6 Most Memorable Small Towns In Maine
Maine, one of the most charming states, thanks to its New England vibes, is all about the summertime sea, sights, and sailing, but also skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the winter! The largest state in New England—larger than all the other states in New England combined—is home to Acadia National Park and a proportionate amount of charming towns to make endless memories through its unique regions.
This may seem overwhelming, but with a handful of the six most memorable towns right here, explore with no fear! Unique vibes in each—these are unlike any other in the state, region, or entire nation! From classic fishing villages like Bar Harbor to the quaint riverside town of Greenville, visit these most memorable small towns in Maine.
Bar Harbor
A quintessential Maine seaside town with international fame and 5,000 locals will leave loads of memories for historians, sightseers, and seafood lovers. Oozing with small-town charm and millions of lobsters just offshore, Bar Harbor dazzles all outdoor fans at the gateway to the one and only Acadia National Park—among the nation's top ten most visited! You can spend the morning poking around locally owned shops, cafes, and boutiques, scratching the surface of the immense park in the afternoon. Alternatively, grab a cone from an ice cream parlor and flip-flop to the beach until the epic sunset before a dinner at one of the sea- and farm-to-table restaurants! Full of nautical vibes, the unique Bar Harbor Scavenger Hunt highlights maritime history through captivating trivia and fun challenges, with stops like Cottage Street, Eden's Son Memorial, and the Criterion Theatre!
Woodrow Wilson established Acadia National Park in 1916, where the mountains and the ocean dramatically collide, invading the historic village with beautiful nature in the most scenic sense! Now pulling in masses for great hiking over 125 miles of wooded trails fanning all around the looming Cadillac Mountain, its main section rests on Mount Desert Island. John D. Rockefeller built over 45 miles of crisscrossing crushed stone roads on the island that visitors can take deep into the woodland, to the tranquil lakes, and up the mountains for the sweeping Atlantic Ocean and nearby islands. The beachfront is lovely for lounging after or kayaking, with the fresh forest air at your back, while the scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road offers views from the comfort of your seat, like in the haze of falltime colors.
Bethel
At the doorstep of the White Mountain National Forest, Bethel is the answer to all your mountain cravings, like hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing in the winter. Nestled in Maine's Lakes and Mountains region, this classic riverside New England village with a scrollable downtown is your ultimate jumping-off point for outdoor adventures. Bethel's waters are a haven for kayakers in the summer, and try soaring over the foliage-ridden mountains on a zipline in the fall! From scenic bike trails to a stunning autumn day hike through Grafton Notch State Park, there is also ice climbing and rock climbing in relevant seasons.
Bethel is prepared to receive wintering birds for excitement along 135 trails and hundreds of acres of alpine terrain at the nearby Sunday River, home to the second-largest ski resort in New England for skiers and snowboarders and a great après-ski scene in both towns. Replete with delightful lodging and dining options, visitors can enjoy year-round relaxing and thrilling adventures on a getaway or whole vacation. Bethel ups the game with a share of historic inns and bed and breakfasts, too, as well as a great spirit for festivals, having built the world's tallest snowman! We all love a historic covered bridge, with a real charmer here, Lovejoy, from 1868, welcoming you right on Route 5 into town.
Damariscotta
Damariscotta's character is calm, like the water bodies, between the undulating namesake river to the west and the tranquil Lake Pemaquid to the east. The small town welcomes visitors with a relaxed vibe to experience the local, laid-back lakeside lifestyle on a getaway, from swimming in the lakes to boating on the river and fishing in the summer. All fall for the charms of the mischievous charms, culprit: fresh seafood of pemaquid oysters and local mussels just from the sea in every style in the local restaurants on a silver plate in front of you!
Damariscotta lures in slowly, captivating visitors into almost a trance with a slew of picturesque historic buildings, businesses, grand mansions, and sites, thanks to the lucrative fishing industry. Its oldest building, the Chapman-Hall House, dates from 1754! From the nearby Whaleback Shell Midden dating from over 2,000 years ago to an evening performance at the brick-built Lincoln Theater and elaborate modern-day diversions, make this town an unorthodox stop on your travels from Portland to Bar Harbor and Acadia!
Greenville
Greenville, primed at the ledge of the state's largest lake, is a really cool town to visit, with the best views from the lakeside boardwalk to stretch your legs after a long car ride. Now grab a local meal or a lobster roll to explore, leaving the locally-made craft beer at the Stress-Free Moose Pub for an after-cheer! Just nine miles north of Greenville, the lovely 925-acre Lily Bay State Park is worth a quick drive one and many times on your summer vacation, or stay put at its lakefront camping in Maine's North Woods! Featuring two miles of rugged shoreline along Moosehead Lake to explore, there is also a swimmable beach, a playground, kayaking, and canoeing, while the hiking trails turn to cross-country skiing.
Visitors can own the 117 square miles of Moosehead Lake in any way, like boating, fishing, and swimming, or really appreciate the sheer size via seaplane or on a cruise! There are even remote campsites along the lake with access by seaplane! The Moose Safari is Greenvile's kitsch, which makes it unlike any other town for a memorable family adventure, comprising a lookout tour via canoe or van of the majestic moose habitat, among other wildlife! Visitors can glimpse into Greenville's past at the Steamboat Katahdin, one of the innovative vessels from a century ago that plied along the lake's waters. Still making waves, Katahdin offers a spin around Sugar Island and insights on the area's heritage.
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport, a formerly sleepy village in the south of the state, may have grown into a popular Maine tourist destination, but holding its slumberous state close to heart, it is a dreamy coastal getaway! At its heart, find Dock Square, replete with shops and restaurants, for unique finds and great eats. Summer Street, just around the corner, is a destination in itself, with upwards of 17 historic sea captain houses! In Kennebunkport, visitors can explore the area for sights and stay immersed in favorite water pursuits like fishing, sailing, and boating, as well as take advantage of the many whale-watching tours available.
Goose Rocks Beach, a famed three-mile-long sandy beach, offers calm waters for kids' paddles and family swims after descending a long slope down to the shore, which protects it from the heaving surf. Magical for all ages, the Seashore Trolley Museum, the world's first and largest electric railway museum, features an impressive collection of worldwide trolleys, streetcars, omnibuses, and trains. Don't miss the iconic Goat Island Light from 1833, soon to celebrate its two-century anniversary of guiding sailors into the safe harbor! It was one of the last lighthouses to be automated, and though closed to entry, its sheltered silhouette in Cape Porpoise Harbor is spectacular from the shoreline just north of town, off State Route 9.
Old Orchard Beach
Maine's first beach resort from 1863, Old Orchard Beach, is sure to leave the brightest memories today for any group with seven miles of pristine beach, whether seeking old-timey charm, a plethora of water pursuits, or family-oriented attractions! You can start along the most popular Old Orchard Beach Pier for a stroll and selfie against its wooden jut into the cerulean waters and revisit to clink a glass along this stretch before you depart. Replete with restaurants and shops, there's plenty to browse along the historic pier from the 19th century against the water views and in the spiritual presence of Frank Sinatra, who sang to his adoring fans at the former casino here!
Delighting all ages, the Palace Playland is New England's singular beachside amusement park, open this summer! Needless to say, it is an attraction worth experiencing with everything from a 24,000-square-foot arcade and 250 games, an overseeing Ferris wheel, and plenty of space to let the little ruts run around safely in between kid-friendly rides, including the tiniest tots! There are also thrilling roller coasters for adults and teenagers, all with the sea vistas and salty breeze in your face to keep going all day long, in between great food, gift shops, and a fireworks show every Thursday night at 9:45!
Looking for memorable beaches? The southern coast town of Kennenbunkport's Goose Rocks Beach is a famed three-mile-long sandy beach with its iconic, soon-to-celebrate two-century-old Goat Island Light in Cape Porpoise Harbor. Find Lovejoy, a covered bridge from 1868 near Bethel, and just further on, Sunday River is home to the second-largest ski resort in New England!
Maine's first beach resort from 1863, Old Orchard Beach, is home to the 19th-century Old Orchard Beach Pier for a stroll along its wooden jut, with restaurants and shops, where Frank Sinatra once sang in a casino. Its Palace Playland is New England's singular beachside amusement park, while there's also the beachfront of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor for lounging and kayaking after a hike.
