Two moose in a Maine lake
Maine is the largest New England state, being bordered by New Hampshire, Canada and the Atlantic Ocean. Its motto is “Dirigo,” a Latin word meaning ‘I guide’ or ‘I lead.’ The state flag depicts Maine’s agricultural, fishing, and outdoor history.

Over the years, Maine has become known as a retreat for those seeking an escape from urban life and workaday obligations. When you cross the border into Maine, you’re welcomed to Vacationland, the Way Life Should Be. You’re about to learn why that’s so true!

Maine is Known for Its Coastline

One allure of Maine’s coastline is its length. Another is its variety, from long stretches of sandy beaches in the south to its rockbound coast as you travel north. At that end, the coast reaches the Bay of Fundy, famous for some of the highest tides in the world. Maine’s coastline is known for all kinds of adventures, traveling here from north to south.

  • The Bold Coast in Maine is famous for hiking, biking, other adventures, and chances to mix and mingle in Down East villages that stretch south from the Canadian border.
  • Bangor & Down East are destinations for travelers who drive here via Interstate 95, or fly in to Bangor International Airport. This gateway area leads to the arts community of Blue Hill and on to the expansive, historic Acadia National Park.
  • From Saco to Boothbay Harbor, Camden, and beyond, you’ll find sea kayak tours, sailboats, and charters to give you a water side view of the coastline. If you’ve brought your own craft, you’ll find a public boat launch almost everywhere you go.
  • Maine’s 4600 Islands are famous for the unique wonder of each, including nesting puffins and resident seals. Several islands have ferry service and lodging.
  • Maine’s lighthouses have their own claim to fame. There are 65 to visit, some still in operation, with others preserved as part of Maine’s history.
  • Ogunquit is home to Marginal Way a one-mile public path along the shore. It connects the quaint shops and eateries of Perkins Cove with Ogunquit Beach.
  • Maine is known for its bonanza of beaches! Some are part of the state park system with others owned by towns. Old Orchard Beach and Popham Beach State Park are both popular with thousands of visitors each year. You can swim, get into salt-water angling, or go birding. Many are pet-friendly from October 1 to March 31.

Maine Is Known for Outdoor Adventures

From one end to the other, Maine is a virtual playground for outdoor adventurers. Some are hard-core and others are fair weather enthusiasts. Yup, there’s something for everyone. Here are some highlights of featured destinations with welcoming nearby towns.

Maine Is Known for Its Vast Parks

Maine Is Known for the Best in Unique Sporting Destinations

Many of the state’s sporting draws are located along the coast and within Maine’s North Woods, a vast area of forests, lakes, rivers, and high peak mountains. Many of our state parks are within this territory.

  • Sugarloaf is a premier destination in the Western Mountains. Along with miles of alpine skiing, boarding, and mountain bike trails, you’ll find an 18-hole, par 72 golf course, and an outdoor center for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and skating.
  • The Rangeley Lakes area is known for fishing, hunting, and boating, along with the skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, and birding at the Saddleback resort.
  • Sunday River is an all-season resort near Bethel, a picturesque setting with abundant outdoor activities. You’ll find wintertime skiing, boarding, and tubing, followed by golf at an 18-hole championship course, mountain biking, fishing, and then hunting.
  • The Allagash Wilderness Waterway extends for 92 miles. It’s a place to canoe, fish, and hunt. There are Maine Guides who’ll be sure your outing is safe and successful.
  • Whitewater Rafting in Maine is reportedly the best in the Northeast. A quick google search lets you peruse the companies ready to take you on a wildly wooly and wet ride.
  • The Northern Forest Canoe Trail crosses multiple states, including Maine where you can begin or end your trip in Fort Kent.
  • Much the same can be said about the Appalachian Trail that has its end (or beginning) here on Mount Katahdin.
  • The Maine Snowmobile Association connects riders with local clubs, trails, and events.
  • Biddeford is the home office of The Eastern Trail, a 65-mile combined use, on and off-road greenway in southern Maine.

Maine Is Known for Its Arts, Culture & Museums

Maine has an arts, culture, and museum scene that’s as varied as its vast terrain. There are museums featuring the works of nationally and internationally known artists. You’ll find refined cultural destinations amidst the backdrop of Maine’s down-home sense of place.

Maine Is Known for Its Musical & Spectator Sports Venues

Maine settings are known for attracting famous performers. Added to that, the spectator sports scene is alive and well!

Maine is Known for Races

Maine is known for races with national and international competitors. Other races are held locally or every so often, such as alpine skiing’s world cup.

  • The Beach to Beacon is a 10K road race that quickly gained international fame after it was started by Joan Benoit Samuelson in 1998. The Cape Elizabeth race draws thousands of competitors from around the world.
  • The Dempsey Challenge is a local and internationally virtual walk, run, and cycle race that raises money in support of individuals and families affected by cancer.
  • Oxford Plains Speedway in western Maine is home to the Oxford 250, promoted as the richest short track race in the country. The speedway seats 14,000 spectators.
  • The Fort Kent Outdoor Center hosts biathlon competitions, including those at the national level. The setting is known for its Nordic, bike, and snowshoe trails.

Maine Is Known for Famous Stores and Outlets

Maine offers you retail therapy at its best! There are nationally known outlets mixed in with uniquely Maine stores. What they all share in common is the chance to have a good time shopping, regardless of the weather.

  • Freeport is where you’ll find the L.L. Bean flagship store and one of its outlet stores. This village setting has become a year round outlet destination featuring many brand names.
  • Reny’s is indeed “A Maine Adventure,” just as it’s slogan suggest. Each of the 17 stores is unique. What they share in common is good deals on quality merchandise.
  • Kittery Outlets greets you at Maine’s southern gateway with 120-plus brand-name designer outlets and the Kittery Trading Post. You can shop for all the gear and garb needed for your Maine adventures.
  • Marden’s is known for the surplus and salvage goods it sells at 14 sites from one end of the state to the other.
  • Hannaford Super Markets is a Maine company that was founded in 1883. It sells a wide assortment of foods and beverages at multiple locations.

Maine is Known for an Astronaut, Olympians, and Artistic Types

Growing up in Maine lends well to developing individual expression and a sense of adventure, as both are part of life here. The state is or was home to these fine examples of women and men who have gained international acclaim because of their passion and perseverance.

  • Jessica Meir, PhD, is a NASA astronaut who grew up in Caribou. Reading her bio offers insight into the depths and distance one can go when coming from Upcountry Maine.
  • Seth Wescott grew up in Maine’s Western Mountains. He holds numerous snowboarding medals, including two Olympic gold medals.
  • Ian Crocker, from Portland, has won numerous international swimming competitions, including five Olympic medals, two of which are gold.
  • Joan Benoit Samuelson has a history of breaking barriers. She did so in the Boston Marathon and then by winning Olympic gold in 1984, during the first women’s marathon of the games.
  • The actor Patrick Dempsey is known for the Dempsey Challenge that raises money for Lewiston’s Dempsey Center that serves people living with cancer.
  • Anna Kendrick is a Portland actor and now director who’s also known for her wry Maine sense of humor.
  • Although the poet Richard Blanco has lived in many places, Bethel has become home, just as it was when he was the fifth poet to speak at a presidential inauguration in 2012.
  • Tabitha and Stephen King are exceptionally well known authors. They contribute to the well-being of Maine communities through their STK Foundation.
  • Lynn Plourde is a children’s book author who lives in Winthrop. She has written at least 40 children’s books, creating captivating stories that draw on her years as a speech language pathologist.

Maine is Known for Delicious Foods & Beverages

Let’s talk about food and drink! Maine is known for lots, including some that may be new to you. Lucky us, we get to introduce you to Maine’s tasty treats!

  • Fiddleheads are edible spring fronds. They have a short Spring season, grow along sandy river banks, and have a flavor comparable to asparagus. Not sure which frond to pick? You’ll find some at local stores.
  • Let’s face it, Maine salmon are delicious, be it the stocked ones in our lakes and streams, or those farmed offshore in Penobscot Bay. When baked or barbequed, you’re in for a deliciously healthy meal!
  • Wherever you travel in Maine during the Spring, you’ll see orchards bedecked with blossoms. in a few months many varieties of apples are ripe and ready for picking.
  • Blueberries are an abundant Maine crop, especially in the vast gorgeous fields are spread across Aroostook County in a terrain where the berries thrive.
  • The Sugar Maple tree that yields sap for Maple Syrup production is stately and rock solid. Maybe that’s why it’s also called a Rock Maple. When treated with tender care, the sap is made into sap, candy, and butter. Patience is the key ingredient added to the sap.
  • Turns out, Maine has turned into a craft beer hub! This goes well with places in the state that beckon foodies to visit. On tap or bottled, you’re sure to find a stout, pale ale, or IPA to please your palate.
  • One of those craft beers pairs well with a Maine lobster! Steamed, boiled, or baked, you’re in for a treat, fresh off the boat.
  • Moxie is a time-honored beverage tradition that originated here in the late 19th century. When Dr. Thompson from Union developed the soda, it was one of the first in the U.S. Can’t find it at the store? Run a google search and it’ll pop up!