Maine attractions

A century ago, the Abbe Museum was founded to showcase the history and culture of the Wabanaki Nations, the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral land includes what is now Bar Harbor. The museum’s collection of 70,000 objects is complemented by educational programming and community events, and the Abbe has a satellite location as well, at Sieur de Monts Spring in Acadia National Park.

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.

Located on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park, Eagle Lake attracts hikers, walkers, cyclists, fishing enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. While the park is open year-round, summer offers opportunities for exploring the trails and boating, while winter brings cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

A boardwalk that runs for 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) along the edge of Bangor City Forest, the Orono Bog Walk guides visitors through forested wetlands to reach the star attraction: a peat bog and its fascinating surrounding habitat. Along the way you’ll see a diverse array of flora and fauna, plus placards offering insight into the area’s natural environment, plants, birds, and animals.

Built in 1932, Bar Harbor’s Criterion Theater offers a rare look at the city’s post–Gilded Age past. An intimate Art Deco performance space, the Criterion has somehow survived the eras, still putting on year-round concerts, performances, movies, and more. For a slice of Bar Harbor history and entertainment, this spot packs a 1-2 punch.

The Cole Land Transportation Museum was established in 1990 by Galen and Sue Cole. Galen, a decorated soldier and president of Cole’s Express transportation company, opened the museum to preserve the history of Maine’s transportation equipment, which includes 77 antique vehicles gifted to him from the state and community. Today, snowplows, military memorabilia, motorcycles, fire engines, and farming equipment are all showcased.

New England Distilling, known for its rye whiskey, bourbon, gin, and rum, was founded in 2012, but the owner’s family has roots in the business going as far back as the 1850s, having produced spirits under different labels until the 1950s. The Portland-based distillery pays homage to this history by using a combination of traditional equipment and modern gear, and offers tours and tastings.

Based in Portland, Maine, Rising Tide Brewing Company opened its doors in 2010, starting with just one barrel. Today, the popular, family-owned brewery runs a tab of 4,500 barrels, distributed across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Theirs is technically a brewpub, offering plenty of elevated comfort-food dishes to complement those sudsy ales.

You can learn an awful lot from a town’s local library. Bar Harbor’s Jesup Memorial Library is a gem from the early 20th century, built in the style of classic academic libraries. Come here on a tour, or visit to admire the space, grab some peace and quiet, or spend a simple afternoon among the books, maps, and Maine history.