Exciting Things To Do In Maine For Travelers

Watch for birds, seals, and sometimes whales as you walk along the coast, cruise through the harbor, or take the ferry to visit Casco Bay's seven islands. 

Many tours start from nearby Portland, Maine's main city, and may include a tour of the city along with a coastal sightseeing trip. Well, the calm waters make Casco Bay a great place for boating, sailing, and kayaking, and each island has its special communities to discover.

People usually see Fort Gorges on boat trips in Casco Bay that also pass by old lighthouses. You can also spot it when driving around Portland's historic waterfront.

To go inside the fort, you can kayak over, hire a private boat, or join a tour organized by the Friends of Fort Gorges, a group trying to take care of the place. The fort looks similar to how it did in the 1800s, with empty stone halls around a grassy courtyard in the middle.

Acadia National Park, on Mount Desert Island, is famous for its wild and beautiful coastline. The shores have tall cliffs and sandy beaches. If you go deeper into the park, you'll discover thick forests, big lakes, and the tallest mountains on the Northeast Coast. 

There are lots of things to do in Maine USA's park - watch the first sunrise in the US on Cadillac Mountain, camp on the quiet shores of Duck Harbor, or listen to the waves at Thunder Hole.

Things to see and do in Portland Maine will introduce you to a beautiful pre-revolutionary home at Tate House Museum. This beautiful pre-revolutionary home, dating back to 1755, offers a glimpse into life during the 18th century. 

Once the residence of Captain George Tate, a senior mast agent in the British Royal Navy, the house is now a museum open to the public. Inside, you'll find period furnishings, an herb garden, and even a gift shop.

Enjoy some of Maine's favorite beers at Rising Tide Brewing Company, where you can savor their brews while listening to live music and grabbing a bite from food trucks. This small-scale, family-owned brewing company has become one of the top brewers in the area.

The lively tasting room has a local vibe, featuring artisan craft beers. You can even take a tour of the brewery, try four different beers, or join a craft drink tour around the city for a fun outing.

The Eastern Promenade trail in Portland runs for several miles, connecting the old part of the city, Old Port, with Fort Allen Park, East End Beach, and more.

As you walk or bike along, you get amazing views of Casco Bay and its islands. You can also find spots for organized sports teams, and casual games like frisbee or soccer on recreational fields for some activities to do in Maine. There are lots of grassy areas perfect for picnics too.

Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse is one of the most photographed. The Lighthouse has been around since 1879, helping ships stay away from the coast. It's on Nubble Island, so people can only see it from the mainland.

Over the years, it has become popular on postcards, calendars, and posters. Now, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a favorite stop for travelers exploring York and Kittery. Don't forget to capture some pictures when you visit this place in the USA!

New England Distilling makes great whiskey, rum, and gin. They've been doing it since the 1850s! Using a mix of old and new equipment, they create these drinks by hand with local ingredients.

The whiskey and gin use grains from New England and the Midwest, while the rum is made from Caribbean molasses. You can visit their distillery, see a cool copper pot still, and try all three drinks.

The Portland Museum of Art, established in 1882 as The Portland Society of Art, is the oldest public art institution in the U.S. It houses works by famous artists such as Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Wyeth, Homer, and Edward Hopper.

The museum has three buildings and a connected sculpture garden, all of which are carefully arranged. It offers benches in each room and well-maintained elevators for the convenience of visitors.

Many well-known brands and shopping centers are along Route 1 in Kittery, making it a popular shopping spot for people looking for good deals in the area. A significant place to visit is Kittery Premium Outlets, a mall with over 60 stores ranging from Anne Taylor to Zumiez.

You can find various shopping choices there, including clothing for men and women, shoes, bags, and kids' wear. If you're into shopping, then these things to visit in Maine will have you great deals.

Although the Portland Head Light is not open to the public, visitors can explore its history and artifacts in a museum inside the former keeper’s house. Many tours of Portland and the Maine coast include a stop at this landmark.

During warmer months, you can relax in Fort Williams Park, a 90-acre area with trails, picnic spots, an arboretum, a children’s garden, and Ship Cove, a small rocky beach. It's a beautiful place to visit that tells you a lot about the history.

Bar Harbor is a perfect spot to relax and recharge. Nature enthusiasts can explore the outdoors on Mount Desert Island, with coastal walks along Frenchman Bay and bird-watching in parks and preserves. 

Food lovers will enjoy fresh seafood, and the town offers artisan ice cream shops, craft breweries, and charming breakfast cafes. This region is known for wild blueberries, so visit a local farm or farmers market from late July to mid-September to grab some.

When it comes to beach destinations in Maine, Kennebunkport deserves the top spot on your list. Dedicate your entire vacation to the water, engaging in activities like fishing, sunbathing, or sailing.

Must-visit places include Colony and Goose Rocks beaches, the charming fishing village of Cape Porpoise, and Dock Square. For a taste of fresh seafood, The Clam Shack is a popular choice, or you can dine at the White Barn Inn Restaurant for a delightful culinary experience.

While tours inside the famed horror novelist's haunted home are no longer an option, many travelers insist that a brief visit to Stephen King's house is a must things to do and see in Maine.

From the exterior, visitors can admire and capture photos of the red Victorian mansion's eccentric features, including a spider- and dragon-adorned iron fence and a 15-foot-tall wood sculpture in the front yard. The sculpture, carved from a deceased tree, showcases an assortment of mystical creatures surrounding a bookcase.

Situated 10 miles off the coast and inhabited by only 70 year-round residents, Monhegan Island boasts expansive wildlands with 9 miles of cliffside hiking trails, a quaint village hosting shops and restaurants, a lighthouse, and an art museum.

The island offers a handful of inns and lodging choices for those interested in an overnight stay. Accessible by ferry ride or Hardy Boat Cruises, visitors have multiple options to reach this charming island retreat.

Things to see and do in Maine's Botanical Garden are unlimited. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens feature stunning gardens, colossal trolls, and extensive trails. 

Here, you can explore over 300 acres of vibrant displays, including a dahlia garden, a butterfly house, a bee habitat, a meditation garden, as well as several lawns and lush forest grounds. The possibilities for exploration and enjoyment are virtually limitless.

While water parks are fun, there's a unique joy in relaxing on the beach, basking in the sun, and enjoying the waves. For a splendid beach experience in Maine, head to Old Orchard Beach. 

This coastal resort town, just 20 miles south of Portland, offers 7 miles of sandy shores and a lively pier with restaurants and shops. Enjoy family time at the Palace Playland amusement park, which features a Ferris wheel, adventure rides, and carnival games.

Baxter State Park, spanning 210,000 acres, is situated at the heart of Maine near Millinocket, approximately 70 miles north of Bangor.

Dominated by Maine's tallest peak, Mount Katahdin, reaching an impressive height of around 5,270 feet, it offers a challenging hike to the summit. However, it is not recommended for inexperienced climbers due to its strenuous nature. Nevertheless, the stunning views from the top make the exertion truly rewarding.

Every August, people from nearby and far away come to the town of Rockland for the Maine Lobster Festival. It's a five-day event where more than 20,000 pounds of tasty local lobster is served to everyone. 

The festival has cooking contests, live music, arts and crafts stalls, a parade, and activities like wine and beer tastings, a 5K race, and other things for people of all ages to enjoy.

Things to do in the state of Maine near Carrabassett Valley is to go hiking at Sugarloaf Mountain.  In the summer, thrill-seekers can have a blast with mountain biking, golfing, kayaking, and zip-lining. 

However, the mountain comes alive in winter. You can have fun with cross-country skiing on over 30 miles of trails, as well as snowshoeing and ice skating. After a day of adventure, you can relax at the luxurious US hotel, Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, or choose to rent a condo or private home.