Maine is America’s northeasternmost state, bordered by New Hampshire, Quebec, and New Brunswick with a long coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Before visiting, I mostly associated Maine with cold weather, small fishing towns, rocky coastlines, and of course lobster. After traveling through the state, I found all of that along with historic cities, quiet inland communities, mountains, islands, and one of the most scenic national parks on the East Coast. Between Portland in the south and Acadia farther north, Maine has a surprisingly wide variety of places to explore.
Explore Portland
Portland is Maine’s largest city and its cultural and economic center. The historic Old Port is probably the most enjoyable part to explore, with brick buildings, cobblestone streets, restaurants, bars, and a working waterfront. Portland is also surrounded by some classic New England coastal scenery, including several historic lighthouses. And of course no visit to Portland, or Maine for that matter, would feel complete without trying some of the local seafood and Maine lobster.
Explore Augusta
Maine’s capital of Augusta is much smaller and quieter than Portland, but it has plenty of history packed into a compact area along the Kennebec River. One of the most interesting places nearby is Old Fort Western, built in 1754 and considered the oldest surviving wooden fort in the United States. Between the State Capitol, riverfront, historic buildings, and small-town atmosphere, Augusta feels very different from most American state capitals I’ve visited.
Explore Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor sits on Mount Desert Island immediately beside Acadia National Park. With millions of people visiting Acadia and the surrounding coast, the small town has developed plenty of restaurants, hotels, shops, and other things to do. Boat cruises, whale watching, seafood, and simply walking around the waterfront make Bar Harbor a great base for exploring this part of Maine.
Explore Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park protects some of the best natural scenery in New England, combining rocky Atlantic coastline with forests, islands, granite cliffs, and mountains. Much of the park is located on Mount Desert Island, where you can spend the day hiking, kayaking, climbing, exploring the shoreline, or looking for wildlife. Having mountains rise almost directly from the ocean makes Acadia completely different from most of the other national parks I’ve visited in the eastern United States.
Explore Bangor
Bangor is one of Maine’s larger inland cities, although with a population of only around 30,000 it still feels relatively small. The city historically grew through Maine’s lumber industry and today serves as an important center for the northern part of the state. One of its more unusual landmarks is the Thomas Hill Standpipe, a massive 19th-century water tower that occasionally opens its observation level for views across Bangor and the surrounding countryside.
