a super gorg place since it’s right on the coast and is a perfect spot to sit and watch the uber-swank yachts and not-so-swank lobster boats roll on by the areas many islands.

If you can, get up early one morning (read, before sunrise) and take a leisurely stroll down the equal parts scenic and equal parts historic Shore Path. It was originally built in 1880, is about a 1/2 mile long, and starts at town pier and Agamont Park, taking you along the shore and past the Porcupine Islands.

Afterward, explore the Wild Gardens of Acadia (it’s in Acadia National Park itself), which is home to over 200 different species of plants, and the Abbe Museum – a Smithsonian institution focused on Native American culture and the history in Maine. 

Whatever you do though, you CANNOT leave without visiting the immortal, Acadia National Park.

Because during your time here, you can hike up to Cadillac Mountain for sunrise or drive along the park’s famous loop road and marvel at Thunder Hole, a small inlet where waves naturally crash into the rocks and push air/water out of the cavern – creating a water spout that can go up to forty feet in the air. 

Next, visit Jordan’s Pond House Restaurant (also in Acadia) and chow down (get it because it’s chow-der?) on some seafood chowdah a the lobstah roll before hitting up other local attractions in Bar Harbor like the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History, the College of the Atlantic Gardens, the Abbe Museum, and the Mount Desert Oceanarium. 

You could also stuff your face in epic food joints like The Barnacle (the cocktails, oysters, and pesto are all really good), Lunch Bar Harbor (go for the #2 Italian and thank me later), and CIAO Food/Drink (it’s small so you will probably have to wait to get in.

The portions are also small so order a few plates like the French Lobster Roll, the Pork Belly Tacos, and the fried cauliflower). 

And when you’re finally ready to call it a night, or a dozen, at The Inn on Mount Desert . it’s a lovely little family-run inn that offers modern, relaxed-feeling, reasonably priced (they start at $100 per night) rooms that come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee-making facilities, minifridges, and more.

While you’re here, you’ll also get access to a private balcony with either harborside or garden views and can sample their excellent complimentary breakfast too.

Where to Stay:  Try The Inn on Mount Desert for a moderately priced stay or the lovely Saltair Inn with rooms that start at $150 per night. 

4. Winter Harbor

A quiet but just as lovely option when visiting Acadia National Park is Winter Harbor. The fishing town is a classic Downeast village with all the beauty of the Acadia but with way fewer tourists. 

More parking and less traffic? Yes, please!

It may not have as many shops or inns as its neighbors but there are still tons of hiking and biking trails. Plus they have their own lobster festival in August and two lighthouses, the Winter Harbor Light and Egg Rock Light, which makes them one of the best beach towns in Maine for me. 

5. Boothbay Harbor

Who rocks the house? Boothbay Harbor rocks the house as one of the best beach towns in Maine. 

Now, is it a secret? Absolutely not since it sits along the mid-coast of Maine and gets inundated with a ton of tourists from Boston since it’s a mere three-hour drive away. 

But, I can’t really blame them since my family used to visit every single year and there is a TON to do here, like take a scenic cruise along the coast so that you can see the many islands here (like Monhegan Island and Damariscove Island), admire some local lighthouses, and even marvel at local seals and porpoises!

Yeah, you can easily do all this and more as part of a local kayak tour, a fishing trip. or a lobster boat experience. 

And if you’re not a fan of actually going out onto the water, well, then you can always visit a scenic lighthouse…or six since Burnt Island Lighthouse, Hendricks Head Lighthouse, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Ram Island Lighthouse, Cuckolds Lighthouse, and Monhegan Light are all in the area and pretty accessible (FYI, some are on islands off the coast so you would need to take a boat to get there). 

You could also get back into nature with a stroll through Barrett Park, a visit to Hendrick’s Head Beach (the views from this small beach are stunning and you can see the lighthouse of the same name from here), or a stop at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (it occupies an impressive, 250-acres). 

What, need even more fun things to do here? Then visit some local wildlife at the Maine State Aquarium, uncover the region’s fascinating past at the Boothbay Railway Village, or admire some unique local art pieces at the Abacus Gallery.

Because yes, there really is so much to do here and just not a lot of time. This means that you’ll also need a supremely nice place to stay, like the Spruce Point Inn , where you can relax and recharge your metaphorical batteries.   

It’s a modern, supremely chic hotel that features a ton of on-site amenities (think pools, tennis courts, hot tubs, etc.) and a selection of well-polished clapboard buildings that include private rooms and full-on townhouses.

All of the rooms here also feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minifridges, and Keurig brand coffeemakers. Some premium suites even include private balconies, luxurious soaking tubs, and working fireplaces – making this the perfect place to stay while enjoying one of the best coastal towns in Maine. 

Where to Stay: The Spruce Point Inn is awesome and has rooms that start at $250 per night. But if you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, then try the enchanting Russell House Bed & Breakfast, where rooms start at just $139 per night. 

6. Damariscotta

Like most of the rest of the state, Damariscotta is one of those next-level gorg beach towns in Maine that is known for its seafood. 

Nope, not lobster. Instead, this thin slice of heaven is famous for its oysters, which many local chefs still cook up and serve fresh daily. You know, so they can tickle those divine little tastebuds of yours. 

So, if you want to try some of this beyond awesome local fare for yourself, then grab a pair of uber-stretchy elastic waist pants and check out King Eider’s Pub and Restaurant, the Shuck Station, Samovar Tea Shop & Tasting Room, the Newcastle Publick House, and Schooner Landing.

You could also sample a beer, or ten, at the Oxbow Brewing Company – a stunning local brewery that sits inside an old farmhouse in Newcastle and serves up some of the finest local brews in the area.

Oh, and if you’re really into all things oyster-rific, then definitely time your visit for the annual Damariscotta Oyster Celebration. It’s held early in the summer and allows you to do fun things like taste oysters, tour local oyster farms, and more!

Plus, if you want to learn more about the history of the region and the development of the oyster industry here, then pay a visit to the Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site, where you can see mounds upon mounds of discarded oyster shells that used to be kept here way back in the day.

Additionally, you could always take a scenic drive through the area and marvel at the many historic mansions here before checking out the historic Lincoln Theater (first built in 1875), the iconic Renys Department Store, Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop (with 20,000+ books), and St. Patrick’s Church in nearby Newcastle.

Believe it or not, the building was actually first constructed in 1807 and is the oldest Roman Catholic church in all of New England. Yup, three cheers for fun facts. 

What? Want to do a bit of retail therapy while you’re here (best kind of therapy IMHO), then check out several fun and vibrant local shops like Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop, Alewives Fabrics, Weatherbird, and Damariscotta Pottery.

Afterward, take a scenic river cruise down the beautiful Damariscotta River or try your hand at kayaking with Midcoast Kayak (PSST…want to do something truly unique? Then visit in October for the annual Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta. People actually race through the harbor in boats that are carved out of giant pumpkins. LOL).

Where to Stay: For charming but comfortable rooms and exceptional service, try booking a room at the Oak Gables Bed and Breakfast . Rooms start at $120 per night and include a delicious daily breakfast. 

7. New Harbor

If you plan to go see the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, then make New Harbor your homebase so you could also visit Colonial-era Pemaquid’s historical Fort William Henry and board a puffin cruise to see the adorable seabirds on Eastern Rock Island. 

Aside from winning the “Nicest Place in Maine Award” by Reader’s Digest, the coastal village was also where some scenes of the movie Message in a Bottle were filmed. 

The Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve is great to visit during low tide to walk between the tidal pools and see the different sea life described in the book, The Edge of the Sea. 

8. Stonington on Deer Isle

Just a hop skip and jump away from mainland Maine is Stonington, one of those quiet coastal towns in Maine that is brimming over with rustic, New England charm and that sits along the southern end of Deer Isle. 

And while it is a relatively quiet and secluded place, it’s still easy to get to since you can just drive over a series of bridges to experience all that Stonington has to offer. 

Plus, added awesomeness? Stonington routinely catches the largest number of lobsters in the entire state.

So, there will easily be more than enough left over for you to sample a delicious lobster dinner at a variety of local eateries like Aragosta, Stonecutters Kitchen, Harbor Cafe, The Cockatoo Portuguese Restaurant, 44 North Coffe, and more.

And when you’re not stuffing your face with all of this delicious foodie goodness, stroll through the beautiful 88 acres of red spruce forests in Crockett Cove Woods Preserve (the Barred Island Preserve is incredibly lovely too).

You can also do a day trip to Acadia with Isle au Boat Services, tour the Haystack School of Crafts in the summer (the Turtle Gallery and Nervous Nellies are super cool art galleries too), or visit the local opera house and enjoy various local performances. 

Now, for an exceptional stay on the island, try the Inn on the Harbor . All of the beautiful rooms here sit inside a yellow, 19th-century building that overlooks Stonington Harbor.

It’s also located just two minutes away from the Stonington Fish Pier and the Opera House and features a wealth of individually decorated rooms with spacious sitting areas, free WIFI, flat-screen TVs, and a complimentary breakfast buffet that is served daily in the on-site cafe.

Where to Stay: The Inn on the Harbor since service is great, rooms are nice, and rates start at $110 per night in the low season. 

Oh, hello, Camden – one of just many delightful little beach towns in Maine. And although it may not be a closely held state secret (don’t expect to have this place all to yourself in the busy summer months), it is regarded as a haven of sorts for shoppers, outdoor lovers, and beachgoers of every variety. 

So, during your stay, be sure to hike through Camden Hills State Park (Enjoy a marvelous sunset over Penobscot Bay from atop Mt. Battie. And don’t worry, you can drive up)), take a daily sailing cruise through Penobscot Bay aboard a historic Windjammer, and relax on the beach at Barret’s Cove on Megunticook Lake (it’s less crowded than other beaches and the water is warmer since it’s on a lake). 

You could also take a stroll along Laite Memorial Beach, go skiing at Camden Snow Bowl in the winter, take a day trip to one of the lighthouses on Camden’s outlying islands (like Curtis Island Lighthouse), check out the historic local library, take the kids to Aldermere Farm, grab a coffee at the Owl and Turtle Bookcshop Cafe, or pop into the Camden Opera House. 

And when you get more than a little hungry along the way, stop by Mount Battie for an informal (but delicious) lobster roll, sample some fresh blueberry pancakes at Mariner’s Restaurant (it’s like a little diner), or enjoy an upscale feast while admiring stellar views of the harbor at Natalie’s.  

Finally, replenish some of your well-spent energy at either the Inn at Sunrise Point (in the center of town), or splurge on a luxurious stay at The Camden Harbour Inn .

The former of these two amazing hotels sits right on the water and is a modern, boutique hotel with a wealth of old-world charm that oozes out of this historic building with its vintage-inspired furnishings.

So, stop by and choose from one of several grand suites and luxury suites that all include a complimentary daily breakfast from their vast menu of a la carte items. 

Pro Tio : If you want to stay on land but still want to see some gorgeous local lighthouses, then you could head to Curtis Lighthouse overlook or go down to the Marshal Point Lighthouse. 

Where to Stay: If you have the budget for it, go for The Camden Harbour Inn since the hotel is absolutely worth its $200 per night. 

10. Blue Hill

Okay, so technically speaking Blue Hill Bay is a region and not just a single town. But, the area is so quiet, that it’s just easier to lump everything together and refer to it as one of the best coastal villages in Maine. 

Now, what can you expect from a visit here? Well, it’s an incredibly peaceful peninsula that is filled with local residents who enjoy their solitude and who like to picnic at Bluehill Falls, which features some of the most impressive coastal views in the region (I’ve also heard that the views from Caterpillar Hill are pretty awe-inspiring too).

You can also enjoy a scenic drive along the seemingly neverending network of quiet backroads here that wind along the coast and offer stellar views of nearby Penobscot Bay.

Because this regiond? Well, it has an old-world charm that is beautiful to behold. So much so that no less than E.B. White himself actually bought a farm here. 

And if you have time, also check out Castine (mentioned above) and Blue Hill since they are brimming over with enchanting boatyards, vast artist communities, local farmers markets, and quaint little shops that are well worth your time. 

Where to Stay: See above section on Castine

11. Rockport

This laidback fishing village along Maine’s mid-coast is located near Camden and is a whole of hell of a lot quieter – something that I for one love since this tiny town was also named one of America’s prettiest towns by Forbes Magazine. 

I mean, beautiful and not inundated with hordes of tourists? Seriously, what more could you want from one of the best beach towns in Maine?

More than that though, this awesome village is well located (about halfway between Bar Harbor and Kennebunkport) and a place where you can take a day trip to Camden or Rockland (home to the Wyeth artist family and the Farmsworth Museum).

You can also enjoy a sunset dinner cruise aboard a local schooner through Penobscot Bay, rent a kayak and do a bit of sea kayaking, admire views of Indian Island Lighthouse from Rockport Marine Park (FYI, it’s not open to the public), and see how a real farm works at Aldemere Farm. 

Finally, spend the night at the stunning, Samoset Resort. It sits on 230 sprawling acres of land that overlook the water and is home to 178 luxury guest rooms that are only a few miles away from the center of town and the lovely Owl’s Head Lighthouse.

So, step inside and you’ll find a wealth of light and airy modern rooms with private balconies that feature exquisite furnishings, plush beds, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, Keurig coffeemakers, iPod docks, and minifridges.

There’s also an 18-hole golf course on-site, in addition to an Italian restaurant, a casual grill, a wine bar. a chic spa, a beach-like entry pool with a bar, and a kids club – easily making this one of the absolute best places to stay in Rockport, or in all of Maine for that matter.

Where to Stay : Samoset Resort is definitely THE place to stay in the area and has rooms that start at just $195 per night, which is not too bad when you think of all the features that are included with your room.   

Hello, and welcome to the pure awesomeness that is Cutler, Maine. A quiet little fishing village that was first founded in 1826 along the rocky shores of Machias. 

Initially, home to an expansive plantation, the area is now known for a series of dynamic hiking trails that take you all along the rugged and awe-inspiring Atlantic coast. 

And while there are tons of amazing things to do here, it’s still one of those quiet beach towns in Maine that is renowned for its natural beauty. 

That’s why, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast of even the smallest measure, then Cutler is the perfect place for you. 

So, feel free to hike (or bike) your way through the Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land and camp out at one of the remote campsites that you’ll discover here. 

Because this 12,334-acre natural area is filled with an array of blueberry barrens, woodlands, and peatlands that culminate with gobsmacking, cliffside views of the legendary Bay of Fundy.

Afterward, go on a beautiful walk to the Little River Lighthouse and take a guided tour of the facility. And if you really fall in love, you can even spend the night here and savor the scenic beauty all around you

Next, visit the Bold Coast Charter Company and take a boat out to Machias Seal Island, where you can see the largest puffin colony on the coast of Maine. Trust me, it’s even cooler than it sounds. 

And while there aren’t too many places to eat here (you may want to head to Jonesboro and Machias for some grub), you can definitely try some local fare at Heen’s Restaurant before spending the night at The Bluebird Motel in East Machias. 

Yeah, there are a distinct lack of options here when it comes to accommodations but the price is right (rooms start at $89 per night) and the motel is well-reviewed by everyone who has stayed there. 

Pro Tip: Want to go on some even more awesome hikes? Then check out Bog Brook Cove, trek along Cutler Bold Coast Trail (it’s an amazing hidden gem that is probably one of the best trails in Maine), and explore the Western Head Preserve. 

Where to Stay: The Bluebird Motel is nice and really the only place to stay that’s actually close to Cutler. It also has everything you need for a comfortable stay and features rooms that start at just $89 per night. 

Lubec is the easternmost town of the country and it sits right on the Canadian border. It is the first place where the sun rises first in the US. Head over to West Quoddy Head Lighthouse f or a view of the iconic red and white striped lighthouse and an epic sunrise.

The town was once the smoked-herring capital of the US and the McCurdy Smokehouse Museum is one of the last places where you can go to learn about the process and its connection to the town.

Remember to bring your passport so you can drive to Campobello Island in Canada, the only international national park in the world. It is also home to Theodore Roosevelt’s summer home which is now a museum that lets visitors see how life was in the 1920s. 

14. Freeport

Again, this is one of those uber-obvious coastal towns in Maine. But come on! You can’t realy make a list of the most awesome beach towns in Maine and not put Freeport on it! Now can you? 

Good, I’m glad we agree. Because I mean, hello, Freeport is basically a Maine institution.

Now, is it hella touristy? Heck yeah, it is!

I mean, if you walk along the mile stretch of US-1 that goes through this iconic town, you’ll discover at least 200 different retail stores that sell basically anything and everything you could ever imagine.

And because local laws forbid builder’s from actually destroying any historic buildings, many of these posh outlets and boutiques are actually hidden away inside these stunning,1850s era, Greek Revival homes that make my history-loving heart swoon.

So yeah, it’s kind of like this mini-shoppers paradise that was all started nearly a century ago, when a man by the name of Leon Leonwood Bean opened up a shop that sold outdoor gear to intrepid travelers heading into Northern Maine.

And thus, the first ever LL Bean store was born. It’s also a place you should 100% visit since it’s way more than just a store and has super cool fish ponds for you to check out and rock climbing walls for you to explore. 

 However, if you’re not really into retail therapy, then you could always learn about the area’s local history at the Freeport Historical Society (it sits inside the beautiful Harrington House), explore Pettengill Farm (a unique salt-water farm from the 19th-century), visit Casco Castle (it’s in Winslow Park so you can walk the many trails here and enjoy the stellar views), or hike through Wolfe Neck Woods State Park. 

Afterward, enjoy some local brew at The Maine Beer Company or sample some traditional Cider at Porterfield Cider. The drinks are super tasty (as is the food) and it sits inside a charming farmhouse from 1890. 

But for real food, like hello lobster, head to the Harraseeket Inn (Try The Real Maine Meal which is a cup of lobster stew, a lobster roll, and a 12-ounce Maine microbrew beer for $25), Azure Cafe (a fine dining restaurant that has nice seafood cakes), Derosier’s Market (they have good hot sandwiches), and Petrillo’s (They serve good Italian food and it’s less crowded than a lot of places here). 

And since you’re gonna dine here anyway, you should probably spend the night at the Harraseeket Inn too! Not only is the hotel well-located, but most of the rooms inside this family-owned, luxury inn also feature an ensuite fireplace,

Additionally, they have an indoor heated pool that you can use all year-round, as well as a delicious complimentary breakfast that is included with the price of your stay.

Pro Tip: I’ve been to Freeport well over twenty times and I’m not gonna lie, The Desert of Maine is kind of a tourist trap. It’s fine for small kids but is otherwise not really worth your time. Instead, take a scenic boat cruise, hike through Bradbury Mountain State Park, or explore the Maine Audubon. 

Where to Stay: The Harraseeket Inn is the best since it’s well located, features a ton of amenities, and is well-priced at $144 per night. 

15. Harpswell

For one of the quietest and best beach towns in Maine, Harpswell won’t disappoint! The area is made up of peninsulas with long, winding roads connecting them to the mainland and 200 islands, most of which can only be visited by boat.

Obviously, the sunset is gorgeous here so please make sure to snap a couple of photos. There is plenty of hiking, kayaking, or simply driving around to be done. You’ll get to see another side of Maine’s rugged coast.

BUT there are lobster and fish shacks on stilts plus candy shops so you’ll still get the full Maine experience.

16. York Beach (Part of York City)

Founded in 1624 by European settlers, York is actually the second oldest city in the entire state (after Kittery) and is easily one of the prettiest beach towns in Maine – a fact that you could probably easily discern from the stunning photo above.

It’s also made up of four distinct villages that are known as York Beach, York Harbor, York Village, and Cape Neddick respectively, with York Beach probably being the prettiest of the bunch. 

So, if you’d like to visit one of the best coastal towns in Maine for yourself, then be sure to visit Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse (it’s super photogenic and sits on a small rocky island), soak up some rays on Long Sand Beach (it’s a big, quiet, sandy family beach.

So although it’s popular, it shouldn’t feel too crowded), and hike to the top of Mount Agamenticus (The climb is pretty short but the views from the top are stunning and parking is free). 

And if you have even more time (and are feeling extra ambitious) you could also sample some local beers during a four-hour Granite State Growler Tour (a shuttle bus will take your group to several different breweries in York).

Don’t forget to devour some local artisan bread at When Pigs Fly bakery (they have twenty-five different all-natural breads, among other things), admire some local art at George Marshall Store Gallery, or take some culinary greatness home with you at Stonewall Kitchen.

No seriously. Stonewall Kitchen is like this awesome cafe/grocery store where you can sample foods, take a cooking class, or just shop for souvenirs And FYI, the desserts here are EPIC.  

However, if you can’t really wait until you get home to eat ALL of your feelings, then you could head to York 54 for some handcrafted pizza, sample some decadent local seafood at the York River Landing

(Spoiler Alert: They have 36 different local craft beers on tap), or try one of the epic entrees at The Central Restaurant and Bar (this place is popular so relax at The Central Bean and Bakery while you wait). 

Afterward, enjoy a relaxing night at the luxurious Stage Neck Inn, a fantastic hotel that has Individually decorated, British Colonial-style rooms with private balconies that overlook the harbor.

Sure, it’s not cheap. But, a stay here is definitely worth the splurge if you want to make your very Maine vacay feel extra special. 

Where to Stay : My top pick would be Stage Neck Inn, where rooms start at $240. However, if you’re looking for a moderately priced hotel (that is still super lovely), then try the York Harbor Inn instead. 

Just a hop, skip, and jump away from Kennebunkport in southern Maine is Saco – one of those stunning beach towns in Maine that home to a mere 20,000 people and that is known for being the oldest recorded permanent settlement in the state.

However, what’s a girl (or boy) to do when they finally do arrive in one of the best coastal villages in Maine?

Well, I’m so glad you asked (even if you actually didn’t). Because contrary to what I first thought, there’s actually a ton of super cool stuff to do in Saco. 

So, rock your most fabulous beach attire and head on over to Ferry Beach State Park for oceanside views, sandy beaches (just don’t go swimming since it’s hella cold), picturesque hiking trails, and a cute little nature center.

There’s even a resident Tupelo here, which is a type of black gum tree that is not normally found this far north. Yup, feel free to be duly impressed. 

What, want a beach that is a little closer to town? Then check out the ever-popular, seven-mile-long, Old Orchard Beach with its signature pier. Just be sure to dress warmly since it’s cold, even in the summer (FYI, Pine Point Beach is another thin slice of sandy awesomeness in the area). 

If you want, you could also hike the 8-mile long, Eastern Trail, that connects Saco with Scarborough, and then stop at Old Orchard Beach along the way.

It’s a really nice hike that is home to some amazing local wildlife and that will take you through the single largest salt marsh in Maine.

And if you love history almost as much as I do, then stop by the Saco Museum to brush up on your local history before picking up some fresh produce and decadent delights from the Saco River Market and then having a fresh bowl of “chowdah” from Huot’s Seafood Restaurant. 

Because yes, no trip to Maine could ever really be complete without at least one sumptuous seafood feast. 

However, after all that food, you’ll probably need to head back to your room and nurse that glorious food baby of yours. Welp, there’s no better place to do this than at The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel . 

Individually decorated rooms here start at $134 per night, include all the usual amenities (in addition to designer toiletries), and even feature stunning, riverside views. 

Pro Tip: I’m not a fan but if you have kids, you may want to check out Funtown Splashtown USA (an amusement park) and Aquaboggan Water Park. You could also visit the exterior of the Bush compound in Kennebunkport or hike the Cascade Falls Trail for impressive views of a local waterfall. 

Where to Stay: I’d stay at The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel since it’s lovely and reasonably priced at $134 per night. Otherwise, you could always luxe life it up and stay at the Tides Beach Club for $250 per night. 

18. Ogunquit

Is Ogunquit one of those secret beach towns in Maine? Absolutely not. But, it’s so dang beautiful that you’ll probably one mind the hordes of tourists who flock here every summer. 

No really. This place is so pretty that Ogunquit literally means “beautiful place by the sea” in Native American, Abenaki. So yeah, this coastal town in Maine clearly has a lot going for it. 

However, to really “savor the flavor” as it were, you should head to the cute little fishing village of Perkins Cove (It’s so adorbs there’s a manually operated drawbridge) and walk along the beautiful Marginal Way (a 3-mile pedestrian path along the water) from here. 

Afterward, check out Ogunquit Beach or the slightly less popular Footbridge Beach if you want to at least attempt to get away from the crowds.

Finally, admire some of the 3,000 different local art pieces on display at Ogunquit Museum of Art before sipping on some delicious craft cocktails at either That Place or Beachfire! bars. 

And if you get a bit hungry along the way, you can always stop to enjoy a bit of local seafood at places like Barnacle Billy’s, Lobster Shack and Bintliff’s, before catching an awesome performance at Ogunquit’s Playhouse. The shows are high-quality, off-broadway performances that take place inside an old barn from that dates back to 1933. 

Now, once you’ve sightseed (yup, just made that word up), until you can sightsee no more, then spend a relaxing night at The Cliff House Resort .

It’s an uber-posh hotel where you can have a seaside cocktail in a two-story glass lounge, get a luxurious spa treatment, wile away the hours in a spacious outdoor hot tub, and admire the stellar views from Bald Head Cliff (You’ll see Boone Island Light and Nubble Light off in the distance).

Pro-Tip : Want to enjoy a bit of live music? Then head on over to the Front Porch piano bar. Trust me, it’s the place to go for a fun night out on the town. 

Where to Stay: I’d personally stay at The Cliff House Resort in nearby Cape Neddick, Maine. Yes, rooms are a hefty $269 per night but’s it so worth it for all the amenities and luxury that you get. Otherwise, you could always stay at the well-reviewed Juniper Hill Inn instead where rooms are just $107 per night. 

19. Spruce Head

What? Looking for another one of the best beach towns in Maine?

If so then haul your cutie booty to Spruce Head. It sits a mere 15 minutes away from Rockland and is a perfect place to visit if you’re into the great outdoors. 

To start, check out Clark Island. It’s connected to the mainland by a giant causeway (Get it? Like Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland? Yup, I crack myself up) and is a nice place to find a secret beach or to go hiking on one of the area’s many nature trails.

Afterward, visit a popular local swimming hole at the old island quarry and have a picnic amidst the huge rocks that overlook the stunning blue-green water here.

Next, visit the picturesque Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde, which was made famous by its guest appearance in the iconic film, Forrest Gump .

Finally, hop aboard a local ferry and take it to nearby Mohegan Island, where you can walk among the island’s many seaside gardens and visit the uber-famous artistic community here.

And if you’re looking for a great place to stay near Spruce Head, try the Craignair Inn . They offer a selection of individually decorated rooms that feature luxurious bedding and plush robes.

Homemade breakfast is also served in their restaurant daily and features stunning, panoramic views of the ocean.

Where to Stay:  Honestly, The Craignar Inn is just awesome and pretty reasonably priced at $130 per night. However, you could always try the nearby and well-reviewed Rockland Harbor Hotel , where rooms start at $129 per night. 

20. York Harbor

If you are looking for some offbeat beach towns in Maine, then consider heading to York Harbor. It is part of York city and you can easily combine it with a trip to York beach so it isn’t really too out of the way.

York Harbor is incredibly scenic with some rugged terrain. Head out on the Cliff walk. This path isn’t paved all the way but definitely navigable. Walking the path with sneakers will definitely make it more comfortable.

The trail winds behind many of the homes and gives you a gorgeous view of the Maine coast. The Cliff Walk ends at a street so you don’t have to walk backwards but if the weather is good and you are having fun, you can circle back too!

The Wiggly Bridge is another cool and easy walk. Plus you can dip your toes in the water or just sit and watch the water laps on the beach.

If you are feeling adventurous head out on a charter boat and get some fishing done too!

Where To Stay: The Dockside Guest Quarters is an amazing place to stay. Not only do the rooms come with their own private balconies and a view of the water, the property is immaculately maintained and even has a game room!

Wells is one of the best beach towns in Maine. Not only does it have a number of gorgeous beaches, Wells is also known for forest reserves, antiques and pretty little cafes. 

I highly recommend heading to Wells beach. I know that this is one of the most visited spots in the city but it is popular for a good reason. From soft sand to small tidal pools for young kids, this place is a haven for families with both young and old kids.

Other great beaches are Drakes Island beach, Moody beach and Ogunquit beach. If you want to enjoy some green scenery then head to the Wells Reserves at Laudholm.

Heading to the farms in the area is another great way to enjoy the day. Some of my top recommendations include Spiller Farm and Chase farms.

Where To Stay: If you are in Wells, I highly recommend staying at Elmere House Bed & Breakfast . It is an old farmhouse that has been restored and provides some amazing rooms. It also offers a great breakfast!

Beach Towns in Maine FAQ

What is the cheapest coastal town in maine.

Lubec is without doubt one of the cheapest coastal towns in Maine. This is largely because of the lower tourist footfall that is there throughout the year. I think the only thing that deters people from visiting Lubec is that it is a bit hard to reach but it is well worth the effort. 

Not only does it have the small town vibe, it also has some dramatic views. Plus since it is relatively cheaper than the other beach towns in Maine, you can stay here for longer without burning a hole in your wallet.

Where Is The Prettiest Beach In Maine?

If you are looking to indulge in Maine’s gorgeous coastline, you will find that there are loads of amazing coastal towns to stay in. Pinpointing just one beach is pretty hard but if I was hard pressed to decide on the prettiest beach in Maine, I would say head to Popham Beach State Park.

It is a 3 mile long stretch of sandy goodness. In fact, it is situated right at the mouth of Kennebec river. 

Are There Swimmable Beaches In Maine?

There certainly are swimmable beaches in Maine. If you are looking for one of the prettiest and safest beaches for swimming, I highly recommend Birch Point State Park. Not only does this beach have much calmer waters, you will find that the sand is really soft.

This beach is also popular with anglers too. You just need to bring your own gear along. 

A Map of Some of the Best Beach Towns in Maine!

Additional Resources You Will Love

• 15 Amazing Romantic Getaways in Maine
• 10 of the Most Awe-Inspiring Scenic Drives in Maine
• The Absolute Best Time to Visit Maine
• 13 of the Best Hikes in Maine
• 12 of the Best Hikes in Acadia National Park
• 7 Best Lighthouses in Portland Maine

Well, you lover of all things Maine you, that just about wraps up this wicked awesome post about 15 of the best beach towns in Maine. 

Tell me, did your favorite oasis of oceanic bliss make the cut if not then let me know all about some of your favorite coastal towns in maine in the comments below, and if you found this post to be super helpful, then definitely pin this now so that you can read it again later. come on…you know you want to.

Saturday 6th of March 2021

This is a great post! My husband and I are planning to visit Maine this fall, so we will have to add some of these spots to our list. I've heard of Kennebunkport & Bar Harbor, but most other spots were new to me!

girlwiththepassport

Monday 8th of March 2021

Oh awesome! Fall is the perfect time to visit Maine too so you're going to have an amazing time. Thanks so much for reading and so glad I could introduce you to some new places to visit.

The region looks so so nice ! I love all these little sea sides towns and beaches.

Me too. It's such a pretty area.

This is seriously stunning. We just love Maine, but I did not know that it had so many beautiful beach towns. The Little river Lighthouse and Marshall lighthouse look amazing. Reading this wants me to get back to Maine.

Agreed. Same here. When writing this I was like so wait, when can I return? Because now would be great,

I have always wanted to visit the NE coastal towns. These are just beautiful. Oh, and I am well over 20 as well ;)

Haha. Glad I'm not the only one who is well over 20 years old.

I love Maine! It is such a beautiful state. When I visited Portland almost four years ago, I got to visit Biddeford Pool, Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach. All were amazing. I need to revisit and go up to Bar Harbor and explore Acadia! :)

Yes! There is so much to see and the coastline is really long there.

Privacy Overview

The Most Charming Towns to Visit on the Maine Coast

Explore These 10 Picture-Perfect Coastal Escapes

Corbis via Getty Images/Getty Images

Nearly 3,500 miles long if it were stretched out, Maine’s irregular shoreline has a wealth of coves, cliffs, and charming towns to visit. Whatever appeals to you on vacation — inspiring scenery, wide beaches, lighthouses and historic sites, arts and antiques — you’re likely to find it in one or more of these distinctive coastal destinations, featured from north to south.

Lobster Capital: Rockland

Savor Maine’s signature seafood in the self-proclaimed lobster capital of the world. Tons of the shellfish are hauled in during the season, and true obsessives can attend the annual Maine Lobster Festival or opt for a special package at the Berry Manor Inn that includes going out with a lobsterman, setting the traps, and touring a lobster pound back at the wharf. Those who are happy simply eating a lobster roll may still want to get out on the water. Hop on the Maine State Ferry to Vinalhaven , explore, and then sail back amidst the painterly views of lighthouses dotting Penobscot Bay. Art aficionados should make time to visit the Farnsworth Art Museum , which includes works by N.C. Wyeth and Louise Nevelson in its collection.

Preserving History: Owls Head

 Courtesy of the Maine Office of Tourism

Lighthouse fans coming to Maine would be remiss to skip visiting the historic Owls Head Light , which was first erected in 1825 to help boats navigate Penobscot Bay and was rebuilt a generation later. It stands 100 feet above Rockland Harbor, and from Memorial Day through the second Monday in October, visitors can climb all the way up to the lantern room. The light keeper’s home has been converted to an interpretive center, where you can learn more about this navigational aid and the life of a lighthouse keeper. While in this charming Maine town, also check out the Owls Head Transportation Museum , which collects and exhibits planes, motorcycles, bikes, horse carriages, automobiles, and more built before World War II.

Mariners’ Mecca: Boothbay Harbor

Moment Editorial/Getty Images

Come down to the bustling harbor and climb aboard: Known by some as the boating capital of New England, Boothbay offers sea-loving travelers a bounty of ways to catch a wave. Boat excursions leave multiple times during summer days, offering passengers opportunities to see whales, seals and puffins up close. Go kayaking on one of the many calm inlets and rivers, catch a ride and help hoist a sail on a windjammer, ogle mega-yachts, or romantically celebrate day’s end on a sunset schooner. Learn more about what lives under the sea at the Maine State Aquarium , which boasts a rainbow collection of lobsters and a “touch tank” where you can practically shake hands with a squid.

Surf City: Georgetown

Kim Knox Beckius

On an island of the same name that lies 10 minutes south of Bath and 45 minutes from Portland , the town of Georgetown has 82 miles of jagged shoreline jutting into Casco Bay. Easy to reach, the town is connected to the mainland by bridges. Its 770-acre  Reid State Park contains long, wide, sandy beaches and was rated #1 in New England for surfing by The Boston Globe. For sustenance, stop by Five Islands Lobster Co. for fresh, local fried clams, mussels, lobster and other fruits of the sea. Overnight guests can stay at a bed and breakfast, historic inn, Airbnb, or even have the unique sensation of being rocked to sleep on a houseboat moored in Riggs Cove at Derecktor Robinhood Marina.

Far From the Madding Crowd: Chebeague Island

 ​Kim Knox Beckius

Ten miles from Portland (although you'll need to hop a ferry to reach it, and that ride takes at least an hour), Chebeague Island is a true getaway-from-it-all destination. Once you arrive on the island, which measures just 24 square miles, follow the circular route around the perimeter on foot or a bike. Summer is the time to visit, as the weather is best and blueberry bushes are in bloom. The road leads past some stately Greek Revival homes; the circa-1920 Great Chebeague Golf Club , which has water views from its nine holes; and the Museum of Chebeague History , which reveals the island’s heritage of fishing, farming and shipbuilding. Stop for lunch or drinks at the restored Chebeague Island Inn , which is nearly a century old. The work of local artists enhances guest rooms, and wicker chairs on the wide veranda invite visitors to admire the sparkling waters of Casco Bay.

Foodie Favorite: Kennebunkport

Less than 30 miles from Portland, Kennebunkport is small and walkable, although you can tour this maritime town the old-fashioned way via trolley or horse-and-carriage ride . At restaurants around town, an array of Maine treasures are sure to tempt: lobster in all its scrumptious forms; oysters; cheddar cheese; blueberry pancakes, pie, and smoothies; corn and clam chowders; and more. Sophisticates can have their palates pleased by creative concoctions such as tuna poké in the round at the Tides Beach Club . Layered with avocado, seaweed, soy, wasabi aioli, and topped with crisp fried wonton slices. Be sure to stay a while: Kennebunkport features a diverse selection of accommodations that range from historic houses to ocean-view inns to luxurious bungalows nestled in the forest.

Nature Made: Wells

Corbis/Getty Images

Named one of the best little beach towns in Maine by Coastal Living, Wells is the third-oldest town in the state. Swimmers, sun worshippers, shoppers and nature lovers will all find ample places to explore. The town boasts three public beaches that stretch for miles. Antiques shops and bookstores will have visitors scouting rare treasures. Birders who visit the 9,125-acre Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge  are likely to spy flocks of migratory birds, and endangered piping plovers nest on nearby beaches. Miles of trails along the coast and into the woods at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm are open year-round for hiking. 

Picturesque Peninsula: Ogunquit

Called “beautiful place by the sea” by the Abenaki tribe, its original natives, LBGTQ-friendly Ogunquit draws visitors thanks to its 3-mile-long, peninsular beach that lies between the Atlantic Ocean and Ogunquit River. Those who find the water soothing ought to stroll along the Marginal Way , a cliff walk with benches for pausing and taking in the view of the town’s magnificent coast. The beauty still inspires today’s professional and developing artists; Impressionist Charles H. Woodbury established a summer painting school here in 1898 that found new life in the 21st century as the Ogunquit Summer School of Art . Cornerstone restaurant is the place to savor your first fig pizza.

Beaches and Beyond: York

One of the state's prettiest seaside resorts, York (comprised of Old York, York Beach, York Harbor, and Cape Neddick) in southern Maine is only 8 miles beyond Portsmouth in New Hampshire, 45 minutes south of Portland, and 55 miles north of Boston. Nubble Light , said by some to be the most beautiful lighthouse in America, separates the popular Short Sands and Long Sands beaches. (Beachgoers in search of greater seclusion can put towels down on Cape Neddick and Harbor Beaches.) Dried off and dressed, stop in for "kisses" (saltwater taffy) or a mix-and-match box of chocolate treats at The Goldenrod in York Beach. The candy store/restaurant also features a dining room serving comfort-food classics at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also spend a day in York whale watching, canoeing, biking or hiking.

Bargains Bonanza: Kittery

Yes, you can combine a search for bucolic sea views and exhilarating adventures with a hunt for deep discounts. Right across the New Hampshire border, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Piscataqua River, Kittery has more than a half-dozen different multi-outlet centers strung along Route 1. They feature a plethora of brands to outfit yourself and your family from head to toe. Once decked out in sailing gear, head for the harbor to take a ferry tour of the southern Maine shoreline. For a swinging time, visit Take Flight’s Aerial Adventure Challenge Course , which features more than 65 gravity-defying activities.

Your Trip to Maine: The Complete Guide

The Top 20 Things to Do in Maine

The Best Places to Eat Lobster in Maine

The 10 Best Day Trips from Portland, Maine

New England Gay Weekend Getaways - Best Weekend Trips from Boston

The Ultimate East Coast Beach Road Trip

Maine's Most Photographed Lighthouse

16 Best Things to Do in Portland, Maine

5 Lighthouses to See Near Portland, Maine

The Island of Georgetown, Maine

Maine Fall Foliage Driving Tours

The Best Beach in Every State

The 10 Best Islands in New England

Camden Hills State Park: The Complete Guide

The 10 Best State Parks to Visit in Maine

The Best Things to Do in New England

7 Awesome Coastal Towns in Maine

By: Author Susan Moore

Posted on Last updated: July 26, 2023

Even though it is one of the smaller states by area and population, Maine is certainly one of the most picturesque places to visit in the United States.

Driving the coastline of Maine, you’ll find an abundance of beautiful coastal towns .

While winter in Maine brings plenty of snow for winter sports, spring brings renewal as beach weather begins, summer is simply stunning, followed by awesome autumn fall foliage .

Rich in history and known for its delicious seafood, idyllic atmosphere, mesmerizing beaches, rocky shores, Maine is a must-see destination for a New England vacation .

In this post I’m sharing 7 coastal towns in Maine you will love visiting.

Bar Harbor has a population of about 5,000 but summer and autumn bring many thousands more people to the area.

Founded in February 1796, as the town of Eden (after Sir Richard Eden) but renamed as Bar Harbor in 1918.

Surrounded by the Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor is adjacent to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island.

This is an idyllic setting with seaside cliffs, beautiful beaches, and amazing hiking trails. It’s no wonder that Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States.

With must-see attractions such as Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond , Gorham Mountain trail , and Sand Beach, Acadia National Park is an ideal place to enjoy the outdoors.

And Bar Harbour is the perfect place to begin your journey to this coastal paradise.

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor Motel is only 1 mile from the main entrance to Acadia National Park and just 2 miles to downtown Bar Harbor. With an outdoor swimming pool and breakfast included this is an ideal place to stay in Bar Harbor. Have a look at photos and reviews

Island Place is another superb spot to stay especially if you prefer to walk to downtown and Town Beach. Here you’re only a few blocks from great restaurants and bars in Bar Harbor. Check availability at Island Place

Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park and abundant coastal hikes

Around the mid-coast region of Maine, you will find Belfast, another small town with abundant beauty and lots of fun things to do .

With a population of about 6,600 people, Belfast has a beautiful harbor, lots of historic buildings, artist studios and galleries, great food, awesome farmers markets, a community theater, and wonderful hiking trails.

Apart from art happenings and stuffing your face with seafood, Belfast is a great spot for camping and hiking, especially near the Moose Point State Park and the Swan Lake State Park.

Belfast is an absolute gem on mid-coast Maine.

Where to Stay in Belfast

Belfast Harbor Inn is perfect for a relaxing getaway in Maine. With stunning views of Penobscot Bay, an outdoor pool, indoor pool and hot tub plus a private beach area you’re all set. Check rates and read reviews

Belfast is a seaside gem on mid-coast Maine

Lincolnville

The town of Lincolnville is a beautiful coastal community on Penobscot Bay.

With a population of less than 3,000 there is a wonderful small town vibe and charm to Lincolnville.

Take a stroll on the Lincolnville Beach on Penobscot Bay or take a kayak out for a scenic paddling trip.

Alternatively, take a boat trip to Isleboro Island, just hop on the ferry at the beach, it’s only a 20 minute ride to the island.

Or enjoy one of the chartered boat trips for sightseeing, fishing, and birdwatching on the bay.

Across from the beach you can visit the antique store and crafts shops in Lincolnville for some unique souvenirs.

For a superb seaside dining experience try the Whale’s Tooth Pub, Youngtown Inn and Restaurant, or McLaughlin’s Lobster Shack.

Where to Stay in Lincolnville

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is a stunning location by the water with beautifully landscaped grounds for a truly relaxing experience. Enjoy the infinity pool, hot tub, fitness room and a buffet breakfast. Read guest reviews and see photos

Picturesque Lincolnville is an excellent choice for a coastal Maine getaway

The picturesque seaside town of Camden overlooks Penobscot Bay. Add this one to your Maine bucket list for sure.

With a population of about 5,000 Camden is a lovely coastal town for a weekend getaway or seaside vacation.

Walk along the Highstreet historic district with beautiful homes dating back to the 1800s, Camden Public Library (established in 1796) and next door visit the park and amphitheater.

Another beautiful historic building is the Camden Opera House, opened in 1894 in the heart of Camden at 29 Elm Street.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Camden Hills State Park, Camden Snow Bowl, Curtis Island, Merryspring Nature Center, and Mount Megunticook hiking trails.

Fun annual events in Camden include the Jazz in June Festival and Windjammer Festival in summer.

While the winter season brings Christmas by the Sea in December and the US National Toboggan Championships in February each year.

Camden is an outstanding year round destination in Maine.

Where to Stay in Camden

Blackberry Inn offers a wonderful bed and breakfast experience in a historic Victorian era hotel close to downtown Camden for a relaxing stay with beautiful gardens and a sun terrace. Check rates and availability

Beautiful Camden is on many Maine bucket lists

This picturesque seaside town is in mid-coast Maine and just south of Camden.

Rockport offers plenty of outdoor activities such as boating, camping, fishing, hiking, and kayaking.

Whether you are a fan of nature or artistry, Rockport has much to offer.

In Rockport you will find many art galleries and museums.

Enjoy the outdoors at Walker Park along with other attractions nearby like Beech Hill Preserve, Samoset Resort, and Glen Cove Beach.

For a cool outdoor adventure take a short drive south and walk the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse hike . You may see one of the tall sailing ships which offer sightseeing cruises along the Maine coast.

Where to Stay in Rockport

Rockport Harbor Hotel is new to Rockport in 2023 with a splendid downtown location at 20 Central Street you’ll be in the right spot to enjoy the best of Rockport.

Take a walk on the Rockland Breakwater to the lighthouse

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is home to approximately 3,500 people. Incorporated in July 1653, this town was once a shipbuilding and fishing village.

Ever since the 19th century, it has been a popular seaside tourist destination in warmer months.

Kennebunkport is famous for its art galleries, bed and breakfasts, schooner attractions, seafood restaurants, and souvenir shops.

Besides the Goat Island Lighthouse and Gooch’s Beach, other amazing places that are worth visiting in Kennebunkport are the Colony Beach, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church (by the sea), and Ocean Avenue.

Where to Stay in Kennebunkport

King’s Port Inn is right in the center of town but away from the crowds making it a cool and convenient place to stay for strolling around Kennebunkport. Enjoy this fabulous location and free breakfast with your stay. Check rates and availability

One of the prettiest places in Maine, Ogunquit is also one of the best coastal towns in Maine for a romantic weekend getaway.

With a population of 927 people, this small town was founded in 1980 and the translation of its name (from Abenaki) is “beautiful place by the sea”.

Ogunquit Maine stands out with its spectacular rocky cliffs, beautiful architecture, cool art studios, and sandy beaches.

Some of the top sights that you can enjoy while in Ogunquit are the Ogunquit Beach, Marginal Way trail, Footbridge Beach, Moody Beach, and Wonder Mountain Fun Park.

Where to Stay in Ogunquit

Terrace By The Sea is the perfect place for a getaway with ocean views and also features free breakfast. Relax and enjoy a slower pace in the lovely small town of Ogunquit. Have a look at photos and check rates now

I hope you have fun exploring all these cool places to visit in Maine! If you have any suggestions for other great coastal towns in Maine, please leave a comment below.

Happy travels in Maine!

Mark M. Bagdasarian

Friday 6th of January 2023

What about Wells, Maine - Moody Beach ???

SoloTripsAndTips

Mark, Thanks for commenting. Yes, I did overlook Wells and I wish I had visited while I was in the neighborhood in September. Wells ME looks like a great seaside town with several beaches nearby. I will investigate on my next trip to Maine. And it looks like one can walk all the way to Ogunquit Beach from Moody Beach, that sounds marvelous! I love long beach walks :) Thank you for the suggestions! Susan

Désirée Nicholas

Tuesday 3rd of January 2023

Maine is my home state and I love the scenery. I live in a small town/Reservation called Indian Township Reservation which also has part of the reservation called Peter Dana Point. We have some beautiful scenery here as well. Our surrounding/closest towns and city(Princeton, South Princeton, Baileyville/ Woodland, Waite,Talmage, Topsfield, and Calais) do also.But I believe they forgot a beautiful city of Eastport which is the most eastern part of Maine partially surrounded by the ocean. With great views, a pier, stores, and restaurants. It's another place to check out, especially during summer and fall/ Autumn! Thanks for the read! Stay safe everyone!

Wednesday 4th of January 2023

Désirée, Thank you for taking the time to comment, this is great information! I was so close to this area in September 2022, I drove from Nova Scotia and stopped in St Andrews, New Brunswick then crossed the border into Maine at Calais. But I drove south to visit a friend near Belfast so I didn't spend time exploring the region, it is absolutely gorgeous and I look forward to visiting and spending time there on a future road trip. Maine is so beautiful! Cheers, Susan

Thursday 7th of April 2022

Maine is one of the six states that make up New England. I was raised in Connecticut, my family spent two years in Massachusetts, I attended college in Providence, Rhode Island, and my family skied in Vermont. My favorite place though as a fishing Village in Georgetown called Five Islands. This was back when Boothbay Harbor was full of little shops selling handcrafted items sold as souvenirs. The guest house we stayed at had a beach and cove my sister walked down to, climbing up and down the rocky cliff where waves pounded, sending up sprays of water forming little pools that drew crustaceans and mollusks. She and I would venture to the piers where lobster boats would come to unload their catch for Tibbedeaux's, a place we went for live lobsters and other ocean goodies. She and I were given the duty of dumping the daily garbage in bags off the pier which always attracted seagulls and their beautiful cries. It was a fabulous place and I will always be glad to have vacationed there.

Susan Moore

Friday 8th of April 2022

Nancy, Thank you for your comment. You paint a beautiful picture with your memories of vacationing at Five Islands, thank you for sharing with us! Cheers, Susan

Lobster rolls and lighthouses: The perfect Maine road trip

Maine's breathtaking coastline is unlike any other. It's only about 280 miles from the New Hampshire border to the New Brunswick, Canada, border if you follow the region's principal road, U.S. Route 1 (along with state Route 189 for the final stretch).

However, this jagged shoreline is anything but a straight shot. And if you measure the tide coastline — which includes every peninsula, inlet, island and tidal basin — the Maine coast actually measures 3,478 miles, making it the fourth-longest in the country (it slightly exceeds California's).

You could drive it sticking closely to U.S. 1 in about seven or eight hours, but you wouldn't actually see much of the ocean. For views of Maine's azure waters — its rocky headlands dotted with imposing historic lighthouses, its sheltered harbors aglow with sleek sailboats and colorful lobster buoys — you'll want to detour frequently from the main route. To fully experience this breathtaking maritime landscape immortalized in the paintings of Winslow Homer, Marsden Hartley, Andrew Wyeth and countless other luminaries, spend at least a few days (or ideally a couple of weeks) tracing the coast's many contours.

As you traverse the coast in a northeasterly direction, heading "down east" as it's known in Maine vernacular, you'll encounter far fewer people and much less commercial development. The relatively direct stretch from the New Hampshire border to the state's largest city, Portland, abounds with sophisticated sea-to-table restaurants and posh country inns as well as charming lobster shacks, enticing ice cream stands and nostalgic minigolf centers. Once you get past Freeport, with its iconic L.L. Bean flagship store, you start to encounter the wilder and more rugged Maine coast, with its long and narrow peninsulas.

Along this part of the coast, you'll still find pockets of upscale vacationers in affluent summer colonies like Boothbay Harbor, Camden and Bar Harbor, but the pace slows. The final stretch of coast beyond Mount Desert Island to the Canadian border feels completely rural. You'll encounter few fellow travelers in this sparsely populated but verdant area that depends economically more on commercial fishing and blueberry farming than tourism.

But by exploring the full length of Maine's gorgeous coast, you'll find much to appreciate. You can feast on incredible seafood (not just lobster but rock and Jonah crab, oysters, mussels, and myriad fish) and a dizzying variety of craft beers. You'll discover superb art museums and galleries, and diverse flora and fauna to view on coastal hikes, wildlife-watching cruises and kayaking and biking tours. And, of course, there's the stunning natural scenery of Acadia National Park.

Here's your guide to planning the perfect coastal Maine road trip and everything you should see and do along the way.

Maine road trip planning

GPS devices tend to be at cross purposes with actually enjoying a drive up the Maine coast, as they constantly attempt to shunt you onto U.S. Route 1 or, worse, Interstate Highway 95, instead of the happily meandering and circuitous roads that run closer to the shoreline. Unless you're pressed for time, feel free to ignore the entreaties of your GPS and take the scenic route whenever possible. Detour down to the tips of Maine's finger-shaped peninsulas, and if there's an island you can reach by bridge or even by ferry, go for it, at least once. Bailey Island, Deer Isle and Vinalhaven (which entails a ferry ride) are all good bets.

Note that many municipal beaches have steep parking fees for nonresidents, sometimes $25 or more. Day-use fees at state beaches are per person rather than per vehicle and typically cost around $7 or $8 per person. In Portland and some of the more popular small towns along the coast — Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit — street parking can be hard to come by, especially during the summer high season, so prepare to use a pay lot that may also be expensive.

Gas stations are present all along U.S. Route 1 and in most towns, but they can be harder to find, or a lot more expensive, on the more rural peninsulas and islands. It's best to top off your tank before venturing anywhere remote.

Set aside enough time

If you're driving this full itinerary from Kittery to the Canadian border, give yourself a minimum of five days and four nights to be able to experience the key sights along the way. This allows you to set aside a full day each for exploring Portland and Acadia National Park, and enough time to drive through all of the towns described in this article. To appreciate this trip at a more leisurely pace, budget a week to 10 days and try to spend two nights in some of the more prominent areas, such as Kittery-Portsmouth, Portland, Rockland-Camden, and Bar Harbor-Acadia National Park. If you have two weeks or even longer, you won't run out of engaging things to see and do.

Getting to the Maine coast

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) has by far the greatest number of direct flights in New England, and it's just a 75-minute drive from the Maine border. Another option is to fly into Maine's small, user-friendly Portland International Jetport (PWM), which is a 45-minute drive from Kittery. A lesser-known option that's just a 50-minute drive from Kittery is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) in New Hampshire. It's served by several of the major airlines. Although Logan Airport is likely the easiest to reach from much of the country and many international destinations, it is a busy hub in a city with notorious traffic, and rental car rates tend to be steeper than at the airports in Portland and Manchester, which are also smaller and more pleasant to navigate.

From Boston, Amtrak serves Portland and several smaller towns along the lower Maine coast. And there's frequent daily bus service on multiple carriers from Logan Airport and downtown Boston to both Portsmouth and Portland.

Best starting and end points on the Maine coast

This itinerary follows Maine's coast in a northeasterly direction, beginning at the town of Kittery, which is just across the Piscataqua River from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This corner of the state is easy to get to, as it's just a 75-minute drive up the coast from Boston via I-95, and there are plenty of hotels in the area, both on the New Hampshire and Maine sides of the border. This trip ends at the Canadian border, where you have the option of extending your adventure by continuing into New Brunswick and potentially beyond. Although it can take several days to travel along the coast's meandering roads, exploring its peninsulas and inlets, the drive back from Lubec to Kittery-Portsmouth takes just under five hours if you take the most direct interior route (state Route 189, U.S. Route 1, state Route 192 and state Route 9 to Bangor, and then I-95 the rest of the way).

The best time to visit the Maine coast

For the best balance of weather and scenery without excessive crowds or super-steep hotel rates, make this trip during the spring and fall shoulder seasons, between May and mid-June or mid-September and mid-November. The exception to this rule is fall's peak foliage season, which along the Maine coast is generally from around mid-September through the first week of November. Although the coast attracts fewer leaf-peepers than interior New England, crowds do pick up around this time and hotel rates can also spike a bit.

July and August are peak high-season, as are holiday weekends in spring and fall. This is the best time to laze on Maine's beaches and even swim in the ocean (which is still pretty chilly, with highs averaging around 70 degrees in summer). It's also when seasonal businesses like lobster shacks, ice cream stands and scenic tour boats have their longest hours. But you'll pay a premium at coastal hotels during this time (note that the starting rates for hotels recommended in this article are for the summer high season).

Conversely, winter on the Maine coast can be a bargain as long as you don't mind bundling up, and you'll sometimes have beaches all to yourself. But many businesses, including lodgings and restaurants, shut down in winter — and in some cases all the way from mid-October through early May, especially the farther up the coast you go.

Kittery to the Kennebunks

More than any other section of Maine's coast, this relatively short (30-mile) stretch in the state's southwestern corner is easiest to access from coastal roads, which more or less parallel the shore's contours, even beyond Kennebunkport and up through Cape Elizabeth and South Portland.

The region is characterized by broad, crescent-shaped, golden beaches and is home to the greatest concentration of tourism-related businesses. You'll find no shortage of accommodations, from swanky seaside inns to low-frills, family-friendly motels to vacation rentals of every configuration and price range. Although the population swells in summer and traffic can slow to a crawl on weekends, don't give in to the temptation to skip this region in favor of the quieter areas beyond Portland. It's a beautiful part of the state with a number of appealing attractions. What you might consider doing, however, is timing your trip so that you're in this area midweek rather than during the busier weekend.

Kittery and the Yorks

Start your journey by taking U.S. Route 1 over the Memorial Bridge, which crosses the Piscataqua River from historic downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Kittery, Maine's oldest town. If you want to fuel up early, stop on Badger's Island, which is right in the middle of the river, for a hearty meal at Ore Nell's Barbecue or in the historic downtown at Lil's Cafe , an artisan bakery with great coffee drinks.

Continue east on state Route 103 along the curving riverfront rather than following U.S. Route 1 into the tangle of outlet shops for which Kittery is most famous. Stop to walk around colonial-era Fort McClary State Historic Site , with its formidable granite walls and views of pretty Portsmouth Harbor. The road curves past characteristic colonial homes before joining with U.S. Route 1A, a scenic coastal road that passes through the classic seaside vacation villages of York Harbor, York Beach and Cape Neddick. These towns have a nostalgic family vacation vibe and there are plenty of places to hop out for a stroll along the sand or a bite to eat overlooking the sea.

Just north of York Beach — a stretch of beach cottages and hotels that looks like a postcard from the 1940s — turn right (follow the signs) to the parking area for what's quite possibly the most photographed building in Maine: Nubble Lighthouse, an elegantly simple white tower beside a red-roofed Victorian keeper's house set on a small rocky island just offshore. You can't actually visit the island, but the view from across the water is splendid, and next to the parking lot, Fox's Lobster House is a good spot to indulge in your first bowl of chowder or lobster roll.

Optional side trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire

The largest community on New Hampshire's 18-mile shoreline, this upbeat historic city with a population of around 23,000 is both an excellent base for exploring the adjacent southwestern corner of Maine and a delightful destination in its own right.

A compact seaport, Portsmouth is known for its carefully preserved colonial buildings, many of them open to the public. A highlight is Strawbery Banke Museum , a 10-acre living history village of more than three dozen restored structures. Sometimes described as a miniature Portland, this city of narrow tree-shaded lanes and well-tended gardens has a growing restaurant scene and plenty of galleries, crafts shops, bookstores and clothiers to keep you busy.

Just north of Cape Neddick, where U.S. Route 1A cuts west to join U.S. Route 1, turn right onto Shore Road and follow this narrow, curvy route into charming Ogunquit, which developed into an artists colony and a summer resort in the late 19th century and has in more recent decades become a popular LGBTQIA+ destination. Testament to this cheerful beach town's creative legacy are the small but excellent Ogunquit Museum of American Art and the acclaimed Ogunquit Playhouse summer theater. Be sure to check out the shops and seafood eateries (such as Footbridge Lobster and Barnacle Billy's ) of Perkins Cove, where there's also a photogenic footbridge across the town's boat basin. From here, walk the stunning 1.3-mile Marginal Way footpath along a series of sea cliffs into the cute downtown, where you'll discover a number of hip bars and restaurants.

Kennebunkport

As you head north on U.S. Route 1 from Ogunquit, turn right onto the state Route 9 shore route into the old-money enclave of Kennebunkport, with its appealing village center bisected by the scenic Kennebunk River. Stroll among Dock Square's many shops and restaurants, where you can also book a sightseeing cruise on The Pineapple Ketch , a historic 38-foot ship that provides a glimpse of the many imposing summer cottages (mansions, really) that dot the town's shoreline, including Walker's Point, aka the Bush compound, which served as the "Summer White House" for President George H.W. Bush. Off Dyke Road a few miles northeast of town, Goose Rocks Beach is one of the area's gems, offering great opportunities for tidepooling and soaking up rays.

Where to stay

With days of driving ahead, you might consider treating yourself to a night or two in a fabulous spa resort, like Cape Neddick's sumptuous Cliff House Maine (rates start at $699 per night), which is perched on a dramatic rocky ledge a few miles south of the Ogunquit border. In addition to having a 9,000-square-foot spa overlooking the sea, this contemporary 226-room hotel boasts a championship golf course, several restaurants and myriad recreational activities. From the enchanting Trellis House (rates start at $309 per night), an eight-room bed-and-breakfast surrounded by lush gardens and greenery, you're steps from Ogunquit's Marginal Way coastal path and within walking or trolleying distance of the beach and local dining.

The contemporary-chic AWOL Kennebunkport (rates start at $327 per night) offers a distinct contrast to the area's many old-fashioned inns. A short walk from lively Dock Square in Kennebunkport, it's made up of 17 airy cabins with low-slung, tasteful furnishings and private patios and balconies. Most rooms have fireplaces, and rates include a breakfast featuring a toast bar with bagels, muffins, breads and gourmet toppings. AWOL is part of the renowned boutique hotel brand Lark Hotels, which has four other Maine properties, including the stunning Kennebunkport Captains Collection (rates start at $471 per night), which is just around the corner and consists of four smartly updated historic homes with plush rooms and suites outfitted with soaking tubs, working fireplaces and plenty of other perks.

Just across the state line in Portsmouth, you'll find a great selection of both modern full-service hotels and distinctive urban inns. A couple of notables include the Hotel Thaxter (rates start at $369), a new 15-room boutique inn within the heart of the city's historic downtown, and Wentworth by the Sea (rates start at $389 per night), which is a 10-minute drive outside of town on the beautiful New Castle island. This legendary grande dame was built in 1874 and overlooks a scenic harbor where the Piscataqua River meets the ocean. It offers a spa, two pools, tennis courts and a Scottish-style links golf course.

Greater Portland

Maine's largest city has just under 70,000 residents and is 50 miles up the coast from the New Hampshire border. In addition to being a picturesque port city with an incredible food scene, it's an excellent place to anchor yourself if you're planning a longer stay and appreciate having proximity to both the sea and a vibrant arts and cultural scene. From Kennebunkport, state Route 9 leads into the towns that form the metro area's southern edge, including Biddeford and South Portland.

Biddeford and Cape Elizabeth

From Kennebunkport, follow Route 9 as it curves back inland along the Saco River into Biddeford, a once-thriving textile mill town that underwent a severe downturn during the second half of the 20th century as industry moved elsewhere. By the early 2000s, the city center's handsome, though largely empty, redbrick mill buildings and storefronts began to attract chefs, brewers, makers, artists and other entrepreneurs, and today Biddeford buzzes with activity.

Stop for breakfast or lunch at acclaimed spots like Catface Cafe and the Palace Diner , or a memorable dinner at Elda . Sample fine spirits, including aromatic small-batch gins, at cozy Round Turn Distilling , and house-roasted coffees and local beer at the inviting bookstore-cum-cafe Elements .

Once you've filled up on excellent food and drink, follow U.S. Route 1 over the river into another small industrial city, Saco. Here, you have a decision to make about which route to follow. If you have a soft spot for the thrum of boardwalk amusement parks, fried-dough and saltwater taffy vendors, T-shirt shops and souvenir stands, and other retro-kitschy fun, head east a few miles to Old Orchard Beach, a spirited if at times raucous honky-tonk vacation town with a long pier, a beach that's jammed on weekends with towels and umbrellas, and fireworks shows on Thursday nights from late July through early September.

If this isn't your bag, continue up U.S. Route 1 to the bedroom community of Scarborough, and take state routes 207 and 77 through the upscale seaside town of Cape Elizabeth. On this scenic route, you can detour south to Prouts Neck to visit the Winslow Homer Studio ( tours are offered only by advance reservation through the Portland Museum of Art), where the artist painted many of his legendary Maine seascapes from the 1880s until his death in 1910. And you can visit the Portland Head Light , which has served as a beacon to ship captains since 1791 and inspired countless paintings, including Edward Hopper's memorable 1927 work, "Portland Head." You can walk around this graceful stone tower and tour the museum inside the quaint keeper's house — walking paths lead along the rock bluffs and throughout surrounding Fort Williams Park. Route 77 continues north across Casco Bay Bridge and into the heart of Portland.

With its walkable streets lined with stellar restaurants, cocktail lounges, fine galleries and fashionable boutiques, Portland is the perfect city to ditch your car for an afternoon, or even a few days, and explore on foot. The exercise will come in handy given how much eating and drinking you'll be tempted to indulge in. Moreover, there's a clutch of first-rate hotels downtown.

Great views can be had from the grassy lawns of the Western Promenade and Eastern Promenade, two hilltop parks that bracket the city. The Portland Museum of Art features extensive holdings of painters who have immortalized the region's natural scenery, including Homer and Hopper but also John Marin, George Bellows and Andrew Wyeth. There's also an outstanding contemporary collection and terrific rotating exhibits. A few blocks away you can visit the childhood home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which now contains the Maine Historical Society . Nearby, the Old Port district exudes old-world charm with its bustling wharves, seafood markets and narrow lanes.

Where to eat and imbibe? Longtime favorites include Fore Street for locally sourced seafood and meats and Duckfat for Belgian-style frites and luscious milkshakes. Along the same block, head to Eventide Oyster Co. for fresh-shucked bivalves and its sister establishment, The Honey Paw , for boldly flavored pan-Asian cooking. Newer chef-driven spots such as locavore-minded Twelve and warmly convivial Thistle & Grouse are turning heads with their inventive, artfully prepared cuisine. And James Beard Award-nominated chefs are well represented in town; consider Krista Cole of Sur Lie (she also runs Gather , just up the road in Yarmouth), Courtney Loreg of Woodford Food & Beverage , Isaul Perez of Isa Bistro and Jake Stevens of Leeward , to name just a few. Allagash , Bissell Brothers and Austin Street are among the more than two dozen craft breweries making waves in and around Portland, while purveyors of everything from artisan baked goods (the Holy Donut , Forage , Norimoto ) to locally roasted coffee ( Tandem , Bard , Speckled Ax ) appear in seemingly every direction. Prepare to be blown away.

The islands of Casco Bay

If you have an extra day, consider taking a cruise among the nearly 150 islands of Casco Bay; six can be reached by scheduled ferry service with Casco Bay Lines from downtown Portland. You can rent a bike near the terminals of most of the islands if you're up for a two-wheel adventure, or just go for a cruise. The sunrise and sunset runs are especially scenic, while the mailboat run lets passengers soak up the scenery as workers deliver mail to several of the islands. For a longer visit, consider booking one of the many vacation rentals on the islands, or staying at one of the few full-service hotels, such as the Inn at Diamond Cove on Great Diamond Island.

As you continue up the coast from Portland, you'll encounter the one span of this itinerary that's best undertaken via a dull but efficient freeway. Hop onto Interstate Highway 295 for the nearly 20-mile drive to Freeport, an attractive and historic town that's both a suburb and a retail hub, thanks to the presence in the heart of downtown of the renowned gear and sportswear store L.L. Bean . Established here in 1912, this massive flagship store is open 24/7 and is a must for stocking up on everything from boating and skiing equipment to tasteful housewares and practical yet attractive fleeces, sweaters, boots and more. A crop of other name-brand retailers have outlet shops within walking distance of L.L. Bean.

Set in an imaginatively transformed 1850s mill building in downtown Biddeford, the artful Lincoln Hotel (rates start at $334 per night) contains 33 spacious, industrial-chic rooms with brick walls, gas fireplaces, soaring ceilings and huge windows. It's an excellent choice for taking advantage of Biddeford's increasingly acclaimed culinary scene. Close to Portland Head Light and convenient to downtown Portland but with a peaceful setting on Cape Elizabeth's idyllic Crescent Beach, the pet-welcoming Inn by the Sea (rates start at $495 per night) has 62 individually designed rooms with casually opulent decor; suites have full kitchens.

The seven-story Press Hotel (rates start at $432 or 67,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) occupies a 1920s Old Port building that once housed the city's newspaper and has been given new life as a hip 110-room hotel with old-fashioned writing desks, local art, a rooftop deck, lots of comfy common spaces and a scene-y (for Portland) farm-to-table restaurant. Located in Portland's historic West End, The Francis (rates start at $395 per night) is set in an imposing redbrick mansion that had fallen into a state of disrepair before its new owners completed an ambitious two-year restoration. This dashing 15-room boutique inn has light-filled, uncluttered rooms with a modern vibe, and guests can book spa treatments in the hotel's sister property, The Longfellow, just across the street.

On Great Diamond Island, just a 25-minute ferry ride from Old Port, the distinctive Inn at Diamond Cove (rates start at $249 per night) has been created out of late-19th-century army barracks and has spacious, stylish suites, some with kitchens, that feature porches or balconies, and a large pool and acclaimed waterfront restaurant.

Brunswick to Camden 

From Freeport, U.S. Route 1 continues to the dapper college town of Brunswick (home to Bowdoin College and arguably the state's most famous artisan ice cream purveyor, The Gelato Fiasco ), before becoming a less-trafficked and generally quite scenic two-lane road as it meanders in an east-by-northeast direction through Maine's storied Mid-Coast region. It's about a 60-mile drive from Brunswick to Camden, much of it through lively village centers lined with colonial and Victorian houses and storefronts.

You won't see the actual coastline along this section of road, but numerous state roads run south from U.S. Route 1 down to the picturesque tips of several craggy peninsulas, leading to fabled sites of natural beauty like the Giant's Stairs on Bailey Island, Popham Beach in Phippsburg and Pemaquid Point in Bristol. Detouring down these winding, slow-going roads can easily take an hour or more round-trip, without stops, so unless you have lots of time on your hands, don't attempt to explore every one. But do try to set aside time for at least one of these rewarding side excursions, as it's when you get off the beaten path and experience this region's windswept beaches and dramatic rock formations that you gain a true sense of coastal Maine's sheer beauty.

Bath and Boothbay Harbor

Continue on U.S. Route 1 from Brunswick to the bustling small city of Bath, whose location along a deep stretch of the Kennebec River has made it a hub of shipbuilding since the mid-18th century. Thousands of vessels, including striking wooden clipper ships, were built in the shipyards that formerly lined the riverfront, and the grand Federal and Victorian homes that you see throughout town are a testament to the wealth derived from this important industry. On the south side of downtown, Bath Iron Works opened in 1884 and has built countless warships for the U.S. Navy. It continues to function in this capacity as a division of General Dynamics Corp.

You can learn about the town's, and the state's, rich shipbuilding legacy at the outstanding Maine Maritime Museum , which opened in 1971 on the site of the historic Percy & Small Shipyard. This rambling 20-acre campus contains dozens of carefully preserved buildings along with a terrific museum with an impressive permanent collection of nautical art, ship models and memorabilia, as well as excellent rotating exhibits. On your visit, set aside time to take one of the nature and lighthouse cruises that the museum conducts along the Kennebec River.

From Bath, shortly after passing through historic Wiscasset (home to the famous lobster shack Red's Eats ), turn right onto state Route 27 and continue south to Boothbay Harbor, an idyllic yachting enclave that's home to several stunning lodgings as well as a handful of colorful boutiques and convivial seafood restaurants. Boothbay Harbor's greatest draw is the expansive Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens . Peaceful trails lace the more than 300 acres of formal plantings, a delightful children's garden, shady riverside woodlands and art installations, including five whimsical, larger-than-life troll sculptures that Danish artist Thomas Dambo fashioned out of recycled wood.

Back on U.S. Route 1, you'll continue through several attractive small towns, including Damariscotta, known for its oyster farms and beautiful Victorian buildings. River House and King Eider's Pub are a couple of excellent spots in town to enjoy the local seafood.

You'll find some of Mid-Coast Maine's most bewitching scenery along the shore of West Penobscot Bay, starting with Rockland. Once a rough-and-tumble hub of commercial fishing and lime quarrying, and later a supply center serving the needs of the region's swankier resort communities, this town of about 7,100 has enjoyed a recent renaissance thanks in part to the opening of the renowned Farnsworth Art Museum , known for its remarkable collection of works by Andrew Wyeth (as well as his father, N.C., and son Jamie). The museum also features the works of many other notables of American painting and sculpture, including Louise Nevelson and Marsden Hartley. The Farnsworth is the centerpiece of Main Street, whose striking redbrick Italianate buildings house one-of-a-kind shops and eateries.

A block away, the strikingly sleek Center for Maine Contemporary Art , which acclaimed architect Toshiko Mori designed in 2016, is another cornerstone of the town's remarkable creative scene. Rockland supports an increasingly robust dining scene, with Primo and the ethereal Mediterranean cuisine of James Beard Award-winning chef Melissa Kelly leading the way.

Before heading north toward Rockport, make the easy 15-minute detour southeast to Owls Head Lighthouse , a stout white lighthouse that's notable for its dramatic setting atop an 80-foot bluff that guards the entrance to Rockland's busy harbor. Climb to the top of this 1852 structure for a rewarding view of Penobscot Bay and the nearby island of Vinalhaven, to which ferry service is available from downtown Rockland; there's a small, informative museum at the base. Home to more than 150 meticulously maintained antique cars, motorcycles and planes, the Owls Head Transportation Museum makes for a fun stop on your way back to Rockland.

Rockport and Camden

U.S. Route 1 continues north along Penobscot Bay through quaint Rockport, a venerable artists colony set around a glorious little harbor and home to destination-worthy restaurants like 18 Central Oyster Bar and, turning out seasonally sourced Maine-meets-Mediterranean fare, Nina June . Turn right onto U.S. Route 1A and follow this narrow, twisting road through the village and around to Camden City Park, a slice of greenery set on a bluff with commanding views of the antique wooden-masted sailboats and schooners in Camden Harbor. It has access to a wonderful little beach, too.

In Camden, an affluent summer getaway that's famous for its fleet of historic Windjammer ships, several outfitters in town offer sails on the bay. Stroll around downtown, relax in the Olmsted Brothers-designed Harbor Park or make the short but rather steep 1.1-mile round-trip hike up to the top of Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park . From the historic observation tower at the top, to which you can also drive, the bay views are stupendous. Back in town, alluring restaurants await, such as Long Grain , for some of the tastiest Thai food in the Northeast, and 40 Paper , with its oft-changing menu of flatbreads, pastas and charcuterie focused on locally sourced ingredients.

A stately 1860s captain's house with additional rooms in adjacent buildings, the Topside Inn (rates start at $369 per night) sits on a hilltop with a gracious lawn and sweeping views of Boothbay Harbor. It's a short stroll from local shops and restaurants and a great base for visiting Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and the Maine Maritime Museum.

Overlooking the harbor in the heart of downtown Rockland, the stylishly modern 250 Main Hotel (rates start at $358 per night) has 26 spacious, high-ceilinged rooms on five floors, along with a rooftop deck with fantastic views of the water and downtown. The thoughtful staff tends to guests' every need, and amenities include a light complimentary breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese.

One of Mid-Coast Maine's most luxurious hideaways, the Camden Harbour Inn (rates start at $555 per night) is part of Relais & Chateaux and enjoys a spectacular setting on a hill with expansive views of the town harbor. This 20-room property features an inn and the critically acclaimed restaurant Natalie's; it's also a short walk from downtown dining and shopping. A half-mile up U.S. Route 1 from downtown Camden, Whitehall (rates start at $231 per night) occupies a 19th-century sea captain's mansion that's been given a clever, boldly colored 21st-century makeover. The 36 rooms and suites are set among a few buildings and range from plush and expansive to simple and economical (with bathrooms down the hall).

Camden to Bar Harbor

There are essentially two ways to get from Camden to Bar Harbor, which is just 40 miles east as the crow flies: the long way, following U.S. Route 1 up around Penobscot and directly across to Ellsworth, and the really long way, which entails detouring extensively down through the beautiful Blue Hill Peninsula and onto pastoral Deer Isle before cutting back up to Ellsworth.

The first option takes a little under two hours without stops, while the second option can take as long as four hours depending on how many of the Blue Hill Peninsula's nooks and crannies you decide to explore. This side excursion is well worth the time if you're not in a rush. Either way, from Ellsworth, it's an easy drive down state Route 3 onto the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island to get to Bar Harbor.

As you drive northeast along U.S. Route 1, skirting the western shore of Penobscot Bay, you'll pass through the small beach town of Lincolnville, which is where you can pick up the ferry to the attractive summer vacation island of Islesboro, before entering one of the coast's most alluring small towns, Belfast. With a downtown abundant with grand centuries-old homes and shopfronts with ornate brick facades, the governmental seat of Waldo County is a pleasure to explore on foot. You'll find a smattering of generally casual bars and eateries in town, plus some intriguing antiques and housewares shops.

Searsport and Bucksport

As you continue up U.S. Route 1, more antiquing awaits in the friendly village of Searsport, which is also worth a visit for its superb Penobscot Marine Museum . About 10 miles north, right before the road crosses the Penobscot River, make a left turn and follow the signs to Fort Knox Historic Site and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory . Built in 2007, the soaring cable-stayed Penobscot Narrows Bridge is home to the world's tallest bridge observatory; take the elevator to the top of the 420-foot-high West Tower to enjoy the 360-degree views. Then return to earth and stroll the grounds of the adjacent Fort Knox, a formidable granite fortress constructed in the mid-19th century.

After driving across the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, you'll come to the small riverfront town of Bucksport, a former mill town that's reinvented itself as a burgeoning center of tourism. The walking path along the riverfront makes for a pleasant stroll.

Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle

Bordered by Penobscot Bay to the west and Jericho Bay, Blue Hill Bay and Mount Desert Narrows to the south and east, the mostly rural and incredibly peaceful Blue Hill Peninsula is about 25 miles long and contains just a handful of unpretentious yet dignified villages and a cluster of atmospheric country inns and reliable restaurants. As you drive along its curving country roads and alongside its pebbly beaches and graceful bays, it's easy to imagine you're seeing a slice of coastal Maine much as it probably looked a century ago. Home to several conservation areas and nature preserves, the peninsula is popular for hiking, with 934-foot-tall Blue Hill Mountain among the best destinations for a not-too-strenuous 2-mile round-trip scramble, and the views from the top are impressive.

To get here, turn right onto state Route 166 from Bucksport and follow it south along the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay to Castine, a once-bustling colonial seaport that transitioned gradually into a summer colony of understatedly wealthy industrialists in the 19th century. You'll find a handful of endearing shops and eateries in the village center overlooking the harbor.

From here, backtrack up and around Northern Bay and then follow state Route 175 south to a bridge and then a causeway leading to 30-square-mile Deer Isle, with a pair of winsome villages, Deer Isle proper and Stonington, with still more appealing boutiques, galleries and eateries. Home to one of the state's most famous farm-to-table restaurants, Aragosta , Deer Isle attracts more than its share of foodies. Return to the main route by crossing back onto the peninsula and taking state Route 175 or 172 northeast to the peninsula's largest town, Blue Hill, which is still pretty tiny (the population is slightly fewer than 1,000 souls).

Follow U.S. Route 1 and then state Route 3 onto Mount Desert Island, home to the postcard-worthy resort town of Bar Harbor as well as most of Acadia National Park . Bar Harbor was established as a fishing and shipbuilding town in the 1760s, but by the middle of the next century, prestigious American landscape painters, including Thomas Cole and Frederic Church, were drawn here by the captivating harbor, towering granite cliffs and mountains, and sheltered beaches. The town soon attracted wealthy visitors, many of whom, including Rockefellers, Astors and Vanderbilts, erected massive summer homes. The downtown is one of the prettiest, albeit busiest during the summer high season, in the state.

From May through October, cruise ships tie up in the harbor and ferry passengers into town, resulting in sometimes excessive crowds. That being said, the lovely Main Street is lined with appealing shops and eateries, and both the Village Green and waterfront Agamont Park are enchanting spots to relax, perhaps with a slab of fudge or a dish of ice cream from one of the countless sweets shops. Pro tip: Mount Desert Island Ice Cream , which now has locations as far away as Japan, serves the best frozen desserts in town, with unique flavors like coriander-lemon curd and hojicha (roasted green tea). Make sure to visit the two excellent history museums in town, the Abbe Museum , a Smithsonian-affiliated property devoted to interpreting Maine Indigenous culture and natural history, and La Rochelle Mansion , the Gilded Age "summer cottage" of George Bowdoin that opened as a museum in 2020.

Acadia National Park

Home to the highest peak on the Eastern Seaboard (Cadillac Mountain, elevation 1,530 feet) and remarkably diverse landscapes of rugged and rocky coastal headlands and pristine forests and beaches, Acadia National Park is one of the great natural treasures of New England. About 77 square miles, the park covers around half of Mount Desert Island, mostly on the eastern of the island's two lobes; the rest of Acadia is on Isle au Haut (reachable by ferry from Deer Isle), a number of small and mostly uninhabited islands in the vicinity, and the southern end of the Schoodic Peninsula. Most visitors focus their efforts on the portion of the park adjacent to Bar Harbor, which is indeed an excellent place to start, although this section of Acadia also receives the greatest number of visitors and can feel a bit overwhelming in summer, especially on weekends.

After stopping by the park's Hulls Cove Visitor Center, drive the breathtaking 27-mile Park Loop Road, absorbing the views from the many rocky ledges. Enjoy lunch at the historic Jordan Pond House restaurant. It's famous for its fluffy fresh-baked popovers with butter and strawberry jam.

Although you can drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, parking is limited and reservations are required between mid-May and mid-October to drive to the summit. If you love getting outside and you're ready for a break from driving, consider hiking to the top instead. Several trails, ranging in length from around 2 to 7 miles round-trip, lead to the summit. Other appealing treks in the park include neighboring and less crowded Dorr Mountain and climbing the ladders and rungs of the short but quite vertical Beehive Loop, which overlooks one of the park's loveliest stretches of shoreline, Sand Beach. If you have an extra day or want to get away from the crowds, set aside a few hours to explore the park's quieter western side, checking out the trails around Beech Mountain and Echo Lake.

A luxurious base that's close to both Camden and Belfast yet not far from the Blue Hill Peninsula, the exquisitely restored Homeport Inn and Tavern (rates start at $179 per night) is a short walk from Searsport's town park and fishing pier. This 1860s sea captain's house has a warmly lit British-style pub serving elevated comfort fare, and many rooms have terraces overlooking the verdant gardens.

Famous for having one of the state's most celebrated restaurants, Aragosta at Goose Cove (rates start at $360 per night) offers overnight stays in nine dog-friendly cottages with kitchenettes and three suites, all of them steps from the sea (and some of them with direct water views). It's in the quiet village of Deer Isle, far from crowds, even in the middle of summer. The Blue Hill Inn (rates start at $237 per night) is one of the true gems of the Blue Hill Peninsula. This 1830s mansion decorated in the Federal period style has 11 upscale rooms, and there are two more contemporary suites in an adjacent Cape House cottage. Rates include a lavish multicourse breakfast, and the inn is within walking distance of the harbor and several popular restaurants.

With one of the most desirable locations of any hotel on Mount Desert Island, the refined Bar Harbor Inn & Spa (rates start at $469 per night) sits on a promontory with stupendous views of Frenchman Bay and a wealth of amenities, including an infinity pool, a full-service spa and three waterfront restaurants; many rooms have balconies with water views. The inn accesses the town's famous coastal Shore Path and is an easy stroll from numerous restaurants, shops and the sightseeing cruises that depart from the town pier. The owners run a few other first-rate properties in town, including the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel (rates start at $409 per night), a contemporary reconstruction of a baronial 19th-century inn that was lost in a fire.

The stylishly updated Salt Cottages (rates start at $505 per night) date to the 1940s and are a 10-minute drive from downtown Bar Harbor, across the road from Hulls Cove Beach and right by the Hulls Cove Entrance to Acadia National Park. Popular with families, this welcoming beachy-chic resort offers a host of amenities, from a pool and hot tub to lawn games and a fire pit with s'mores. For a quieter stay away from the bustle of Bar Harbor, book a room at the beautifully renovated Claremont Hotel (rates start at $529 per night), overlooking Somes Sound in Southwest Harbor, on the more tranquil western half of Mount Desert Island. It's a great base for exploring the trails in Acadia National Park's west side, and this 6-acre property features a large pool, three excellent restaurants and a wide range of accommodations options, from classic hotel rooms to houses with multiple bedrooms.

Bar Harbor to Lubec

After returning to U.S. Route 1 from Mount Desert Island, it's about a 90-minute journey — the final 15 minutes on state Route 189 bring you to the town of Lubec, which is the easternmost point in the contiguous United States. This is the most sparsely populated stretch of Maine's coast. It's punctuated by a few hardscrabble fishing, farming and timber towns, and the natural scenery along the smaller roads leading out to the coast is beautiful, but there aren't a lot of dedicated attractions in this region. One notable exception to keep an eye out for as you zoom along U.S. Route 1 is the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center in tiny Columbia Falls, which occupies a distinctive pale-blue geodesic dome building meant to resemble a bulbous blueberry. It's one of those goofy roadside stops that's fun for a photo op. Inside the building, a small nonprofit museum has exhibits about the state's most famous crop and a gift shop selling all things blueberry-themed.

For the most part, car traffic dwindles to a trickle, even in summer, once you drive east of Ellsworth. At the end of the road, however, Lubec and neighboring (across Johnson Bay) Eastport are inviting villages free from excessive development. For fans of seaside solitude, it's worth tacking on an extra day or two to complete the drive to the Canadian border.

Even if you're not planning to go all the way to Lubec, consider driving at least as far as the small, laid-back village of Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula, which dips down into the Gulf of Maine just 5 miles across the water from Bar Harbor. In summer, you can take a passenger ferry between the two towns; otherwise, it's an hour's drive up and around Frenchman Bay. At the southern tip of the peninsula, off state Route 186, you can enter the nearly 4,000-acre Schoodic District of Acadia National Park, with its largely untrampled conifer forests and bike-friendly scenic park loop road and gravel paths. Only a tiny fraction of visitors ever make it to this pristine and highly underrated section of the park that's anchored by the Schoodic Institute , a 1930s mansion that once held offices and living quarters for the U.S. Navy base that occupied the land before it was transferred to the park in 2002. The building now houses a visitor center and a small museum with exhibits on natural history and the peninsula's interesting military history.

A mellow fishing village surrounded on three sides by water, scenic Lubec has just under 300 residents and an unpretentious downtown with a handful of casual lodging and dining options. After spending the night in town, you can rise early and drive to nearby Quoddy Head State Park to watch the sunrise from the nation's easternmost point. Set aside an hour or two to walk around the 49-foot-tall candy-striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and explore the park's peaceful, windswept nature trails.

Campobello Island

Another enjoyable activity in this part of the world is driving over the only bridge onto Canada's Campobello Island (from the Canadian mainland, you can get to this wooded island of about 950 residents by ferry only). The main event here is visiting Roosevelt Campobello International Park , the 2,800-acre summer hideaway of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. You can tour the 1897 shingle-style house and learn more about the couple in the excellent visitor center. Don't forget to bring your passport!

Tantalizingly within view of both downtown Lubec and Roosevelt Campobello International Park, this historic village on the southeastern tip of Moose Island is only reachable (by car, at least) by driving about 45 minutes around Cobscook Bay. (In summer, there is a passengers-only water taxi that runs between Lubec and Eastport.) Despite feeling even more remote than Lubec, Eastport's downtown actually has more in the way of infrastructure, with a waterfront historic district that comprises a few blocks of handsome Victorian buildings containing a smattering of galleries and cafes. Horn Run Brewing occupies one of the prettiest buildings in town and serves well-crafted brews and tasty pub fare, with a tree-shaded patio looking across the Passamaquoddy Bay toward Canada's Deer and Campobello islands. Stop by the Tides Institute & Museum of Art , which is set inside a vintage bank building and contains rotating exhibits.

Optional side trip to St. Andrews, New Brunswick

You could easily continue your coastal explorations by crossing onto the Canadian mainland and driving farther into the Maritime Provinces. From the border crossing between Calais, Maine (which is a half-hour drive up the St. Croix River from Eastport), and St. Stephen, New Brunswick, it's just an hour or so to the province's largest, and Canada's oldest, incorporated city, St. John. From there, plenty of travelers continue on to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

But even if your goal is to return to your starting point in southwestern Maine, you might consider making a quick side excursion to St. Andrews, which is just a half-hour southeast of the Calais-St. Stephen border crossing. This colorful maritime village perched at the tip of a peninsula that juts into Passamaquoddy Bay is known for its quaint downtown art galleries, seafood eateries and colonial houses. It's also home to several upscale inns and hotels, including the gracious, Tudor Revival-style Algonquin Resort.

En route from Bar Harbor to the Schoodic District of Acadia National Park, the enchanting Crocker House Country Inn (rates start at $210 per night) sits near the tip of a secluded peninsula, Hancock Point, an easy stroll from the Frenchman Bay waterfront. The 11 rooms in this 1884 inn received a dapper renovation in 2022, and the inn's restaurant serves exceptionally tasty contemporary American and Asian specialties.

At the Inn on the Wharf (rates start at $130 per night) in tiny Lubec, you can stay in the easternmost town in the United States while enjoying a view from your room of the sun setting to the west over the water. The inn operates out of a former sardine factory but also has rooms in several contemporary cottages on a hill overlooking the bay. A casual restaurant serves simple, fresh seafood, and whale-watching excursions are offered on the inn's 26-passenger boat. In Eastport's downtown historic district, the Kilby House Inn (rates start at $150 per night) is set in a pretty Queen Anne house with four period-furnished rooms with antique beds and country quilts; a full breakfast is served in the dining room each morning.

If you decide to hop across the border for a night or two, consider staying at the elegantly restored Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea (rates start at $218 or 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night), which is in the quaint seaside village of St. Andrews, New Brunswick. A member of Marriott's Autograph Collection, this red-roofed late-Victorian hotel has 233 stylishly appointed rooms, five restaurants and bars, a luxurious spa, and an award-winning 18-hole golf course.

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The Perfect Coastal Maine Road Trip

Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015 and going freelance in 2016. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure , her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest , Surface Magazine , Brooklyn Magazine , T Magazine , The Wall Street Journal , Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country , Condé Nast Traveler , Robb Report , Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy"

Lobster shacks , waves crashing against rocky outcroppings, pine trees, and rugged bluffs— Maine is New England’s crowning gem. And with winding roads overlooking the Atlantic, secluded lighthouses, and charming cities up and down the coast, it's a gem best experienced by car.Here now, the best places to eat, drink, shop, and sightsee between Portland and Bar Harbor.

2 p.m.: Shopping in Portland’s Old Port District

At just over an hour-long flight from New York City or a two-hour drive from Boston, Maine ’s largest metropolis is a great place to start. Take a leisurely walk around the harbor and Old Port, where historic brick buildings house restaurants, bars, and shops. Start by the harbor on Commercial Street and work your way up Exchange Street, which is lined with boutiques selling everything from clothes and jewelry to locally crafted pottery and fudge.

7 p.m.: Dinner at Eventide Oyster Co., Portland

Come for bivalves on the half shell, and stay for Korean-style fried oyster buns. These guys take their shellfish seriously, but not too seriously to play with the conventions of Maine’s regional cuisine. Last year we named Eventide one of America’s best oyster bars and it’s still worth a visit.

9 p.m.: Check in to the Press Hotel, Portland

Spend the night at the quirky new Press Hotel , an Autograph Collection Hotel, which opened in May in the Old Port. Design firm Stonehill & Taylor took inspiration from the building’s heritage as the former home of the Portland Press Herald . You’ll find playful journalism motifs peppered throughout, from the lobby installation made of antique typewriters to the custom wallpaper printed with headlines chosen by the newspaper’s editors. Each of the 110 rooms channels a 1920s writer’s office. Sitting at the vintage-inspired desk, you might feel compelled to send a postcard home.

9 a.m.: Breakfast at the Standard Baking Company, Portland

In the morning, head toward the harbor for pastries at Portland’s must-visit artisanal bakery , which has been using locally grown, organic ingredients in their excellent baked goods for the past twenty years. The croissants, brioche, and morning buns are equally delicious. Grab some sweets to save for later—their financiers and chocolate chip cookies are the best around.

10 a.m.: Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth

Take a slight detour to see the historic lighthouse on Cape Elizabeth, about 20 minutes south of downtown Portland. Abutting flowering fields above a rocky coastline, this classic landmark is Maine’s oldest lighthouse. George Washington commissioned it and the Marquis de Lafayette dedicated it in 1791. The Victorian Keeper’s house now serves as a museum displaying lenses and interactive exhibits.

12:30 p.m.: Archer’s on the Pier, Rockland

Depart Portland and start making your way north to Rockland. After the two-hour drive, you’ll probably be hungry. Snag a waterfront table at Archer’s on the Pier , where you can watch the boats sail by. You can’t go wrong with a classic lobster roll served with hand-cut fries and coleslaw, though chef and owner Lynn Archer is best known for her King of Clubs sandwich made with lobster, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, which won the prize in Bobby Flay’s Throwdown.

2 p.m.: Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland

Dedicated to showcasing Maine’s role in American art, the must-see Farnsworth Art Museum comprises a modern building, the Wyeth Center, the historic Farnsworth Homestead, the Olson House, and a gallery for young artists. The main building features paintings by Andrew Wyeth, George Bellows, Milton Avery, and Alex Katz, as well as sculptures by Robert Indiana. A whole room of canvases depicting ships at sea and other coastal imagery pays homage to the region and the ways it has inspired artists for centuries. Peruse the galleries in the former church up the street to see works by three generations of Wyeth painters. If you have time, take a tour of the Farnsworth Homestead, which sheds light on its 19th-century inhabitant, Lucy Farnsworth, the museum’s original benefactor.

6 p.m.: Downeast Windjammer Sunset Cruise, Bar Harbor

Drive along scenic route 1 overlooking Penobscot Bay as you continue north toward Bar Harbor. You might be tempted to stop in the boutiques that line the main streets of this seaside city, but make sure to arrive at the pier in time to board the Downeast windjammer ’s sunset cruise. You might be asked to help raise the sails on the four-mast vessel, then enjoy a relaxing ride around picturesque Frenchman’s Bay, which is dotted by forested islands. Bring your own wine or beer and a warm jacket—even in summer, it gets chilly on the water.

8:00 p.m.: Jordan Pond House, Mount Desert Island

Once you’re back on dry land, head into Acadia National Park for dinner at the Jordan Pond House. The only restaurant within the park, this place is renowned for its popovers, which go very well with the lobster stew. Dinner is served inside, but if you’d like to dine outside on the lawn with a view of Jordan Pond and its distinctively sloped hills, come back for lunch or afternoon tea.

9:30 p.m.: Mount Desert Island Ice Cream, Bar Harbor

If you have room for desert—and you definitely should—head back into Bar Harbor for a cone at this creative creamery. Blueberry ice cream may be common in these parts, but Mount Desert Island Ice Cream churns one-of-a-kind flavors you won’t find anywhere else. For something subtle and refreshing, try the basil ice cream, which pairs well with a scoop of fig.

10 p.m.: Asticou Inn, Northeast Harbor

Spend the night at the cozy Asticou Inn on Mount Desert Island. This historic property dates back to 1883 and served as a home away from home for the early 20th-century affluent set that summered in Bar Harbor. The inn’s 48 rooms feature classic décor like floral wallpaper and dainty white curtains and come equipped with free WiFi. In the morning, you can go for a swim in the heated pool or play tennis and enjoy a leisurely brunch of lobster eggs benedict on the terrace.

10 a.m.: Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island

You could spend days exploring Maine’s only national park , which comprises 35,000 acres of trails, pine-studded mountains with scenic overlooks, and beaches on Mount Desert Island. As soon as you enter this vast, gorgeous landscape, you’ll understand why prominent Americans like John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Brooke Astor vacationed here throughout the 20th century. (Rockefeller built the carriage roads that traverse the park.) Climb (or drive) to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for panoramic views of Frenchman’s Bay. Hike around Jordan Pond and the Bubbles, where the trail leads you along a wooded path and rocky outcroppings on the pond’s perimeter. Don’t miss Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, where waves crash violently against the rocks, and of course, the Bass Harbor Head lighthouse.

4 p.m.: Atlantic Brewing Co., Bar Harbor

Make your way to the northern point of Mount Desert Island for a free tour and tasting at the Atlantic Brewing Company . Set on a ten-acre farm, this excellent craft brewery focuses exclusively on ales. Learn about the brewing process as you stand among the vats of beer, then taste a flight of their classic and seasonal brews, which run the gamut from light and crisp to rich and dark. The blueberry ale has subtle notes of the ubiquitous berry, but the true standouts are the Bar Harbor Real Ale and the Cole Porter.

6 p.m.: Union River Lobster Pot, Ellsworth

Keep heading north for dinner at this no-frills seafood restaurant in nearby Ellsworth. Don’t expect anything fancy, just classic Maine dishes prepared exactly right. Lobsters are boiled in saltwater and served with drawn butter, French fries, coleslaw, and homemade bread. The fisherman’s platter arrives with a generous portion of fried scallops, clams, shrimp, and fish. Wash it down with Atlantic Brewing Company ale and finish with a slice of blueberry pie.

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12 Most Charming Small Towns in Maine

By Becky Griswold · Last updated on February 4, 2024

Dating back to the very first years of European settlement, Maine’s small villages are both historically interesting and abundant in natural beauty. The jagged, irregular coastline of the northeastern state of Maine is positively bursting with picturesque and charming towns that are waiting to be explored and admired.

The inlets and archipelagos of its shoreline are a joy to discover by boat, whilst inland Maine features many lakes that attract tourists in the summer. A few small towns in Maine sit at the gateway to its vast northern forests. But which of its pretty towns are most charming? Let’s have a look.

12. Boothbay Harbor

Dating back to the 17th Century, Boothbay Harbor has seen its fair share of history – from British colonial to the industrial period of the late 19th Century, with its lobster-canning factory and fisheries. Set on the crumbling coast of Lincoln County, south Maine, with a population that only just exceeds 2,000 people, Boothbay Harbor is as picturesque a seaside town as you can imagine.

Visitors flock to Boothbay Harbor in the summer, where yachting around the jagged coast, islets and inlets makes for a fun but relaxing time on the sea. This charming town celebrates its maritime heritage every June with the impressive Windjammer’s Day. Elsewhere, Boothbay Harbor boasts the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, with simply beautiful grounds and gardens to explore.

11. Rangeley

This inland town, close to the state line between Maine and New Hampshire , is a marvel of nature. Founded on a bedrock of hardworking sawmills and farmland, tourism arrived at Rangeley by the late 19th Century. People flocked from fledgling US cities to relax in the tranquil surroundings and go fishing in its spectacular lakes.

It’s not much different today; Rangeley is the epicenter of the Rangeley Lakes Region, where tourists flock all year round for season-dependent activities. Most popular are its lakes, with an allure that sports-fishing enthusiasts cannot resist. With many shops and restaurants, Rangeley itself is as quaintly convenient as it is charmingly rustic.

10. Monhegan

Tiny Monhegan is a settlement located on an island off Lincoln County. Monhegan actually means ‘out-to-sea island’ in Algonquian, which is apt, since the island is 12 nautical miles from the mainland. Beginning as an English fishing camp even before the Plymouth Colony was established in 1620, Monhegan has been through pirates, trade, wars and fishing, which is still its main economy.

Given its remote location, the stark sea views from Monhegan, and the jagged and green island itself, you might be able to understand why this truly charming town became a thriving artist’s colony. Already well-established by the early 1900’s, the dramatic cliffs and pine woods continue to attract artists to this day.

The coastal town of Castine in Hancock County is set on a promontory into Penobscot Bay, with beautiful views across a series of inlets and coves. This small, picturesque town was the capital of the French colony Acadia from 1670 to 1674 – later conquered by the British in 1710. The long history and capital status of this town has produced many heritage buildings for visitors to discover.

There’s Dice Head Lighthouse, for instance, dating back to 1839; the pretty Unitarian Universalist Church built in 1790; the USA’s oldest post office still in operation (established in 1794); a handsome collection of 1920’s buildings that comprise the Wilson Museum; and then there’s the charming rows of picture-perfect hotchpotch houses along Castine’s Main Street.

8. Damariscotta

With the undulating Damariscotta River to the west and the tranquil Lake Pemaquid to the east, Damariscotta is characterized by its laid-back lakeside lifestyle – especially in summer, when swimming in the lakes, boating on the river and fishing become popular pastimes for residents as well as the many tourists that flock to this charming town.

Damariscotta is famous for its fresh seafood: Pemaquid oysters and local mussels are served up in the local restaurants. The town is made ever more charming by its slew of picturesque historic buildings, including Chapman-Hall House (the town’s oldest, dating from 1754) and the brick-built Lincoln Theater. Nearby is also the Whaleback Shell Midden, dating back over 2,000 years!

7. Bar Harbor

Located on Mount Desert Island – the largest island off the coast of Hancock County – is the small but famous town of Bar Harbor. This place was previously a popular summer colony for the rich and powerful, but a fire in 1947 destroyed its five grand and historic hotels, plus 76 palatial residences on the so-called ‘Millionaires’ Row’.

However, Bar Harbor remains popular to this day. Vestiges of its illustrious past still exist. For example, there’s the Mira Monte Inn, a stunning Victorian ‘cottage’ turned hotel. A pleasant stroll along Bar Harbor’s Mount Desert Street reveals an illustrious past recalling the splendor of the USA’s Gilded Age, with many historic and beautiful buildings.

6. Rockport

With its small, pretty harbor and impressive selection of historic buildings, Rockport in coastal Knox County is an almost impossibly picturesque place to visit. The town even features its own Rockport Historic District, which showcases residential and commercial buildings of yesteryear. As you may expect, this is a very charming place to take a stroll around and discover Rockport’s past.

Even more famous than its architectural heritage and pleasant harbor views are the collection of Belted Galloway cattle at the 136-year-old Aldermere Farm. This landmark is a popular tourist destination, where visitors are given the chance to tour the farm and get up close to the affectionately named ‘Oreo cows’ themselves.

Situated in York County on the Gulf of Maine is the popular resort town of York. This historic town was first settled by Europeans in 1624 and – like many coastal towns along the shoreline of Maine – features many sites of historical interest. The oldest portion of Old York Gaol, for instance, dates back to 1720; then there’s the 18th Century John Sedgley Homestead – one of the oldest in the state.

But York isn’t all about history; together with York Harbor, York Beach and Cape Neddick, it comprises an area known collectively as ‘The Yorks’. Here, visitors can hike at Mount Agamenticus, have fun on one of its four beaches, or play golf on one of three courses.

4. Stonington

Wooden houses line the glassy water, a collection of little boats bob next to piers, green trees contrast with jagged rocks – Stonington looks about as charming as you can get in a small town in Maine. Situated on the southern end of Deer Isle, off the coast of Hancock County, it simply radiates charm.

People are attracted to Stonington for its picturesque setting, which lends itself to boating in the calm bay, hiking in the Crockett Cove Woods Preserve, or exploring the islands between here and Isle au Haut. Besides tourism, however, Stonington is a huge player in the fishing and lobster industries, leading the state per pound and dollar of catch and sales.

3. Greenville

The town of Greenville, situated in Piscataquis County, is the gateway to the wilderness that is famous in the state of Maine’s far north. It is situated on the southern shore of Maine’s largest lake, Moosehead Lake.

Naturally, the main activities at this lake-side town are water-based. Visitors can go boating on the serene waters of Moosehead Lake or indulge in a spot of fishing. Aside from that, visitors can hike to the top of Mount Kineo for some supreme views of the surrounding area. But it’s not only about summer, spring is the prime time for moose-spotting, whilst winter activities include dog-sledding, ice fishing and cross-country skiing.

Self-described as ‘The Jewel of the Maine Coast’, Camden is a small town in Knox County that’s very popular with northeastern city-dwellers, who visit in summer to kick back and relax in its truly charming and picturesque setting. As with other coastal towns in Maine, its Main Street features shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants housed in pretty, wooden historical buildings.

Surrounding the handsome brick-built Camden Public Library is a picture-perfect park, where visitors can picnic and chill out, watching the world go by. For those who want to get out and about, day trips to nearby islands reveal the quaint beauty of the town when viewed from out in the bay – as well as the beauty of this variegated coastline and its archipelagos.

1. Kennebunkport

Situated in York County, the town of Kennebunkport is a popular summer destination, and tops our list of the most charming small towns in Maine. First making its fortunes on shipbuilding, this industry soon gave way to tourism once northeastern urbanites discovered just how beautiful this slice of coastline truly was. Boating trips and fishing are popular here – as are its beaches.

The Dock Square area features many souvenir shops, galleries, and seafood restaurants – all set in charming buildings that feel authentic in their New England style. Included as part of Kennebunkport is the tiny village of Cape Porpoise. Easily reached from town, this settlement, with its sparse housing and lonely lighthouse, feels remote and peaceful.

Map of Small Towns in Maine

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December 13, 2019 at 5:46 pm

Been to new England. Lovely place. Friendly people. Love to come again but have lack of funds.

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27 top places to see fall foliage in the u.s..

Plan a weekend escape or an extended getaway to see autumn's peak foliage.

The Top Places to See Fall Foliage

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Hit the road or the trail to view vibrant fall leaves across America.

There's no other time of year quite like fall. Brisk, cool mornings give way to sun-warmed afternoons, and the dropping temperatures create a kaleidoscope of colors as the leaves change before winter sets in. The displays of color are different across the U.S., but they're all brilliant when leaf-peeping season is at its peak.

In the West, the reds, oranges and bright golden hues of the quaking aspens are dramatic against the backdrop of the mountains and the verdant pine, spruce and fir trees. In the Northeast – such as New England – and other parts of the country where species like maple and birch are prominent, the trees are radiant with bold displays of yellows, deep reds, coppers and oranges.

Peak leaf season varies by region and by year, depending on the weather, so it's best to check with local sources before you go. Many top destinations to view fall's splendor have leaf and foliage maps and trackers so you can follow the local predictions and current conditions – and arrive just in time for the best of the season. Some of these destinations will be familiar, while others are lesser-known locales where you can capture and embrace fall's beauty.

So, pack your jacket and jeans, then grab your camera to capture one of nature's most spectacular spectacles.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park covers nearly 50,000 acres along the rocky coast of Maine. Located about 160 miles northeast of Portland , the park boasts the diverse natural beauty of the Atlantic shoreline, including majestic mountains. Peak leaf season in Acadia traditionally falls in the middle of October. This is when you'll see the vibrant displays of oranges, reds and yellows, especially along the Acadia All-American Road, one of the best scenic drives to view the fall colors.

While visiting Acadia, plan to stay at the nearby coastal town of Bar Harbor , considered to be the gateway to the park. Bar Harbor Inn & Spa , situated along picturesque Frenchman Bay, is an outstanding choice for an overnight stay: The historic property offers impressive views of the water as well as Maine's Porcupine Islands. While in town, you can take a whale watching tour and treat yourself to a traditional lobster dinner at Beal's Lobster Pier.

See more of Acadia National Park:  Things to Do  |  Hotels

McKenzie River Scenic Byway, Oregon

Melanie Griffin | Courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast

The 34-mile McKenzie River Scenic Byway extends from the vineyards of the Willamette Valley to the forests of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon , treating travelers and road-trippers to views of some of the Pacific Northwest's most beautiful landscapes. Plan your visit for peak season when the golds and reds are most vibrant, usually in mid-October.

The McKenzie River boasts some of the best fly-fishing in Oregon, so anglers will want to cast off for native redside rainbow and cutthroat trout along the way. Other highlights include stops at local farm stands, at the historic McKenzie Hatchery in Leaburg and at Goodpasture Bridge in Vida, which is the state's second-longest covered bridge. For an extended romantic getaway that includes days spent fly-fishing, whitewater rafting and hiking to waterfalls, make reservations at the Eagle Rock Lodge, a bed-and-breakfast for couples in Vida.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Situated about 130 miles west of Boston and surrounded by mountains, the Berkshires are one of the most scenic places in Massachusetts to view the foliage. The leaves begin changing at the end of September, but peak season starts around mid-October. You can expect to see colors ranging from golden yellows to vivid oranges to deep reds. If you're up for a hike, take the Stony Ledge trail from the Williamstown side of Mount Greylock, the highest peak in the Berkshires at nearly 3,500 feet. This route offers one of the best viewing points of the foliage from midway up the mountain.

Back on the ground, the Berkshires feature world-class arts and entertainment offerings plus a deep-rooted food culture with many locally focused dining options. You can also explore the apple orchards and hops farms along the Berkshire Beer and Cider Trail. For accommodations , plan to splurge on a stay at The Williams Inn, an upscale hotel with a contemporary design that emulates local farmhouse architecture.

Read: Fall in New England: When & Where to Go

Charlottesville, Virginia

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia, Charlottesville offers spectacular scenery accentuated by fall's vivid hues. Mid-to-late October is when you'll usually see the most dazzling red, orange and yellow leaves, but the colors can linger into early November, depending on the weather. Some of the best viewing spots with scenic overlooks are along the neighboring Blue Ridge Parkway and the connecting Skyline Drive in nearby Shenandoah National Park .

When you're not leaf peeping, plan to visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the former home, gardens and grounds of the third U.S. president. Travel along the Monticello Wine Trail to sample some of Virginia's award-winning vintages at wineries such as Michael Shaps Wineworks, Barboursville Vineyards and Jefferson Vineyards. In the evenings, travelers can unwind over dinner and enjoy live music at The Mill Room before settling in at the historic Boar's Head Resort .

Payette River Scenic Byway, Idaho

Payette River Scenic Byway's 114-mile drive in Idaho begins west of Boise and heads north on state Highway 55. Depending on the year's weather patterns, travelers can see changing leaves as early as the end of August, but peak leaf season typically arrives in early to mid-October.

Highlights along this route include whitewater rafting in Cascade and camping overnight in Lake Cascade State Park. For an extended getaway, make plans to stay at Shore Lodge , a premier property in McCall. Situated on Payette Lake with the Idaho Rockies as the backdrop, this beautiful resort offers plenty of outdoor adventures to see the foliage. Try your hand at off-roading on an all-terrain vehicle or explore the shores around the lake by canoe or boat. You can also go hiking in Ponderosa State Park or relax in the soothing waters of nearby natural hot springs.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Courtesy of Visit Bucks County

Bucks County's picturesque country roads and covered bridges create an idyllic setting for viewing fall's colorful palette. Located in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania and bordered by New Jersey and the Delaware River to the east, Bucks County has a rich Revolutionary War history and is known for its thriving cultural and arts community. Peak leaf season typically runs the last two weeks of October, bringing vibrant hues of yellows, oranges, reds and browns to the area.

For a scenic escape to the Pennsylvania countryside, make reservations at The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, a luxury B&B in Holicong. You can spend your brisk fall days exploring the shops and restaurants in New Hope or checking out the annual Scarecrows in the Village display at Peddler's Village in Lahaska. Visitors may also want to take a self-guided driving tour of Bucks County's 12 covered bridges or sip and savor local wines along the Bucks County Wine Trail.

Read: The Top Fall Festivals in the U.S.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Fall in Cheyenne boasts golden prairie grasslands in the high plains and vibrant seasonal colors from the quaking aspens. Visitors can also take in the stunning palette of reds, oranges and yellows from the trees lining the streets of downtown Cheyenne; the best viewing for these begins in late September and usually peaks by mid-October. You'll find even more brilliant foliage at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and the High Plains Arboretum – the latter features 60-plus species of trees and shrubs.

After leaf peeping, don't miss a visit to Cheyenne's Frontier Days Old West Museum, whose artifacts celebrate the history of the American West. It's known for the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days outdoor rodeo, which takes place at the end of July. On your autumn visit, you can enjoy the museum's extensive collection and rotating exhibits. For outdoor adventures outside of town, head about 25 miles west to Curt Gowdy State Park and spend afternoons hiking, biking or boating. For accommodations in the park, you can rent a hilltop cabin or reserve a campsite and sleep under the stars.

French Lick West Baden, Indiana

Courtesy of French Lick Resort

Located in southern Indiana, French Lick West Baden is a resort community nestled in the hills of Hoosier National Forest that features some of Indiana's best leaf-peeping locales. The yellows, oranges and reds are usually the most vivid from mid-October and later, with peak colors appearing at the end of the month. For active adventures in the colorful scenery, go hiking, biking or horseback riding. You can also hop on board a train ride into the forest on the French Lick Scenic Railway. When you want to kick back and relax, spend an afternoon sipping wine with a view on a Fall Foliage Wine Cruise on Patoka Lake.

There are two hotels to choose from at the historic French Lick Resort. A must-see, no matter which one you pick, is the stunning atrium at the West Baden Springs Hotel . Spanning 200 feet wide, and constructed more than a century ago, this engineering feat was once known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." While at the resort, you can enjoy all of the amenities, including three golf courses, two spas and a Vegas-style casino.

The Mississippi River Valley, Minnesota

Colorful wooded bluffs, steep hillsides and quaint river towns are all highlights of the Mississippi River Valley region in southern Minnesota, best enjoyed on a leisurely drive. The nearly 90-mile route from the town of Red Wing to La Crescent also features scenic overlooks, including two must-see locations at Great River Bluffs and Frontenac state parks. This drive along the Mississippi River – part of the 3,000-mile Great River Road, which begins in Minnesota and runs south through 10 states to conclude in Louisiana – celebrates peak fall colors around mid-October.

As you take in the brilliant hues of russet, red and gold along the ride, be sure to stop for an afternoon snack at a roadside apple stand. Bird lovers may be eager to see the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota. While in this city, grab dinner and a beer before spending the night at Turning Waters Bed, Breakfast and Brewery. Further down the road, don't miss the town of Winona, home to the small but impressive collection of European, American and contemporary works at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Situated at 9,600 feet above sea level in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge is one of the first places in Colorado to witness fall's brilliant changing of the leaves. While the aspen trees' golds, reds and oranges usually peak by mid-September, the season can linger into early October. For optimal leaf viewing, plan to drive the 22-mile Boreas Pass: This route begins in Como and heads north to Breckenridge.

While visiting, enjoy brisk fall days hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding or fly-fishing surrounded by the beauty of the Rockies. If you're in town in mid-September, you can don your best alpine gear and attend the festivities at Breckenridge Oktoberfest. For an extended stay with a view, reserve accommodations at The Lodge at Breckenridge . This property nestled atop a forested cliff is regarded as one of the world's highest-altitude hotels at 10,200 feet.

Hudson, New York

Situated in the Hudson River Valley in Columbia County, around 120 miles north of New York City, Hudson is a small town that offers a distinct food, arts and farming culture. There's also a unique history to explore, especially when it comes to architecture: Known as a "dictionary of architectural history," Hudson boasts many well-preserved buildings from almost every major period in America. The area's bounty of trees produces brilliant red, orange and yellow hues beginning at the end of September, with peak viewing time falling around mid-October.

For a unique way to see the foliage, get a designated driver and plan a road trip around the Hudson Valley Wine and Craft Beverage Map, which features more than 100 wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries. After the drive, browse the town's boutiques and antique shops before checking into The Hudson Whaler Hotel, a beautifully restored property in the heart of downtown.

Read: The Best Weekend Getaways from New York City

Stowe, Vermont

Nestled at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, Stowe is one of the most picturesque villages in New England. It's also one of the best places to view the annual fall spectacle, with colors changing from mid-September through the end of October. Vermont is around 80% forested and boasts plenty of sugar maples, so autumn visitors can admire vibrant displays of red, orange and yellow leaves across the state. One of the prettiest drives to see the foliage is along the Smugglers' Notch Pass through the Green Mountains in Smugglers' Notch State Park.

If you're planning for several days of leaf-peeping activities, a room at the Austrian-inspired Trapp Family Lodge can be your home base while you go horseback riding, rent a canoe or hop on the seasonal Stowe Gondola SkyRide to the summit of Mount Mansfield for unparalleled views. Back in town, check out local breweries like The Alchemist or von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Fall is one of the most picturesque times to visit "The Scenic City." Chattanooga is situated along the Tennessee River between the Appalachian Mountains and Cumberland Plateau, providing plenty of options for viewing the splendor of colorful forests. In peak season, usually in early November, trees showcase brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Nearby hiking trails offer some of the best close-up views, such as Rainbow Lake Trail on Signal Mountain.

For panoramic vistas overlooking the Tennessee Valley, ride the incline railway to the top of Lookout Mountain. You can even book a sightseeing riverboat cruise along the Tennessee River on the Southern Belle. For unique lodging in Chattanooga with easy access to outdoor adventure, reserve one of Treetop Hideaways' two boutique treehouses located on the side of Lookout Mountain. If you prefer to stay in the city, check out The Read House, a historic 1920s-themed hotel with modern amenities in the heart of downtown.

Read:  The Best Treehouse Hotels in the World

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Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Set in the White Mountains of New Hampshire , Bretton Woods is one of the top destinations in the state to view fall foliage. Leaf-peeping season begins in mid-September and continues through late October – this is when the most vibrant yellows, oranges, reds and even purples will paint the surrounding mountains. Due to the many tree species, it can be hard to predict peak foliage in this area but you'll likely have the most luck around the second week of October.

To enjoy the spectacle for several days, make reservations at the Omni Mount Washington Resort . This historic property sits at the base of the highest peak in the Northeast, giving guests a front-row seat to the show. During your stay, dash through the treetops on a zip line canopy tour, enjoy a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride or take a thrilling trip on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. You may also opt to take in the sights on a gondola ride and have lunch atop the mountain. Back on the ground, book a signature spa treatment and relax with expansive views of the Presidential Range, Crawford Notch and Mount Washington from the therapy rooms.

Read: The Top Romantic Getaways in New Hampshire

Lake Superior Scenic Byway, Wisconsin

This 70-mile route follows Lake Superior's southern shore along the Bayfield Peninsula on state Highway 13 in Wisconsin . The Lake Superior Scenic Byway winds through harbor towns, fishing villages, orchards and farms. Expect vistas of sandy beaches, forests and the sparkling waters of Lake Superior. This route begins in the town of Barksdale; it heads north and then around the tip of the peninsula before ending in Cloverland, near the mouth of the Brule River.

Plan your drive for the first week of October, when the area's bright reds, golds and coppers are at their peak. Highlights along the byway include the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Gaylord Nelson Wilderness Area, which are home to an extensive collection of lighthouses. As a side trip, take a ferry ride from Bayfield to Madeline Island at the tip of the peninsula. Afterward, arrange for an overnight stay in Bayfield at the Old Rittenhouse Inn, a 20-room B&B overlooking Lake Superior.

Highlands, North Carolina

This picturesque mountain town sits at more than 4,100 feet in elevation on the Highlands Plateau in the Nantahala National Forest. Highlands sits in a temperate rainforest, so the vegetation is lush, and there are many waterfalls, rivers and lakes to explore in and around the area. Leaf-peeping season runs from the last week of September to the second week of October, when you'll see leaves becoming bright yellows and oranges, as well as deeper hues of reds and rusts.

There are many active outdoor activities to enjoy in this region, such as hiking, fly-fishing and golfing, but the community also has a vibrant cultural arts scene. During your visit, check out the exhibits at The Bascom (a visual arts center) or events at Highlands Performing Arts Center. While in town, reserve accommodations at Old Edwards Inn and Spa . This beautiful Relais & Chateâux property, located in the heart of the town, puts visitors within walking distance of the many restaurants and boutiques located on Main Street.

Read: The Top Places to Visit in the North Carolina Mountains

Letchworth State Park, New York

Letchworth State Park, fondly known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is home to some of the most striking fall foliage views in the U.S. The park's 14,300-plus acres of lush forest usually hit their peak in early-to-mid October, when leaf peepers will be treated to yellow, orange and red foliage framing the magnificent Genessee Gorge and Genessee River. Explore this unique setting on miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, including the park's new Autism Nature Trail, a mile-long hiking loop with marked sensory stations. You can also take to the skies in a hot air balloon with Balloons Over Letchworth, the only company that launches from inside the gorge.

While you're visiting Letchworth State Park, be sure to check out the surrounding Wyoming and Livingston counties for fun fall activities. You can soak in the views in Wyoming County with a Fall Foliage Train Ride on the Arcade & Attica Railroad, or head to Livingston for a free ranger-guided walking tour of the Mount Morris Dam. When you're ready to relax, explore local craft beer, wine, cider and spirits along the LivCo Libation Loop. Stay the night in the heart of Letchworth State Park at the Glen Iris Inn, which offers convenient access to both counties and overlooks Middle Falls on the Genesee River.

Read:  The Top Hot Air Balloon Festivals in the World

Tunnel of Trees, Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Known as the Tunnel of Trees, this 20-mile scenic route follows the historic Michigan 119 highway between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. The area's canopies of golds, oranges and crimsons are on display typically from late September to mid-October. A few highlights for travelers include visiting the picturesque waterfront resort town of Harbor Springs and sampling authentic Polish cuisine at the iconic Legs Inn restaurant in Cross Village.

For overnight lodging, plan to stay at The Highlands, a Boyne Resort in Harbor Springs. This property offers many outdoor activities, including zip lining, horseback riding, biking and swimming. While here, reserve a seat on the Heather Express chairlift. This excursion to the top of the mountain affords incredible views of Traverse Bay, Harbor Springs and the area's beautiful fall foliage.

North Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

North Lake Tahoe, which unfurls across both California and Nevada, is surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, so there's plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, from kayaking and paddleboarding to boating and relaxing on the area's many beaches. When it comes to viewing fall's splendor, hundreds of biking and hiking trails with 10-plus different species of trees show off the red, orange and yellow foliage.

The best time to see the colorful leaves is from about mid-September to late October, and one of the top viewing spots is Page Meadows in Tahoe City. Other top leaf-peeping locales are Tahoe Meadows, Ellis Peak and Mount Rose Summit. For a memorable getaway, book accommodations at the Everline Resort and Spa at the base of Olympic Valley. Amenities at this luxury resort include a golf course with a view, a luxurious spa and various outdoor experiences, such as guided fly-fishing and rafting.

Read: The Top Lake Vacations in the U.S.

The Ozarks, Arkansas

Situated in the northern part of Arkansas , the Ozark Mountains are the perfect destination to explore the outdoors and marvel at autumn's palette of bright golds, reds and oranges. The transformation typically begins around the second week of October, and peak colors appear by late October. One of the top spots to view the foliage is in the Buffalo National River area around the small town of Ponca. This beautiful wilderness destination in the mountains offers the opportunity to disconnect and get away from it all.

While here, take time to hike or float down the river – all the while keeping an eye out for wild elk. Fall is when the bulls are battling to become king of the herd, so they're especially active during this time of year. Plan to reserve one of the cabins in the mountains above Ponca. Vantage points from these properties yield incredible stargazing opportunities, as well as memorable sunrise and sunset views.

Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway, Maryland

The scenic 38-mile drive from Emmitsburg to Point of Rocks runs along U.S. Route 15 in Maryland . Known as "hallowed ground" and considered sacred by some, this long stretch of road highlights significant Civil War sites and pristine natural areas, including Catoctin Mountain Park, home to presidential residence Camp David. The best time to make the journey to see the foliage on the Maryland route is between late September and early November, with peak season around mid-October.

One not-to-be-missed detour is a stop to see the 78-foot waterfall and gorge in Cunningham Falls State Park. If you're after a challenging hike with great views, travelers say Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson can't be missed. Afterward, spend time exploring the shops and restaurants in the historic city of Frederick. You can book an overnight stay at one of the charming local B&Bs, such as 10 Clarke. If you're up for more fall fun, visit nearby Gaver Farm in Mount Airy, whose Fall Fun Fest has a corn maze and more than 60 attractions.

Adirondacks, New York

The Adirondacks offers leaf-peepers 10 distinct regional destinations covering more than 6 million acres in the northeast corner of New York state. Adventurers can head to the Lake Placid region in late September and early October to hike the Adirondack High Peaks, which offer the best mountain vistas during peak fall foliage. While you're in the region, be sure to visit the Olympic Jumping Complex. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the ski jumps for a bird's-eye view of the Adirondacks before heading back down on a zip line.

In the first two weeks of October, you'll find peak leaf peeping around Lake George, a popular vacation spot with 109 miles of shoreline and 300-plus islands. Hike nearby Prospect Mountain for a breathtaking view overlooking the lake's beautiful blue waters and the vibrant yellows, oranges and reds of the surrounding forest. For an authentic Adirondack stay without sacrificing resort luxuries, book a vacation rental at The Lodges at Cresthaven. Located on the shores of Lake George, this resort property offers a host of amenities along with Adirondack decor and panoramic views of the lake.

See more of the Adirondacks: Things to Do | Hotels

Anchorage to Kenai, Alaska

The epic landscapes of Alaska are awash with vibrant reds, purples, yellows and oranges – and even snow-capped mountaintops – from late August through September as fall arrives in the Last Frontier. The autumn colors across the state's vast wilderness, forests and tundra change quickly as winter approaches, beginning in mid-to-late August in the Arctic regions and lasting as late as October in southern areas like Tongass National Forest. This 158-mile drive on the Seward and Sterling highways from Anchorage to Kenai travels along two National Scenic Byways. You'll find many vantage points along the way to take in the jaw-dropping views and capture photos.

The first 50 miles of Seward Highway follow the Chugach Mountains and the shoreline of Turnagain Arm, where you may catch a glimpse of Dall sheep, beluga whales and eagles. From Tern Lake to Skilak Lake on Sterling Highway, you won't want to miss the sight of the Kenai River's teal glacial waters against the orange and yellow leaves, just as you come around the bend above Kenai Canyon. For a side trip en route, visitors can plan to stay at the beautiful Alyeska Resort, about 40 miles southeast of Anchorage. Be sure to save up enough energy to chase the aurora borealis in the wee morning hours, as the northern lights dance across the night sky from August to April in Alaska .

The Poconos, Pennsylvania

One of the best ways to view the Pocono Mountains' vibrant fall hues of reds, yellows and oranges is with a scenic drive along U.S. Route 6 in Pennsylvania. This road meanders through charming towns like Milford, Hawley and Honesdale, where you can take in autumn festivities that include the Hawley Harvest Hoedown and Honesdale's Harvest and Heritage Days. Another optimal viewing spot for the foliage is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area with its 70,000 acres of forests and wetlands, the two tallest waterfalls in the state, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails.

The peak season for vibrant leaves in the Poconos depends on the region (north or south) and the progression of temperatures in the fall, but you can typically expect the best viewing from the last week of September through October. For up-to-the-minute information, check the fall foliage forecast on the Poconos Mountain website . After a busy day of exploring, The French Manor Inn and Spa is the perfect place to kick back, relax and admire even more of autumn's beauty. This luxury property is perched atop Huckleberry Mountain in Newfoundland and offers spectacular views of the kaleidoscope of leaf colors.

See more of the Poconos: Things to Do | Hotels

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

The majesty of Mount Rainier, with its summit reaching 14,410 feet above sea level, is even more breathtaking surrounded by fall's vibrant colors. While you can see the peak from miles around, a drive through Mount Rainier National Park can bring you up-close viewing of the spectacle. Top leaf-peeping areas include the White Pass Scenic Byway to the Chinook Pass via Bethel Road – if you have a high-clearance vehicle. Visitors may consider making a side trip to Cash Prairie to see Rattlesnake Drainage and Bismark Peak before venturing on to Timberwolf Mountain. Peak season to capture the brilliant crimsons, ambers and golds can vary, but it typically occurs between mid-October through early November.

While in the park, enjoy other favorite fall activities such as foraging for local mushrooms – chanterelles, hen-of-the-woods and matsutake, for example. You can also book an early-morning Elk Bugling Tour at Northwest Trek to see the Roosevelt elk sparring during their "rut," or breeding season. For rustic accommodations to enjoy the great outdoors while visiting the park, reserve a cabin or campsite at Mounthaven Resort.

See more of Mount Rainier National Park: Things to Do | Hotels

New York City

While many leaf-peepers gravitate toward New York state's forested countryside, New York City is also home to some of the best locations to enjoy autumn's hues. Peak color typically hits the city in late October to early November, often arriving a touch behind the rest of the state. Use Central Park's fall foliage map to check color progress, then meander along its winding paths to soak in the yellow, russet, maroon and purple leaves of 18,000-plus trees from eight different species. Once the sun sets, head to one the many nearby Broadway theaters to catch a show or walk down to Times Square for a different display of dazzling colors. To ensure the best fall foliage views in the morning, grab a luxury suite at the art deco-inspired JW Marriott Essex House New York .

If the crowds of Manhattan aren't your cup of tea, head to Brooklyn 's Prospect Park for a warm display of orange and red leaves. The Ravine, a densely wooded area at the park's center, will offer the best autumnal views. Or, for more historic fall foliage, visit the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx and check out Thain Family Forest, a 250-acre woodland area home to the city's biggest patch of old-growth forest.

North Conway, New Hampshire

For prime autumn foliage in one of the best small towns for an adventure, head up to North Conway in New Hampshire. Located roughly 85 miles north of Portsmouth, this small town is encompassed by the White Mountain National Forest and is home to Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast. With dozens of foot hike options through the surrounding 700,000 acres of protected forest, there's no shortage of leaf-peeping opportunities. Peak colors typically paint the landscape with vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow in the first two weeks of October.

A ride along the Kancamagus Highway – affectionately called "The Kanc" by locals – is a must-do. The 34-mile scenic drive will immerse you in a fall wonderland as it winds through the New Hampshire countryside, but make sure to fill your tank before you set off, as there are no gas stations or stores along the highway.

While you're in the area, don't forget to indulge in North Conway's other unique activities. Enjoy the perks of tax-free shopping at Settlers Green Outlet Village, for example, or grab a chairlift ride at Cranmore Mountain Resort. If you decide to hop aboard the historic Conway Scenic Railroad, experience 360-degree views of the fall foliage in the Premium Class Dome Car on the 1950s-era Transcontinental streamlined train. When you're ready to settle in for the night, the Cranmore Inn, a boutique inn located in the center of town, blends modern amenities with historical charm.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Erin Vasta grew up in the Shenandoah Valley surrounded by prime leaf-peeping destinations. Through her travels around the East Coast, she has enjoyed taking hikes, scenic drives or historic train rides to see the fall foliage. Whether by planning the perfect leaf-peeping excursion or hopping in the car for an impromptu drive, Vasta believes there's no bad way to take in autumn's hues, but she hopes this guide will help you take full advantage of this incredible season.

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USA TODAY 10Best

Enjoy waterfront charm at the 10 best coastal small towns across the US

Best Coastal Small Town (2024) April 10, 2024

Big cities on the water have their perks, but these 10 coastal small towns — nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the country — offer a calm and charm that is hard to find in more heavily populated areas. You can enjoy scenic views, historic attractions, delicious food, and plenty of things to do both on and off the water.

No. 10: Long Beach, Washington

Not to be confused with the Southern California city, Washington's Long Beach is just as relaxed, albeit with a different vibe (and somewhat chillier weather come winter). People-watch on the boardwalk, go birding or biking along their nature trails, take a leisurely lighthouse tour, check out the unique World Kite Museum, or just go restaurant-hopping — the choice is yours in this quaint seaside spot.

No. 9: Washington Island, Wisconsin

Trek to Wisconsin's Washington Island via car ferry and then let your adventure begin! Whether you do some biking and hiking, go back in time at the local history museums, or slow down to smell the lavender at Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm, you're bound to go home with plenty of marvelous memories of this delightful town.

No. 8: Cape May, New Jersey

This seaside town in the southernmost part of the Cape May Peninsula is a popular destination that's quieter and cleaner than its more boisterous cousin to the north, Atlantic City. Families love the free Cape May County Park and Zoo, as well as free summer movies on the beach, while couples might enjoy a sunset cruise, strolling through the various gardens and parks, and getting pampered at the local Cape May Day Spa.

No. 7: Sandusky, Ohio

This Ohio town on the coast of Lake Erie is home to Cedar Point — one of the top roller coaster-laden amusement parks in the country — but there's more to Sandusky than thrill rides. Visitors can enjoy learning more about the town's maritime heritage at the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, visit scenic Shoreline Park, go on an island-hopping cruise, and dine at a number of top-notch waterfront restaurants.

No. 6: Newport, Rhode Island

This Rhode Island town has a little something for everyone, from breweries and wineries to regattas and Gilded Age mansions — and that's just the start. Go paddleboarding or sailing, visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame, hike along the Cliff Walk with gorgeous ocean views, or simply stroll about downtown to grab a bite and do some souvenir shopping.

No. 5: Pismo Beach, California

Located along California's Central Coast, Pismo Beach draws in plenty of visitors with its quiet beaches and array of wineries and outlet shopping. Other highlights to check out include Dinosaur Caves Park, the Monarch Butterfly Grove, and the award-winning boardwalk. You might also enjoy some fishing or surfing if you prefer to stay on the water.

No. 4: Gulf Shores, Alabama

Drive an hour west of Pensacola, Florida, and you'll find yourself in the midst of Alabama's best beaches aka Gulf Shores. Swim, surf, and sunbathe by the sea, and then check out some of the area's top attractions like Waterville USA, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (home to sloths and kangaroos), and Gulf State Park. Visitors also love the multitude of beachfront restaurants.

No. 3: Key West, Florida

Key West boasts everything from conch train tours and six-toed cats to a bevy of bars and festivals, not to mention it's the southernmost point in the continental United States. This walkable Florida town is full of historic and coastal charm, with gorgeous white sand beaches and palm-tree lined streets. It's also home to a robust arts scene, a butterfly garden, an aquarium, and buskers a-plenty for year-round entertainment.

No. 2: Saugatuck, Michigan

This lakeside destination is home to award-winning beaches, spas, breweries, art galleries, and so much more. Whether you're looking for a wedding venue or a romantic place to renew vows, want to enjoy a fun wine tasting, or take an unforgettable family vacation with plenty of outdoor time, Saugatuck has it all.

No. 1: Stuart, Florida

Part of Florida’s Treasure Coast, with the impressive Roosevelt Bridge to its north, is the under-the-radar town of Stuart. Walk along the St. Lucie River at Flagler Park or Shepard Park, both great spots for picnicking, fishing, or otherwise relaxing. The Stuart Heritage Museum, Road to Victory Military Museum, and restaurant-lined downtown Stuart are all among the local attractions.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Allison tibaldi.

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Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles.  She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education.  She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly. 

Chez Chesak

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor...   Read More

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com .  

Jonathon Stalls

Jonathon Stalls (he, his) is a multi-disciplinary...   Read More

Jonathon Stalls (he, his) is a multi-disciplinary "Walking Artist". Some of his creative work involves media/organizing with the Pedestrian Dignity project, hosting walking/rolling events and leader training with Walk2Connect (a program of America Walks), pen drawing, meditative practices, and more. He is the author of  WALK - Slow Down, Wake Up & Connect at 1-3 Miles Per Hour  (North Atlantic Books, Aug 2022). In 2010, he walked for 242 days across the U.S., walked el Camino de Santiago in 2012, and has continued to move, write, and create alongside a wide variety of longer-distance routes. Learn more:  www.IntrinsicPaths.com

Kirstie and Christine of On Airplane Mode Travels

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Kirstie Pike and Christine Diaz are award-winning LGBTQ+ travel creators and trailblazers, using their platform, On Airplane Mode, to inspire others to follow their passions while celebrating their unique identities. With the leading LGBTQ+ travel platform in the US, they have a thriving community of over 650,000+ followers. The dynamic duo craft unique storytelling content that resonates with diverse audiences, sparking positive transformation within the travel industry, making it a more inclusive and vibrant space.

Kristen Lummis

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Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website  braveskimom.com  in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook. 

Kyle McCarthy

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Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com , America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and  The Family Vacationist  e-newsletter  provide destination reviews, tips and  seasonal roundups  for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.

Marla Cimini

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion...   Read More

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is:  www.marlacimini.com  

Melody Pittman

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Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog  and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing.  Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok , Youtube, IG , and FB . After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada. 

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The Best Towns In Maine – Top Vacation Spots

The state of Maine is larger than all the other states in New England combined. Because of Maine’s size, there are so many unique regions. Touring the entire state could take a year, so it is smart to plan where you visit.

Maine has so much to offer, from classic  fishing villages like Boothbay Harbor  and quaint  seaside towns like Kennebunkport , to  historic Castine  or a vibrant New England city setting like Portland.

If you are looking for some of the  best beaches , the Southern Maine Coast is your best bet. If you’re looking for an intimate getaway, try a B&B in one of the many charming historic towns further north like Camden. Why not experience both?

Plan a journey along the coast and stop in some of our favorite places to visit in Maine.

Portland Maine

Portland  is the true definition of a classic New England city. Portland’s Old Port is a charming old harbor town with historic architecture, cobblestone sidewalks, and many  incredible restaurants , unique boutiques, shops, and art galleries.

A visit to Portland is not complete without viewing Maine’s oldest lighthouse, Portland Headlight in nearby Cape Elizabeth, commissioned by George Washington in 1791.

The Old Port is Portland’s waterfront, a revitalized warehouse district with chic shopping, new hotels, dining, entertainment, nightlife, and a working waterfront. Portland harbor provides easy access to ferry or charter boat tours, which take visitors to nearby scenic islands in Casco Bay.

Bar Harbor Maine

Bar Harbor  derives its name from the famous sandbar that connects Bar Island to the mainland at low tide. Its spectacular setting can’t be topped, home to  beautiful Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island , and a quaint seaside town – it encompasses everything Maine has to offer from mountains to sea.

Bar Harbor  offers something for every visitor, from hiking and biking trails through Acadia National Park to kayak and canoe tours along the Mount Desert Island coastline, to Downeast clambakes and lobster served on every corner.

Kennebunkport and Kennebunk Maine

Kennebunkport   and   Kennebunk  are year-round vacation destinations and home to many famous summer residents. From the charming boutiques and delicious seafood served in Kennebunkport’s Dock Square to the scenic rocky shoreline near Walker’s Point, the beauty of  Kennebunk  and Kennebunkport never gets old!

Visitors to the  annual Christmas Prelude celebration  are in for a treat as the old-fashioned holiday spirit rings throughout town. In June, the Kennebunkport festival features fine art, music, and culinary events by top chefs.

Visit the beautiful beaches, rent scooters or bikes, or take a boat ride on the Kennebunk River for a sunset sail, whale watching , and deep-sea fishing – you’ll find it all in the Kennebunks!

Ogunquit Maine

Ogunquit  is one of the premier summer vacation towns in Maine. Appropriately named, meaning “Beautiful place by the sea” in the language of the Algonquin Indians,  Ogunquit  is home to 3.5 miles of beautiful sandy beach with oceanfront hotels and accommodations.

Visitors can walk the famous Marginal Way coastal walking path that connects the center of Ogunquit to Perkins Cove, a small charming fishing village with shopping, seafood, and a working drawbridge. It is also a summer hotspot for lively nightlife and entertainment, with nearby  Ogunquit Playhouse  and top Maine dining.

Camden Maine

Camden  is commonly referred to as the “Jewel of the Maine Coast,” and for good reason. Located in the Mid-Coast region,  Camden  is the gateway to Penobscot Bay – offering beautiful harbor views, shopping and excellent dining.

Because of its location, Camden is a great place for  chartered boat or sailing trips , perhaps aboard one of the numerous schooners or tall ships that line the harbor. Camden is also full of rich history with many museums, stunning architecture, and charming brick sidewalks.

York  is a  quintessential Maine town , home to everything from Nubble Lighthouse and sandy beaches to great amusements, museums, and shopping – there is so much to do in York! Long Sands Beach offers great sand and surf, while Short Sands Beach has easy accessibility to entertainment in town.

Visit Maine’s largest zoo, watch saltwater taffy made in front of you, or take a ride on the carousel. No vacation to York is complete without a stop in Cape Neddick to view Nubble Light, the most photographed  lighthouse in Maine .

Old Orchard Beach Maine

Old Orchard Beach  provides family  fun for all seasons. The summertime is hopping on The Pier with arcades, amusement parks, rollercoasters, and lively nightlife. The seven-mile-long stretch of uninterrupted beautiful sand is consistently voted “Maine’s Best Beach” by readers of Maine’s largest newspaper.

Fireworks and entertainment are offered every Thursday during the summer. If you’re a golfer, spring and fall in Old Orchard Beach offer  fabulous golfing  with over 10 courses within just a half hour of the beach.

Boothbay Harbor Maine

Boothbay Harbor  is a  classic Maine destination , with many historical sites, charming shops, and oceanfront dining. The quiet coves and rocky shores make this spot the perfect Maine getaway for anyone looking to relax and enjoy the fresh sea air.

Home to the  Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens , dozens of nature trails, schooner, and boat tours – there is something for everyone to enjoy. And you’ll be in good company here, as the people of Boothbay Harbor pride themselves on turning strangers into friends.

Rockport Maine

Rockport  is known for its limestone industry, supplying much of the stone used in the US Capital. It is also known as the hometown for the true story of Andre the Seal, a locally written book turned into a major motion picture.

Rockport  is a scenic Maine fishing village, where visitors can sail out of the harbor or enjoy fresh local seafood at one of the many oceanfront restaurants.

Rockport is located exactly halfway between Kennebunkport and Bar Harbor, making it a must-stop location on your journey up the Maine coast. Find lodges in the Rockport area.

Castine Maine

Castine  is  one of Maine’s oldest towns , occupied since the early 1600s. Although a little farther to get to, Castine is definitely worth a visit for the rich history and sites to see. Castine is home to beautiful Dyce Headlight and several old forts such as Fort Madison, which offers sweeping views of Castine harbor.

Visitors enjoy watching the sunset from Wadsworth Cove Beach due to its ideal western exposure. The town itself is a quaint seaside village, perfect for walking the streets past historic homes and  Inns . Castine is also home to Maine Maritime Academy.

Plan Your Maine Getaway Today

No matter which of these fabulous Maine towns you visit, your trip will be something special. Whether you want to soak up as much time by the ocean as possible, nosh on fresh seafood, learn about Maine history, or spend time enjoying a slice of New England life, Maine has something for everyone to enjoy.

• 11 Lesser Known Coastal Towns in Maine Worth a Visit
• 14 Underrated Towns in Maine
• 11 Maine Towns With Fascinating Architecture & Historic Buildings
• 10 Maine Towns With Fascinating Lighthouses & Maritime Histories
• 17 BEST Coastal Towns in Maine to Visit
• 10 Best Towns in the Maine Mountains to Visit This Year
• 8 Best Inland Towns in Maine to Visit & Explore

So start planning your Maine getaway right now! The vibes are great, the views are excellent, the food is delicious, the people are charming, and Maine is just waiting for you to come and visit.

The VisitMaine.Net team is the small team of authors and editors that research and write our in-depth guides throughout the site and update past articles to make sure they're still super valuable to you. We have one goal: to help you fall more in love with the state of Maine!

As far as I know, the Farnsworth Museum is in Rockland, not Rockport. I think you’re recommending a visit to Rockport because you mention Andre the Seal but unless the museum has an outpost I don’t know about, it’s in Rockland.

It is in Rockland

How bout Eastport?

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Copyright VisitMaine.Net 2023 Images Courtesy Greg and Heather Burke unless otherwise noted.

• The Best Small Towns in Wisconsin to Chill Out In 2024

Although big cities are usually considered to be the height of popularity, given their wealth of opportunities for fun, smaller, often-overlooked towns bring a different meaning to the term. This is quite true when you travel to Wisconsin , where beautiful outdoor scenery, captivating heritage, and wilderness adventures bring out the best of its small towns. With rolling green hills, thousands of lakes, and hardwood forests in abundance, the Badger State nurtures countless scenic bergs perfect for recharging amid nature.

However, with so many options available, choosing the perfect destination can take time and effort. For travelers seeking to unwind within a short weekend or a longer vacation, these stunning towns in Wisconsin promise rewarding relaxation in 2024. Stacked with scenic charm and low-key pleasures, each ensures a most excellent adventure.

This charming village in Green County was nicknamed "America's Little Switzerland" for its laid-back vibes associated with the European country that inspired its moniker. New Glarus guarantees a balanced combination of cozy outdoor pursuits and rich cultural experiences. Thanks to the 430-acre New Glarus Woods State Park, tourists can escape the noise in the town center to a peaceful wilderness area where recreations like camping, hiking, and picnicking help them relax and unwind. Alternatively, an easygoing golfing spell with friends on the plush greens of Edelweiss Chalet Country Club is an ideal way of reveling in the outdoors.

On the other hand, visitors can spend their indoor sessions touring the Swiss Historical Village Museum. This fascinating cultural center uncovers the town's colorful heritage, featuring the Swiss pioneers who founded it. Your New Glarus itinerary is incomplete without tasting delicious traditional treats at the New Glarus Bakery, where offerings include bread, cookies, and donuts.

This picturesque waterfront community on the port of Lake Superior lures tourists with promises of remarkable adventures in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Several local outfitters, including Apostle Islands Cruises, stand on hand to fulfill this, with easygoing sightseeing trips allowing tourists to explore the region's beauty. With this, visitors can enjoy a lovely session inside the Bayfield Maritime Museum. This quaint facility harbors various historical artifacts that bring to life the life of seafarers in Bayfield and the surrounding Apostle Islands .

A vibrant arts community in Bayfield invites enthusiasts to browse some of the best local creations at its top art centers, such as the family-friendly Bayfield Arts Guild. Furthermore, witnessing first-hand the intricate process of creating fine pottery art and the results at Eckels Pottery and Fine Craft Gallery proves to be a satisfying experience for many.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells' famous amusement centers present the perfect atmosphere to spend quality time unwinding with friends and family. The "Water Park Capital of the World" is an exciting town with plenty of venues, highlighted by Noah's Ark Waterpark. As the largest outdoor waterpark in the country, the young and old alike gather here to enjoy over 50 fun water slides. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Deer Park promises a surreal experience in a delightful petting zoo, where guests enjoy intimate encounters with species like bison, elk, and deer.

Historically inclined tourists are encouraged to explore a vital part of the town's history at H.H. Bennet Studio. The museum is housed inside a 19th-century building and exhibits dated photographs depicting Victorian-era Wisconsin Dells. Finally, a relaxed boat tour along the Wisconsin River, courtesy of Original Wisconsin Ducks, is an excellent way to appreciate the town's natural scenery.

Uncrowded and isolated, Mellen is one of the most chill towns in Wisconsin to visit. This hidden gem in Ashland County is the ultimate getaway to the outdoors. Wisconsin's unmatched natural beauty comes alive at the Copper Falls State Park, punctuated with dense woodlands and breathtaking waterfalls. This 3,000-acre preserve houses natural wonders like Copper Falls and Brownstone Falls, which present the perfect subject for nature photographers. This town also proves to be a recreational hub, drawing adventurers from across the region to indulge in activities like camping, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

Beyond the park, Mellen offers hikers an exciting opportunity to discover its lovely outdoors along the Red Granite Falls Trailhead. The 2.5-mile route winds through a wooded network with notable climbs and descents. While it is generally considered challenging, the breathtaking sight of Red Granite Falls justifies the effort.

Fish Creek offers all the ingredients for a chilled getaway in small-town Wisconsin, from scenic outdoor beauty, relaxed boat tours, pristine beaches, and quaint galleries. This cozy Door County enclave notably hosts Peninsula State Park, which is the key reason for bringing a chunk of tourists to the town. Straddling over 3,700 acres, the nature area receives almost a million annual visitors to explore its vast wilderness by camping, hiking, golfing, and other adventures. Meanwhile, Sunset Beach Park provides a serene, secluded setting that places you at the perfect point to watch stunning sunsets over the horizon.

Those craving to get on the open water can take advantage of sightseeing trips by Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours, which offers tourists a unique perspective of the town from the wide waters. It is a chance to spot iconic Fish Creek landmarks, including Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.

This adorable village in Door County is known for its high level of relaxation, particularly amidst nature, and for enjoying the perks of small-town living. Egg Harbor hosts several isolated outdoor spaces you can escape to for some alone time. The sandy shore of Egg Harbor Beach is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the lake scenery as boats sail on the calm waters. Alternatively, you can take a lazy stroll along the shoreline to free your mind or try catching some fish. Egg Harbors' relaxed atmosphere gets even cozier when sipping a glass of locally crafted wine at Harbor Ridge Winery. The establishment offers luxurious wine-tasting opportunities with friendly outdoor seating.

Many tourists come here to golf as a result of its beautiful Orchards at Egg Harbor. Built on a 200-acre property, this 18-hole championship course lets you enjoy a relaxed tee time surrounded by lush nature and epic views. Lastly, be sure to sample local arts by touring Off The Wheel Pottery.

Stockholm's friendly Nordic culture and woodsy beauty have calming effects on newcomers. This Pepin County village is steeped in Nordic heritage, stemming from Swedish immigrant founders. The town entices tourists with a solemn cultural experience, involving stops at exciting cultural centers and sampling of unique traditional cuisine. The Stockholm Museum provides a fascinating look into local history and harbors various artifacts and exhibits showcasing deep European roots. Strolling through the quiet town, visitors will enjoy meeting locals in their charming businesses, with the opportunity to taste delicious Swedish pies at the Stockholm Pie & General Store.

Meanwhile, the Stockholm Village Park Campground provides the ideal setting to commune with nature. With campsites, picnic tables, boat ramps, and a swimming beach, it draws outdoor lovers looking for a relaxed atmosphere to let loose and unwind.

From sunbathing on sandy lake shores and strolling through quaint downtowns to hiking isolated nature trails, these fabulous towns in Wisconsin offer the ultimate laid-back exploration and respite. Nestled amid the Badger State's abundant forests and waterways, they nurture a calming vibe with access to lush outdoor playgrounds and charming historic buildings. If you are planning to visit the Badger State in 2024, don't forget to include them in your itinerary. Their laidback charms revive both body and soul, leaving travelers inspired to linger among enduring Midwest warmth.

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The 20 Best Beaches the East Coast Offers

Posted: May 4, 2024 | Last updated: May 4, 2024

Sand Hollers

When it comes to the country's most scenic and coveted coastlines, Americans tend to look west to California or even as far as Hawaii. But the East Coast is home to plenty of gems of its own for a couples getaway or a family vacation with the kids. We looked to online reviews from beachgoers and local guides, took into account sights to see, available activities, and overall beauty to bring you the best beaches along the East Coast that are worth a visit. From family-friendly havens to sands frequented by the rich and famous, and from Maine down to Florida, don't miss these underrated Atlantic Coast hot spots. 

Cove Beach | Cape May, New Jersey

One of the best things about vacations to Cove Beach in Cape May is the lighthouse. The historic structure still lights up the beach to create oceanfront enchantment each evening. It's a charming footnote to a full day of swimming, hunting seashells, and exploring the dunes for the kids. What's more, the entire New Jersey town and seaside resort — located at the end of the Cape May Peninsula — is a National Historic Landmark thanks to its exceptionally well-preserved Victorian buildings, built mainly during the late 19th century. Hotel accommodations in Cape May can get pricey, but with a bit of digging and advance planning, reasonably priced rentals can be found. 

Bethany Beach | Delaware

The Diamond State might not be the first to come to mind when planning an East Coast beach vacation, but Bethany Beach in the Delaware town of the same name more than fills the bill. The town is small and quiet, offering plenty of privacy, but the beach is expansive and has a boardwalk for picking up souvenirs for the kids or grabbing lunch. The waves can get big enough for surfing. 

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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

With 60 miles of beach, a subtropical climate, and one of the best boardwalks on the East Coast for long summer vacations, South Carolina's Myrtle Beach is among the most famous summer destinations on the Atlantic to visit. A something-for-everyone hotspot, Myrtle Beach is a mecca for art enthusiasts and golf lovers. 

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Ocean City Beach | Ocean City, Maryland

When visiting Ocean City Beach, be sure to head to the 3-mile boardwalk, with all its shops, rides, carousel, and places to eat, there's plenty of things to do for the whole family. Bring the dog, too — pets are allowed on the beach and boardwalk. Visitors may even spot a few dolphins, which is always a special experience. There are 10 miles of beaches — all free — and two are reserved for surfers. Fishing is permitted year-round, while horseback riding is allowed off season. 

Duck, North Carolina

"Quaint" is the name of the game on the island of Duck, tucked away in the scenic Outer Banks. On one side of the island is the ocean coast; on the other is scenic Currituck Sound. The town's clean beaches span 7 miles, and are all walkable from the village center's sound-front park, restaurants, and shops. The beautiful and charming island destination offers plenty of peace and privacy for families and couples. You'll find plenty of seaside rentals as well as the luxe Sanderling Resort.

Related:   24 Secluded Beach Paradises

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Martha's Vineyard is one of America's classic summer beach colonies, and is just a short boat ride from Cape Cod. Its known for hosting a who's who of celebrities and socialites, from the Kennedys and the Obamas to Reese Witherspoon, but is charming and low-key compared with the pomp and glitz of its East Coast celebrity beach rival, the Hamptons. On Martha's Vineyard, you'll also find a wide variety of beaches, including large sandy shores perfect for larger families; quiet coves and calm waters that are great for little kids; and even hidden destinations for those looking for a bit of privacy and a secret getaway.

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Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Rehoboth Beach is especially popular with families, especially those looking for a seaside day trip from Dover or elsewhere in Delaware. The beaches are clean and scenic, though crowded during peak season. The boardwalk, which runs a full mile, is hyped as another of the East Coast's best and offers plenty of activities for the kids, eclectic shops for parents, and restaurants for the whole family. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, there are usually plenty of affordable summer rentals and oceanfront condos to be found on Airbnb. 

Bar Harbor, Maine

Leave sunbathing to the Southeast. Bar Harbor, which embodies New England's rugged eastern coastline, is made for family vacations with a bit of action and adventure. Rocky, rustic, and natural, the beach is nestled between the North Atlantic and the mountains, lakes, and rugged coastline of Maine's Acadia National Park.

Daytona Beach, Florida

The Daytona 500 is one of the most famous names in the world of automotive speed, but the "Original American Beach," as Daytona Beach bills itself, is surprisingly relaxing, carpeted with white sand that brushes against warm, bright blue water. The boardwalk offers plenty of entertainment for kids and adults, while some families might prefer to relax on the beach or hit the open water with a boat rental. Those looking for an upscale destination and a bit of privacy might opt for the Daytona Beach Resort or The Shores Resort and Spa, but more affordable oceanfront hotel options and rental properties can be found as well. And if you're having trouble finding enough variety to keep the family entertained, Disney is just a short drive away, and Tampa just a little further.

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Miami Beach, Florida

It had to be on the list: Miami Beach , haven for the rich and beautiful. Beyond imported sports cars and well-tanned eye candy, however, you'll find the beach is about as close as you'll get to the Caribbean without leaving the states, and surrounded by art deco architecture and tempting nightclubs. If you're looking for a more remote and peaceful experience, consider driving or renting a boat to head down to Key Largo or even Key West.

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Flying Point Beach | Southampton, New York

This Hampton beach is secluded, clean, and fun — lots of fun. The relaxing destination features miles of mostly empty dunes and the culture of Flying Point has allowed scantily clad beachgoers of both genders to roam, stay all night, and even light bonfires over the years. It's easy to block out the rest of the world within just a few short hours after arriving. 

Ocean City, New Jersey

From the bustling, boardwalk-lined beaches on the north end of the island to the secluded stretches of sand near a wildlife reserve on the south, Ocean City's beaches are clean, family-friendly, and perfect for a day trip to the Jersey shore. On clear days, you can see Atlantic City, or at least what's left of it.  

Chincoteague Island, Virginia

Chincoteague Island lures visitors and Virginians alike as an alternative to its better-known, more crowded cousin, Virginia Beach — and better for its lack of high-rises, tourist bustle, boardwalks, and traffic. You won't want to miss the wild ponies of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which are sure to amaze the kids and adults alike. And while it may be a quieter destination than Virginia Beach, there are still plenty of activities for a family vacation, including boat rentals, water sports, and beautiful hikes. Depending how long your visit to Virginia will be, you'll also find a range of well-priced hotel accommodations, bed and breakfasts, long-term rentals, and campsites. 

Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Emerald Isle barred hotels along its coast and stayed pristine. Instead of lodging, this hideaway provides plenty of picnic areas, pavilions, and recreation spots right off the sand. It's also one of few hot spots that still allows beach driving during the busy season.

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Tybee Island, Georgia

Savannah is the Hostess City of the South, and its signature beach is Tybee Island — so well known for its cuisine that celebrity chef Paula Deen has a beach house there. Tybee Island's nearby salt marshes teem with birds and other coastal wildlife unique to the area. Activities for families include the Tybee Island Lighthouse Museum, the Fort Pulaski National Monument, and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Families looking for another beautiful vacation spot may consider heading further south to Jekyll Island. 

Bowman's Beach | Sanibel, Florida

The coastline is void of hotels and other human clutter, and reaching the beach requires walking a quarter-mile footbridge. The reward is pristine white sand, perfect for long walks and all the shells a collector can carry. 

Folly Beach, South Carolina

Folly Beach gives Southern California a run for its sun. The average temperatures are 85 degrees in summer, 65 in fall, 75 in spring, and 55 in winter. Many online reviewers also prefer Folly to the more widely known Hilton Head Island farther down the coast, thanks to a more laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere, its proximity to Charleston, and reasonably priced hotel options and oceanfront rental properties. The beaches are expansive, the sunsets painted, and landmarks include a local lighthouse and a 1,000-foot pier.

Related:   55 Surprising Facts About America’s Beaches

Jones Beach | New York

Jones Beach is less than 20 miles from New York City — but a million miles away. Part of a state park by the same name, Jones Beach boasts 6.5 miles of white beaches made of raised barrier islands and one-half mile of bay beach, the brainchild of legendary New York builder and planner Robert Moses. You'll also find great surf fishing at the west end the park, as well as a boat basin, and undeveloped areas perfect for families looking to spot migratory birds and native plants. 

Related:   Bird Watchers Flock to These 15 Prime Spots Across America

Nags Head, North Carolina

Nags Head keeps its beaches clean and full through a dual program of sand relocation and public education on beach conservation called "leave only your footprints in the sand." The beach, a tourist hotspot, keeps it fun by issuing permits for pit fires on the beach.

Fire Island | New York

Fire Island has been a haven for New Yorkers for generations, attracting an easygoing and unpretentious crowd of local surfers and tourists thanks not just to the island's pristine beaches, but campings spots, hiking trails, the Sunken Forest, and famous Fire Island Lighthouse. 

This article was originally published on Cheapism

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