Portland, ME

Maine

United States

North America

Destinations

Portland, Maine’s largest city, is less crowded and more compact than Portland, Oregon, which is a win for you.

If you’re considering booking a trip to Portland, you might want to look beyond the obvious and head to the opposite coast instead. Portland, Maine’s largest city, is less crowded and more compact than your typical go-to. But it's packed full of everything you could ask for in a quaint but cosmopolitan coastal New England city. Filled with hundreds of bars, pubs, restaurants, cafés, and breweries, the small city has gained some well-deserved fame for its burgeoning foodie scene and was recently named the top foodie city in America. One visit, and you’ll agree that the <i>other</i> Portland is easy to love and hard to forget.
<h2>1. Commercial Street</h2>
Nestled up against the water’s edge, Portland’s cobblestone-lined Commercial Street is a perfect clash of modern and old-world New England charm. The street runs along the edge of the downtown district and is home to a delightful assemblage of busy cafés, boutiques selling handmade wares, art galleries, bars, and restaurants.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/870864470-1024x683.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/870864470-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/870864470-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/870864470-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/870864470.jpg 1200w" alt="Snow covering Commercial Street in Portland, Maine" width="1024" height="683" /> DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Portland Museum of Art</h2>
Housing big names such as Andy Warhol on its walls, the largest and oldest public art institution in Maine, is worth a visit. It features art from local artists, a sculpture garden, feature films, and some of the state's best architecture present in its three buildings. Each building features different types of art, providing something for every art connoisseur.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWn5VCh3xK/" caption="portlandmuseum" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/portlandmuseum/"]


<h2>3. Portland Head Lighthouse</h2>
The New England coast is host to scores of lighthouses, and Maine boasts 65 of them, dotted along its rugged shorelines. When you find yourself in the state’s largest city, make sure you swing by the state’s oldest lighthouse, Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park, just four miles from downtown Portland. This storied beacon of light was first constructed while George Washington was still president, and the former keeper’s quarters is now a museum. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to explore Fort Williams Park itself, with its haunting historic ruins.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/927191146-1024x870.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/927191146-1024x870.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/927191146-300x255.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/927191146-768x652.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/927191146.jpg 1200w" alt="Portland Head Lighthouse captured in sunset" width="1024" height="870" /> Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Catch your own lobsters</h2>
If you’re longing for fresh-caught Maine lobster, why not cut out the middleman and catch one yourself? No, we’re not pulling your claw. Stop by Portland’s Long Wharf and climb aboard the Lucky Catch lobster boat. You can cruise with real Maine lobsterman through scenic Casco Bay to learn all about baiting and hauling traps. If you’re lucky, you’ll trap your own dinner at a deeply discounted price. The Portland Lobster Company will then cook your catch for you, butter included. Thankfully, you don’t have to be too lucky to catch one of these cruises. Lucky Catch Cruises depart from Long Wharf several times a day, May through October.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1028275 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/shutterstock_1103811533.jpg" alt="Portland Lobster Company's sign" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>5. The Old Port</h2>
Tradition meets modern charm at the Old Port, where a cobblestone street lined with shops sits on the water's edge. Considered the center of the city, it bustles night and day while maintaining the feel of old New England. Visitors catch ferry tours and cruises here, then enjoy the delectable catch of the day.

[caption id="attachment_40273" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="wp-image-40273 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2020/11/GettyImages-1171799155.jpg" alt="USA Fishing boats and lobster boats docking in Old Port with old warehouse on the dock in the background" width="2121" height="1414" /> Bruce Yuanyue Bi / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Potato donuts</h2>
Once you’ve tried a potato donut, you’ll have a hard time going back to the other kind. Fluffy and tender but sweetly succulent, this frugal Depression-era pastry became a staple comfort food in Maine’s potato country and has been associated with the state ever since. Portland’s iconic purveyor of handmade potato donuts, Holy Donuts, offers 20 odd flavors to savor.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/478844247-1024x683.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/478844247-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/478844247-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/478844247-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/478844247.jpg 1200w" alt="Pile of donuts" width="1024" height="683" /> Angelafoto / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Victoria Mansion</h2>
Known as one of the best examples of an Italian Villa mansion in the States, the Victoria Mansion was built between 1858 and 1860. Also known as the Morse-Libby House, it was the summer home of two Maine natives, Ruggles Sylvester Morse and Olive, his wife. The couple made their fortune in New Orleans through luxury hotels but left their architectural legacy in Portland. Architect Henry Austin from New Haven, CT, designed this spectacular example of an American vacation home.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFubjjxA0Gf/" caption="lawandershere" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/lawandershere/"]


<h2>8. $5 beer</h2>
If you want to be let in on a local secret, make sure you have cash on you, then head to 36 Market Street and attempt to find the secret entrance to a basement bar called Lincolns. Why is it called Lincoln’s, you ask? The answer lies with that $5 bill in your pocket, where Honest Abe’s face is smiling back at you. Every drink at Lincolns costs five bucks, cash only.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/962904030-1024x683.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/962904030-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/962904030-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/962904030-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/962904030.jpg 1200w" alt="Beer on tap" width="1024" height="683" /> Nastasic / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Bug Light Park</h2>
With breathtaking views of the harbor and Portland's skyline, Bug Light Park lies at the eastern end of the Greenbelt Walkway. The small park offers seasonal activities, such as fishing, kite flying, summer movie nights, car shows, and Fourth of July celebrations. A liberty ship memorial bookends the park with a boat launching area. It is named after a nearby lighthouse that was so small it was nicknamed "the bug light."

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<h2>10. The Maine Narrow Gauge Railway Museum</h2>
If you’re heading to Portland between May and October, stop by this museum and hop aboard a historic narrow gauge locomotive, which rides up the Promenade toward the Back Cove Swing Bridge, which is now locked in its open position. This railway once served as the main passenger link between Boston and Montreal until it was damaged by fire in 1984. Narrow gauge railroads are so-called because the length between their tracks is smaller than the standard 8.5 inches, making them a more economical option. These unique locomotives and their tracks are preserved and restored for posterity here, with the help of volunteer assistance and funds.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-13169 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/shutterstock_524859475.jpg" alt="A historic narrow gauge locomotive" width="1000" height="665" />


<h2>11. Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse</h2>
Real working lighthouses are rare in today's world of advanced navigation, which makes this lighthouse quite an attraction. Visitors can tour this fully functional piece of nautical history. It remains the only caisson-style lighthouse accessible by foot. Maintained by the United States Coast Guard, this gem is found in South Portland, near Southern Maine Community College. Anyone who doesn't like heights will rejoice at its mere 15-foot height at low tide and six-foot height at high tide.

[caption id="attachment_40274" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="wp-image-40274 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2020/11/GettyImages-1019165218.jpg" alt="Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in Portland, Maine" width="2119" height="1414" /> jimfeng / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>12. Sightseeing by firetruck</h2>
Ever wanted to fulfill your latent childhood dream of riding on a firetruck? Why not tour a city in one? In Portland, you can do just that. Head to Commercial Street to Portland Fire Engine Co., where you can board an antique fire truck and take a spin through the city’s attractions and neighborhoods, giving you the lay of the land in just under an hour. Local tour guides offer the inside scoop, and the truck even stops for photo ops.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/509736816-1024x680.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/509736816-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/509736816-300x199.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/509736816-768x510.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/509736816.jpg 1200w" alt="An overhead shot of the buildings in Portland, Maine" width="1024" height="680" /> KenWiedemann / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>13. The International Cryptozoology Museum</h2>
The International Cryptozoology Museum is host to an unrivaled collection of inexplicable cryptid specimens, artifacts, and replicas. Cryptozoology is the study of hidden and unknown or yet-to-be-found animals whose existence remains unverified by science. The likes of Bigfoot and chupacabras are perfect examples. Exhibits include a replica of the Feejee Mermaid, a hoax concocted by P.T. Barnum that awed audiences in the nineteenth century.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/486206608-1024x684.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/486206608-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/486206608-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/486206608-768x513.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/486206608.jpg 1200w" alt="Sasquatch crossing road sign" width="1024" height="684" /> pabradyphoto / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>14. Island cruises</h2>
In the mood for some island hopping? Casco Bay Lines offers year-round ferry service to Portland’s surrounding islands. The schedule also includes scenic tours, such as music cruises featuring local bands, and sunrise and sunset excursions. Your best bet is the 15-minute jaunt to Peaks Island, a beautiful spot to rent a bike, repose on tranquil beaches, and enjoy a casual meal. While you’re there, don’t miss the Umbrella Cover Museum, the only museum of its kind. If you want a truly unforgettable cruising experience, Casco Bay Line really delivers with its mail boat runs, where you can sightsee from a working boat as it delivers islanders’ mail.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/187447345-1024x683.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/187447345-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/187447345-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/187447345-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/187447345.jpg 1200w" alt="Boating floating on the water in Casco Bay" width="1024" height="683" /> DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>15. The Portland Observatory</h2>
This historic former communication tower on Munjoy Hill offers spectacular views of Portland’s harbor from its cupola, or lantern, which rises 86 feet, or 26 meters, above the city. The observatory, which is now a museum, offers visitors tours that focus on the history of seafaring from within this symbol of Portland’s maritime history.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/157717852-1024x680.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/157717852-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/157717852-300x199.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/157717852-768x510.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/05/157717852.jpg 1200w" alt="The Portland Observatory" width="1024" height="680" /> KenWiedemann / Getty Images[/caption]

Here's Why You Need to Visit the Other Portland

World&#x2d;famous for everything from moose to mountains, island camping to endless coastlines, it’s easy to see why Maine’s slogan is the Way Life Should Be.

For a sparsely-populated state that’s still 90% forest, the Pine Tree State has an awful lot to offer its 36 million plus visitors every year looking for an escape hatch from the daily grind. World-famous for everything from moose to mountains, blueberries to bears, lighthouses to lobster rolls, island camping to endless coastlines, it’s easy to see why Maine’s slogan is <em>the Way Life Should Be</em>. Here are a few ways to kick off your own unforgettable adventure in Vacationland.
<h2>1. “Go coastal” in the Kennebunks</h2>
If you want the perfect introduction to Maine’s famously adorable coastal towns, there’s no better place to start than with Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. They're neighboring small communities collectively known as The Kennebunks. The Kennebunks have a well-earned reputation for being one of the top coastal vacation spots in the state. Located in southern Maine, it’s an easy get with a high concentration of things to do and see. Stay in a charming B&amp;B or one of the many inns, and enjoy boutique shopping on your doorstep. Luxuriate on the numerous soft-sand beaches; then dine on fresh-caught seafood in one of the many local restaurants. Be sure to check out the Wedding Cake House while you’re in town. It looks good enough to eat and is the most photographed house in Maine.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1131588877-1024x684.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1131588877-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1131588877-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1131588877-768x513.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1131588877.jpg 1200w" alt="&quot;Welcome to Kennebunkport&quot; sign in Maine" width="1024" height="684" /> Daniel Hanscom / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Snap a selfie with a giant Bean boot</h2>
Yes, it’s touristy, but the L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport with its 16-foot-tall rubber-bottomed boot, size 410, at the entrance is worth a visit. Even if you’re not on the lookout for outdoor gear. The town of Freeport offers great outlet shopping too. And, while you’re there, don’t miss the Freeport McDonalds, located within a mansion built in the 1850s! You could literally call it a McMansion.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1023299" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_201840757.jpg" alt="Giant LL Bean boot in Maine" width="1000" height="655" />


<h2>3. Welcome the first sunrise of the USA</h2>
The first rays of sunlight visible to the entire United States can be seen from the top of Cadillac Mountain in Maine’s glorious Acadia National Park. Join the hundreds of travelers also in quiet pursuit of the first dawn of the nation by driving to the summit in the wee hours of the morning. You don’t have to stop there, though -- the 49,000-acre reserve is one of America’s most beloved national parks, famous for its enduring beauty and miles upon miles of carriage roads to explore on bike or foot. Need a little sustenance on your Acadian adventure? Make sure you stop by the Jordan Pond House for popovers!

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1023274 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_654955645.jpg" alt="Portland, Maine, USA at Portland Head Light" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>4. Experience “nature’s air conditioning” in an ice cave</h2>
If you’re feeling a little overheated after exploring Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest mountain, standing tall at a staggering 5,267 feet, be sure to swing by the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness area, where you’ll come across ice caves that stay frozen all year round. These caves are so reliably frosty, in fact, that the Native Americans once used them as giant fridges to preserve their meat and pelts.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/187296256-1024x637.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/187296256-1024x637.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/187296256-300x187.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/187296256-768x478.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/187296256.jpg 1200w" alt="Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness, Maine" width="1024" height="637" /> DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Eat your way through Portland’s foodie scene</h2>
Maine’s biggest and most bustling city, Portland, was recently named the top Restaurant City of the year by Bon Appétit magazine, and with its huge variety of award-winning cuisine on offer, it has rightfully earned its place as an official hub for foodies. There are rumors that Portland, Maine has more restaurants per capita than San Francisco. For such a compact coastal city, that’s quite an accolade.

[caption id="attachment_1023266" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/473443274-1024x683.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/473443274-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/473443274-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/473443274-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/473443274.jpg 1200w" alt="Old Port, Portland, Maine" width="1024" height="683" /> cjm1 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Find your place in the world with “Maine’s Famous Signpost”</h2>
Norway - 14 miles. Paris - 15 miles. Peru - 46 miles. Bet you didn’t know that you can see the whole world without leaving the state of Maine, did you? But this iconic signpost just outside of Lynchfield isn’t a prank -- Maine has many little hamlets with international-sounding names that have almost nothing in common with their namesakes. There are many more that didn’t make the signpost -- Vienna, Moscow, Rome, Belfast, and Lisbon just to name a few. When a Mainer tells you they’re headed to China or Mexico, you have to first assume they’re talking about a sleepy Maine town rather than the far-flung countries with the same names!

[caption id="attachment_1023309" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1023309" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-163641347-1-1024x775.jpg" alt="Wooden Lobster Traps On A Dock With Fishing Boats In Bernard At Bass Harbor Maine" width="1024" height="775" /> Ron_Thomas / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Eat a lobster roll</h2>
You can’t visit Maine’s coastlines without being inundated with all things lobster. If you don’t understand all this lobster love, just wait until you’ve had the experience of eating a real Maine lobster roll on the docks. Scrumptious and succulent lobster rolls are available in pretty much any coastal town, but the most famous ones are at Young’s Lobster Pound in Belfast. Bring your own bottle, and enjoy.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/492152368-1024x683.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/492152368-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/492152368-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/492152368-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/492152368.jpg 1200w" alt="Maine lobster roll dish" width="1024" height="683" /> GarysFRP / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Go blueberry picking</h2>
Maine is famous for having the largest wild blueberry crop of any state and boasts countless low-brush blueberry barrens scattered throughout its counties. Wild blueberries are ready for harvest in August but make for especially striking color landscapes in early Autumn. Forget fall foliage, blueberry barrens are where it’s at! Although wild blueberries can be found statewide, you’ll find the highest concentration of these crops Downeast which despite its name, actually means the northern reaches of the state. Bring a bucket!

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1023310" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/shutterstock_1072773710.jpg" alt="Blueberry Bushes in Maine" width="1000" height="662" />


<h2>9. Rent a cabin by the lake</h2>
For a quintessential Maine summer experience, nothing beats the simple pleasure of staying in a cabin by a tranquil lake. Skipping stones, squeaky screen doors, listening to loon calls echoing over the water in the moonlight -- this is the kind of summer experience true Mainers live for. Thankfully, with 6,000 lakes and ponds to choose from, you won’t be hard-pressed to find a spot to experience it for yourself. Overwhelmed by all the options? Start with Sebago Lake, probably the most popular. And while you’re at it, stop by Sebago Brewing Company for a beer.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1137801328-1024x683.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1137801328-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1137801328-300x200.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1137801328-768x512.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/1137801328.jpg 1200w" alt="Cabins by Moosehead Lake, Maine" width="1024" height="683" /> mountinez / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Get spooked by Stephen King</h2>
One of the most popular horror authors of our times famously calls the small city of Bangor, Maine his home. In fact, as you’ve probably noticed, pretty much all his stories are set in or are at least directly inspired by his home state. SK Tours of Maine offers fans a tour of filming locations and places that have inspired his stories such as <em>IT</em> and <em>Pet Sematary</em>, even a glimpse at the outside of his spooky mansion. While you’re in town, be sure to stop by the 31-foot-tall Paul Bunyan statue, another Maine landmark that’s pretty hard to miss.

[caption id="attachment_1023271" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/503216828-1024x566.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/503216828-1024x566.jpg 1024w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/503216828-300x166.jpg 300w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/503216828-768x424.jpg 768w, https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/503216828.jpg 1200w" alt="Cemetery near Stephen King's house in Bangor, Maine" width="1024" height="566" /> rustyl3599 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>11. Set sail on a Windjammer Cruise</h2>
A unique Maine voyage, setting sail on a Windjammer is both memorable and uplifting. Retrofitted to resemble nineteenth-century sailing vessels, the schooners used for sailing really are propelled by the wind. You can also if you wish, take on some of the crew work, such as lowering, hoisting, or furling the sails. That is just part of the fun of sailing on a Maine windjammer. You do not have to follow a set schedule - your only obligation is to admire the views and greet the marine animals, such as seagulls and porpoises. However, you will also look up a lot, as ships raise as many as 6 sails, all of which can span a length as long as 3,000 feet.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CD1oLkuMtu8/" caption="goworldtravelmagazine" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/goworldtravelmagazine/"]


<h2>12. Explore Casco Bay and its islands</h2>
When travel operators talk about Casco Bay, they normally are referring to visiting Casco Bay's islands. You can see the isles from Portland, the lights, in the evening glistening off Portland's shore. Each island offers fun in the form of cycling, walking, shopping, or dining. You can reach a single island by ferry, or take a mail boat and travel the bay. The largest island in the group is Peaks Island, an inviting off-shore neighborhood of Portland. or on foot.

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<h2>13. Visit the lighthouse on Monhegan Island</h2>
You can reach Monhegan Island from one of 3 ports on Maine's mainland - Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor, and Port Clyde. No car ferries are available to the popular Maine isle. Charming cottages, inns, or efficiency apartments are featured vacation rentals. One of the major attractions on the island is the Monhegan Island lighthouse, whose current structure was constructed in 1850. The lighthouse is the second tallest lighthouse in the state, with the Seguin Light, near the mouth of the Kennebec River, ranking first.

[caption id="attachment_45534" align="alignnone" width="2074"]<img class="wp-image-45534 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/04/GettyImages-172758999.jpg" alt="The 1850 lighthouse in Monhegan Island" width="2074" height="1446" /> wbritten / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>14. Take a whale-watching tour from Boothbay Harbor</h2>
A three-hour drive north of Boston, the coastal town of Boothbay Harbor should be included on everyone's bucket list. It is the idyllic representation of a Maine seaside town. You can visit the town year-round, as it hosts Windjammer Days in the summer and presents Harbor Lights in December. Whether you wish to whale watch, visit a nearby island, drop in at the Maine State Aquarium, or simply enjoy a lobster feast, Boothbay Harbor is the ideal place to land.

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<h2>15. Hike along the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail and see some spectacular cascades</h2>
A dog-friendly path, the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail is part of the Appalachian Trail corridor. Some call the route and its terrain the "Grand Canyon of the East." You can see some great waterfalls when hiking the trail, including Screw Auger Falls, Stair Falls, The Jaws, Billings Falls, and Buttermilk Falls. The loop trail is almost 8 miles, but you can hike out and back without trekking the full loop. Dogs are always welcome, as long as they are leashed. Located close to Brownville Junction, Maine, the trail can be accessed year-round.

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