Maine is a setting with vast regions that are undeveloped and home to an amazing array of wildlife. Quite near these areas, there’s the continually changing coastline, in some places rocky and remote, and in others sandy and easily accessed.
Amidst this Vacationland state’s natural wonders, there’s a wide assortment of museums. Some are dedicated to Maine’s storied history and the people who helped shaped our nation.
Others are devoted to enjoying yesteryear in the here and now.
Still others showcase local and international artists, broadening one’s sense of culture and courage, attributes associated with this extraordinary state.
Please be sure to check a museum’s website before visiting to learn about hours and fees.
Map of Maine Museums
Here’s a helpful map of the Maine museums in this article.
The Best Art Museums in Maine
Let’s begin with art in its many aspects. Much can be said for the best art museums, including how varied they are. They are large, small, and destination points of interest for both visitors and residents. This selection is as captivating as it is creative.
The Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA) is located in Rockland, a destination known for ferries that travel to some of Maine’s islands. CMCA was founded in 1952 and is now housed in a location that accommodates many thousands of visitors each year. It has exhibitions for virtual viewing as well as in-person, plus annual events and hands-on classes and workshops.
The Farnsworth Art Museum (FAM), also in Rockland, features Maine art as part of the American art experience. This includes the Wyeth Center, certainly one of the museum’s several draws. FAM has events as well as exhibitions. The museum is dedicated to engaging children through visits and an Arts in Education program that digitally welcomes educators.
The Portland Museum of Art (PMA), located in the center of Portland, is an attraction because of its dedication to nationally-known exhibits, along with commitment to artists with Maine ties. It offers free admissions on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., plus special tours for school children and groups.
The Tides Institute & Museum of Art is located Down East in Eastport. The setting is truly international as it blends U.S. and Canadian collections, interests, and cultures. One unique online feature is a set of 120 Panoramas of natural scenes, buildings, and other eastern coastal Maine points of interest.
Maine’s Best Collegiate Art Museums
Colleges and universities throughout Maine have a rich history of making art readily accessible through exhibitions, performances, and visiting artist events.
Bates College Museum of Art is in the central Maine city of Lewiston. It features student works of art along with resources for homeschooler families. The museum is open year-round, offering visitors free admission to its exhibitions that engage the viewer in the arts experience.
Bowdoin College Museum of Art is a setting that is a “teaching museum” located in Brunswick. As such, it welcomes exhibition proposals from students and faculty. This complements its digital catalogue and school outreach initiatives, among others. The museum is open to the public with free admission.
Colby Museum of Art is on the college’s Waterville campus. This setting is free and open to the public, with digital examples of exhibitions available online. Each summer the museum sponsors a summer arts program for local children, grades three through seven.
University of New England Art Gallery in Portland at one time was the Payson Art Gallery. Another UNE Art Gallery has been located on the Biddeford campus since 2014. The Portland gallery houses a diverse collection that spans decades, while the exhibits at both galleries engage visitors in the lives and views of artists associated with Maine.
Zillman Art Museum University of Maine is located in Bangor. The origination of the museum’s permanent collection dates to the 1940s. The 4000 current pieces are shown over time as part of exhibits. The museum hosts other exhibits as well as adult workshops and family art events. Admission is always free.
The Best Children’s Museums in Maine
One of the best ways to learn something new about a child is to take them someplace interesting. It may be to one of Maine’s wondrous beaches or woodland trails. Another delightful option is a visit to one of Maine’s varied children’s museums.
You’ll find large and small, each with its dedication to children and their exploration of nature, art, themselves, and more. Each museum makes a point of assuring access for children of all abilities.
Coastal Children’s Museum in Rockland has quite a variety of hands-on and imagination-stimulating exhibits. Examples are the General Store and Maine sea life. Please book your admission to the museum before visiting.
Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor has a variety of special programs for children that complement the museum’s exploration of everything from science, to art, math, and more. There are camps, programs for pre-K people, and others devoted to children with special needs, plus community outreach.
The Children’s Museum + Theatre of Maine in Portland is located at Thompson’s Point in a new facility with over 30,000 square feet. The museum offers children and families a wide range of interactive exhibits that promote all kinds of exploration, including an outdoor adventure space. Please note that reservations are required for admission.
Western Maine Play Museum is in Wilton, a village in western Maine’s foothills. The site provides a map for you to view the exhibits that are available on each of the museum’s two levels.
The Best Transportation Museums in Maine
Land, sea, and air! That’s right, Maine has a unique bunch of transportation museums. Some feature our state’s early inventors and explorers, while others provide you with live-action experiences. All aboard!
Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland is listed here as it is dedicated to the people, structures, and lighting devices that provide warning and safety along Maine’s extended, rocky coast. It is an especially fitting museum to visit when you are visiting local lighthouses.
Maine Maritime Museum is located in Bath, the center of Maine’s shipbuilding history. The museum is set on a 20-acre parcel with several buildings that house exhibits and displays of its thousands of marine-related artifacts. There are educational options and boat charters for gatherings and celebrations.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company & Museum in Portland offers you a trip back in time! Your family will have fun during the almost one hour ride that spans three miles with views of Casco Bay. The museum has special rides and also books group and school events. Ticket purchase is best managed online to assure seating.
Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head is three miles from Rockland. This year-round museum is dedicated to preserving fine examples of pre-1940 autos, carriages, aircraft, and more. The museum extends its reach via YouTube spotlight videos, igniting your interest. The Strut & Axle combines storytelling with research information for the museum’s members and friends.
Seal Cove Auto Museum on Mount Desert Island offers you another form of sight-seeing when visiting Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. The museum features autos, motorcycles, and related accessories from 1895 into the 1920s. It is open each day from May 1 through October, and available by appointment the balance of the year. One way to plan your visit is with a virtual tour.
Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport is a dog-friendly setting where you can ride a trolley and view others. Families visit here five days a week from June through October, and then again for Christmas Prelude weekends in December. The restored trolley collection is from far and wide with others at the satellite location in Lowell, Massachusetts at the National Streetcar Museum.
The Best Maine Sports Museums
With its fair share of Olympians, sports centers, and outdoor adventure venues, you just know there’s got to be some museums devoted to sports.
You’ll find a couple of modest sports museums that get you up close to the stuff of champions and innovators…literally!
Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum is located in Carrabassett Valley on the Sugarloaf access road, a mere 15 miles northwest of Kingfield. The museum is focused on Maine’s over 150-year history and love of skiing and snowboarding. It’s advisable to call the museum to check on hours of operation, though you can depend on it being busy up that way once the snow flies!
The Outdoor Heritage Museum in Rangeley is a super place to visit during the summer months, as it’s been called “the best outdoor museum in New England!” There’s good reason for that as you’ll find exhibits dedicated to the indigenous people who first lived and fished the region. Others feature Maine’s outdoor legends, such as the much-storied Fly Rod Crosby.
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