6 Quintessential Maine Towns

While Florida and California are famous for their bustling boardwalks and beaches, Maine stands out with a more relaxed and authentic coastal vibe. Along with the more classic sandy shores, Maine’s 3,500-mile coast boasts rugged cliffs and forested slopes, featuring some of the prettiest postcard scenes in the country. Beyond its lighthouse-dotted shores, visitors can also experience Maine’s maritime history and some of the best seafood scenes around. Coupled with 436,064 acres of state and national parks and over 2,000 coastal islands, this New England state and its quintessential towns prove that Florida and California are not the only coastal destinations worth exploring.

Camden

Along the shores of Penobscot Bay, Camden shines as the “Jewel of the Maine Coast.” The sea truly anchors this coastal town, whether you are exploring its waters with a Camden Harbor Cruise or aboard the Schooner Olad & Cutter Owl boat tour. On land, visitors can take in breathtaking views from Harbor Park or stroll through Camden’s 19th-century High Street Historic District, which borders the waterfront. The district’s shops, restaurants, and museums—such as The Village Candy and Gift Shoppe, The Waterfront Restaurant, and Carver Hill Gallery—serve as the perfect prelude to sunsets over the harbor.

Sunset views become even more enchanting atop Camden’s mountains. Just a few miles from downtown, Camden Hills State Park is the best place to experience the perfect blend of hill and sea, which is partially why Reader's Digest named Camden the “Most Charming Small Town” in Maine for 2024. Spanning 5,700 acres, the park features over 30 miles of hiking trails with some of the best ocean views in the United States. The most popular peak, Mount Battie, rises nearly 800 feet and can be accessed by hiking or driving for a fee, rewarding visitors with panoramic views of Camden Harbor and the bay.

Bar Harbor

As a gateway to the wonders of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is one of Maine’s most iconic towns. This Mount Desert Island community is just a 5-minute drive from the 47,000-acre wonder, which welcomes around 4 million visitors each year. Visitors come from near and far to experience the park’s rocky headlands, 158 miles of hiking trails, and scenic drives like Park Loop Road.

Before embarking on your Acadia adventure, you can gear up at local Bar Harbor shops like Cadillac Mountain Sports. With one of the best Main Streets in the United States, downtown Bar Harbor also serves as the perfect follow-up to your time in the mountains. Beyond the usual tourist shops and souvenir stores, the spirited and colorful downtown features gems like The Barnacle oyster bar, Thirsty Whale Tavern, and Agamont Park, a more low-key spot for ocean views. Just across the road, visitors can also depart on a Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co cruise, reopening for the season in May of 2025.

Boothbay Harbor

Often referred to as "the soul of the coast," Boothbay Harbor is a charming seaside town that comes alive in the spring. In May, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens captivates the first wave of visitors with a stunning display of 35,000 tulip blooms. As New England’s largest botanical garden and one of Maine's top outdoor attractions, its award-winning gardens, tidal saltwater frontage, and miles of woodland trails can be explored into late October. However, spring and summer are the most popular seasons, with plant life at its brightest.

During Boothbay Harbor’s warmer months, other local attractions like the Maine State Aquarium open for the season. Summer is also the best time to sail to Cabbage Island for a “quintessential Maine experience.” From mid-June through Labor Day, the Cabbage Island Clambakes tour agency offers a relaxing excursion to Cabbage Island, featuring a traditional clambake feast of chowder, lobster, clams, and more. Back on the mainland, a taste of the sea can be enjoyed year-round at seafood joints like the Tugboat Restaurant, Whale's Tale Restaurant, and McSeagull’s Restaurant.

Cape Elizabeth

With no railroads in sight and the nearest Interstate Highway 5 miles from town, Cape Elizabeth is the perfect place for a quiet coastal escape. In place of crowded boardwalks and tourist traps, visitors come here to visit the town’s array of parks. This includes gems like Kettle Cove State Park, Crescent Beach State Park, and Two Lights State Park, all of which are within a 5-minute drive from one another. Each offers its own stand-out attractions, including cove-front walking trails, a mile-long sandy shore, and 41 acres of rocky headlands.

However, Cape Elizabeth’s main claim to fame is Fort Williams Park, the home of Maine’s oldest lighthouse. Commissioned by George Washington in 1791, the Portland Head Light is one of the most photographed lighthouses in America. Visitors can learn more about its past at the adjacent Museum at Portland Head Light, located in the former Keepers’ Quarters. But the best part of visiting Fort Williams Park is the landscape itself, with 90 acres of cliffside and rocky beach to explore.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport offers a more classic resort atmosphere, its summer population swelling over 10 times in size during the peak tourist season. The town is located where the Atlantic Ocean and Kennebunk River merge, meaning water recreation is in full swing at the Kennebunkport Marina in the summertime. June through August is also when the town’s shores come to life, including Kennebunk Beach and Goose Rocks Beach, which Travel and Leisure named one of “The 11 Best Beaches in Maine” in 2023.

Beyond its beaches, the Seashore Trolley Museum and Ocean Avenue are some of Kennebunkport’s top attractions. The scenic drive is known for its ocean views, watercolor sunsets, and views of former President George Bush's summer estate. While tourism is the main money maker in this historic fishing village, there are still tons of world-class seafood restaurants in town. Places like Alisson's Restaurant, the Arundel Wharf, and the Boathouse Restaurant are seasonal favorites. Alternatively, for a more hands-on experience, you can sample fresh lobster rolls right on the sea by booking an Adults Only Rugosa Lobster Tour.

Ogunquit

About 30 minutes south of Kennebunkport, Ogunquit is another town on Maine’s southern coast known for its stunning coastal scenes. In place of drives along Ocean Avenue, Ogunquit locals favor strolls at Marginal Way, a 1.5-mile paved cliff walk bordering the Atlantic. Along with some of the best ocean views in Maine, this easygoing trail offers several points of interest, including rugged cliffs, tide pools, and the Lobster Point Lighthouse.

Ogunquit is also home to one of the highest-rated beaches in New England, celebrated for its clean white sands and warm tides from the Ogunquit River. According to TripAdvisor’s 2024 Travellers’ Choice Awards, Ogunquit Beach ranked in the top 25 “Best of the Best Beaches” in the United States. For a break from the sun, Ogunquit also offers tons to see and do indoors, including the Ogunquit Museum of American Art and Ogunquit Playhouse.

The Takeaway

In many areas along the US coast, visitors have come to expect crowded shores and boardwalks brimming with roller coasters and tourist traps. By contrast, Maine offers a more down-to-earth coastal atmosphere. Whether booking a weekend in Bar Harbor for a whale-watching excursion, hanging out on Kennebunkport’s award-winning shores, or sampling Boothbay Harbor’s fabulous seafood scene, these six quintessential towns promise memorable experiences with Maine’s slower pace.