Things to do in  Maine

Located on Maine's Schoodic Peninsula and Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park is a New England gem. You'll find diverse areas to explore, from dense woodlands and vast lakes to the tallest mountains on the Northeast coast. There are endless adventures on offer, such as catching the country’s first sight of sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, camping on the remote shores of Duck Harbor, and hearing waves crashing in the park's famed Thunder Hole Inlet.

Dating back to the 18th century, the Portland Head Light watches over the rocky coastline of Maine as the state’s oldest lighthouse. Its picturesque location also makes it the most photographed lighthouse in the United States. And the surrounding Fort Williams Park is a popular beach and hiking destination.

An inlet on Maine’s southern coast, Casco Bay is a rich maritime area spotted with lighthouses, historic forts, and seven small islands. Calm conditions make Casco Bay an ideal spot for boating, sailing, and kayaking, while the islands each have their own unique communities to explore.

With granite walls that appear to rise straight up from the surface of Portland Harbor, this abandoned military fort was built on a small island during the Civil War. Only accessible by boat, today it’s a reminder of Maine's military past and a curiosity for passing harbor cruises or intrepid kayakers.

Stretching for several miles along Portland’s East End, this scenic trail connects the city’s cobblestoned Old Port with Fort Allen Park, East End Beach, and beyond. Along the way, sweeping views of Casco Bay and its islands provide a picturesque backdrop for joggers, cyclists, and picnickers enjoying this easy-to-access greenway.

Among the most photographed of all Maine’s lighthouses, this picture-perfect spot is full of New England coastal charm. From the whitewashed keeper’s house to the lighthouse itself, Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse is simply beautiful. Because the lighthouse is on an island, visitors are limited to admiring the view from the mainland.

Hundreds of big-name brands and shopping malls flank Route 1 in Kittery, a major shopping destination that draws bargain-seekers from around the region. One major stop is Kittery Premium Outlets, a mall with more than 60 stores from Anne Taylor to Zumiez. Discounts abound, and sales discount goods between 25 and 65 percent.

Stephen King, the iconic American horror author, lived at this residence in Bangor, Maine, from 1980 until late 2023. When King and his wife relocated permanently to Florida, the house was repurposed into an archive of his work, a retreat for select writers, and headquarters for the Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation. It is not open for tours or to the general public.

Considered one of the finest examples of the Italian Villa architectural style in the country, the Victoria Mansion—also known as the Morse-Libby House—is one of the grandest historic homes in Portland, Maine, as well as the entire region. Completed more than 160 years ago, the manor is distinctive for its brownstone exterior and richly decorated (and beautifully preserved) interiors.

Monument Cove is part of Acadia National Park's stunning coastline and can be accessed by hikers along the 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometer) Ocean Path. At sunrise, visitors snap photos as the rocky shore is slowly blanketed in golden light. The granite monolith that anchors this area of Mount Desert Island is the main draw, as are the nearby tidepools.

The summer home of the Bush family, Walker’s Point Estate is a coastal retreat in Kennebunkport, Maine. Earning the nickname the “Summer White House” over the Bush presidencies, Walker’s Point Estate has hosted international heads of state. While you can view the estate from afar, the Secret Service doesn’t let visitors get up close—a picture with the estate as a backdrop is as much as you should expect.

On Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park, Bubble Pond attracts hikers, photographers, fishing enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. While the park is open year-round, summer is the best time to explore the trails, and winter brings cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Looking east out of Maine’s Bar Harbor, a scenic panorama lies before you: Frenchman Bay. Dotted with islands, the bay forms the eastern boundary of Acadia National Park—you can rest assured that the views here are spectacular in all directions, not just from where the sun rises. This is a popular spot for sailing, boating, and strolls along the gentle water.

For 3 hours at low tide—90 minutes before and after—it’s possible to walk across to Bar Island from the town of Bar Harbor by crossing the Bar Island Land Bridge. Walk or drive a 4WD across the gravel and sand land bridge to go tidepooling, launch a kayak, or hike around the island for views over Bar Harbor and Frenchman Bay.

Dating back to 1755, Portland, Maine's Tate House Museum is the only existing example of pre-revolutionary architecture open to the public. In its heyday, it was the residence of Captain George Tate, a senior mast agent in the British Royal Navy, though it's now a museum, complete with period furnishings, an herb garden, and a gift shop.