After living in Maine and then coming to visit every summer, I wonder why so many people come vacation here. What's the big deal? What's there to do in Maine that you can't do everywhere else?
1. Bike around Peaks Island.
Peaks Island is located right outside of Portland. Visitors travel there by the Casco Bay Lines ferry boats and then can spend the day exploring around the island. There are bike rentals, restaurants, ice cream shops, and many more.
2. Camp in Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor is located in Acadia National Park. There are many campgrounds located within Bar Harbor as well as hotels. There is shopping, hiking, golfing, and restaurants all within Bar Harbor.
3. Hike Mount Katahdin.
Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine. There are eight different trails to explore your way up to the top of the mountain. This is a perfect day trip or some will even make a weekend out of it since there is lodging all around the mountain.
4. Enjoy a lobster roll.
Maine is known for their lobster and a lobster roll is a great way of getting your lobster "fix" because there's no mess to it. A lobster roll is made on a toasted hot dog roll with a bed of lettuce and chunks of large lobster meat mixed with light mayo on top. Some of the best lobster rolls can be found at any restaurant along the ocean.
5. Check out Mexicali Blues.
Mexicali Blues is a unique store filled with hippie, bohemian, and gypsy styled clothing, decor, and jewelry. It definitely gives a sense of the hipster culture that Maine has to offer.
6. Take a picture with the L.L. Bean boot.
The boot that everyone wants to warm their feet every winter, but are somehow always sold out by Christmas. L.L. Bean is based out of Freeport, Maine and is known for their outdoorsy retail. I can promise you it's a store you could spend hours in.
7. Spend time on the Saco River.
The Saco River has always been a great spot to get right on the water. There are so many options on how to enjoy your time at the river including rope swinging, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and many more.
8. Go to a beach you've never been to.
It's so easy to get caught up going to the same beach every time your plan for a beach day in Maine. Those who live in Maine are lucky to be in a state that isn't land locked and has a beautiful coast filled with so many different types of beaches.
9. Explore Fort Williams and see Portland Headlight.
Fort Williams is a beautiful park located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It includes the Portland Headlight and has many historical sites from World War I and World War II.
10. Pick blueberries.
Beginning in the middle of July the Maine wild blueberry bushes are at their peak. Collect blueberries in some of the orchards or even on your own.
11. Watch a movie at the Saco Drive-In.
The Saco Drive-In is one of the few Drive-Ins still standing in Maine. Enjoy a night out under the stars watching a movie from your car.
12. Spend a day at Sebago Lake.
Sebago Lake State Park is a perfect getaway for a day trip, camping, or family gathering. Sebago Lake is known for swimming, boating, and grilling.
13. Eat a Seadog Biscuit at Hadlock Field.
Head out to Hadlock Field to watch the Portland Seadogs minor league baseball team. Some of the players you see playing may be playing for the Boston Red Sox later that season.
14. Watch fireworks at Old Orchard Beach while eating some pier fries.
If you go down to Old Orchard Beach, you cannot leave without getting a taste of the delicious classic pier fries. The fireworks happen every Thursday night in the summer.
15. Sip on a locally brewed Maine beer.
Maine is known for their breweries and with so many breweries comes so many beers to taste. The Maine Brew Bus is a great experience where you can enjoy a taste of a local beer while touring and learning about Maine. It's also a great designated driver.
16. Indulge in an ice cream at Red's Dairy Freeze.
If you want a classic ice cream experience, head to Red's Dairy Freeze in South Portland. This great ice cream place has been around since 1952.
17. Reminisce with a 50's style Drive-In dinner at Fat Boys.
Fat Boys is located in Brunswick, Maine and is a great spot to experience a 50's style restaurant. Pull up in your car and the servers come right to your window to take your order and deliver your food.
18. Whitewater raft the Penobscot River or Kennebec River.
If you're ready for a thrill, take on the experience and whitewater raft down either the Penobscot River or Kennebec River. Grab a bunch of friends and take on the rapids.
19. Be the first to see the sun rise in the United States.
Maine is the first state to see the sunrise because it is the closest East. Get to the coast and watch the sunrise bright and early and catch a glimpse of the reflection over the water. Cadillac Mountain is one of the prettiest views I've seen the sun rise from.
20. Chew on a piece of salt water taffy.
Watch how salt water taffy is made and then enjoy a piece of it in almost any flavor you can possibly think of. It is a yummy chewy piece of sweet candy.
21. Run on Baxter Boulevard.
Also known as Back Cove, Portland has a beautiful boulevard to jog, bike, or walk around. It reaches over three miles and has a great view of the city.
22. Enjoy the official state treat, a whoopie pie.
A whoopie pie is two round chocolate cakes stuck together by a creamy frosting. One of the tastiest treats in Maine. This is one treat that you must taste while in Maine.
23. Read a Stephen King novel.
On a rainy day in Maine, you can never go wrong when you pick up a Stephen King thriller. Many of his books take place right in Maine and when better to read one of his books when you can set the scene.
24. Have a can of Moxie.
Have you ever had or heard of Moxie? Moxie was created in 1876 and is a soft drink enjoyed throughout Maine. It has a unique taste and some say it taste a little bitter or just like bubble gum.
So there you have it. After realizing some of the many fun opportunities there are to enjoy yourself, you'll never want to vacation in Maine again. But instead you may even move to Maine. It's truly the way life should be.
