There’s a purpose why Maine is named Vacationland! The Pine Tree State provides scenic rocky coasts, gentle sand seashores, serene lakes, mountain landscapes, and untouched pure magnificence. Spend the proper day on the seashore looking for sand {dollars} or hike up mountains to take pleasure in picturesque views. Journey a Ferris wheel after snacking on fried dough or store in distinctive boutiques. One of the best trip spots in Maine for households vary in value, points of interest, and site, ensuring there’s something for everybody.
Maine has at all times been my household’s favourite trip spot. It’s much less crowded, extra inexpensive, and cooler in the summertime months than different widespread New England locations like Cape Cod. We frequently ventured as much as Maine in the course of the low season, leading to extra inexpensive holidays and tranquil atmospheres. My favourite childhood reminiscences embrace strolling the pier at Outdated Orchard Seashore, holding a lobster on Diver’s Ed in Bar Harbor, and constructing sand castles at Wells Seashore.
Listed below are some highlights of the very best trip spots in Maine to select from:
Finest Trip Spots in Maine for Households
Kittery
If you’re in search of a extra low-key household trip, go to Maine’s oldest city Kittery. Identified for its mixture of buying retailers and historic forts, this coastal city has quite a bit to supply. Positioned proper throughout the border from Portsmouth, it’s simple to enterprise all the way down to New Hampshire Seashores or take a day journey to Boston. Kittery is much less touristy than the seashore cities simply to the north, reminiscent of York and Ogunquit, however you’ll be able to simply journey there for a seashore day.
Seize lunch with the household at When Pigs Fly Pizzeria or Bob’s Clam Hut, after which munch on recent cookies and bread at their firm retailer. Head on over to the ocean and go to Fort Foster State Park on Gerrish Island. This previous army fort has rolling grass to picnic and a small rocky seashore to stroll alongside. It’s fairly dog-friendly, and the water is calm and clear. This spot is healthier for a weekend, day journey, or cease on a street journey.
Wells
Wells was a standard trip spot for my household, particularly once we have been little youngsters. There are a number of inns shut by and a number of sandy seashores. A number of the hottest seashores embrace Moody Seashore and Drakes Island Seashore, however Wells Seashore must be the very best. It’s rockier and has a jetty, good for teenagers to seek for marine creatures in tide swimming pools. It’s a terrific place to stroll, boogie board, construct sand castles, or simply loosen up below the solar.
Close by there may be the Rachel Carson Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, a group of in depth nature trails centered on defending native ecosystems. It’s an effective way for households to discover whereas studying about pure sciences.
There are additionally nice meals spots like Congdon’s Doughnuts which was a favourite for us as youngsters. Wells is a superb central location, with quick access to close by widespread cities like Outdated Orchard Seashore, Ogunquit, and York.
Belfast
For over a decade, my household has vacationed in Belfast, an underrated coastal city nestled in Penobscot Bay. This artsy, dog-friendly, cozy city has loads of issues to do for the household.
Head to the historic downtown the place you’ll be able to eat at Rollie’s Bar and Grill, attempt each taste of jelly bean at Chocolate Drop Sweet Store, and store in any respect the distinctive boutiques. You possibly can watch motion pictures at the old-fashioned theater, take a sailboat trip to see the sundown, go to the Blue Alpaca Ranch, convey the children to the city park, or spend all day sea glass looking on the seashore.
You possibly can take a day journey to Camden to hike Mount Battie at Camden Hills State Park. There are additionally a number of islands within the mid-coast area to discover, making Belfast a terrific central location.
Wonderview Cottages is the proper place to remain for a household trip. This cozy neighborhood of cottages offers you entry to a personal rocky seashore on Penobscot Bay. The water is calm and shallow, good for youthful youngsters to swim.
Rangeley
If your loved ones is extra excited by off-the-beaten-path lake life, Rangeley is a superb trip vacation spot. Rangeley Lake is kind of giant and clear, making it well-suited for water actions. From kayaking and swimming to climbing and picturesque views, you’ll fall for the pure magnificence.
As youngsters, we camped at Rangeley State Park with different households at a distant campsite with swimming entry to the lake. At night time, we might pile into the again of a truck and go moose sightseeing!
Quill Hill is a superb spot to drive up and see stunning views of the area. In your means down make certain to drive slowly and maintain your eyes peeled. The street again into city is known as “Moose Alley” the place you’ll be able to usually spot these elusive giants after sundown. If you’re in search of a family-friendly hike, try Cascade Gorge Stream Path, which results in a pure waterfall and swimming gap. The hike shouldn’t be very strenuous making it very accessible for various ages.
A number of Airbnb cabins close by provide a comfortable rustic setting among the many timber. Rangeley is extra distant and additional north into Maine than different locations, good for households seeking to get away from the crowds and revel in nature. Nonetheless, there’s a small downtown with retailers like Basic Provisions, a scrumptious sandwich store.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor is an ideal all-around trip vacation spot that could be a little mixture of all the things. Positioned on the mid-coast, there are lots of points of interest on this charming city. The youngsters will love the Summer season Windjammer Days the place genuine historic schooners sail into city. Celebrations are carried out by each on-land and boat parades, ending with fireworks.
The Maine State Aquarium is a close-by attraction that children will love. You possibly can discover contact tanks with child sharks, picnic, and browse the present store. I touched the sharks once I was round 5 years previous and it was the good expertise, so it’s nice for even the younger ones.
Another family-friendly points of interest embrace the Boothbay Railway Village, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (the place you’ll be able to see large trolls), and whale-watching or puffin sightseeing boat excursions! Downtown, there are a number of cute retailers, nice eating places, and historic candy retailers like Downeast Ice Cream Manufacturing facility and Orne’s Sweet Retailer for saltwater taffy.
Fryeburg
Rather less recognized however an absolute gem is Oxford County’s oldest city Fryeburg. Positioned near the White Mountains, this charming city is nice for nature lovers. Within the summertime, vacationers flock to Weston’s Seashore the place you’ll be able to swim within the calm Saco River. It’s a small sandy seashore, supreme for households with youthful youngsters. You too can go tubing, kayaking, and paddle boarding within the Saco River or Kezer Pond.
The neighborhood is full of life with weekly concert events in Bradley Memorial Park. Arrange a picnic on the grass and benefit from the ambiance each Tuesday in the summertime. Within the fall, the Fryeburg Truthful attracts guests from throughout to see over 3,000 animals! The youngsters will love seeing the horses and cows up shut, in addition to the amusement park rides and concessions.
Moosehead lake
Maine is understood for its lakes and the biggest is Moosehead Lake within the Maine Highlands. Lily Bay State Park is a superb spot to take pleasure in lake life. Fantastic Pebble Seashore is widespread for swimming, there’s a playground for the children, two campgrounds, and areas to go boating.
The Lodge at Moosehead Lake is a superb lodging that gives effective eating and outside actions. Cabin leases are additionally obtainable if that’s extra your fashion. The close by village of Greenville is quaint and has all of the requirements for meals and retailers.
Take a ship trip across the lake, attempt climbing a few of the mountains on the Pinnacle Pursuit problem, take a moose safari, and revel in a few of Maine’s most stunning sunsets.
Millinocket Lake
Millinocket Lake is one other peaceable trip spot, full of outside journey within the shadow of Mount Katahdin. The New England Out of doors Middle provides cabins on the lake and a plethora of journey alternatives.
Rise up near wildlife safely by one in every of NEOC’s moose safaris. Touring both by pontoon boat or passenger van, you’ll be able to take a tour of the encompassing space to identify moose! The identical firm additionally provides water rafting on Penobscot River from stress-free cruises to speedy rides.
Take a day journey to Baxter State Park, a terrific spot for climbing. Simply remember the fact that if you wish to hike Mount Katahdin, it’s an excessive hike that may take eight to 12 hours and requires a parking allow upfront, so make certain to return well-prepared.
Monhegan Island
Is your loved ones a lover of artwork? On the lookout for a extra slow-paced, stress-free getaway? Take a ferry from both Boothbay Harbor or New Harbor to Monhegan Island. This one sq. mile of land is off-the-beaten path with its rocky cliffs, magical woods, and comfy cottages. Cathedral Woods is a well-liked spot for artists to collect on account of its magnificence, and several other fairy homes will be discovered on the strolling trails.
There are cute retailers like The Morring Chain which provides espresso, tea, recent bagels, and pastries. The Monhegan Home is the proper place to remain because it’s a mattress and breakfast proper on the ocean. Get pleasure from scenic views and work together with native artists.
Bar harbor / Acadia Nationwide park
Bar Harbor is without doubt one of the hottest locations in Maine on account of its shut proximity to Acadia Nationwide Park. Acadia Nationwide Park is a real marvel the place you’ll be able to drive as much as the summit of Cadillac Mountain to see the dawn, watch 40-foot waves spray up at Thunder Gap, or loosen up among the many rocky cliffs and sandy shoreline of Sand Seashore.
Downtown Bar Harbor is conveniently accessible by the free Island Explorer bus. This space can get fairly congested with vacationers within the busy summer season months, so make certain to plan for crowds and better costs. This charming city provides a number of interactive actions to do with your loved ones.
Diver’s Ed Dive in Theater was an unforgettable expertise for my household. You board a ship, exit to sea, after which a diver goes down to gather marine life to place into contact tanks for teenagers to study and discover. Youngsters will take pleasure in holding lobsters, starfish, and different enjoyable creatures, making it each an academic and thrilling expertise. There are additionally boat excursions to discover the wildlife in Frenchman Bay and a few are even dog-friendly.
If you want to camp, Smuggler’s Den is a family-friendly campground half-hour from city. When you choose glamping, try Terramor Out of doors Resort. There are a number of mattress and breakfasts on the town as effectively. For a day journey, enterprise to the Schoodic Peninsula and a few of the different scenic areas close to Acadia.
Portland
As the biggest metropolis in Maine, Portland provides nice meals, a unbelievable craft beer scene, buying, and leisure of all types. Outdated Port is the historic district which is understood for superb meals and boutiques. Flatbread Pizza is a household favourite with crispy recent pizza, however there are additionally a number of good seafood choices like Luke’s Lobster and Eventide Oyster Firm. After all, it’s a time-honored custom to line up for the superb shakes and fries at Duckfat.
You possibly can discover Casco Bay and the close by islands like Peaks Island or Nice Diamond Island through ferry or take the children on a lobster boat tour to see what it’s prefer to be a lobsterman (or lady!). A must-visit is to see Portland Head Gentle in close by Cape Elizabeth and spend a while exploring the coast and climbing on the rocky seashore.
Due to the quantity of issues to do and town scale, I’d suggest Portland for households with older youngsters and a weekend keep. Visiting within the winter is a superb time to keep away from crowds and the exorbitant lodge charges that you simply discover in the summertime. There are nonetheless loads of issues to do within the winter months like browse bookstores, and thrift retailers, take meals excursions, and discover the historical past of the realm.
Rockland
With a singular and artsy vibe, Rockland is a hidden gem. With artwork museums and road artwork to admire, this historic downtown holds a particular appeal. Close by points of interest embrace the Rockland Breakwater the place you stroll out to a wonderful lighthouse. You too can take a drive to Owls Head Lighthouse for one more scenic expertise.
In early August, you’ll be able to benefit from the Maine Lobster Competition. Because of its mid-coast location, Rockland could be a terrific cease on a street journey or as a base camp for exploring the close by islands like VinalHaven and Monhegan or taking day journeys to Camden.
Sebago Lake
When you don’t need to drive all the way in which as much as the Maine Highlands area, Sebago Lake is simply an hour from Portland and is the deepest and second largest lake in Maine. Sebago Lake State Park provides a tenting expertise with bogs, seashore entry, a playground, and electrical energy.
I keep in mind making selfmade ice cream, biking alongside the paths, and swimming within the clear, refreshing lake water throughout our household holidays to Sebago Lake. We additionally reneted a pontoon boat in close by Naples. It was enjoyable swimming, leaping, and fishing off the boat. Level Sebago Campground and Resort is a well-liked spot if you’re in search of a step up from Sebago Lake State Park tenting.
Ogunquit seashore
Ogunquit provides the quintessential Maine seashore expertise. You possibly can entry the three miles of sandy seashore from close by rental cottages, inns, and downtown resorts. The appeal of the city is proven in its trolley rides, historic structure, and vibrant environment.
Perkins Cove is a vacationer hub with well-known eating places like Barnacle Billy’s and Perkins Cove Candies. This previous fishing village downtown brings a singular appeal. The seashore itself is sandy, spacious, and attracts a ton of vacationers yearly. There’s a small inlet for teenagers to swim, protecting them secure from the stronger waves and potential currents.
York seashore
The principle draw of York for households is the limitless quantity of kid-friendly points of interest. With each Lengthy Sands Seashore and Quick Sands Seashore, there are many actions to take pleasure in. Lengthy Sands is sandy and broad, with larger waves, good for boogie boarding and seashore sports activities. It has a extra laid-back environment. Quick Sands Seashore is smaller and is near downtown. There’s an old-school arcade and a bowling alley, and it’s near Golden Rod, a store the place you’ll be able to watch by a window how salt water taffy is made after which eat some!
The largest draw for my household was York’s Wild Kingdom! This one-stop occasion for household enjoyable is the mix of a zoo and an amusement park for younger youngsters. There’s even a child zone with puzzles, video games, and humanities and crafts.
Outdated orchard seashore
What’s extra good than spending the day on the seashore after which going to an amusement park? Outdated Orchard Seashore has the one oceanfront amusement park within the space, Palace Playland. This coastal city has that basic American retro environment the place you’ll be able to trip the Ferris wheel, eat fried dough, and stroll alongside the pier.
Close to the seashore, there may be indoor karting, mini golf, parasailing, and biking as a few of the obtainable points of interest. Nonetheless, the very best half is the seven-mile-long sandy seashore good for having fun with a complete day below the solar. Each Thursday there are fireworks at 9:45 p.m. in the course of the summer season months.
Outdated Orchard Seashore is a extra touristy space so it will possibly get fairly crowded. Parking will be difficult so make certain to plan forward. You possibly can simply take pleasure in a trip right here with the household and create lasting nostalgic reminiscences.
Household Glamping, Tenting & Snowboarding in Maine
Typically the proper trip spot is all about discovering a enjoyable campground, glamping expertise, or particular resort for the household to take pleasure in. Listed below are a few of our favorites:
Sunday River Resort
Maine turns right into a winter wonderland within the colder months, attracting winter sports activities fanatics. Sunday River Resort, situated in Bethel is one in every of Maines’s largest resorts with over 84 km of trails and 15 lifts. You possibly can ski, snowboard, snowmobile, snowshoe, and even canine sled with the entire household. All ranges of ability and expertise are welcome from freshmen to returning execs.
We have now cherished snowboarding at Sunday River as a result of it isn’t almost as crowded because the Vermont ski resorts and there’s a part and carry devoted to freshmen that present sufficient choices to ski all weekend with out becoming bored. There are totally different choices for lodging just like the Resort Lodging and the Grand Summit Resort.
Terramor Out of doors Resort
Trying to get near nature with out all the effort that comes with tenting? Your loved ones can take pleasure in a luxurious New England glamping expertise at Terramor Out of doors Resort alongside the pure great thing about Acadia Nationwide Park. You can be staying in a furnished tent with beds, indoor bogs, and screened in porches. There are all of the facilities one would wish like Wi-Fi, electrical energy, house heaters, and overhead followers.
There are communal facilities just like the Lodge that serves breakfast and dinner. Households will benefit from the spacious tent choices, corn gap, board video games, and heated pool and scorching tub. Your location can be prime for exploring Bar Harbor and climbing in Acadia.
Shin Pond Village
On the lookout for a country outside setting that’s off-the-beaten path the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in off roading, snowmobiling, climbing, and extra? Shin Pond Village is a leisure resort within the Maine Highlands, close to Patten. There are alternatives for all sorts of campers from campsites and RV websites to extra spacious cottages. This 100-acre vacation spot has a normal retailer, present store, and a restaurant and bar.
Within the surrounding space, you’ll be able to hike, discover Baxter State Park, star gaze, and hire ATVS or side-by-sides to discover the miles of maintained trails. Within the winter season, snowmobiling could be very widespread.
Huttopia Southern Maine
Huttopia is a European-influenced glamping resort with places in Southern Maine and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This resort is extra utilitarian than luxurious, specializing in offering an immersive nature expertise. There’s a heated pool, sport room, meals truck, and entry to the lake the place you’ll be able to paddle board and swim.
The fundamentals are coated with a propane-fueled camp range, electrical energy, cooking provides, and a full lavatory. Benefit from the peace of the forest or enterprise not far out to the coastal seashores.
Baileys Tenting Resort
Vacationing in Bayley’s Tenting Resort was one in every of our household’s favourite spots once we have been youngsters. Its location in Scarborough is conveniently near widespread seashores like Outdated Orchard Seashore, Ogunquit, and Wells.
The resort provides areas to arrange your tent or camper, or you’ll be able to e-book a small cabin. The three swimming pools stored us youngsters busy with diving boards the place we may observe our jumps. There’s a movie show and a number of camp shops to purchase snacks. The realm is secure, spacious, and excellent for biking round. There are public bogs and electrical energy.
Enjoyable City Splash City, a enjoyable mixture of an amusement park and a water park, is about ten minutes away in Saco. There are additionally stunning seashores close by to discover like Scarborough State Park and Higgins Seashore.
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Lily O’Neill is a contract content material author set to graduate from the College of Massachusetts Amherst in spring 2024. She additionally blogs on her personal web site, Humanscrapbook, the place she focuses on life-style, wellness and journey content material. With a background in psychology and cultural anthropology, Lily combines social sciences and her personal travels to craft significant tales.