17 Beautiful Places in Maine That Are Pure New England Perfection
Every year after the summer break, my college roommate would show me the various sunsets he took every day of his annual Maine vacation. Half attributed to his great photography skills, how the light hit the water in Camden or Bar Harbor just before sunset seemed different every day he captured the waves lapping over the rough rocks.
Maine is called Vacationland because, for years, travelers have returned to this corner of New England for a quiet getaway. Here, they can stare into the vast Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by peaceful forests and seaside towns.
After one too many “short” detours on Route 1, these are the most beautiful places in Maine that pull tourists towards its battered lighthouse signs and rocky shorelines.
1. Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park covers over 49,000 acres on Maine’s Mount Desert Island and surrounding areas. This protected area draws more than 4 million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited national parks in the US. It’s also the only one in the Northeast with legitimate ocean views.
Cadillac Mountain gets all the attention because it’s the first place in the country to catch sunrise from October to March. But you should also go bike the old carriage roads, then refuel with a lobster roll and wild blueberry soda in Bar Harbor.
2. Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land, Cutler
This stretch of Maine’s coastline doesn’t have t-shirt shops, and hiking its moody cliffs, you might not see another person all day. Located in far eastern Maine near the Canadian border, the area clocks in at over 12,000 acres.
The landscape here is defined by high cliffs, thick spruce forests, and a series of headlands overlooking the Bay of Fundy. The Fairy Head Loop Trail offers particularly rewarding views, and tide changes in this area can exceed 20 feet.
3. Gulf Hagas, Bowdoin College Grant East (near Greenville)
They call it the “Grand Canyon of the East,” which sounds like a stretch until you actually hike it. Gulf Hagas is a slate gorge that runs for three miles and drops in a series of mighty falls and steep rock walls.
The loop trail is about nine miles in total. But in the middle of a Maine summer, when you’ve just jumped into one of its icy pools, there’s nowhere better to be slightly sore and soaking wet.
4. Monhegan Island, Monhegan
Monhegan Island lies off the midcoast of Maine and is accessible only by ferry. With fewer than 100 year-round residents, it has inspired countless painters like Edward Hopper and Rockwell Kent, as well as other creatives and celebrities trying to go off-grid.
It’s ten miles off the coast with zero cars and exactly one bar. The island’s cliffs reach up to 160 feet, which makes them the tallest on Maine’s coast. Visitors often explore the lighthouse, walk to Lobster Cove, or spend time in the small cluster of artist studios and galleries near the harbor.
5. Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth
Commissioned by George Washington himself in 1791, Portland Head Light has been Maine’s most recognizable landmark since before Maine was even a state. You’ve seen it on calendars, in art books, and probably on your aunt’s fridge magnet collection.
It’s part of Fort Williams Park now, where coastal paths take you to views of the open ocean and rocky shoreline. Fun fact: it’s also one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, so go ahead and contribute to the cause.
6. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Bristol
Pemaquid Point is one of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses and was chosen to represent the state on its quarter in 2003. Built in 1827 after too many ships got wrecked along the coast, it now sits on a stretch of exposed rock ledge where waves from the Atlantic break dramatically on the shore.
The Fishermen’s Museum in the former keeper’s house provides context on the area’s maritime history. The rocky coast around the lighthouse is also popular for painting, photography, and tidepool exploration.
7. Tumbledown Mountain, Weld
Slightly harder than a casual hike, the Tumbledown Mountain trail is a little spicy in places, especially if you choose the scrambly route known as Fat Man’s Misery. But at the top is a mountain pond set in a granite bowl, so still and clear it feels fake.
Located in western Maine, the mountain has several trail options, some of which involve steep rock scrambles. On clear days, hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of surrounding mountains and forested valleys. The pond at the top is also a popular summer swimming spot.
8. Camden Hills State Park, Camden
This 5,700-acre state park sits just north of downtown Camden with easy access to hiking trails with ocean views. Hike up Mount Battie for a sweeping view of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay.
In the fall, it’s peak Instagram as a top autumn destination. In summer, you can spot sailboats dotting Penobscot Bay. Other trails wind through wooded hills and open fields, making the park a year-round destination.
9. Rangeley Lakes, Rangeley
The Rangeley Lakes region in western Maine consists of six large lakes and numerous smaller ones surrounded by mountains and forests. People return year after year, renting the same cabin and bringing the same puzzle they never finish.
This area is known for boating, fishing, and scenic drives, particularly along the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway. The town of Rangeley has a small downtown and access to hiking trails like those on Bald Mountain. Taking a fall road trip is a particularly popular time to visit, as the region is known for its vivid foliage.
10. Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Millinocket
Mount Katahdin is the highest peak in Maine at 5,269 feet and marks the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Located within Baxter State Park, several trail options, including the famously narrow Knife Edge route, lead to the summit. Climbing Katahdin requires preparation, but the views from the summit and along the trails are some of the most dramatic in New England.
11. Cape Neddick Light (Nubble Lighthouse), York
Cape Neddick Light, commonly known as Nubble Light, sits on a small rocky island just off the coast of York Beach. The lighthouse was first lit in 1879 and is still active today, though it is not open to the public.
You can view it easily while standing with a coffee, watching the waves hit from Sohier Park. During the holiday season, the lighthouse is decorated with white lights, making it a popular destination for winter travelers.
12. West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Lubec
This lighthouse marks the easternmost point of the continental United States and is easily recognized by its red-and-white striped tower. Built in 1858, West Quoddy Head Light overlooks the Bay of Fundy, where tides can rise and fall over 20 feet.
Built in 1858, it’s still active today, standing guard over the Bay of Fundy with views of the Canadian island of Grand Manan. The surrounding trails are moody, foggy, and sometimes completely empty. Whale watching is also popular in the summer months.
13. Popham Beach State Park, Phippsburg
It’s rare to find a nice beach in Maine where you can actually stretch out, so Popham Beach is one of Maine’s longest sandy beaches and a popular destination for day trips.
At low tide, sandbars and tidal pools emerge, and it becomes possible to walk out to nearby Fox Island. The nearby ruins of Fort Popham, a Civil War-era stone fort, are also open for public exploration.
14. Screw Auger Falls, Grafton Notch State Park (Newry)
If you grew up in Maine, there’s a good chance this was your first “wild swimming hole” experience. The falls drop about 25 feet into a gorge slowly carved by the Bear River, and the natural rock slides with smoothed rock formations.
A short trail from the parking area leads directly to the falls, making it a popular stop for families and day hikers. Visitors often wade in the shallow pools and relax on the nearby ledges in summer.
15. Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit
For decades, Ogunquit has been drawing artists, Broadway actors, and East Coast weekenders. The town itself is lively, especially in summer.
Ogunquit Beach stretches for more than three miles and is known for its fine white sand and gentle surf. It is divided into Main Beach, Footbridge Beach, and North Beach. There’s also the Marginal Way, a mile-long oceanside path with benches and incredible views.
16. South Solon Meeting House, Solon
From the outside, it looks like any other small-town white clapboard church. But walk inside, and you’re hit with a full technicolor mural explosion. Artists from the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture painted floor-to-ceiling frescoes here in the 1950s, turning the walls into a wild swirl of religious and mythological scenes.
Most people stumble on it by accident, and everyone leaves wondering why it’s not more famous. The meeting house is occasionally used for community events and is open to visitors during the warmer months.
17. Portland Harbor, Portland
Portland Harbor is Maine’s busiest port and a central feature of the city’s working waterfront. The harbor accommodates fishing boats, cargo vessels, and seasonal ferries to nearby islands in Casco Bay.
Lobstermen unload traps next to sailboats heading out for afternoon cruises, and old warehouses now house everything from coffee roasters to design studios. Several piers and wharves are open to the public, offering access to seafood markets, walking paths, and waterfront restaurants. The Eastern Promenade provides a scenic overlook of the harbor.
Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.
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