Things to Do in Maine - Attractions, Activities, Vacation Ideas

Attean Lake Lodge

On Birch Island in Attean Lake Jackman, ME, 04945 Phone: 207-668-3792

An Island Retreat Offering Water Sports, Hikes, Shopping & Golf

Your stay at Attean Lake Lodge may be complicated by one difficult task: deciding among the entertaining activities beckoning to you. Since you’re on an island, playing on and in the water will come naturally at the many sandy beaches around the lake. Pick your choice of canoeing, kayaking or sailing – or how about a little of each? In June and September especially, bring your fishing license and match wits with the native brook trout, landlocked salmon and lake trout. Hikers enjoy the nearly 20 miles of trails we maintain, leading to ponds and mountaintops, with berry picking along the way. Other off-island adventures could include a white-water rafting trip, golfing, shopping or even a ride to Quebec City, just an hour away.

Inn at Tanglewood Hall

611 York Street York Harbor, ME, 03911 Phone: 207-351-1075

Lots to see and do with this inn as your launchpad

Although you may never want to leave the cozy, elegant 1880s Inn at Tanglewood Hall, there is plenty to do once you leave your four-poster bed or your rocking chair on the wraparound veranda. Walk along the York Harbor Cliff Walk, watch lobster boats and sloops come in and out of the harbor. Catch a sunset over Nubble Lighthouse. Stroll along the streets of York Harbor village to York Harbor Beach. Or, enjoy the surf at Long Sands or Short Sands beaches. Need more ideas? Go whale watching, kayaking, hiking or biking. Or head farther afield (but not too far) to the Kittery Outlets; dine in foodie-centric Portsmouth, N.H.; visit Stonewall Kitchen; check out the lovely Maine coast towns of Ogunquit and Kennebunkport.

Funtown Splashtown USA

Route 1 Saco, ME, 04072 Phone: 207-284-5139

Lots of fun for all the family, from rides to waterslides

Thrills galore are in store at Funtown Splashtown USA, the largest water and amusement park in Northern New England. Getting soaked has never been more fun for a kid than swooshing down the Amphitrite Challenge or Poseidon Plunge, while families can enjoy the giant Splash Tube Slide or play together in the Pirates Paradise Aquaplay section. It’s an amusement park as well, with thrills as exciting as the Excalibur roller coaster or the 220-foot free-fall from way up on the Dragon’s Descent tower. Plus over a dozen kiddie rides and water attractions. Fun for everyone is the name of the game here.

Point Lookout

67 Atlantic Highway Northport, ME, 04849 Phone: 207-789-2000

Stay and explore Mid-coast Maine

Mid-coast Maine is chock full of great things to do and places to explore. Settle in at Point Lookout for a quick escape or a vacation getaway. This 387 acre retreat, overlooking Penobscot Bay has plenty of activities including hiking trails, a private beach, a pond perfect for kayaking, an expansive fitness center plus well appointed, fully outfitted one, two or three-bedroom cabins. Cabins have living rooms, kitchens/kitchenettes, screened in porches with Adirondack Chairs and complimentary WIFI. Visit the organic farm, seasonally enjoy tennis, biking, snowshoeing, the indoor bowling center, have breakfast or lunch at the Copper Pine Café and visit all of the attractions nearby in Camden, Lincolnville and Belfast.

Whitewater Fun 500x250 - Crab Apple Whitewater - The Forks, ME

Crab Apple Whitewater (ME)

3 Lake Moxie Road The Forks, ME, 04985 Phone: 800-553-7238

Adventures for every level of whitewater rafter – plus paintball and moose safaris

Adventure awaits on the Kennebec and Dead rivers when you arrive at Crab Apple Whitewater’s base lodge. After breakfast, head to the rivers for world-class whitewater and breathtaking scenery. Some trips are guided, for families and beginners (lots of time for floating and swimming); others challenge rapids like the Class IV-V “Poplar Hill Falls.” Some come with riverside snacks; others with cookouts. Stay overnight at the lodge (in bunk-style rooms or suites with Jacuzzi tubs), play some night-time paintball in one of several custom courses, climb to Maine’s highest waterfall or just relax by the pool. For another kind of adventure, there’s the moose safari, from May through August, leaving at dusk in search of the gentle giants.

Jonathan's Ogunquit

92 Bourne Lane Ogunquit, ME, 03907 Phone: 207-646-4777

Make your Maine trip special with dinner at Jonathan's Ogunquit

Make your next trip to Maine's seacoast special with lunch or dinner at Jonathan's Ogunquit. Our menu offers both innovative dishes and long-time local specialties. Love seafood? We have boiled Maine lobster with drawn butter, seafood stuffed haddock, or seafood chowder with fresh scallops, shrimp, and lobster. Looking for something else? How about wild mushroom pappardelle, eggplant napoleon, or a hand-cut Black Angus steak? We strive to serve sustainable, local foods whenever reasonably possible. Check our website for the schedule, and plan for a show in our Listening Room. We've brought top regional and national acts to the area, including comedy great Paula Poundstone, jazz legends Tuck & Patti, and folk favorites Jonathan Edwards and Aztec Two-Step.

Great Schooner Race - Maine Windjammers - Camden, ME - Photo Credit Ben Ehling

Maine Windjammer Association

Sailing from Ports in Rockland and Camden, ME, 04843 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-807-9463

Windjammer cruises feature fun at sea for all ages, interests

The private owners and operators of the Maine Windjammer Association’s historic schooners want to provide cruise guests with a full slate of things to do, whether that means helping the crew ready the sails or sitting out on deck with a good book. So you can leap off the deck to go for a bay swim, help the cook with that night’s gourmet appetizers, row a small boat into a fishing village to explore, hike during a visit to Acadia National Park – or just sit by the wood stove and play backgammon with the kids or listen to stories told by lantern-light in the evening. Special cruises for photography buffs, lighthouse enthusiasts, yoga fans, kayakers, wine-lovers – and grandparents and grandkids! – are available.

New Rafting Pic - ELC Outdoor Adventure Outpost - Errol, NH

ELC Outdoors

49 Schoolhouse Brook Road Caratunk, ME, 04925 Phone: 603-215-0002

Big ideas for big outdoor adventures? This company has what you’re looking for

ELC Outdoors thinks big when it comes to their outdoor attractions, from thrilling white water rafting down the Rapid River in Maine to stepping across platforms at a high ropes course 12 to 40 feet off the ground, with Mount Washington in the distance. But if that sounds like a little too much heart-stopping adventure for you, the company also offers more leisurely (and sedate) rafting trips down New Hampshire’s Androscoggin River, canoe paddles across gorgeous Lake Umbagog (yes, you may see a moose or a bald eagle and, yes, you should bring a fishing pole) and evening wildlife cruises aboard a pontoon boat. You can also rent a fat bike to take to local trails – or stay overnight in a yurt!

Bath Is More Than Just a Piquant Name

The midcoast town of Bath is known for its giant shipyard, and, for lucky travelers, for its delightful, old-fashioned downtown. Shopping is much and revelatory here, at places like Markings Gallery, presenting fine art and carvings by local sculptor Wayne Robbins; The Mustard Seed Bookstore, with a wall of books by Maine authors and tea services for customers; Now You’re Cooking cookware store, filling a whole city block. And that’s just the start. Enjoy browsing for clothing, pet goods and hostess gifts. You might find some Maine coastal imagery to take home.

Aqua-Terrestrial? Nah! That's Diver Ed!

Diver Ed’s Dive-In Theater is a 2-hour scenic boat ride out into Frenchman Bay in Acadia National Park, where Diver Ed and his sidekick, Mini Ed, dive down to the ocean floor with real-time video and sound equipment, allowing you to see and hear the ocean floor from the comfort of the deck. Captain Evil remains topside to interpret and explain, until Diver Ed resurfaces… with critters in tow! Touch tanks allow you to see, feel, and even kiss the actual animals themselves before returning them to their habitat and returning home. Dive departs from 105 Eden Street in Bar Harbor. Phone: 207-288-DIVE

Eco-Photography Workshops in Acadia

Professional photographer and Nikon expert Gary Monteux leads guided nature photography shoots in the Schoodic Peninsula in Downeast Maine. Small groups of no more than six people leads to one-on-one attention during days that open with shooting morning light, lunch break for a presentation by a local conservation group, then late afternoon shooting. Subjects are puffins, seascapes, harbor seals, foliage, lighthouses, brilliant sunsets, crashing ocean waves, gray seals, and more. Four workshops in 2019 are Puffin Cruise & Landscapes, July 28-August 1 and August 16-20; and Birding with Seth Benz & Landscapes, September 22-26 and October 10-14. Fee of $1500 per person includes lodging on Schoodic Institute campus, meals, Acadia Puffin Cruises, birding hikes, photo instruction.

Island of Quiet

Monhegan Island is a small, rocky land mass about ten miles eastward from Boothbay Harbor, is scarcely a square mile in area. It is accessible only by boat and there are no cars or paved roads on the island. For more than 100 years, Monhegan has been a summer haven for artists and others who appreciate its isolation, the beauty of its wilderness areas, and its unhurried pace. You will find restaurants, lodging, artists at work, and beautiful views. Boat transportation is offered by a couple of operations based in the town of Port Clyde. Boats to the island operate year-round, but schedule changes seasonally. Phone: 207-596-7003.

Bath Is Home to Graceful, Historic Neighborhoods

Nestled along the Kennebec River, the city of Bath is a small jewel of a city that embraces a seafaring tradition. Bath welcomes visitors with tree-lined historic avenues graced by stately mansions that were once home to shipyard owners and ship captains. You can take a guided walking tour of the Bath historic district or ride the Bath Trolley. Bath’s Front Street is home to antique stores, specialty shops, galleries and fine restaurants. Bath’s Farmers Market takes place from June to October and a summer concert series takes place on Friday evenings. This is also the home of the Maine Maritime Museum.

Direction: Up

Salt Pump Climbing Company at 36 Haigis Parkway in Scarborough wants to help you re-discover your inner (tree-climbing) child (and bring your own kids, too, of course). Right at the top of its website, the climbing gyn welcomes first-timers to its intro to climbing class, where you can learn the fundamentals, including basic climbing knots, proper belay technique, communication, climbing movement and bouldering, route reading, and auto belays. Experienced climbers all the way down to little kids are welcome, too. It’s a warm atmosphere of physical exertion and support. Open daily. 207-219-8145. [photo: Anne Skidmore]

Belgian-Style Beer for You

Portland visitors who love beer should know about the Allagash Brewing Company, which offers free tours and tastings at its brewery at 50 Industrial Way in Portland. Founded in 1995 as a one-man shop, Allagash brews traditional and experimental Belgian beers. The beers are bottle-conditioned, meaning that a fresh dose of yeast is added just before bottling, allowing a new round of fermentation that enhances the traditional Belgian taste. Are you intrigued yet? Tours are offered year-round. Plan ahead; Saturdays are busy. Tours are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Phone: 207-878-5385

Fine Wine and Intriguing Rum

Bartlett Maine Estate Winery at 161 Chicken Mill Pond Road in Gouldsboro is a small detour off the fabled road to Acadia National Park. At Bartlett’s, prize-winning wines are pressed onsite from native fruits. A relatively new offering is Rusticator rum, with flavors of vanilla, toffee, lime and banana. The tasting room, halfway between Ellsworth and the Petit Manon Wildlife Refuge, is housed in a hand-wrought stone building. Tasting room is from June to October or by appointment. 207- 546-2408.

home and away gallery in kennebunkport ME

Beautiful Baskets Are a Sample of Maine Art

Home & Away Gallery at 26 Maine Street in Kennebunkport specializes in Inuit, Eskimo, and Native American arts and jewelry. The baskets, some made by people of Maine’s Wabanaki tribes, are stunning, and they make a wonderful memento of your visit to this seaside state. The Gallery also offer Native American beadwork and sculpture and jewelry, baskets, Zuni carvings, and more. The Gallery also hosts artist events and special exhibit. Open weekends, and other times by appointment or chance. 207-967-2122. [photo courtesy of Home & Away Gallery]

Best Shopping Anywhere: Reny's!

It is hard to overstate how much Mainers and their out-of-state visitors love Reny’s a chain of family-owned dry good stores founded 62 years ago when the grandfather of the clan stepped out of his job as a department store clerk and founded a new store where everyone is always treated right. The stores, mostly found in the state’s small downtowns, are low in superficial glamour and packed full of useful goods, all priced as low as the store can manage. Merchandise ranges from tinned organic pumpkin meat to rubber boots and wedding dresses. Stores are located in Bath, Belfast, Bridgton, Camden, Damariscotta, Dexter, Ellsworth, Farmington, Gardiner, Madison, Newcastle, Pittsfield, Portland, Saco, and Topsham. Locations and hours. Open year-round. 207-563-3177

See Down East Like the Old “Rusticators” Did

Down East Scenic Railroad at 245 Main Street in Ellsworth can take you on a 90-minute train ride that travels the route used by vacationers from New York and Philadelphia who fled to the northern woods for the summer back in the 1880s. These “rusticators” – an early word for tourists -- were treated to the finest the Pennsylvania and Maine Central Railroads had to offer. Today’s 10-mile excursion happens twice daily on Saturdays and Sundays from May 28 to mid-October. While jostling along and enjoying the Maine woodlands, watch for osprey, blue herons, bald eagles, moose, deer, snapping turtles, fox, beavers…and bears! 866-449-RAIL (7245).

Damariscotta River Cruises for gthings May 20 2019

Damariscotta River Cruises Explore River Culture

The back story of those marvelous inlets and coves and bays of Midcoast Maine is the rivers that carry inland water to the sea. The delightful town of Damariscotta is perched on the Damariscotta River, and this cruise company sends tours boats upriver, where you can enjoy river views and seals, and pass the operations of oyster farms. Damariscotta River Cruises at 40 Main Street in Damariscotta offer many themed cruises, like happy hourcruises; fall foliage trips; and oyster- and wine-tasting cruises. The Damariscotta River is the oyster capital of Maine and New England with eight commercial oyster farms on the River, producing over 10 million oysters a year. 207-315-5544. [photo by Nicole Laplante]

Celebrating Life's Pleasures, European Version

It's a little difficult to summarize the charming retail store, The Clown, at 659 US Route1 in York. Under a motto of "Celebrating Life's Finer Arts," the owners explain "the idea for providing an eclectic mix of cultural products at good prices started on a farm in the hills of Tuscany…" bought and restored by the Clown's owners in the 1990s. Continuing: 'From the owners' love for artisan craftsmanship came the idea to buy and import the best wine, food, antique furniture and accessories which Europe has to offer." The Clown, which also has retail stores in Belfast, Portland, and Stonington, offers a mix of fine art, antiques, artisan gifts, wine, and gourmet food in a warm, relaxed setting. European giftware at good prices? 207-351-8315.

Visit the Maine Coast for British Shopping

Britain’s BBC has discovered and reported the pleasures of a visit to Portland and its nearby neighbors of coastal Maine. For Anglophile shoppers, the BBC has reported its approval Bridgham & Cook, Ltd. at 123 Main Street in Freeport. The shop sells British foods - teas, sweets, biscuits, preserves, and condiments - in addition to numerous English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh goods, clothing, accessories, and gifts. Scott’s Porage Oats, Thursday Cottage Curd, Barbour tartan purses, Bronte Moon Dales Scarf, and much more. Fun and unique shopping on Maine’s coast! Open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 207-865-1040

Discover the Trails of This Midcoast Audubon Sanctuary

A peninsula in the Sasanoa River in Georgetown is the location of the beautifuly Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary, a 119-acre preserve that is a naturalist’s window into some of the features of the Maine coast. Flanked on two sides by salt marsh, the sanctuary has miles of trails that cross meadows, coastline, forest, and ridges. To get to the sanctuary, from the junction of U.S. Route 1 and Route 127 in Woolwich, just east of the Woolwich-Bath bridge, head south on 127 for 9.1 miles to Georgetown. Turn right at the sanctuary sign and follow the entrance road to the parking area. Trail finder. Trail guide.

Maine Mountain Views from Secluded Trails

Rangeley Lakes Trails Center at 524 Saddleback Mountain Road in Rangeley, offers to the public 55 kilometers of secluded, scenic dog-friendly trails for year-round use, from hiking and mountain biking in summer to Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking in winter. Trails are groomed in winter and the center rents out equipment and offers lessons and guided tours. The Gnome Home Roam, created for kids especially to enjoy, is 20 or more small carved gnomes in tiny houses scattered among the trails. Food, drink, and good cheer are always available in the lodge. Trail map. Fees for memberships or short-term visits. 207-864-4309.

Short Trip to an Island Retreat

An island-based but not-too-remote day trip out of Portland is a trip to lovely Peaks Island in Casco Bay, easily accessible via several daily trips (30-minutes long) on the Casco Bay Lines ferries , based in Portland. The island is small, beautiful, and restful. You can rent bicycles cheaply for nearly-flat rides around the island; visit the GEM Island Artists and the Umbrella Cover Museum (yes, that is: covers of umbrellas); visit the Eighth Maine Regiment Memorial; go kayaking; dine on seafood; and simply enjoy the day.

Boothbay Welcomes Fans of the Railroads

Boothbay Railway Village on Wiscasset Road in Boothbay, Maine, has several exhibits, including a coal-fired steam train, antique fire trucks, and an antique automobile exhibit that includes Model T Fords, Stanley Steamers, and a Rolls Royce. The Village includes a restored 1847 Town Hall, the Spruce Point Chapel, and a historic fire house. The Village Green hosts many special events, like Antique Auto Days, Antique Tractor Pull, a craft fair, and holiday rides. Children love the 20-minute ride on Boothbay Central, a coal-fired narrow-gauge train. Open Memorial Day through mid-October. 207-633-4727.

Bike Riding Around the Eagle

Eagle Lake , just outside Bar Harbor, is a large freshwater lake in Acadia National Park and, for all appearances, a small piece of paradise. Visitors can park at either of two lots off of Route 233 and then ride bikes or walk all the way around the lake, using a six-mile portion of the park’s Carriage Road. It is also easy to place your own canoe or kayak into the lake from these parking locations. The Island Explorer free shuttle bus provides pick-up and drop-off service to the lakeside access points from late June through Columbus Day. With all this support, how can you not go?

The Name Is Standard; the Baked Goods Are Super

Located at 75 Commercial Street, across from the harbor in Portland, Standard Baking Co. is the city's -- maybe the state's -- most popular gathering spot for delicious baked goods along with the ebb and flow of people -- neighbors and visitors. It is heaven on Earth for people who love breads, sticky buns, and more baked treats. And the company has just come out with a cookbook that unveils many of its best baking methods. Open daily. 207-773-2112.

Off, Off, Off the Beaten Path

If you love the outdoors, quiet, and little to no commerce, plan a day trip to Swan’s Island, a half-hour ferry ride from Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island. The island has three tiny villages, a very small population, and no amenities. Day visitors can enjoy walking or bicycling, swimming in a quarry, and exploring the rocky shore. Remote and restful.

Beautiful Craftsmanship From Back in the Day

From an ornate hinge to a hand-carved oak mantel, workmanship of the past can be a beautiful source for furnishing the present. Portland Architectural Salvage , at 131 Preble Street Ext. in Portland is 20,000 square feet of carefully chosen objects from houses, churches, barns -- use your imagination. The company's motto is "Urban elegance and sophistication with an antique and architectural past." Gloss up your habitat with some built-in soul. Open year-round, but hours vary seasonally; check website. 207-780-0634.

History and Culture of Mills on Display Here

From the 1850s to the 1950s the textile mills, shoe mills and brickyards of Lewiston and neighboring Auburn (L-A) made up the state's largest manufacturing center. Museum L-A, located in the Bates Mill Compex off of Chestnut Street, facing Canal Street, in Lewiston, documents the industries and the people who made them thrive. Within the 1850s Bates Mill, the museum displays vintage machinery, tools, shoes and quilts along with an oral history tour of mill workers from both cities. Open year-round, daily except Mondays. 207-333-3881.

Go! Cart!!

Indoor go-cart racing is fun for adults and fun for kids. And maybe especially fun for parents when the weather outside is frightful. Maine Indoor Karting at 23 Washington Avenue in Scarborough has been offering indoor thrills fr more than a decade. Adults over age 17 may walk in and race during normal business hours; no reservations needed. Racing hours also are offered for youth age 16 to 17 and age 8 to 15 (a safety class is required for the youngest group). Walk-Ins are welcome to race but be sure to call ahead or check the comapny's website for dates and hours of racing for different age brackets. Open year-round. 888-2-GO-KART.

Gem from Old Seafaring Times

Castle Tucker, at 2 Lee Street atop a hill overlooking the Sheepscot River in Wiscasset, is a Federal-style dwelling built in the 18th century, when Wiscasset was at the peak of its prosperity as the busiest port east of Boston. The house was purchased and remodeled in the 1850s by Captain Richard Tucker, scion of a shipping family. Today the mansion is preserved much as it was in the late 19th century, and it presents a vivid record of Wiscasset history. Open Wednesday to Sunday, June 1 to October 15. 207-882-7169

Bring Your Own Lobster Pot

Get primitive with nature and its lobsters. Go camping in Acadia National Park at either the Blackwoods campground off Route 3 or the Seawall campground off Route 102A, both in Bar Harbor. Take a huge lobster pot and buy lobster and clams off the boats if you can. Throw some sea salt into the boiling water and steam your clams, then cook your lobster. Melt butter, buy some potato salad and rolls; throw some corn on the cob in the pot, and you have a lobster feast. Throw old newspaper on the table and don't be neat. Primitive camping and basic sea food. Sounds good!

Bath Builds Big Ships

Would you like to see a warship taking shape before your eyes? From May to October, the Maine Maritime Museum, at 243 Washington Street in Bath, Maine, offers a trolley tour of the Bath Iron Works. The tour begins with an exhibit explaining the processes, and ships of Bath Iron Works. Then guests board the trolley for a narrated ride past the yard. The trolley will leave guests at the museum’s boat Merrymeeting for a one-hour cruise trip displaying views of modern shipbuilding construction and a close-up look at naval destroyers in the water. Also on view are the Percy and Small Shipyard and two of the Kennebec’s famed lighthouses.

Horse-Drawn Carriage, Sleigh and Trail Riding

Carousel Horse Farm at 95 Main Street in Freeport offers horseback, sleigh and carriage rides tailored to every season (sleighs depend on snowfall, of course). Enjoy tours of Casco Village or foliage-season rides near Parker Pond. In the summer, you may stop at Pear's Ice Cream in the village. Among the sights are Mount Washington and local wildlife. Winter and summer hours are by reservation. Spring and fall are the best times to ride, with perfect weather and vibrant flowers or leaves brightening your way. 207- 615-6948

Whales? Watch!!

A cruise to visit the whales’ flapping grounds is almost de rigueur on a vacation in Bar Harbor and Acadia. The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company can get you on the water and into the whales’ neighborhood in a jiffy. It’s a fantastic view for people of all ages. the company also offers trips that focus on puffin and seal sightings, lobster fishing and lighthouses. All Maine, from the water. Phone: 207-288-9800.

River Rafting Can Be Wild and Wonderful

The Forks is best known as Maine’s mecca for whitewater rafting. Located where the Dead and Kennebec Rivers meet, it is the starting point for experiencing the heart stopping rolls and punches dealt by the state’s mightiest rivers. Numerous guiding companies are located in The Forks, and many have expanded their services to include guided ATV tours, mountain biking treks, rock climbing, and snowshoeing trips. The Forks is a year-round destination for hunters and anglers, but come winter, the snowmobilers arrive. With more than 100 miles of interconnected trails in the region, sledding becomes the preferred method of transportation once the snow begins to fall. The Forks Area Chamber of Commerce can help you find all the resources you need. 207-663-2121.

Kennebunk Rail Trail Invites You to Use Your Legs

Get out and put those legs to use! The 6.5-mile Kennebec River Rail Trail is one of Maine’s great outdoor attractions. The trail welcomes locals and visitors alike for walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, and dog walking. The trail parallels the existing rail bed along the Kennebec River, and stretches from Augusta Maine's Waterfront Park, through the towns of Hallowell and Farmingdale, to its conclusion in the city of Gardiner. Bring the entire family and explore the wonderful activities that Maine has to offer along the Kennebec River Rail Trail.

Maine Lighthouse Museum at 1 Park Drive in Rockland Maine

Heroes in Brick and Stone: Maine Lighthouses

The Maine Lighthouse Museum at 1 Park Drive in Rockland is a first-rate place to indulge your love with and fascination for lighthouses. If you are a shopper, and want to acquire lighthouse gifts and memorabilia (models and miniatures, replicas, clothing, gifts, art, toys, posters) this is your gold mine. The museum, which also includes the collection of the former Museum of Lighthouse History of Wells, has the largest collection of Fresnel lighthouse lenses and the most important landmark collection of lighthouse artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia in the United States. Open year-round but hours vary by season. Call ahead for hours Phone: 207-594-3301.

Meet a Wolf! Meet a Bear!!

Kisma Preserve in Trenton is a home for wild animals. A basic visit involves a tour of about one hour with a knowledgeable guide. The preserve also offer special opportunities for personal animal encounters, private behind the scenes tours, group visits, photography, camping and more. You may be about to meet a wolf during daily socializing or exercising routines. (Reservations required.) Or, come and meet a black bear and make his or her day by bringing a favorite treat. 207-667-3244

Love Vintage? Scratch That Itch

The Portland Flea-for-All at 585 Congress Street in the Bayside neighborhood of Portland is a marketplace offering vintage, antique and artisan goods ranging from classic jewelry to old records and much more in between. Whether or not you have a special item in mind, chances are you’ll find something at the Flea. The Flea has reaped lots of admiring chatter in collection and decorating circles for its broad scope and welcoming attitude. Got something to sell? Drop in! Open Fridays through Sundays. 207-370-7570.

Comfort & Adventure By Maine Huts & Trails

Maine Huts & Trails, headquartered at 496 Main Street in Kingfield, offers back country hut-to-hut adventures coupled with comfortable accommodations. All huts at Maine Huts & Trails offer shelter, meals, and activities like hiking, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, skiing, and snowshoeing. Each hut features shuttles to take gear from hut to hut. Maine Huts & Trails opened Stratton Brook Hut, its newest, in December 2012. Stratton Brook is the fourth of 12 planned back country huts and eco-lodges in Maine’s Western Mountains. This planned 180-mile connected hut-to-hut trail will be the longest groomed ski trail in America. Phone: 877-634-8824.

Cozy Cabins Welcome You After a Day Outdoors

If you want to get outdoors and also want a nearby, warm, and cozy retreat, get in touch with Cochran Camps on Cochran Lake in New Limerick, Maine, 10 miles east of Houlton. A rental cabin on the lake sleeps six people. Cochran is a quiet, secluded, lake with easy access to bird watching, hiking, swimming, canoeing, golfing, skiing, mountain climbing, biking, snowmobiling, ATV riding, hunting, fishing and other great outdoor activities. For evenings, it is just a short drive to a movie theater or shopping in Houlton. Cabins operate year-round. Phone: 207-532-7336

Diversions Puzzles & Games south portland me

Bring Your Best Game Here

Revive some old-fashioned entertainment that doesn’t rely on a power source, and has the benefit of bringing people together. Next time you are looking for indoor entertainment -- for people of any age – in South Portland, Diversions Puzzles & Games at 415 Philbrook Avenue. The store stocks new and classic games and high-quality puzzles for every age and interest. And, it has lots and lots of open game days and nights. Staff members can teach you how to play one of our many demo games. Open daily. 207-773-0300

Acadia Beauty Along a Loopy Drive

Acadia Byway travels through Acadia National Park and the historic villages of Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island. Along this route, the rugged Maine coast and old-growth forests remain much as they were when the island was described by Samuel de Champlain in 1604. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park are among the most beautiful places in New England. Travelers can bike on miles of interconnected carriage roads. This byway follows Route 3 into Bar Harbor, then follows the park loop road thereafter.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

In August 2016, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the national park system, President Obama created a new park, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, in northern Maine, near Millinocket. The park is in the shadow of Mount Katahdin, and it occupies a wild landscape with spectacular views the mountain. Back-country adventurers can explore the rivers, woods, plant and animal life, and dark night skies. This is a monument with limited services; services will be added in coming years. The park has no welcome center at present. Find visitor information at the park’s website or by phone: 207-456-6001.

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center in Maine

Track the Great Blue Heron to Scarborough Marsh

The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center at 92 Pine Point Road in Scarborough is an endlessly interesting place to explore an ever-changing salt marsh and estuary. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife manages the estuary, and provides all the information you need to explore the marsh on walking trails or by canoe (you can rent them). The center offers guided walks, canoe tours, exhibits, a nature trail, and a Maine Audubon Nature Store. Come see eye-to-eye with egrets, herons, glossy ibis and many stunning shorebirds. Open May to September. 207-883-5100

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center in Gardner Maine

Comedy, Music, Gravity Daring: Johnson Hall's Got It

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center presents a wide range of artist programs -- live music series, children’s events, outdoor performances in the park and more -- in the historic Johnson Hall Performing Arts building (1864) at 280 Water Street in downtown Gardiner, Maine. The Hall – Maine’s oldest opera hall -- celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016, a sign that it knows and serves its audience. 207-582-7144.

Plants Transformed into Artwork

Snug Harbor Farm, open year-round at 87 Western Avenue in Kennebunk, is a beauty of a place for sophisticated gardeners, with a special emphasis on topiaries and beautifully potted arrangements. The farm offers unique garden accessories and arrangements with a flavor of old European courtyards. There is always something unusual to find in the greenhouses or The Shop. The farm's topiaries are grown in handmade terra cotta vases and bowls and stone planters. Instruction is offered, along with special seasonal events, like the Haunted Barn at Halloween and classes at Christmas in wreath making and boxwood topiaries. Phone: 207-967-2414.

Carson Name Still Defends the Earth

The author whose seminal work, “Silent Spring,” launched the American environmental movement is the namesake for the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of a patchwork of properties along 50 miles of coastline from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth, with a headquarters on Route 9 in Wells. The refuge serves as protected region of valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. Visitors are welcome to hike on the developed trails of the Refuge. is permitted in several rivers and creeks in the Refuge. Phone: 207-646-9226.

Driving You to Drink in Portland

Some observers of American life declare that the existence of a lot of craft breweries is a sign of a city’s soulfulness. In any case, the Maine Brew Bus based at 111 Commercial Street in Portland scheduled and private tours of breweries in Portland and southern Maine. The tours give you a behind-the-scenes look at Maine's craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, and more. Tours are led by knowledgeable guides and a non-drinking driver. All tours include a snack or meal and trivia games. New tour is Birds on Tap: a guided tour of bird watching and beer-sipping. 207-200-9111.

Island Explorer bus through Acadain National park

Explore the Island, Then Explore the Park

There is much beauty to see at Acadia Nation Park. A good way to start is to get an overview of the whole landscape by jumping aboard the Island Explorer bus. This is not a tour – it is public transportation for the park and neighboring villages that runs from late May to Columbus Day. Take a bit of time to ride the bus with others going about their daily lives or on vacation. You’ll get a glimpse of what you may want to see more deeply, and know exactly how to get back there later. "A wonderful service. Best way to get around. Fun to ride," said a visitor from Texas. 207-667-5796

From Wines to Watches, All the Prices Are Fine

Stop, shop, and save before visiting Canada. At Duty Free Americas at 4 Airport Road at I-95 in Houlton, Maine, you can buy gifts for yourself and friends wide selection of fragrances, watches, gifts, jewelry and travel-related merchandise from the highest quality brand names, as well as items that typically incur significant duties and taxes, such as liquor and tobacco.

Antiques of Maine Life in an Antique Building

Steam Mill Antiques at 155 West Bethel Road (US Route 2) in Bethel, Maine, is a country antique shop located in a large, 1820 farmhouse and barn. Come and find a wide range of antiques, collectibles, books, pictures, signs, toys, and other stuff. Anything that you could find in an antique shop you may find here! Our stock is always changing so it's always worth the time to browse the shop. DownEast Magazine has declared that Steam Mill Antiques is one of the 5 reasons to love Bethel. An honor! Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, year-round, and by chance or appointment on all other days and seasons. Send email to SteamMillAntiques@gmail.com to make an appointment or if you are traveling from a distance and want to check the hours of operation.

cheese makers in Appleton, Waldoboro, Whitefield, Union, and Owls Head

Hug a Goat; Eat Some Cheese

Midcoast Maine – that magical region of farms and fields and views – has a number cheese makers tucked among the towns of Appleton, Waldoboro, Whitefield, Union, and Owls Head.. The Midcoast Maine Cheese Trail (with some wineries and vineyards added) guides you from one cheese producer to the next. Taste the handmade cheeses; enjoy the farming spirit. Check with farms on your itinerary for open days and hours. Makers include Appleton Creamery, East Forty Farm, Fuzzy Udder Creamery, ME Water Buffalo Co., Copper Tail Farm, Sweetgrass Vineyard and Farm, Breakwater Vineyards and Farm, and Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery.

Children’s Fun and Learning Zone

With seven interactive exhibit areas on three floors, Maine Discovery Museum at 74 Main Street in downtown Bangor, Maine, is the largest children's museum north of Boston. Seven permanent exhibits invite children to explore nature, geography, children's literature, music, art, science and anatomy. Among the exhibits are: Nature Trails, to explore Maine's ecosystem along a 20-foot waterway; TradeWinds, a new exhibit about Maine's global connections to Brazil, Japan, and Italy; Booktown, a village where every doorway leads into the pages of a Maine children's literary classic; Sounds Abound, exploring the world of music in a sound studio; Artscape; Mission: Discovery; and Body Journey. Open year-round; closed on Mondays. Phone: 207-262-7200.

Starry Nights at Acadia

Spend a night under the stars at Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, and everything will come into perspective. The night sky is an endless source of entertainment and beauty, and the clear, dark Maine sky allows stargazers a breathtaking view of constellations. The Seawall Campground picnic area near Manset is an almost magically scenic stargazing spot: See the Milky Way and ocean meet. Discover the brightest stars in the sky, the "hidden" location of hundreds of black holes, and Messier 13, the famous faraway destination of a human attempt at intergalactic contact. Bring your best telescope, or get a rotating star map from the Acadia gift shop.

Best Brew Tours in York, Kittery, and Ogunquit maine

Hop On. Eat Well. Drink Local.

Yes, we love the brilliant “Hop On” slogan. And it’s so true! Best Brew Tours welcomes you to hop on to its flagship bus, BEER-1, from locations in York, Kittery, and Ogunquit for a safe and carefree tasting tour of the establishments making and serving the best beer, spirits, and cider in southern Maine. Visit award winning establishments from Portsmouth to Portland. Tours include transportation, beer tasting, behind-the-scenes tours, tour guide and much more. Private tours available, too! 877-BREWSKI

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80 great fun things to do in Maine, indoors and outdoors attractions