Are you hoping to find fun, yet memorable things to do in Maine to get excited for a Maine road trip? Look no further! We are going to make it simple for you, and we will have a keen experience to offer!
If road-tripping is on your bucket list, then you will absolutely love the beauty that Maine has to offer from the famous New England foliage to some of the most scenic drives in the USA.
With its winding coastal roads and picturesque lighthouses interspersed with legendary lobster shacks, bustling cities, and stunning national parks, Maine has a wide range of attractions to offer almost any kind of traveler.
Check out our favorite Maine stops and must-do’s for a road trip of your own, below. Victoria — who spent her childhood road-tripping around Maine and New England in a camper — created this itinerary.
Once you get yourself ready, once your car is ready, and once you have schedule set you are ready to enjoy the journey. You are making a great journey in your life.
Ultimate Maine Road Trip Guide
Starting Your Maine Adventure
If you fly into Boston Logan International Airport your Maine road trip will start in the best possible way for a perfect holiday. As a major hub, there are plenty of flights to and from places like Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and Las Vegas.
Or take a flight into Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine. But I have heard Boston Logan is better due to the proximity to border of the state (I think it’s faster there than any…) and easy to rent a car.
How to Get From Point A to Point B in Your Maine Road Trip
For your Maine road trip, you will need a car to begin with! Once you land, make your way to the Rental Car Center for Boston Logan Shuttle buses arrive every 5-6 minutes and transport you directly to the RCC to rent a car.
You are allowed to select from old white subjects with renters and budget, which may include Hertz, Alamo, BOS, Thrifty and advantage. It is better to choose a saloon with a spacious cabin and good fuel efficiency so that your journey around Maine would be comfortable.
See also: The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List so you do not forget any essentials for your trip!
Best Time To View Fall Foliage In Maine
New England’s fall foliage, the most dazzling in America, lures tourists from around the world. One of the best displays of fall foliage in the US is the stunning array of oranges, yellows, and reds offered by the Maples, Oaks, Elms, and Birch trees throughout Maine.
If you are one of those people who are looking to be amazed, you might want to go to Maine in the late September to take a look at this fantastic natural phenomenon. The weather is also prime for exploring the coast and the brilliantly colored leaves combined with the blue waters of the nearby ocean, lakes or rivers are perfect. When planning the dates for your Maine road trip, keep this in mind!
Stop 1: Take a Break on Ogunquit Beach
For nature-lovers, Ogunquit, Maine is a must on your Maine road trip itinerary — it makes for the perfect coastal getaway! In addition to miles of sandy beaches, scenic viewpoints, art galleries, and a fervent shopping and dining scene, it is one of the top destinations.
Shop and eat in Perkins Cove, a quaint fishing village. You can also take many excursions directly from the boat harbors. The 1.25-mile Marginal Way is a scenic oceanfront walkway connecting Perkins Cove to Ogunquit, and is a perfect way to stretch your legs or to get some good exercise.
Theater buffs will love Ogunquit Playhouse, but be sure to pop by the Museum of American Art. If you want to get beyond the beach and small towns, there are food and wine tastings, or fall activities, depending on the season.
Where to Stay in Ogunquit Beach
Best Mid-Range: Ogunquit River Inn Check Rates: Booking. com
Mid-Range: Ogunquit Tides. Check Rates: Booking. com
Stay Relaxed in Kennebunkport
One of the popular seaside towns in Southern Maine, Kennebunkport is famous for its long sandy beaches. During your Maine road trip, you should visit Goose Rocks Beach and Arundel Beach. These are some of the best places to visit in Maine!
Seashore Trolley MuseumThough not a transportation museum per se (the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum is), the Seashore Trolley Museum’s collection of streetcars offers a mesmerizing look into times past. ToursMany people also love visiting St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, which dates to 1887 and has rugged stone architecture among the green fields, phenomenal to the eye.
Just a short drive away is Cape Porpoise, a lobster-fishing hamlet best known for its seafood straight off the boats. Nearly every restaurant or gallery in the area has a view of the 1833 Goat Island Lighthouse, as if to remind visitors that, yes, you are on an island.
Where to stay in Kennebunkport
Mid Range: The Lodge on the Cove; Gates House Home38; Tides Beach Club. Check Rates: Booking. com
High Range: The Boathouse. Check Rates: Booking. com
Stop 3: Cape Elizabeth, Home of the Iconic Lighthouses
This gem of a town is worth a day trip on your Maine road trip. And a perfect place for an adventure, this rich in history surrounds itself with coastlines and parks.
Tourists love biking around the room, and taking the Casco Bay Bridge to reach the coast of Cape Elizabeth The hardest part about visiting is deciding what lighthouses to visit because there are so many. All of these establishments are now operational and can be viewed at Portland Head Light, Ram Island Ledge Light, Cape Elizabeth Light
Wander through trails in Williams Park to visit historic batteries or pay a visit to Two Lights State Park with its twin lighthouses set along a rocky shore. An ideal place for almoço ao som das ondas. Feel free to take a moment to check out Crescent Beach State Park to be sure you are getting your share of fun in the sun on this tour.
Where to Stay Near Cape Elizabeth
Mid-Range: The Francis. Check Rates: Booking. com
High-Range: Inn by the Sea. Check Rates: Booking. com
Stop 4: Have Some Moment in Portland, Maine
Located on a peninsula into Casco Bay, Portland is the perfect city to stop and visit while exploring Maine, and it’s not far from Cape Elizabeth. The Old PortOld Port, with its fishing wharves, historic warehouses, restaurants and unique, independent shops for browsing.
Boasting a beautiful rocky coast, Fort Williams Park is a historic site with a fort that faces the ocean and various views of the Portland Head Light.
The Portland Museum of Art is great for indoor activities, but be sure to take a trip to Peaks Island. You can also enjoy the many beaches and peruse the interesting Fifth Maine Regiment Museum.
Where to Stay Near Portland
Moderate: Hampton Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront Check Rates: Booking. com
Mid-Range: High-Rang: Portland Harbor Hotel Booking. com
Stop 5: Measure the Waters of Waldoboro
A scenic town in Maine, Waldoboro is a perfect stop for your Maine road trip. Waldoboro, with all its lakes, is steeped in a fine history of agriculture and fishing.
We recommend visiting the gorgeous lakes and ponds of Waldoboro. Relaxing, fishing, boating, and sunsets are here on Damariscotta Lake, Pemaquid Pond, and Duckpuddle Pond in your evenings.
Where to Stay Near Waldoboro
Mid-Range: Claddagh Motel & Suites – Check Rates: Booking. com
Mid-Range: Ledges by the Bay – Check Rates: Booking. com
Stop 6: Rockland to Enjoy Its Idyllic Bay and Harbor
Rockland, Maine is another popular stop on your Maine road trip. Rockland, MaineLocated at the point where the mountains touch the sea is Rockland Harbor and Penobscot Bay in Maine’s mid-coast Maine.
One of the town highlights is the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, and there are plenty of tours that will take you out in Penobscot Bay.
Rockland has all the great restaurants (Rustica…amazing Italian!, Jess’ Market spendy but fun) and shops you could hope for. Being a small town, many visitors rent bicycles and explore the town or take part in the excellent festivals that might be going on during your particular visit. Advertised to Hell and gone, Rockland held its Summer Solstice Festival!
Where to Stay Near Rockland
Mid-Range: Glen Cove Inn & Suites Check Rates: Booking. com
Best Mid-Range: Strawberry Hill Seaside Inn Check Rates: Booking. com
Stop 7: Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park No trip to Maine should skip the beautiful Acadia National Park. Located on Mount Desert Island, this 47,000 acre recreation area in Maine is a must-see.
Home to some of the best foods, rocky shores, and beautiful granite formations, Acadia: The tallest point on the East Coast, Cadillac Mountain offers sweeping vistas of the park.
Or the more peaceful cove called Sand Beach and the hiking around Jordan Pond through mountains and lakes. Also don’t miss the hikes to Bubble Mountain or around Mount Desert Island!
Where to Stay Near Acadia
Low: Acadia Pines Motel. Check Rates: Booking. com
Mid-Range: Anchorage Motel. Check Rates: Booking. com
Stop 8: Treat Yourself to Some Bar Harbor Time
Another town where a large number of tourists detouring to Acadia end up is this bayside town and an important inclusion in your Maine road trip getaway. Cadillac Mountain lets you see the town from a much higher view.
Although being close to Acadia National Park brings many to Bar Harbor, it has many of its own attractions. Do not skip the Ocean Trail the Schoodic Peninsula and Frenchman Bay.
The Criterion Theatre offers evening entertainment or you can take a stroll around the historic Village Green. This is a quite peaceful and a different kind of spot at the College of the Atlantic Gardens.
Where to Stay in Bar Harbor
Mid-Priced: Moseley Cottage Inn Check Rates: Booking. com
Bar Harbor Grand Hotel — High-Range Check Rates: Booking. com
This is from our 9th and final stop on our trip along the Atlantic province end to end and back.
Stop 9: Trip up to Nova Scotia by Ferry
Although Nova Scotia is a Canadian province located well to the east of Maine, for the ultimate New England road trip, it’s worth the detour. For those itching to make a day trip, you can take the CAT ferry from Bar Harbor to this enchanting destination!
Nova Scotia should definitely not be overlooked either — the Cape Breton Highlands National Park boasts everything from mountain, coastal, valley and waterfall trails all in one.intersection. And how about this natural beauty, also at Kejimkujik National Park?
Take a stroll through the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the Halifax Public Gardens, or the Halifax Citadel National Site. For those feeling a little more adventurous, multiple shipwrecks off the coast of Sable Island are ideal for some diving or snorkeling. Look out for Nova’s legendary high tides!
Where to Stay in Nova Scotia
Low-Range: Hillside Abode B & B Check Rates: Booking. com
Mid-Range: Residence Inn. Check Rates: Booking. com
We are so excited that you are taking a road trip to Maine, because Rand is a beautiful state and some of the coasts are so memorable. Following your day trip to Nova Scotia, fly home from Boston back again to Boston or perhaps Portland. Please, keep in mind that this is only a guide, and Main is far from fully displayed here. If you have time then you must visit also another Stops. Either way, you’ll be in for a great time so enjoy!
With Some Extra Time: More Maine Stops
How to Add More Maine to Your Maine Road Trip If you have some extra time during your Maine road trip ( at least two nights), consider a stop or… driveontheleft.com While farther away, these are stops you do not want to miss!
Go to Chimney Pond, via Mount Katahdin
Chimney Pond TrailIf you are planning to hike Mount Katahdin, the best way to go is the Chimney Pond Trail. The App Trail of The Week: Spence Field Loop This 6.3 mile hike is moderate and known for it’s to-die-for lake and valley views.
Restful area for Gateway Park, Chimney Pond Campgrounds near Baxter State Park. This location provides an access point to other trails like Hamlin Ridge and Saddle which are ideal for further exploration.
Go to Oh My Gosh Corner/Carrabassett
Nestled between the Bigelow Mountains is Carrabassett Valley, which is known for its birch-lined scenic roads and rivers. This constituency is popularly visited by winter-sport lovers particularly the Skiers. A turn of the road called “Oh My Gosh Corner”, one of the notable spots.
From here you can see the wonderfully named Sugarloaf Mountain with all of its 163 trails descending its various slopes The big long sweep looks out at the massive north face of the mountain, 4,237 feet high and looming above the Carrabassett River. Be sure to swing by this beautiful spot on your trip through Maine.
Visit Moosehead Lake
Moosehead Lake – Of course the largest lake in Maine needs to be part of any Maine trip. It is located in the Longfellow Mountains and is surrounded by the Kennebec River.
Gentle slopes of granite toward the water are perfect for swimming, especially near Beaver Cove. Clear water, warm-ish water, and Mt. Kineo You will even have miles and miles of 700-foot scenic cliffs to check out between lake adventures.
Visit Rangeley Lake
Near Rangeley, itself a top-notch town when it comes to winter, 6,000-acre Rangeley Lake is fed by dozens of brooks. This lake is just over 6,000 acres and has a max depth of 149 feet. No Maine road trip would be complete without a trip here no matter what season.
This lake is home to a lot of brook trout and salmon, making it a great fishing spot. In addition to the lake, Rangeley Village has hotels, restaurants and shops on the Routes 4 and 17. This former church now houses the charming Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society Museum where you can learn all about the history of this little town.
Visit Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain: Sugarloaf Mountain is a picturesque mountain in Maine which is open daily between 8 a.m. to sunset. This is the place, which provides captivating landscape views and physical beauty. Once you lift yourself to the top and enjoy the park, head into the surrounding towns for an additional taste of adventure.
Visit Baxter State Park
Last but not the least, and the last one on the list of Maine road trip itinerary we are going to recommend here is Baxter State Park. Preservation of this extensive wilderness area has been made largely because of its beauty, and many trails, vistas, and mountains are found throughout the park. Make your way to the Knife Edge trail for an adrenaline infused hike.
Hikers love this area, which is home to Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin. Baxter Peak is another, but also more challenging trail. Head to Katahdin Woods and Waters to see the monument and get some of the best views.
This itinerary captures the best of Maine’s national parks, iconic light houses, and picturesque landscapes. Safe travels and happy road tripping through Maine!:P &c You won’t forget it!
