The Best Small Towns in Maine to Chill Out In 2024
With 3,478 miles of coastline and over 542,629 acres of State and National Parks, Maine is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and one of the best US states to chill out in nature. Its charming small towns, featuring mellow white-sand beaches and iconic lighthouse parks, exude a thriving coastal culture. Even inland, Maine's beauty unfolds in fragrant forests, serene lakes, and tranquil riversides.
Whether you are planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, Maine offers incredible sights and experiences that will help you reconnect with nature and escape the pressures of everyday life. From meditative beach days to thrilling state park hikes, tranquility comes in many forms. And if relaxation out in nature is what you are seeking in 2024, Maine is your ticket to bliss. To get you started, here are 7 of the best small towns in The Pine Tree State to help you unwind, chill out, and savor nature’s boundless pleasures.
Scarborough
On Maine’s southern coast, the welcoming rivertown of Scarborough is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. Located on Saco Bay—home to Maine’s longest stretch of sand—summertime in Scarborough makes for glorious beach days. With water temperatures rising to the late 60’s in July and August, Scarborough Beach State Park is one of the best places to swim in New England. And with 8 miles of sandy coast, the town has access to several other scenic shores, like Higgins Beach, Pine Point Beach, and Ferry Beach.
But the natural beauty does not end with Scarborough’s beaches. In addition to 5 gorgeous rivers flowing through the town (the Spurwink, Dunstan, Nonesuch, Libby, and Scarborough), Scarborough is home to Maine’s largest salt marsh. The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center is a glorious place to take in the sights by kayak. Plus, the nature preserve hosts fun events throughout the year, like the Guided Canoe Tour happening July 7th to 13th, 2024 and the July Full Moon Canoe Tour on July 19th.
Bar Harbor
There are plenty of reasons the US News and World Report ranked Bar Harbor as one of the top ten most popular summer destinations in the United States, but its coastal beauty is definitely the star of the show. Whether enjoying the open water on a Bar Harbor Whale Watch sightseeing cruise or strolling the century-old Bar Harbor Shore Path along Frenchman Bay, the breathtaking sights keep people coming back time and time again.
What Bar Harbor is most famous for, though, is its gateway to Acadia National Park. Welcoming nearly 4 million visitors in 2023, the 47,000-acre Atlantic coast nature haven is among the ten most-visited national parks in the United States. Whether hiking rugged peaks like Cadillac Mountain or swimming at postcard shores like Sand Beach, your time in Acadia can be as active or relaxing as you desire. And after a long day outdoors, what could be better than venturing back to town for delicious Maine seafood at restaurants like the Thirsty Whale Tavern or Bar Harbor Lobster Co.?
Cape Elizabeth
Hugging the shore of Casco Bay, idyllic Cape Elizabeth is a fantastic option for those looking to enjoy more lowkey coastal parks. And with 3 to choose from, there is plenty of nature to go around. The first, and most well-known, is Fort Williams Park. Here, you will find Maine’s oldest lighthouse, and one of the most photographed in the world: the Portland Head Light. Although the lighthouse tower is only open to the public on Maine Open Lighthouse Day (happening September 14th, 2024), the 90-acre park features gorgeous views of the beacon along with picnic areas, hiking trails, and the award-winning Portland Head Light Museum.
The second of the 3 parks is Two Lights State Park, named after the 2 historic lighthouses nearby. Built in 1828, they were Maine’s first twin lighthouses, and 1 is still operational to this day. Set on a rocky shoreline, visitors can appreciate ocean views from hilltop picnic tables and shoreline trails. But for an even closer coastal view, you will want to check out Crescent Beach State Park, the third of Cape Elizabeth’s gems. The mile-long crescent-shaped shore is a beloved swimming spot and one of the prettiest beaches in Maine.
York
Near the southern tip of Maine, the inviting town of York is another must-visit spot for its beach town atmosphere. Long Sands Beach is the town’s prized stretch of shore, with 1.5 miles of soft, white sand. Whether you come to swim, sunbathe, or explore the tide pools, Long Sands has something for every beachgoer. And for a more secluded beach experience, York is also home to its sister shore, Short Sands Beach. With a quarter-mile of sand, a playground, and a gazebo hosting summer concerts, the beach may be smaller, but its charms make up for what it lacks in size.
For the more adventurous nature lover, there is Mount Agamenticus. While only 692-feet high, the mountain provides some really fabulous panoramic views, especially if you trek to the summit. Paths like the Blueberry Bluff reward hikers with stunning views of the Atlantic. But if you are after a more laid-back day outdoors, there are plenty of other activities in York, like appreciating the Nubble Lighthouse at Sohier Park or a round of golf at The Ledges Golf Club.
Castine
Nestled on the edge of Penobscot Bay, the cozy village of Castine offers a serene outdoor experience away from the hustle and bustle of crowds. As one of the oldest communities in North America, it holds a legendary history as a trading post. Today, its waterfront location is a delight for locals and tourists alike, offering entry to some of Maine’s prettiest natural landscapes.
Visitors can explore the bay day or night with Castine Kayak Adventures. Less experienced paddlers can book a beginners class while the sun is out, while more practiced kayakers may be interested in the Bioluminescence Tour to see the sea in a whole new light under the stars. Alternatively, for those looking to chill on shore, there is plenty of natural beauty to discover back on land. Castine is famous for its surrounding forests, explorable at nature reserves like the Rene Henderson Natural Area or Witherle Woods, whose 6.5 miles of enchanting woodland trails have been open to the public since 1985.
Greenville
The scenic town of Greenville has a similar vibe to Castine, offering a more secluded slice of Maine’s great outdoors. Settled on the lower end of Moosehead Lake (Maine’s largest freshwater body of water), there are plenty of ways to savor a relaxing lake day in Greenville. Many tourists enjoy hopping aboard a Katahdin Cruise to tour the waters on a 20th century steamboat, or a Reel Moosehead Guide Service for a fishing trip.
Allagash Canoe Trips are equally exciting, and the service is famous for being Maine's oldest continuously running canoe guide. But the best place to enjoy Moosehead Lake and its surroundings would be Lily Bay State Park, on the eastern shores of the lake. With 925 acres of lake and forest land, fishing, boating, kayaking, and hiking are just a few ways you can savor the park’s splendor.
Damariscotta
Making our way to Lincoln County, you can find yourself in charming Damariscotta, the oyster capital of New England. Its namesake estuary, the Damariscotta River, produces roughly 80% of Mainye’s oysters, so the seafood restaurants here are some of the freshest around. Schooner Landing is a great place to sample the region’s delicacies with waterside dining, or you can hit up the nearby Simmons Seafood Market to pick up a fresh catch to cook yourself. In terms of after-dinner fun, Damariscotta River Cruises offers an acclaimed Happy Hour & Sunset Cruise and the town has a thriving art scene with countless art exhibitions, including River Arts, the Peace Gallery, and the Kefauver Studio & Gallery.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are one of the millions visiting Acadia National Park in 2024 or one of the thousands enjoying humbler coastal towns like Castline, beauty, relaxation, and adventure await. From Scarborough’s bountiful beaches to Damariscotta’s riverside eateries, “chilling out” can be whatever you want it to be. But with nature this breathtaking, Maine is by far the best place to do it.
