10 Strangest Landmarks in Maine
Maine sits at the farthest northeastern corner of the country, and contains some of the wildest and most remote landscapes to be found on the continent. Sparsely populated, this state's few big cities and towns do what they can to stand out and attract tourism. Many come to explore Maine for its plethora of state and national parks, and others come for some of its more obscure attractions.
This article delves into ten of these notable destinations that fall a bit more on the stranger side of things. From geological anomalies to obscure museums, come and see the weirder side of Maine today!
Desert of Maine
A geological anomaly in a state known for dense forests and coastal landscapes, the Desert of Maine is a 20-acre expanse of glacial silt resembling a small slice of, well, sandy desert. The phenomenon began in the 19th century when overgrazing by livestock stripped the land of vegetation, exposing the underlying sand-like deposits left by glaciers thousands of years ago. Once erosion took hold, the barren landscape expanded, eventually consuming a family farm.
Today, the site operates as a historical and ecological attraction, featuring walking trails, educational exhibits, and remnants of the original farmstead partially buried by shifting silt. It also has plenty of ways to spend time, from a game of mini golf to camping under the stars. Despite its name, the "desert" is not a true arid region but rather an example of extreme land degradation that stands out in an otherwise verdant forest. Note that this destination is privately owned and closes for the winter.
International Cryptozoology Museum
The International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland is dedicated to the study of creatures whose existence remains little more than speculation, from Bigfoot to lake monsters. Founded by cryptozoologist Loren Coleman in 2003, the museum houses an extensive collection related to the subject, including alleged hair samples, footprint casts, and life-size replicas of cryptids. Its eclectic mix of exhibits also explores local legends like Maine’s own Pukwudgie, a mischievous humanoid creature said to inhabit the woods.
While some see cryptozoology as pseudoscience, this museum presents the subject in a highly educational and well-curated context, discussing folklore, eyewitness accounts, and the history of undiscovered species. Some sections even highlight real animals once thought to be myths, such as the okapi and coelacanth. Furthermore, the International Cryptozoology Museum also offers an interesting look at the intersection of legend and genuine scientific curiosity, making it a unique attraction whether or not you're a "believer."
Reversing Falls
In the quiet coastal town of Pembroke, the tidal currents of Cobscook Bay create a rare natural phenomenon known as the "Reversing Falls." Instead of a traditional waterfall, which tends to fall downwards, this site features powerful rapids that appear to flow backward with the dramatically changing tide.
The area, which includes the Bay of Fundy right across the border in Canada, is known for extreme tides that push water into the narrow Pennamaquan River. The current is then forced upstream, reversing its direction multiple times a day. The effect is most apparent at peak tidal shifts when whirlpools and churning waves form as water levels rapidly rise or fall. Unlike a typical river system, where water follows gravity’s pull, these falls apparently operate under the influence of one of the highest tidal ranges in the world.
This unusual natural wonder of Maine is part of the aptly named Reversing Falls Park, which provides you with a network of hiking trails and scenic viewpoints over the falls.
World's Largest Rotating Globe
Known as Eartha, the world’s largest rotating and revolving globe is located at the headquarters of the map-making company DeLorme in Yarmouth. With a diameter of 41 feet, the massive structure is a precise 3D scale model of Earth, displaying accurate topographical details based on satellite imagery. Unlike a standard globe, Eartha mimics the planet’s axial tilt and completes one full rotation every 18 minutes.
The structure was unveiled in 1998 as a showcase of modern cartographic technology and remains a unique educational landmark that people can visit today within its sheltered enclosure. Here, one can view the globe from multiple levels inside the glass atrium, allowing for an up-close examination of continents, oceans, and landforms in remarkable detail. It is a perfect destination for all geography lovers in Maine.
Worlds Largest Telephone
In the village of Bryant Pond, a 14-foot-tall wooden replica of a classic crank telephone stands as a tribute to telecommunications history. Installed in 2008, the oversized structure commemorates the Bryant Pond Telephone Company, which was the last hand-crank telephone system in the United States. The system somehow remained in use until 1983, when it was finally replaced by a dial service.
The monument honors Elden and Barbara Hathaway, who ran the family-owned exchange for decades, connecting calls manually through a switchboard in their home. You can find the giant telephone standing beside the local post office, where abundant nearby parking allows you to conveniently stop for a photo in a small parkette.
The Paul Bunyan Statue
There are many Paul Bunyan statues across the United States, but many consider this one THE Paul Bunyan statue, given Bangor's former title as the "lumber capital of the world." While Paul Bunyan is a folkloric figure, Bangor also claims to be his birthplace, citing its dominance in the global logging industry during the 1800s.
Towering 31 feet, it was erected in 1959 for Bangor’s 125th anniversary. The fiberglass and steel figure weighs 3,700 pounds, depicting the legendary lumberjack holding an axe and peavey. The statue stands near the Cross Insurance Center, where it has endured decades of Maine’s harsh winters and occasional pranks. Whether viewed as a kitschy roadside stop or a nod to the state’s heritage, this oversized woodsman remains one of New England's most iconic landmarks.
The Umbrella Cover Museum
The Umbrella Cover Museum on Peaks Island is the world’s only museum dedicated to umbrella sheaths, a true ode to life's sometimes mundane beauty. Founded by Nancy 3. Hoffman in 1996 (her name does, in fact, contain the number 3), the collection features over 2,000 umbrella covers from dozens of different countries. Guinness World Records has even recognized the collection!
This one-of-a-kind museum explores the everyday object’s design, history, and cultural significance, turning a commonly discarded item into a subject you didn't know you wanted to know more about. Exhibits range from vintage and branded covers to those made with unusual materials or backstories. The experience is enhanced by guided tours from the founders, which is a highly recommended way to round out the experience.
Wedding Cake House
"The Wedding Cake House," formally known as the George W. Bourne House, is a historic residence located at 104 Summer Street in Kennebunk, Maine. Built in 1825 by shipbuilder George W. Bourne, the house originally showcased a more modest Federal-style architecture. Inspired by the intricate designs of Milan's cathedral during a European tour, Bourne began adding elaborate Gothic-style wooden embellishments to the house in later decades. With the assistance of apprentice carpenter Thomas Durrell, he crafted detailed buttresses, pinnacles, and ornate trim, transforming the home into a striking example of Carpenter Gothic architecture.
Recognized as the "most photographed house in Maine," the Wedding Cake House has undergone various restorations to preserve its unique façade. While it remains a private residence and is not regularly open to the public, its distinctive appearance continues to captivate visitors who can't help but look twice when passing through the area.
The Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation
Founded in 1986 by perhaps the world's most famous literary couple, the Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation is one of the state’s largest philanthropic organizations. It is housed in their former home in Bangor. Funded primarily through the success of Stephen King's books, the foundation provides millions in grants to support Maine communities.
So, while not all that strange, its Victorian architecture and bat-adorned fences look like a location taken straight out of one of Stephen King's horror novels. For fans of the author's extensive line of work, this must-visit landmark will allow you to see where King worked much of his word-smithing magic back in the day.
Bubble Rock
Located on the summit of South Bubble Mountain in Acadia National Park, Bubble Rock is a strangely placed geological feature that draws curious hikers to scratch their heads at its precarious position. The rock is a large, rounded boulder perched perilously on the edge of a steep cliff, seemingly defying gravity.
The truth is that this formation is the result of glacial activity thousands of years ago. As glaciers advanced and retreated, they carried large rocks and deposited them in unusual positions, kind of like the sany at the Desert of Maine. Bubble Rock is one such "glacial erratic," a term used to describe rocks that are displaced from their original location and often left in odd or unstable spots.
Tourists can reach Bubble Rock via a relatively short but steep hike on the Bubbles Trail, which also offers its travelers some great views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountainous coastal landscape, one that is particularly beautiful during the fall season.
See the Weird Side of Maine Today
Whether you're hanging out in Bangor or exploring Maine's wild countryside, there are several oddities to spice up your trip in Maine. From the weirdly mundane to the straight-up bizarre, these attractions are sure to create some unforgettable memories wherever you may be in this vast state. Maine has much more to offer, both in "regular" attractions and ones more akin to what is mentioned above, but if you're looking for something truly different, be sure to come back and use this list to help kick-start your next adventure here.
