Maine comes by the nickname “Vacationland” honestly – the large, scenic New England state only has about 1.4 million residents but welcomes more than 15 million visitors per year, most seeking a mix of outdoor adventures and top-notch seafood, like lobster rolls and oysters.
Everyone enjoys Maine’s enviable mix of picturesque beaches, pine tree forests, and charming small cities with working waterfronts and intriguing museums – including the kids.
Is Maine Good for Kids?
Childhood summers are made in Maine, eating fried clams and splashing in the lake. Even kids who typically only interact with video screens find it hard to resist the charms of Maine’s pristine natural beauty and abundant wildlife, from the chance to spot rare but awesome behemoths, like whales and moose, to minuscule yet marvelous crabs and sea snails found in the biodiverse tide pools that form in the hollows of craggy oceanside cliffs.
Though some of Maine’s cities can be challenging to walk around with strollers – hello, cobblestones and hills! – the state practically runs on family-friendly tourism. Consequently, many top attractions offer helpful amenities, such as bathrooms with changing tables at beaches and campgrounds with playgrounds.
You’ll find advanced hiking trails and plenty of excursions to engage confident teenagers, like summiting Mt Katahdin, the northernmost end of the Appalachian Trail, as well as accessible paths with jaw-dropping views, from wheelchair- and stroller-friendly paved sections of Acadia National Park to gently rolling hills with sturdy fences along the sheer cliff and famous Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.
Where is Best in Maine for Kids?
With 3500 miles of coast along the Atlantic Ocean and many more lakes inland, Maine offers countless beaches. Be warned that the ocean water stays cold even in the heat of summer, so be sure to pack rash guards that provide warmth and sun protection.
For building sandcastles and splashing in relatively calm waters, Short Sands Beach in York or Higgins Beach in Scarborough are perfect venues, with restrooms and changing tables. Alternatively, try Pemaquid Point in Bristol, where kids can clamber along rocks splashed by waves and peppered with mesmerizing tide pools.
Best Things to Do in Maine with Kids
Hang Out at the Excellent Children’s Museums
You could easily spend all day at the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor or the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine in Portland, both of which have copious exhibits across three floors. While they do have experiences suitable for babies and toddlers, they’re especially great for older kids who can engage independently by climbing, reaching into touch tanks, and learning about hydropower through interactive waterworks tables.
The Children’s Museum also houses the country’s oldest continuously operating children’s theater, whose nearly year-round programming includes musicals based on iconic children’s stories.
Learn About Legendary Creatures at the International Cryptozoology Museum
Bangor and Portland both feature the quirky International Cryptozoology Museum, ideal for kids and imaginative teens who want to learn more about legendary creatures like Bigfoot. Babies get in free, while admission for children 12 and under is just $5.
Pique Your Kids’ Interest in Local Produce
Maine is known for its small farms, fisheries, and orchards, making it an ideal place to engage your kids’ interest in local produce. Visit the Portland Farmers’ Market in Deering Oaks park to picnic on fresh fruits and breads, play in the wading pool, and watch the ducks on the pond.
If your kids want to understand where their lobster roll comes from, take them on one of many lobster-boat tours, such as the Lulu lobster boat out of Bar Harbor. Sunflower Farm Creamery lets you do yoga with Nigerian dwarf goats and snack on goat cheese. Navigate a corn maze, pet the animals in the petting zoo, take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon, and pick your own apples, berries, and flowers.
Best Things to Do in Maine with Babies and Toddlers
Spend Time in Freeport
In addition to shopping opportunities, Freeport boasts attractions like Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment, where programming varies from seed-starting workshops to farmyard story time. Visit the animal barns and gardens with your tots for free, and even camp overnight.
Take the Scenic Route and Travel by Train
For the youngest kids who aren’t quite free-range yet, take advantage of scenic transportation options, like Amtrak’s Downeaster train, which stops at six fun cities along the southern coast.
See the Sights from the Water
Maine’s lengthy coastline, with many inhabited islands, is connected by ferries. Look for whales while sailing to the artsy Monhegan Island from Boothbay Harbor or visit multiple islands on Casco Bay Lines’ round-trip mailboat run from Portland, which might pass seals as it delivers post and passengers.
Best Things to Do in Maine with Tweens and Teenagers
Taste Maine’s World-Class Cuisine
Join a walking tour full of local history and food samples in maritime cities like Boothbay Harbor and Portland. Ensure you capture some photos at the working dock behind Harbor Fish Market. Older teens can learn to shuck their own freshly harvested oysters at local oyster farms.
Get Outside for Action and Adventure
Take sporty offspring to ski, snowboard, ice skate, and ride ski bikes and fat bikes in the winter or explore oceans, lakes, and rivers by canoe, kayak, and whitewater raft in the warmer months.
Various locations provide all of these activities and more in one place, including snowmobiling and moose-spotting hikes.
Root for the Home Team in Portland
If your teen prefers to watch sports, Portland is home to several minor-league teams, which offer classic stadium concessions at low ticket prices.
Embrace the Nostalgia at Old Orchard Beach
Another favorite is Old Orchard Beach, a resort town featuring a nostalgic boardwalk, amusement-park rides, beach volleyball, and arcade games.
Take the Teenagers for a Campus Visit
For older teens considering college, some of Maine’s best art museums are connected to the state’s esteemed universities. Check out the campuses at Bates College, Bowdoin College, and Colby College.
Planning Tips
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Maine leans away from stuffy fine dining and dress codes, meaning many of the state’s most revered restaurants are casual about accommodating kids. There’s no need to search for “kid-friendly” restaurants here at the expense of your palate.
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This one seems simple, but it’s vital: do your kids prefer snow to crowds? Maine attracts many tourists in the summer and fall, while winter and spring provide a quieter experience.
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With all the outdoor time, make sure to pack hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water!
