Planning a trip to Vacationland?
I’m sure you know by now that there’s so many things to do in Maine.
From hiking, to water sports to amazing fall and winter activities, it can be hard to narrow down a few things to do on your Maine vacation.
But we absolutely love Maine and we go at least once a year to visit family. So here are our favorite 11 things to do in Maine!
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Maine Things To Do
1) Visit Fort Williams Park
When you think if Maine, lighthouses probably come to mind.
So it’s not too far off to assume that your best Maine photos will have this very lighthouse in the background – the Portland Headlight
After all, it’s one of the most photographed lighthouses in the US.
And while you’re at the park, don’t forget to check out the cliff walk (which leads you right down to the shore) and the ruins of Goddard Mansion!
2) Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Another lighthouse, really?
Well, yes, but this one is not like other lighthouses.
The lighthouse itself is set out in the Casco Bay which makes it an adventure to get to!
We had fun just hoping from rock to rock, but be careful if you choose to go – there are no railings and that water can be cold!
3) Go Hiking to a Waterfall
Maine? Hiking? Well of course.
But we have one recommendation in particular.
There are several waterfalls in Maine to choose from – you have the beautiful Screw Auger Falls which is known for it’s beauty, Angel Falls which requires about a mile hike to get to, and then there’s Rattlesnake Flume and Pool which has some of the clearest water for swimming that you’ll get at a waterfall!
And while all of those will take your breath away, our recommendation has to be Frenchman’s Hole in Bethel, Maine.
That’s is because it has everything.
- You want to hike? Check.
- Jump from the top? Check.
- Swimming? Check.
And even if all you want to do is walk around and admire the scenery, you really can’t go wrong!
We decided to stay at the top like chickens responsible people, but there were several little kids jumping fearlessly from the 20-30 foot cliff! And when you’re done, stop for lunch in the picturesque town of Bethel!
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4) Spend some time in Portland
Portland is the most visited city in Maine – and for good reason – it’s super cute!
From the cobblestone streets and the old world charm in the Old Port to the abundance of restaurants to choose from, there’s never a shortage of things to do in Portland.
And if you live to eat like us, check out some of the restaurants below. They definitely won’t disappoint!
- The Porthole – nothing fancy, but classic New England cuisine and the best fish fry we’ve ever had! Bonus tip: if you’re there on a Friday go for lunch and have unlimited fish and chips!
- Walter’s – If you’re looking to get dressed up and have a nice fancy dinner go here! The food is amazing and the service is hard to beat!
- The East Ender – Full disclosure – we actually had our wedding reception here in the upstairs area. When you first come in the place looks tiny, but the upstairs, with it’s dim lighting and brick walls is as romantic as it gets! From a food truck in 2012 to a Bon Appétit Best New Restaurants 2015 Nominee, the food here can’t be any better! Not too fancy, but not too casual. Perfect for date night!
- Duckfat – So this restaurant actually is tiny, but it’s worth the wait. Why is that you ask? Because the fries are fried in duck fat instead of in regular oil. They do sandwiches, fries, and salads. That’s it – and it’s always packed. They do “simple” perfectly!
- Two Fat Cats – This is actually a bakery not a restaurant, but if you’re looking for New England desserts you have to check them out! They make the best pies we’ve ever had and for a Maine specialty be sure to get some made-in-house whoopie pies! Bonus tip: in fall they make pumpkin whoopie pies!
5) head to peak's island
In our opinion, no trip to Maine is complete without a visit to Peak’s Island.
A short trip on the Casco Bay Lines ferry will get you to the island, with round trips almost every hour.
In all honesty, there isn’t all that much to do on Peak’s Island, but you can rent a bike and tour for a bit followed by some ice cream.
That in combination with a stroll along the docks and the tiny beach was a prefect way to spend a summer afternoon.
And if you get hungry you can stop for lunch at The Inn on Peak’s Island for some great views!
6) Go shopping!
When we visit Maine we always make a trip to the Freeport Village Station.
The outlets there have awesome prices and I always jump at the chance to update my wardrobe at outlets!
And when you’re done shopping there are several great places to have lunch.
Tip: If your looking for another good place to shop, The Kittery Outlets are about an hour to the south of Freeport and are also great!
7) outdoor sports
No matter what the season, you can always find some great outdoor activities in Maine.
In winter try your hand at skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, or snowmobiling.
And in summer rent a kayak, stand up paddle board, or jet ski and head over to the Casco Bay or Sebago Lake.
Just be careful – even in summer the water can be cold.
For those of us who prefer to be warm, a wet suit is always a good investment!
8) Visit Acadia National Park
If you’re looking for some great hiking and even better views, you need to be at Acadia National Park.
The park is home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic coast!
While it does get packed with tourists in summer, visiting Acadia in the Fall or Winter is not for the faint of heart. Not only does it get cold, but some of the trails and surrounding shops actually close.
But for those of us who are slightly more adventurous, Acadia Park has some of the best winter sports around including snowmobiling and dog sledding!
9) Attend a festival!
While there’s plenty of things to do outdoors, Mainers are no strangers to making their own fun!
All throughout the year you can find locals congregating in different regions for some very unique festivals.
This list includes classic Maine foods like the Lobster Festival and Clam Festival, but also ranges to other festivals like the North Atlantic Blues Festival and the Wilton Blueberry Festival.
Who knew? 😛
10) Go Apple Picking
If you happen to be visiting Maine in Autumn, apple picking is a must!
They taste so much better than store-bought apples and you get to pick the best ones for yourself.
There are several apple orchards you can visit, but our go-to is always Apple Acres Farm in Hiram, ME.
Grab a bag and collect however many you want, then go into their little store to try some apple cider donuts and homemade cheeses! We always try to limit our donut intake, but it’s hard to stop at just one of these!
11) Go leaf peeping
During autumn most of the state changes from green to red, orange, and yellow, in this beautiful display of colors. And where better to watch it than in Maine?
Imagine a nice autumn breeze, an outdoor fireplace, and some toasted marshmallows, you’ll never want to leave!
So there you are! Some great things to do in Vacationland and even some awesome places to eat!
And don’t forget to subscribe for access to our free travel resource library! It will help you plan your Maine trip like a pro and it only takes 5 seconds!
Happy travels!
– Veronica
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