8 Offbeat Towns To Visit In Maine
The “Pine Tree State” of Maine is one of the natural gems of the New England region, with its rugged coastlines, thick forests, soaring mountains, and rushing rivers. The state is also known for its many lovely small towns, steeped in history and populated by famously welcoming and independent-minded Mainers. Some of those towns, including the eight we have listed here, have a special quirkiness and offbeat charm that offers a truly unique experience to visitors.
Eastport
Eastport, the easternmost town in the United States, is just a short ferry ride away from New Brunswick, Canada. As befitting this international connection, Eastport hosts a unique “Old Home Week” celebration that spans Canada Day (July 1) through Independence Day (July 4). Eastport’s most unusual natural feature, the Old Sow Whirlpool, also sits on the border between the U.S. and Canada. Old Sow is the largest whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere, reaching up to 250 feet in diameter. The whirlpool is easily reached by boat, although inexperienced boaters in small vessels should be careful.
York
York is a classic seaside resort town, with its sandy beach flanked by entertainment options like arcades and a zoo. Not far from the beach, the historic buildings in the York Village district offer great shopping and sightseeing. One of York’s offbeat claims to fame is the “Wiggly Bridge,” a narrow, wooden-decked, 75-foot-long suspension bridge that more than earns its name as pedestrians feel it (safely) twist, turn, and bounce underfoot. The Wiggly Bridge also rewards those who cross it, leading them into the beautiful Steedman Woods nature preserve.
Mount Desert
No matter your definition of “offbeat,” Mount Desert has you covered! If you enjoy random, kitschy statues, check out the Mount Desert Spring Water company’s unexplained homage to the Blues Brothers. Or, if hard-to-fathom natural phenomena are your preference, check out Bubble Rock. This 14-ton granite boulder perches perilously at the edge of a cliff, having been left there thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers. Bubble Rock, which is accessible via a moderate-difficulty trail of about 1 mile, is (like the town of Mount Desert) located inside of Acadia National Park.
Kennebunkport
Like its neighbor, the more famous summer resort town of Kennebunkport, the lovely seaside community of Kennebunk is a photographer’s delight. But one unusual Kennebunk highlight stands alone as the (unofficial) most photographed home in Maine: the Wedding Cake House. Known officially as the Bourne House, the Wedding Cake House dates from 1825 and is deliciously rich with Gothic-era architectural details that really do give the impression of fancy cake decorations. Fortunately, visitors who work up an appetite can head to the nearby Boulangerie bakery for a range of sweet treats.
Freeport
Freeport is famous as the home of L.L. Bean, which has its retail headquarters and giant flagship store in the heart of town. The surrounding downtown area has transformed into an unusual outlet shopping destination, with several of the retailers utilizing historic (or historic-looking) structures within the town. But the biggest oddity is the Freeport McDonald’s, housed in a lovely 1850 Greek Revival/Italianate home that looks unchanged from the front street side. If you have ever wanted to enjoy your Big Mac and french fries in style, Freeport is the place to be!
Bangor
Bangor claims to be the birthplace of Paul Bunyan, so the town naturally has a 31-foot tall fiberglass statue of the mythic giant American woodsman. While the statue makes for a fun photo opportunity, a more macabre one awaits on the second floor of the Bangor Public Library. There, you will find the “Hannibal Hamlin Death Couch,” the spot where President Lincoln’s first vice president departed this earth. In addition to this incongruous pair of curiosities, Bangor has a casino and several outdoor goods retailers in its revitalized downtown area.
Ellsworth
If you find it hard to imagine living without your smartphone but sometimes long for the pre-cellphone days, plan a visit to the town of Ellsworth. The Telephone Museum, located in an unassuming warehouse, holds an astounding collection of landline phone artifacts and memorabilia, going back to rotary-dial phones and even hand-crank phones. After imagining yourself as an old-time telephone switchboard operator, take a few hours to explore Ellsworth High Street shopping district and Union River waterfront. And consider keeping your phone tucked in your pocket (except for taking photos) at nearby Acadia National Park!
Columbia Falls
Wild blueberries are Maine’s state fruit and (along with lobsters) its most famous food product. Keep that in mind when you see what appears to be a giant blueberry emerging from the earth along Highway 1 in Columbia Falls. This is the sign that you have reached Wild Blueberry Land, a kitschy and charming 7-acre park that offers blueberry-themed amusements and foods. Downtown Columbia Falls is also well worth a visit, with great views along the Pleasant River and historic buildings like the 1820 Ruggles House and 1849 Union Church.
If you enjoy giant statues, giant blueberries, or giant wedding cakes that are actually homes, Maine has the kind of offbeat charm that you are looking for. From the “Wiggly Bridge” to “Bubble Rock” to the “Death Couch,” small-town Maine offers unique experiences that create lasting memories. So, while you should definitely plan your Maine vacation around exploring its natural beauty, set aside some time to enjoy its quirky side as well.
