These 9 Towns Are Maine's Best-Kept Secrets
Ah, Vacationland—the slogan found on Maine license plates since 1936. Even with its unknown origins, the unofficial nickname speaks volumes about the idyllic Pine Tree State as a vacation destination, no matter the area or time of year. The state's laidback attitude and indelible flavor make it a very special place, and these nine best-kept secrets reveal why the state is worth exploring again and again.
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport has a long-lasting reputation as the ideal coastal escape in Maine. Dock Square is the hub of this resort town, a fetching assortment of shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Perhaps its most well-known and celebrity-frequented eatery is The Clam Shack, a staple for fried seafood and local lobster since 1968. Two miles from Dock Square lies Cape Porpoise, a less-populated working fishing village. At Nunan's Lobster Hut, diners can grab a lobster roll or even splurge on the daily special-sometimes a deal on three-armed lobsters!
Pier Road leads sunset seekers to Cape Porpoise Pier, complete with sweeping ocean views, including the still-active Goat Island Lighthouse in the distance. There, you can watch local lobstermen bring in the day's haul, dine at waterfront restaurants Ultramar or Casa Seventy-Seven, and pose for that perfect family photo at golden hour.
A visit to Kennebunkport is not complete without a day at Goose Rocks Beach. Along the three-mile stretch of beach, you will often find intricate sandcastles, raucous games of spike ball, and kids hunting for crabs. Afterward, head to the nearby Tides Beach Club for an outdoor cocktail on the front lawn or stop by Goose Rocks Dairy and Ice Cream for a sweet treat to end the day. With its quiet neighborhoods, delicious salt air, and hydrangeas of the brightest blue, Kennebunkport is a spot in Southern Maine not to be missed.
Ogunquit
The name Ogunquit literally means "beautiful place by the sea," and this overlooked seaside town definitely lives up to the translation. Start your visit in the downtown area at Backyard, a coffee and sandwich shop with a close-knit community feel. Or, art lovers can browse the many galleries on Main Street and spend time at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which features a permanent collection and many rotating exhibits throughout the year. Ogunquit is also well-known as an LGBTQ-friendly destination in Maine, with many gay-owned businesses and planned events to celebrate the community.
Another highlight of Ogunquit is Marginal Way, a 1.25-mile cliffside walking path beginning at Shore Road and sprinkled with 39 different benches so you can easily kick back and enjoy the panoramic ocean views. Your walk will end in Perkins Cove, a busy area for local lobstermen. There, among the many small businesses that call the Cove home, you will find Barnacle Billy's, a landmark restaurant and favorite of former president George HW Bush, where you can enjoy homemade clam chowder and the famous rum punch in a gorgeous rooftop setting overlooking the harbor.
Georgetown
Established in 1716, the village of Georgetown is an island community that relishes its natural beauty, and you will love its calming ambiance. Visitors love to explore Reid State Park; with an array of landscapes like rocky beaches, sand dunes, and even a bog, this area is definitely a unique find in midcoast Maine. It is not only one of the best surfing spots in the state but also a nesting area for endangered species like least terns and piping plovers. Another option is the Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary, a 115-acre preserve with a fantastic network of hiking trails, for a view of Maine's diverse terrain.
For lunch, try Five Islands Lobster, a casual seafood stand located on the wharf amidst scenery that will leave you gobsmacked. Grab a picnic table and watch the fog creep in between fishing boats that bring in fresh catches.
Another fascinating stop in Georgetown is Eros Oysters, a saltwater oyster farm in Robinhood Cove, where you can book a tasting tour and learn about the inner workings of the waterfront operation. Or, drop by without an appointment and select your own oysters straight from the water to take home or enjoy onsite.
Cape Elizabeth
It is no wonder Edward Hopper committed the Cape Elizabeth Light to canvas in his painting titled "Lighthouse Hill" or that the Portland Head Light is the most photographed lighthouse in the world. Cape Elizabeth, not far from Portland, is one of the state's best-kept secrets.
A meal at The Lobster Shack at Two Lights is a must-do for anyone visiting Cape Elizabeth. Serving fresh lobster since the 1920s, the award-winning restaurant sits oceanside, rendering unbelievable lighthouse views. A little further north inside Fort Williams Park, the Portland Head Light is only open to the public on Maine Open Lighthouse Day, but there is plenty else to do.
You can explore the Arboretum, grab a bite from a local food truck, and if you have kids in tow, check out the Children's Garden. If you don't want to explore Cape Elizabeth on foot, you can also get around by bike. Cruising over the path on the Casco Bay Bridge will take you straight into Portland.
Freeport
You might recognize Freeport by the giant duck boot that marks the LL Bean Flagship Store right in the middle of town. But after you stock up on your outdoor gear essentials, it is time to discover the rest of what the hidden gem of Freeport has to offer. Check out one of many renowned breweries like the nationally ranked Maine Beer Company, which has tasty pizzas and a kid-friendly outdoor area, or the Goodfire Tasting Room and Kitchen, which has a tasting room with lots of fun yard games. For a night out, catch live music at local venue Cadenza or try Porter Kitchen + Bar’s take on American classics.
There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature in Freeport, namely Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, where you can birdwatch, hike, or even snowshoe in the winter. You will also find community events aplenty. On Saturdays from May to September, you can experience Makers on Main, a stream of artisans and food vendors that pop up weekly down the central stretch of town.
You also don't want to miss the summertime Freeport Oyster Festival or the Sparkle Celebration, which kicks off the winter holiday season. Freeport knows how to honor every season of the year.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor is a quintessential Maine town that comes with a never-ending bucket list of experiences you will be eager to check off. For a really special night, arrange a boat tour with Cabbage Island Clambakes, a scenic water adventure that culminates in an authentic shared meal with all the fixins in Linekin Bay. Boothbay Harbor also offers many activities the whole family can enjoy.
Spend an interactive day learning at the Maine State Aquarium, or explore the whimsy of the 270-acre Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Discover the huge collection of beachcombers' finds at the Kenneth E. Stoddard Shell Museum, or take a summertime boat tour for whale or puffin spotting. If you appreciate a little spooky flair, book the 90-minute Boothbay Harbor Ghost Walk, where local guides unravel tales of mysterious happenings from over the years.
Rockport
You are sure to love the underrated charms of Rockport, a tourist haven with an offbeat history that distinguishes it from other towns. First, it is the birthplace of Captain Hanson Crockett Gregory, otherwise known as the creator of the donut hole, a claim to fame now celebrated every June with a community Donut Festival featuring vendors, live music, and a 5K run. And you can't overlook the story of Andre the Seal—also the inspiration for the 1994 film "Andre"—an abandoned pup found in 1961 that chose to remain in Rockport with its rescuer for decades, a symbol of loyalty and human-animal connection memorialized with a statue in Rockport Marine Park.
Along with seaside activities, Rockport is home to amazing golf courses for players of all levels. The Goose River Golf Club's nine holes are short and sweet for the casual golfer, while the Rockland Golf Club has a complete 18 holes for the more serious. There is even the family-friendly Golfer's Crossing Mini Golf for the little ones.
Finish a visit to Rockport with a visit to Beech Hill Preserve, the only bald hilltop in the area that allows you unobstructed views of Penobscot Bay. At the very top, you will find Beech Nut, a stone hut listed on the National Register of Historic Places. What is more, to celebrate Maine's state fruit, you can join in the annual Wild Blueberry Weekend, a relatively new tradition that features wild blueberry foraging, farm tours, and blueberry delicacies across the region.
Winter Harbor
If you prefer to take the road less traveled, Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula is where you will want to journey. As an entrance to this quieter, more preserved section of Acadia National Park, Winter Harbor itself is a small, somewhat secluded town. However, that is exactly its draw. With a population of under 1,000 people, you can take full advantage of Winter Harbor’s unassuming beauty and slower pace. There are many outdoor activities at your disposal. Bike and kayak rentals are available through Sea Schoodic Kayak and Bike or head into Acadia National Park and hike the six-mile loop around the Schoodic Peninsula.
After the day's adventure, savor dinner and drinks at local restaurant The Treehouse Seaside Grill or The Gallery Restaurant and Cocktail Bar. For something more casual, try the new-to-the-scene Musquito Harbor Brewing Company or take a picnic to Grindstone Point, the southernmost tip of Grindstone Neck, providing awe-inspiring vistas of the nearby islands and mountains. Renamed Winter Harbor in 1854 because the "waters never froze," this Downeast retreat, purposefully tucked away from the hubbub of sought-after sights to see, will surely warm your heart.
Camden
Camden's slogan is "where the mountains meet the sea," and its lengthy list of outdoor offerings will lead you to both settings every season of the year. In summer, you can hit Laite Memorial Beach, only a 10-minute walk from historic downtown Camden, or charter a private schooner. The Camden Snow Bowl revs up in the fall with chair lift rides for a birdseye view of the trees changing colors, and in winter, you can "Ski the Sea" with more than 20 runs, along with a toboggan chute and tubing, all overlooking the ocean.
For the very adventurous, Equinox Guiding Service can lead you through challenging rock or ice climbs and can even help you summit a mountain. Not to be forgotten, Camden is well known for its food scene. Notable bakery The Place earned New York Times recognition in 2024, and the pan-Asian restaurant Long Grain is helmed by a James Beard semifinalist. Both Camden Deli and The Waterfront Restaurant offer outstanding dishes and al fresco dining right by Megunticook Falls and Camden Harbor, respectively.
Driving over the Pisacataqua River Bridge into Maine, the sign that greets you states: "Welcome to Maine. The way life should be." And you will agree with this sentiment in no time. The lobster boats and sea spray, the tall pines and rugged shorelines—they are but a few of the ingredients that combine to create the magic of Maine, and these nine best-kept secrets are especially inviting. It is time to plan a trip to Vacationland.
