Top 10 Must-Visit Destinations in Maine

Come for the lobster and lighthouses, stay for the granite peaks and tranquil woodlands. With the slogan, “the way life should be,” Maine is a place that will capture your heart.

From its northern waterways and mountain peaks to its southern sandy beaches and delicious lobster rolls, Maine should be on everyone’s travel list. Here’s a guide to the 10 best places to visit in the Pine Tree State.

1. Baxter State Park

Best place for mountain hiking

A highlight of Maine’s central highlands, Baxter State Park comprises 210,000 acres of wilderness. Most people visit the park to hike Mt Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

A strenuous and day-long hike up the 5,267 ft granite peak yields incredible views of Maine’s vast wilderness and bragging rights. Baxter State Park is also home to miles of easier hiking trails, ponds perfect for canoeing and moose spotting, and several campgrounds with cabins, lean-tos, and tent spots.

2. Acadia National Park

Best place for wild swimming

The first national park east of the Mississippi River, Acadia National Park is one of the most popular national parks in New England thanks to its soaring granite peaks, dramatic rocky coastline, and inner woodlands. Located on Mount Desert Island along Maine’s rocky coastline, Acadia National Park features 26 mountain peaks, including Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak on the North Atlantic seaboard. Drive or hike to Cadillac Mountain to watch the epic sunrise as it wakes the country up.

Visit Sand Beach or Echo Lake for swimming and choose from an abundance of hiking trails of various difficulties. Zip along the historic carriage trails by foot, bicycle, or horseback.

Planning tip: Once you’re done working up a sweat, enjoy delicious world-famous popovers at Jordan Pond House. You’ll find lobster on every menu throughout the charming town of Bar Harbor and across the island.

3. Portland

Best place for city lovers

Portland, Maine’s largest city, is home to award-winning restaurants and breweries and is known for its lobster and seafood. For a unique twist on lobster, try the Lobster Cheese Crisp Taco or Lobby Pop at Highroller Lobster Co.

Start your morning with a coffee and donuts from Hifi Donuts before walking and shopping your way through the historic cobblestone streets of the Old Port. Get active by hopping on one of Summer Feet Cycling’s bike tours out to the scenic Portland Head Light. Portland has more breweries per capita than any other city in the US. Enjoy a pint with the locals at several popular breweries.

4. Camden and Rockland

Best for quintessential seaside towns

The small coastal towns of Camden and Rockland in midcoast Maine are quintessential seaside towns where the lobster is freshly caught each day, and everyone knows everyone’s name.

For the picture-perfect view of Camden Harbor, hike to the top of 780 ft Mt Battie in Camden Hills State Park.

In Rockland, discover beautiful paintings at the Farnsworth Art Museum and enjoy a morning coffee while walking along the nearly 1-mile stone breakwater to the historic Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.

5. Carrabassett Valley

Best for outdoor sports

Maine’s northwestern mountains are a ski bum’s paradise. Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the largest ski areas east of the Rocky Mountains, offering 2,820 ft of vertical drop and more than 1,240 skiable acres. It’s the East Coast winter playground of champions. During the warmer months, you’ll find countless mountain bikes zipping around the miles of downhill and cross-country trails throughout the region.

Planning tip: If you prefer a slightly slower pace, the 80-mile network of trails with Maine Huts and Trails is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Maine’s woodlands while enjoying some comforts of home.

6. Kennebunkport

Best place for beaches

The picturesque town of Kennebunkport, located along the Kennebunk River, offers a plethora of water-based activities, from whale-watching to kayaking to lobster tours.

To catch a glimpse of yesteryear, visit the family-friendly Seashore Trolley Museum. Nearby Kennebunk and Ogunquit boast miles of sandy beaches perfect for a hot summer day.

7. Freeport

Best place for shopping

No visit to Maine is complete without a selfie with the famous LL Bean Boot in Freeport. Just a 20-minute drive north of Portland, Freeport is home to some of Maine’s best outlet shopping.

After purchasing your duck boots and flannels, explore Freeport’s surrounding state parks. Experience nesting ospreys, salty marshes, and various ecosystems at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park.

Planning tip: Freeport is also home to one of Maine’s most surprising attractions, the Desert of Maine, where a hidden glacial desert was exposed in the 1800s due to poor agricultural practices.

8. Quoddy Head State Park

Best place for whale watching

The United States’ easternmost lighthouse is one of Maine’s most iconic landmarks. Built in 1808, the candy-striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse overlooks the rocky coastline in Lubec. Quoddy Head State Park, encompassing 532 acres, is popular for incredible oceanside hiking and whale watching.

Planning tip: Bring your passport and hop over to Campobello Island for insights into Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s historic summer home.

9. Moosehead Lake

Best place for rustic relaxation

While Maine’s coastline might be its main attraction, its highlands and wilderness truly steal the show. Moosehead Lake is Maine’s largest lake, offering activities as well as rustic relaxation. Rent a cabin or pitch a tent to enjoy quiet moments by the water exploring miles of hiking trails, streams for fly fishing, and various watersports.

Planning tip: Stop in Greenville to stock up on ingredients for s’mores because you’ll want to build a campfire and stargaze in the dark sky. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the Milky Way.

10. Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Best place to escape on an epic canoeing trip

For a true off-the-grid wilderness experience, set off in a canoe on the 92-mile Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. In the heart of Aroostook County, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway starts in Telos and ends in the tiny town of Allagash. Unplug from your phone and immerse yourself in the incredible beauty of northern Maine while you’re on one of the country’s premier canoe trips.

Planning tip: The canoe trip takes a week to 10 days, depending on the season, and is best suited for experienced paddlers.

This article was first published Aug 5, 2021, and updated Apr 27, 2023.