10 Gorgeous Maine Towns To Visit In 2023
In the mood for excellent craft beer, lip-smacking lobster rolls, and moody landscape views you can take in at the top of various lighthouses? Then Maine is the perfect destination for you! Maine is known as the Pine Tree State and is also the home of acclaimed horror writer Stephen King. King has created several fictional places of terror set in Maine (Derry!), but fortunately, the real towns here are charming and gorgeous. In life outside of fiction, Maine offers a spectacular coastline dotted with small towns that provide adventure and tranquility. Let's go on a road trip starting in southern Maine and explore the gorgeous towns lined up along the way to one of the easternmost regions in the US.
Kennebunkport
It's easy to mistake the coastal town of Kennebunkport for the fictional 90s town of Capeside, made famous by Dawson's Creek. Founded in 1653 as a shipbuilding hub, Kennebunkport is a stunning seaside haven that has retained its small-town charm. You can explore its history by going on a unique trolley tour. End your trip at the Seashore Trolley Museum, where you'll find the oldest mass transit vehicle in the world. Kennebunkport also offers a lot more than just historical sites. The Dock Square area houses boutique shops and art galleries, while the Goat Island Lighthouse provides panoramic views of the landscape and coastline. Enjoy the splendor of nature at the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge or venture out for a kayak experience on the Kennebunk River. Before moving on to the next gorgeous Maine town along the coast, don't forget to indulge in the award-winning lobster rolls at the Clam Shack.
Ogunquit
Traveling upwards from Kennebunkport, you'll find the eloquently named Ogunquit. Once a small fishing village, Ogunquit became an artists' retreat in the late 19th century. Here you can experience art in various forms by visiting the Ogunquit Museum of American Art or catching a play at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Take some time to explore Footbridge Beach, which is equally as beautiful as Ogunquit Beach but far less crowded. For a taste of the high life, enjoy a wine tasting at the Coastal Wine Tasting Room before going on a bike tour to explore some of the postcard-pretty lighthouses in the area.
Freeport
Leaving Ogunquit behind, you'll head towards Freeport, yet another gorgeous Maine town. Established in 1789, Freeport transformed from four humble villages into a renowned shopping destination, including the popular LL Bean flagship store. If shopping is not your thing, you can spend some time in Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park or visit the intriguing Desert of Maine – 20 acres of sand dunes smack in the middle of an evergreen forest. The Freeport Historical Society offers incredible insight into local town history, and you can end a fun Maine day at Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company, where you can dine on the day's catch.
Bath
With Freeport in your rear-view mirror, you will soon enter the City of Ships, also known as Bath. This charming town boasts a shipbuilding history from the mid-17th century, which lives on in the Maine Maritime Museum. There are lots to see and do in Bath, including exploring the Bath Historic District or taking a Bath Iron Works tour. Thomas Point Beach is home to one of the largest natural clam beds in Maine, and the bay area here is a breeding site for horseshoe crabs. If you want to take home a keepsake from your Bath visit, the Bath Farmers Market is a must-visit. The market offers several stalls selling local produce and handcrafted goods – perfect for buying a memento or gift. For some good food, don't miss out on the expertly crafted dishes and extensive menu at Southgate Family Restaurant.
Rockland
Rockland is the next stop on our tour of gorgeous Maine towns. Here you can enjoy a delectable Italian or Mediterranean meal at Primo before checking out the Maine Lighthouse Museum or Breakwater Lighthouse. Like many other towns in this state, Rockland was once a shipbuilding and lime production hub before transforming into an arts and culture hub. The town is also the location of the North Atlantic Blues Festival. However, the biggest attraction in Rockland is the Maine Lobster Festival, an annual event celebrating Maine's most famous crustacean. The festival runs for five days and includes parades, cook-offs, music, and a lobster crate race in the ocean.
Camden
Wait a few hours for your lobster meal to settle before leaving Rockland and heading for Camden. Camden is a stunning historic Maine gem with a maritime past dating to the 1800s. Here you can experience the sun on your face and the wind in your hair as your sail on a historic windjammer. You can also visit Camden Hills State Park for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. The Camden Public Library will have you gaping at its stunning architecture and harbor views. For outdoor adventures, Megunticook Lake offers boating, fishing, and swimming. You can also take in a show or two at the Camden Opera House before dining on locally sourced cuisine at Fresh & Co.
Belfast
It takes half an hour to get from Camden to Belfast, and if you get there early enough, you can enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at Chase's Daily. Established in 1773, Belfast was a major shipbuilding center, and its history is on display at the Belfast Historical Society and Museum. Belfast is also the home of the Belfast Bay Fiddlers, which offers regular live fiddle performances, and the Belfast Rail Trail on the Passagassawaukeag, the perfect place for a nature walk. The nearby Moose Point State Park has several picnic areas where you can take advantage of the great weather and the stunning ocean views. You also find the United Farmers Market of Maine here, where you can stock up on fresh local produce and products.
Castine
Three stops away from one of the easternmost regions in the US lies the tiny town of Castine. Settled in the early 1600s, Castine's history involves the French, British, and Dutch. What remains from this history is several stunning forts and the Castine Historical Society. You can play a round of golf at the scenic Castine Golf Club or hike the Dyce Head Foot Path. If you love boats, Eaton's Boat Yard provides a fascinating insight into Castine's boatbuilding tradition. Enjoy a Castine Yacht Club race before enjoying a club dinner afterward, or go sailing with Guildive Cruises.
Bar Harbor
On to the second-last stop on our small-town journey through Maine: Bar Harbor. Initially a shipbuilding and lumbering port, Bar Harbor later attracted the elite, who established a summer colony within its borders. It's easy to see why they loved this town; as the gateway to Acadia National Park, it offers an up-close experience with the best of what nature has to offer in Maine. Besides the park, Bar Harbor is also home to Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. which offers tours to see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. After a fun day out on the water, be sure to stop by Thurston's Lobster Pound for some of the best lobster in town.
Eastport
The last stop on our Maine towns visit is Eastport, which happens to be one of the easternmost towns in America and has the deepest port on the East Coast. Founded in 1798, Eastport was once the sardine capital of the world. Today, it's known for its unmatched ocean views and the annual Salmon Festival. The best time to visit Eastport is in July, so you can experience the large Fourth of July celebration in Maine. Another fantastic attraction in Eastport is the Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere. Additionally, Shackford Head State Park offers more of nature in the form of expansive coastal views and gorgeous hiking trails. Round off your Maine road trip experience with some of the freshest seafood prepared daily at The Happy Crab.
Maine is the setting for several books, TV series, and movies, and with good reason. Maine brims over with history and nature. A road trip to the towns that line the coast here offers unforgettable experiences and the chance to explore small-town life in America's northeasternmost state.
