9 of the Most Welcoming Towns in Maine
Anyone who loves the outdoors will appreciate all Maine has to offer. With 3,478 miles of coastline, over 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 6,000 lakes and ponds, it is easy for visitors to interact with nature and engage in summer water sports. Lobster is also a big business in Maine, and the state's robust fishing community brings in 40 million pounds annually, nearly 90 percent of the nation’s lobster supply. With its rocky coastlines and fishing villages, Maine is a distinctive US state that welcomes visitors with its picturesque New England appeal.
Bangor
About an hour northeast of Maine’s capital, Augusta, Bangor has a historic downtown along the Penobscot River and features many specialty shops and restaurants, including a wine and cheese shop, jewelry stores, and the Bangor Public Library. Fans of author Stephen King can take a tour of places that have inspired his stories. Bangor is his inspiration for the fictional town of Derry, the setting for many of his novels.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Rolland F. Perry City Forest covers more than 680 acres of wildlife habitat and forest in Bangor and features more than nine miles of trails for running, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a colorful fishing village about five hours from Boston by car and 50 miles from Bangor International Airport. Fresh seafood is one of the area's features, and there is more than lobster. The Thirsty Whale, or "The Whale" as locals call it, is a popular seafood spot serving lobster, chowder, and their signature fried clams.
Surrounding Bar Harbor is Acadia National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. Forty-five miles of rustic, motor-free carriage roads, a gift from American business magnate John D. Rockefeller Jr., run through the park's mountains and valleys. Rockefeller also built 16 stone‐faced bridges in the park, each with a unique design.
Brunswick
Named after the German-led House of Brunswick, the town of Brunswick was incorporated in 1739, and the area boasts the elite institution Bowdoin College, founded in 1794. The welcoming downtown has wide, pedestrian-friendly streets filled with eclectic shops and eateries, including coffee and ice cream shops and breweries. Moderation Brewing is one brewery that blends a historic space and setting, recreating a bar atmosphere before prohibition.
For an outdoor attraction, the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, originally built in 1892 for workers walking from the Topsham Heights neighborhood to Brunswick’s Cabot Mill, is open for visitors to experience the unique structure. The Androscoggin River Bicycle Path is 2.6 miles long and allows walkers and cyclists to take in the area's scenery.
Camden
Camden sits along the midcoast of Maine, and the town's name comes from Charles Pratt, the first Earl of Camden. In 1892, a fire burned most of downtown Camden, but the buildings were rebuilt with brick, creating today's look. Some downtown fixtures include Camden Opera House, Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe, and shops like Small Wonder Gallery and Owl & Turtle Bookshop Café.
Camden Hills State Park is 5,700 acres of natural landscape with over 30 miles of hiking and walking trails. Beaches such as Barrett’s Cove, a freshwater beach on Megunticook Lake, welcome visitors to enjoy time by the water. Several scenic islands in the area contain lighthouses, like the Curtis Island Lighthouse, which is still actively used by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Cape Elizabeth
The welcoming Maine town of Cape Elizabeth is five miles south of Portland, which gives guests the experience of small-town charm and the convenience of proximity to a larger city. Biking is a popular activity, and riders can choose a view of the bay and ocean along one of the coastal trails or ride over the Casco Bay Bridge for a view of Cape Elizabeth. For a dining option after working up an appetite, The Good Table, a restaurant inside a farmhouse known for its Sunday brunch, serves comfort food and local specialty dishes.
Another popular area attraction is a lighthouse tour. One of the main attractions in Cape Elizabeth, there are many to visit and learn about, like Portland Head Light, the state’s oldest lighthouse, built in 1791.
Carrabassett Valley
Visitors of the inland town of Carrabassett Valley, Maine, will find 4,237 foot-tall Sugarloaf Mountain and Maine's largest ski area. Sugarloaf Ski Resort is Main's largest ski resort, and visitors can bike or golf in the summer. Resort events include live music and a tree-lighting festival. In addition, the area also hosts country-country skiing, and the Narrow Gauge Pathway follows the Carrabassett River for six miles.
The resort and surrounding area have several dining and shopping options for a respite from skiing. For après ski dining options, The Rack BBQ is co-owned by Olympian Seth Wescott and serves authentic Maine maple wood-smoked barbecue.
Freeport
Freeport, Maine, wasn't incorporated until 1789, but many historic structures remain. Along the banks of the Harraseeket River, The Harraseeket Historic District comprises Freeport’s oldest maritime villages. Freeport is also home to L. L. Bean, which opened in 1912 as Bean Boots. One of the more unique attractions in Freeport is the Desert of Maine. Visitors can access 20 acres of dunes formed from the glaciers during the last Ice Age.
There are also events unique to the area, such as the Lobsterman Triathlon in South Freeport, one of the better-known triathlons in the U.S.
Kennebunk
On the southwest coast of Maine, Kennebunk is 90 miles north of Boston and 25 miles south of Portland. Meaning "long cut bank," the welcoming community of Kennebunk showcases picturesque Mousam and Kennebunk rivers and the distinctive Sea Captain's mansions on Summer Street. Many area beaches, some sand, some rock, are perfect for walking with a four-legged friend. Dog-friendly beaches include Gooch's, Middle, and Mother's.
While the area boasts several museums, Kennebunk has a heritage discovery trail where the streets act as museums. The tour consists of panels, including rare photographs, documents, and town history records.
Scarborough
West of Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Maine, is home to the state's largest salt marsh. The town's history includes a significant role in the King Philip War between English colonists and Native American tribes. Beginning in 1675, it was one of colonial history's bloodiest conflicts. In a town with so much history, local favorite Ken's Place Seafood Restaurant has served dishes like clam chowder and cakes for almost 100 years.
Visitors to Scarborough can also enjoy a balance of outdoor and indoor activities. The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center within the salt marsh offers educational programs, exhibits, and guided tours on the distinctive ecology of the marsh and its wildlife. For an indoor activity, the Winslow Homer Studio showcases the work of painter Winslow Homer, known for his landscapes. Seasonal tours are available at the studio in the Prouts Neck area of Scarborough.
Discover Maine's Welcoming Spirit
Whether strolling the coast in the east or skiing the mountains in the west, Maine is a state that offers visitors a variety of experiences. With each small town as welcoming as the next, guests of New England’s northernmost gem can eat lobster dockside in a fishing village or hike the green trails of the Pine Tree State. No matter the chosen experience, fresh air, and friendly faces await in the delightful towns of Maine.
