11 Serene Maine Towns For A Weekend Retreat

The rugged, picturesque state of Maine is known for a wide variety of exciting attributes, including the Portland Cryptozoology Museum and Stephen King’s House in downtown Bangor. The Pine State is also home to several phenomenal small towns with relaxing, peaceful venues. These attractions allow for that sense of tranquil ambiance. From Old Orchard Beach and the Old Orchard Beach Pier to Eastport and the Shackford Head State Park, the majestic state of Maine has an abundance of attributes that welcome tranquility. Here are eleven of Maine's most serene small towns that are perfect for a weekend retreat.

Old Orchard Beach

With only 9,000 permanent residents, Old Orchard Beach possesses the demeanor of being a popular tourist attraction without being inundated with the hectic hustle and bustle of big city living. For instance, guests can enjoy relaxing in the sunshine while they stroll along the 500-foot-long Old Orchard Beach Pier as it rests on the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

Palace Playland and Pirate’s Cove Adventure Land, two other attributes that are called Old Orchard Beach home, also provide a sense of tranquility to parents while their kids are having fun, for those who wish to devote an entire weekend to the visit, Old Orchard Beach is home to Rebekah Inn, which provides comfortable, cozy rooms and is only a minute away from the beach.

Stonington

On the southern end of the lower portion of Deer Isle, the small town of Stonington is home to several preserves, like the Settlement Quarry Preserve, the Edgar M. Tennis Preserve, and the Crockett Cove Woods Preserve. Each of these preserves provides ample opportunity for relaxation through some scenic hiking trails, including the Settlement Quarry Loop and the Tennis Preserve Loop.

Pres du Port Bed & Breakfast, one of the best lodging choices, is downtown. It has comfortable rooms and serves breakfast the following morning. It is also relatively close to another fabulous attribute of Stonington, the MCCF Discovery Wharf, which is currently the most active lobster port in the state of Maine.

York

Further down the coast of the Atlantic, north of the border of New Hampshire, the town of York possesses several natural attributes that encourage people to visit for the relaxation. From beaches like Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach, to Wiggly Bridge and Mount Agamenticus, rest and relaxation are part and parcel to everything they can experience within this picturesque coastal town.

York Beach is also home to a plethora of fine seafood restaurants and cozy inns. Dockside Guest Quarters & Restaurant, situated on Harris Island, offers both delicious lobster and other seafood fare, fresh from the ocean, as well as comfy lodging for the entire weekend. York is also home to York’s Wild Kingdom, which features everything from lions from Africa to Bengal Tigers from India.

Rockland

Rockland is the home of the Farnsworth Art Museum, which features over 15,000 paintings and artwork, like the 1846 “Camden Harbor” painting by Alvan Fisher. Also home to the Maine Lighthouse Museum, possessing the largest collection of lighthouse artifacts known, picturesque Rockland is the place to visit when relaxing with the family for the weekend.

Another awesome attribute, the Maine Lobster Festival attracts hundreds of people annually for a taste of what some say is the most delicious lobster in the world. Held at Harbor Park, the Maine Lobster Festival features everything from cooking classes to ship tours. Cozy lodging options are abundant in Rockland as well. From LimeRock Inn to the Talbot House, there is always somewhere comfortable to spend the evening.

Eastport

Further up the Atlantic Ocean's coast, the town of Eastport is best known for the Mermaid, a bronze statue created in 2009 by Richard Klyver. Another great attraction in Eastport, Shackford Head State Park, offers amenities such as hiking, picnicking, and beach access.

The Tides Institute & Museum of Art also calls Eastport home. With events like the Great Sardine & Maple Leaf Drop, held every New Year’s Eve, and artists in residence from as far away as Oregon and California, this museum is literally the talk of the town. The Historic District of Eastport downtown has a plethora of relaxing options, including gazing out over Passamaquoddy Bay.

Harpswell

Also along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, just south of Boothbay Harbor, the small town of Harpswell has a plethora of awesome attractions geared toward rest and relaxation. One of them, Eagle Island State Park, is on Eagle Island. Yet, to get to Eagle Island, one requires a boat. Once you get there, though, there are several great campground sites, including primitive tent sites and RV hookups.

Harpswell is home to several other natural attributes, like Stover’s Point Preserve, Long Reach Preserve, and Skolfield Shores Preserve. Both Stover’s Point, off Harpswell Sound, and Skolfield Shores, off Casco Bay, are on the same archipelago as the town of Harpswell, while Long Reach, off Quahog Bay, is on Sebascodegan Island.

Greenville

Further inland and at the southern end of Moosehead Lake, the small town of Greenville has a plethora of relaxing attributes, including Lily State Park, which provides guests with opportunities to swim, boat, kayak, and fish within and along Moosehead Lake, as well as picnicking, hiking, and camping. Lily State Park’s campground offers 90 different sites, most of them on the banks of the lake.

Other options for relaxation include Mount Kineo, State Park, and Prong Pond. While Prong Pond offers some great fishing opportunities and is six miles north of Greenville and a mile south of Lily State Park, Mount Kineo State Park has a three-plus mile scenic hiking trail that provides not only views of the rugged landscape but also provides sightings of the illusive peregrine falcon.

Casco

Home of Sebago Lake State Park, which offers fishing, boating, kayaking, and even camping options, the town of Casco is a phenomenal place to receive rest and relaxation. There are even some excellent hiking trails in the area, including the Outer Loop, which is around four miles in length, and Kingfisher Trail, which is just over two miles long.

Along the southern portion of Pleasant Lake, this tiny town has several tranquil venues that are perfect for any member of the family, including Hacker’s Hill and Mayberry Hill preserves. Plus, if you want to relax to 18 holes of golf, the Point Sebago Golf Course is the place to check out. It offers many different levels of difficulty.

Belfast

Hidden along the delta of the Passagassawakeag River, the town of Belfast is home to a plethora of great attributes. From Belfast Harborwalk to Belfast City Park, there is something for everyone wishing to relax. The Harborwalk provides scenic views along the harbor, allowing visitors to check out the many different types of boats, while Belfast City Park offers vistas of Penobscot Bay for that perfect family picnic.

Parent Gallery and Waterfall Arts, two of the better art galleries in the town of Belfast, are also well worth checking out, especially if you prefer fine arts. Plus, just down the road from Belfast City Park, the Belfast Inn and the Fireside Inn both offer comfortable rooms, excellent service, and breakfast the following day.

Freeport

Another great small town to visit in Cumberland County, the town of Freeport is home to the Desert of Maine and Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. The state park offers everything from hiking along the White Pines Trail Loop to camping at Wolfe’s Neck Oceanside Campground. The Desert of Maine, on the other hand, provides several unique features, like the Buried Spring House and a Historic Barn from the 18th century.

Winslow Memorial Park is another natural venue that is called Freeport Home. With amenities such as camping and a public beach, rest and relaxation for the entire family is easy to accommodate. Plus, while in town, check out the Freeport Historical Society, which features the Harrington House, which was built around 1830.

Newry

Home of Grafton Notch State Park, the tiny town of Newry, just six miles straight north of Bethel, is one of the towns in Maine that is made for rest and relaxation. Grafton Notch offers a plethora of scenic hiking trails, including the Table Rock Trail Loop and Old Speck Mountain Trail, as well as awesome camping opportunities at the Grafton Notch Campground.

Sunday River Covered Bridge, built in 1872, is also in the town of Newry. This covered bridge is a favorite of those who travel the United States looking for old covered bridges. Some other great attributes, Screw Auger Falls and Frenchman’s Hole, two of the many waterfalls in the area, encourage people to visit over and over as well.

Embracing the Tranquility of Maine's Small Towns

With all of the hustle and bustle needed to provide a good life in this day and age, rest and relaxation are hard to obtain. Yet, when they are achieved, it is usually through small towns far away from home during that one vacation a year. Whether it is through visiting Lily Bay State Park in Greenville or checking out York’s Wild Kingdom Zoo, the eleven small towns above provide the perfect chance to rest and relax when the opportunity does arrive.