The northeastern U.S. state, Maine is popularly known for its rocky coastline, several natural attractions and its maritime history. This tourist attraction has been visited by a large number of tourists from across the word. Its museums are considered worth visiting as they showcase the works of some of the country’s prestigious and highly influential painters. Besides that, several attractions make this a one-stop solution for the history buffs and nature lovers. You can visit here to explore the lighthouses such as the candy-striped beacon at West Quoddy Head and the calm beaches like Ogunquit and Old Orchard.
Apart from the finest artists, musicians, craftsmen and actors, the city of Maine also boasts of appearing on the list of America’s one of the best places to live, visit, dine, and engage by strolling in the outdoors with peace of mind. There are several things to do in Maine and the areas in and around Maine are often considered the Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and scenery lovers to explore nature to the best extent possible.
Things to Do in Maine
Enlisted below are things or activities you can indulge in when you make a visit to this fast growing tourist destination.Here is the certain things to do at this fast growing tourist destination that you can’t perhaps miss.
1. Catch Your Own Lobsters
Are you thinking about what are the things to do in Portland, Maine that turns into memorable activities? You might be willing to taste the freshest lobster for a great, exciting dine out. If your answer is in affirmation, then you can consider this city for a trip where you are allowed to catch the lobsters yourself. Undoubtedly, that will prove to be your lifetime experience. In Portland, tourists can board a genuine lobster boat with a real Maine lobsterman and venture out into the scenic Casco Bay where they are taught how to bait and haul traps. Once you catch the lobsters, you can assign someone to cook that lobsters you caught and also supply the butter.
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2. Drive to the Top of Cadillac Mountains
Both tourists and locals drive to the top of the Cadillac Mountain for the better views of sunrise or sunset. During the drive, you would have much more time to explore the rest of the Acadia National Park besides the beautiful city of Bar Harbor. Cadillac Mountain, the largest and tallest mountain in the Acadia National Park, also offers you four strenuous hiking trails to delve into some truly adventurous outing. This amazingly popular spot has become a first favorite among the Americans to visit at the daybreak.
Elevation: 466 m
Location: Hancock County, Maine, U.S.
Mountain Range: Appalachian Mountains
3. Portland Museum of Art
One of the best things to do in Maine with kids is to visit the Portland Museum of Art. As it happens to be the oldest and largest public art institutions in the city, you will have enough scope for exploration here. The museum today holds over 18,000 artworks from the collections of 18th century to the ones collected recently. With many rare collections of arts from the renowned artists including famous Mary Cassatt, René Magritte, Edgar Degas, Edvard Munch, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Auguste Rodin, this Museum of Art has become the best place for art lovers.
Location: 7 Congress Square, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Timings: Mon-Sat (10AM-6PM), Fri & Sat (10AM-8PM)
Established On: 1882
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4. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
You might be thinking what to do in Maine that remains memories to cherish. You may consider visiting the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens of Maine. It is a 270-acre lush green oasis housing diverse plant families, animals and birds stretching along a mile of the waterfront. Apart from being the home to the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, this garden is home to many permanent sculptures scattered across all parts of the garden so are the artworks by the Maine-based artists. Kids would love to explore the Waterfront Fairy House Village and the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden here.
Location: 132 Botanical Gardens Dr, Boothbay, ME 04537, USA
Timings: Mon-Sun (9am-5pm)
5. Portland Summer Films, Portland, ME
Do you love watching movies? If yes, then think about watching movies in the city of Maine that too free of cost in the Portland Summer Films. Watching films is one of the free things to do in Maine in summer. You are advised to just bring a lawn chair along with some yummy snacks down to the Congress Square and spend quality time there. You can enjoy one of the many classic movies every Sunday night with your families and friends.
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6. Ice Fishing
Maine is not confined to the summer engagements only. If you are looking at many other things to do in Maine in winter, then ice fishing won’t disappoint you. It is a great activity while the mercury drops. Maine’s lakes become frozen while both domestic and international tourists keep visiting this place to catch the pickerel, bass, salmon and trout amongst others. Get accompanied by friends and families to obtain most out of the ice fishing activities you involve there. Apart from torchlight snowmobile parades, you can also enjoy the snow sculptures at the Caribou’s Winter Carnival besides Snowmobile Festival.
7. Mount Desert Oceanarium
Mount Desert Oceanarium, considered as one of the popular destinations in Maine, offers you a close encounter with the Maine marine life. You can catch various sea creatures there from urchins to sea cucumbers and horseshoe crabs et al. History lovers shouldn’t miss the informative 30-minute presentation at the hatchery. It is all about educating the visitors about how lobsters are raised from the eggs until they get into the stage at which they can survive on their own in the wild.
Location: 1351 ME-3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
Timings: Mon-Sat (9AM-5PM), Sunday closed
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8. West Quoddy Head Light
There are several things to do in Maine. There is thus not a question of what to do in Maine when options are unlimited as well as exciting. One of America’s most famous lighthouses namely West Quoddy Head Historic Lighthouse used to be the popular one way back in 1808 and still remains in the forefront. The lighthouse was influenced by the Canadian lighthouses where exceptional coloring was common to stand out against the snow. Your Maine trip would therefore remain incomplete if you fail to visit the lighthouse. It is now maintained by the West Quoddy Head Light Keepers Association.
Location: 973 S Lubec Rd, Lubec, ME 04652, USA
Established On: 1808
9. Asticou Azalea Garden
Located in the Northeast Harbor on the Mount Desert Island, the Asticou Azalea Garden had been designed and created by Charles Kenneth Savage in the year 1956. With number of species especially azaleas and rhododendrons there, this beautiful 2.3-acre garden remains open to the public from May to October each year. Apart from more than 86 bird species, this garden is home to various types of flower species that keep enthralling the visitors. Main attractions of Maine are thus arts & cultural events, amusement parks, lighthouses, casinos and spectator sports.
Location: 3 Sound Dr, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662, USA
Timings: Mon-Fri (9AM-5PM), Sat-Sun (6AM-5PM)
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10. Climb Katahdin and Camp
From amongst the free things to do in Maine, there are several other things you can do, including a climb on Katahdin. Without the climb, your Maine trip would remain incomplete. During the climb, you also come across to the Baxter State Park. It is one of the most unique state parks in the country where the 5267-foot mountain forms its bedrock. For amazing memories and exceptional experiences, you must consider this climb.
11. Hamilton House
Also known as the Jonathan Hamilton House, Hamilton House is a National Historic Landmark. It is popular as a local venue for weddings and other festivities. This beautiful late-Georgian mansion had completed in 1788 and is spread over 50 acres of land on the banks of the Salmon Falls. Tourists from across the world visit this gate due to its historic relations. It remains open for the tourists from June to October months.
Location: 40 Vaughans Ln, South Berwick, ME 03908, USA
Established On: 1787
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There are a countless other things to do in Maine as it is the perfect place for exploration. Apart from exploring different attractions, you can involve yourself in sightseeing. Mountain ranges are contoured with the scenic parks alongside areas to facilitate hiking and biking trails. Popular beaches, watersports activities, fishing places, restaurants to taste intercontinental cuisines leave lasting impression on you as a tourist and keep fueling your urge to come again and spend your vacation in Maine.
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