8 Ideal Maine Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024
Maine, known as vacationland to many, is a state filled to the brim with wild beauty, craggy coastlines, and many towns that make for great vacation destinations, from a month in a cabin to a simple three day weekend. We’ve assembled this guide for the latter: here’s our rundown of 8 ideal destination towns for a three day weekend in Maine.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor, rocked by the harsh waves of the Atlantic Ocean, is also the gateway to the stunning Acadia National Park, featuring rocky shores, challenging yet stunning hiking trails, and wildlife viewing (puffins!). Take a whale-watching tour to see the ocean’s gentle giants in their natural habitat, or stroll around the village green and downtown, taking in several shops, restaurants, cafes, and more. Want to learn more about the nautical history of Bar Harbor? Look no further than the Bar Harbor Historical Society Museum, which features nautical memorabilia and historical context for this stately shore town. Rest your head at the Bar Harbor Inn, or- if you’re feeling brave— camp in Acadia.
Camden
Located on the shores of Penobscot Bay, Camden, Maine, is a center of natural beauty. Home to Camden Hills State Park, which features a campground as well as some stunning vistas from hiking trails of both the bay and Camden itself, Camden is ideal for marrying a passion for nature with a passion for the Maine shore. Stay at the Camden Harbour Inn and take in a show at the Camden Opera House, which dates back to 1894. While you’re downtown, grab a beer at Sea Dog Brewing Company and stroll around Camden’s quaint shops, restaurants, and cafes. Check out Megunticook Falls, a scenic waterfall very close to the downtown area. Enjoy the Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheater, which were designed by the Olmsted Brothers, renowned landscape architects whose work includes several academic campuses like Duke and Yale and parks nationwide.
Kennebunkport
Like the beach? Look no further than the shores of Kennebunkport, a beachy town just inland from the southern Maine coast. Go to Arundel Beach, close to Kennebunkport proper, or drive just a few minutes to long, sandy Goose Rocks Beach. Enjoy the historic district and admire the traditional Maine seashore architecture as well as several artisanal shops and restaurants in the very walkable downtown. Learn some history at the Seashore Trolley Museum, a short drive north of downtown, which features both indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as examples of historic trolley cars. Several operators offer whale-watching tours in the area should you want to take to the sea, and if not, we recommend staying a bit outside of town at the Tides Beach Club, a beachfront hotel that overlooks the water.
Rockland
Rockland lies on the Maine coast, roughly halfway between Portland, Maine’s gateway city and cultural capital, and Bar Harbor, home to Acadia National Park. It’s also its own gateway, in that it’s the ferry port of the Maine State Ferry Service to the islands of Penobscot Bay, where tourists can enjoy summer fun with unbeatable ocean views. Besides simply taking a round trip ferry to an island like Vinalhaven or North Haven, you can also stay within Rockland and have a great weekend: enjoy works of art at the Farnsworth Art Museum or enjoy the stark beauty of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, a small island on a long strip of land that juts out into the water. Nearby Rockland is also the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, where one can see all manner of birds and learn about the local wildlife. We recommend staying at the 250 Main Hotel.
Boothbay Harbor
Enjoy a lobster roll or ten at Boothbay Harbor, just north of Portland, in the section of Maine coastlines that gets especially jagged and dotted with islands and bays. Stroll the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and learn about local plants like the sea rose. Catch a show at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, or catch a natural show by taking a whale-watching, puffin, or lighthouse tour at Cap’n Fish’s Cruises. Take a ferry from the harbor to see the Burnt Island Light, a 19th-century living history museum on Burnt Island with stunning 360 views of the coastline. We recommend a stay at the historic Harbor House Inn.
Ogunquit
Just over the New Hampshire border, Ogunquit is a delightful beach town whose main draw is a beach of the same name. Ogunquit Beach is a large white sand beach on a peninsula very popular in the summer and a must-see for shore enthusiasts. Ogunquit also has its own lighthouse, the Lobster Point Lighthouse, which is well worth a visit and a stroll on the seaside paths that surround it. Take in a show at the Ogunquit Playhouse, a 1930s-era theater staging musicals, or stroll the galleries of the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which features works of American art from the 19th century to the present in light-filled spaces in view of the sea. History enthusiasts can also explore the area’s indigenous history at the Ogunquit Heritage Museum. We recommend staying at the Beachmere Inn.
Greenville
Let’s depart from the Maine coastline and head inland to Greenville, Maine, located in the northwestern part of the state, nestled on the shores of Moosehead Lake. Moosehead Lake is a large lake in the Longfellow Mountains that features ample space for sunbathing, beaches, and water sports, including paddling and boating. Stay at the Greenville Inn at Moosehead Lake and enjoy the best the lake has to offer. For those looking for historical context, look no further than the Moosehead Marine Museum and Katahdin Cruises, which offers a historical tour of the lake on a classic ship. Not far from Greenville is Lily Bay State Park, which sports a campground north of Greenville. Wander downtown Greenville as it’s a gateway to the lake, so features many delicious restaurants and small artisanal shops designed to provision and intrigue the average tourist.
Blue Hill
Blue Hill is our last stop on the Maine Coastline, located just before Bar Harbor on Maine’s iconic Route 1, which traces the entire “Downeast” coastline. At the foot of Blue Hill Mountain, which offers ample hiking trails and stunning views, Blue Hill offers inland and seaside recreation, from hiking to boating. Stay at the Blue Hill Inn and enjoy wandering downtown Main Street, a commercial district full of restaurants. Learn about the area’s history at the Jonathan Fisher House, an 1800s-era home of the town’s first minister that offers a glimpse of life in 19th-century Maine. Time your visit for Labor Day and enjoy the fair at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds, a yearly expo and fun for the whole family.
As you can see, Maine offers a ton of options for any would-be weekend planner, with natural beauty in abundance as well as tasty food, drink, and historical insight from the last few centuries. Each mile of craggy coastline unveils a new adventure: where will you go next? From fantastic seafood options to absolutely stunning views like Acadia National Park, these small towns promise an incredible 3-day weekend.
