8 Offbeat Maine Towns To Visit In 2025
At the northeasternmost corner of the United States, Maine offers plenty to see and do for adventurous explorers, along with ample opportunities for pure relaxation. Up and down Maine’s Atlantic coast, discover towns with charming historic centers and picture-perfect beaches. Yet throughout the Pine Tree State, you can also find incredible mountains for hiking and skiing, along with tranquil lakes for kayaking and paddling. No matter how active or restful you want your vacation, Maine is the place to make it happen. Though Maine already has some popular destinations for travelers, there’s even more to explore off the beaten paths. With this in mind, check out these eight offbeat Maine towns to visit in 2025.
Ogunquit
Situated near the southern tip of Maine, Ogunquit is a longtime artists’ colony that also happens to have some of New England’s most beautiful beaches. Feel free to walk the long stretch of white sand at Ogunquit Beach, and head north to Footbridge Beach for a public ramp to embark on a phenomenal paddleboard or kayaking excursion. Shifting inland, dive into the local arts scene at the Barn Gallery to view works by local artists, and discover more classic and contemporary works at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.
Since this is the Maine Coast, you can expect plenty of delectable edible creations in Ogunquit, especially at legendary seafood houses like Barnacle Billy’s and M.C. Perkins Cove. And for some extra quality time by the beach, check into the Cliff House for elegant oceanfront accommodations alongside a full-service spa and wellness center.
Cape Elizabeth
Just south of Portland, Cape Elizabeth truly shines on the shores of Casco Bay. For the town’s most famous attraction, go to Fort Williams Park and tour the Portland Head Light. This is the region’s oldest lighthouse (first lit in 1791!) that now houses a fascinating museum at the keeper’s house. If you’re feeling hungry, stay at the park and look for the (seasonal) Bite Into Maine food truck for some of the Pine Tree State’s tastiest lobster rolls.
If you can use some quality time in the water, go south to Crescent Beach State Park for the best ocean water for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking, as well as a crescent-shaped sandy cove for beachcombing and sunbathing. Staying at Crescent Beach, the Inn by the Sea is a gorgeous boutique hotel with the deliciously farm-fresh Sea Glass restaurant.
Casco
Only about 24 miles northwest of Portland, Casco lets you escape to the stunning freshwater oasis that is Sebago Lake. Stretching for some 45 square miles with a series of forested coves and water reaching as deep as 300 feet, Sebago Lake manages to draw plenty of visitors every summer without feeling overcrowded. And here at Casco, Sebago Lake State Park is the ideal spot for aquatic activities like boating, canoeing, fishing, and swimming, and it has hiking trails sporting wonderful views of the lake and the nearby White Mountains.
When you’re more inclined to try some activities on dry land, hit the links at Point Sebago Golf Course to play up to 18 holes of par 72 golf, and hit Rolfe Hill for another network of beautiful wilderness hiking trails as well as designated ATV trails. For the ultimate family-friendly resort that can take care of nearly everything, Migis Lodge offers 3,500 feet of Sebago Lake frontage along with on-site sports facilities, children’s activities, and all-inclusive plans with dining covered in the standard room rate.
Bethel
Located around 45 miles northwest of Lewiston, Bethel is a mountain village that keeps active year-round. Nearby is Sunday River Resort, one of the region’s top ski areas with 139 trails offering up to 2,340 feet of vertical drop, and it has its own golf course offering tee times during the summer. To the north of Sunday River, Grafton Notch State Park and the Mahoosuc Public Lands offer some of the most challenging hiking terrain on the north end of the Appalachian Trail and additional trails that reach as high as 4,180 feet above sea level at the summit of Old Speck.
Closer to town, White Mountain National Forest extends west into New Hampshire and has plenty more nature trails for hiking and wildlife viewing. For the perfect “base camp” in town that makes it easy to explore all these parks and more, try The Inn at Rostay and enjoy simple yet cozy country-style hospitality.
Rangeley
With six lakes and the Western Maine Mountains of the Appalachians right in their backyard, it’s easy to understand why life in Rangeley feels so easygoing. Rangeley Lake is the closest lake to town, and Rangeley Lake State Park has 869 acres of gorgeous park lands for hiking and wildlife watching, along with swimming, paddling, and fishing at the lake. Also around town, Mingo Springs and Evergreen Golf Clubs offer tee times with incredible mountain views. And speaking of the mountains, Saddleback Mountain offers glorious skiing during winter, and hiking and biking during the summer season.
Back in town, The Rangeley Inn & Tavern offers a prime location by Haley Pond and near Rangeley Lake, and it has everything from rustic tavern-style dining to freshly renovated lodging and bookable local tours to make your trip even more easygoing.
Greenville
Nestled in the Longfellow Mountains, Greenville opens up to the 40 mile-long and 20 mile-wide Moosehead Lake that’s the state’s largest. In town, take a swim at the inviting Red Cross Beach near downtown, or utilize the Greenville Junction Boat Launch to sail away and explore more of the lake on boat. For even more adventures at the lake, head north to Lily Bay State Park and take advantage of their larger swimming beach, two miles of lakeside walking trails, and two boat ramps.
Even beyond the lake, there’s even more to experience at the nearby stretch of the 100-Mile Wilderness, a ruggedly beautiful corner of Maine’s Appalachian Mountains with multiple hiking trails and fantastic opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife spotting. When you seek a great launchpad for all of these and more epic adventures in the Maine Highlands, book a stay at The Lodge at Moosehead Lake.
Stonington
Mount Desert Island may be Maine’s most famous island thanks to Acadia National Park, but don’t sleep on the village of Stonington on the island of Deer Isle to the west. True to its name, Sand Beach near town is an idyllic sandy beach for easy strolls and sunbathing. If you’re up for more exhilarating hikes, hit the trails at Settlement Quarry Preserve and find panoramic views of the surrounding islands, and try Crockett Cove Preserve to wander through dense maritime forests of spruce and fir trees.
After spending the morning (or afternoon) venturing across Deer Isle, head back to town to feast on freshly caught local seafood at Stonecutters Kitchen, and stop at Dockside Books & Gifts for some very special souvenirs at this beloved local institution. Once you’re ready to settle down, stay the night at the aptly named Inn on the Harbor.
Lubec
At the easternmost edge of Maine and the United States, the town of Lubec places you at the center of the beautiful Bold Coast. If you have your passport ready, cross the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge to discover the dazzling gems of Roosevelt Campobello International Park (part of New Brunswick, Canada), including President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s cherished summer cottage and the gorgeous Raccoon Beach. Meanwhile, on the U.S. side of Lubec Channel, hike the trails at Quoddy Head State Park to spot black cliffs dating back to the Silurian Age (about 420 million years ago) and the candy cane striped West Quoddy Head Light that’s illuminated the coast since 1858.
A little ways south, Lubec has even more pristine corners of coastal wilderness for phenomenal hiking, including the ruggedly verdant Hamilton Cove and Boot Cove. Once you’ve concluded a full day of adventures, make your way to Peacock House Bed & Breakfast for a splendid stay in a historic 1860 house with plenty of contemporary creature comforts, including private bathrooms, premium TV, and wifi internet.
These Offbeat Towns Are Always On Point For Great Trips
Maine might have some popular destinations that draw a lot of travelers, yet the Pine Tree State also has plenty more offbeat towns that open the door to even more exciting adventures. At Cape Elizabeth, stop at a lighthouse that’s been operating since the 18th century and indulge in some classic Maine lobster rolls. At Bethel, embark on epic excursions year-round at Sunday River and the Appalachian Trail. And at Lubec, discover beautiful beaches and lush corners of coastal wilderness on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. While these and other Maine towns might be off the most heavily beaten paths, these detours are most definitely worthwhile.
