In the most northeastern part of the continental US lies Maine. Known for its gorgeous coastlines and devastating beauty, it offers any outdoorsman countless opportunities for outside play depending on the time of year. Make Maine your main squeeze by adding these outings to your bucket list.
Wander in Maine
Maine has endless options to get lost in the wild (in a safe, controlled, intentional way of course). Go full airplane mode/remote and watch your worries fade away as you frolic through wildflowers and tall, unwavering pines. While the coast is incredible, Baxter State Park is… wait for it…thought by locals to rival Acadia.
If you’re a high pointer, you’ll have Mt. Katahdin on the list. Translated by the Penobscot native Americans as “great mountain,” it is just that. A pro tip is always to do the research and pick the trails that are best suited to your outdoor fitness level, as not all trails are created equal.
If you want the super gold Mario star, summiting all of Maine’s fourteen 4,000-foot peaks is always an option. You’ll definitely burn some calories and get some views. Add in Moosehead Lake (home of Mt. Kineo and the B52 crash site) and it's TBD which direction you head. To wander somewhere more leisurely, there are river walks, boardwalks, and preserves to explore. Into islands? Maine’s got those too. Grab a bike and set off to tour somewhere off the coast.
Water in Maine
Want more of a water element? You can make your wildest dreams come true in Maine. With rugged coastlines and fresh waterways, whichever way you choose, there will be fun. Maine’s waters are plentiful with fish.
Stars of the show include landlocked Salmon and Brook Trout with honorable mentions going to Lake Trout and Bass. Then there are the options offshore. Book yourself a guide and reel in the wildness of Maine.
Of course, we can’t talk about water without mentioning non-fishing activities, and I don’t mean lobstering (although there’s certainly a lot of that). Whitewater rafting vs. leisurely rafting is a great way to spend a day, as is canoeing or kayaking.
Ferrying over to an island or grabbing a boat to Nova Scotia – which is not in Maine btw – can get you on the water as well. Just be sure to be prepared for the choppy seas; lifejackets required!
Watch in Maine
Sit, watch, and enjoy the vast wildlife Maine has to offer. Hop aboard a whale-watching vessel and maybe you’ll get lucky to see the ocean's Humpback, Minke, or the highly endangered Right whales while you are there.
Grab the binos and watch for Puffins and playful seals and otters offshore, as well. See the cute chickadee and beautiful cardinal or get a peek at the majestic eagles, hawks, osprey, and falcons.
Maine is one of the leaders in Moose collisions so watch out for those robust animals. Animals aren’t the only things to gaze at. Maine is not lacking in lighthouses with some of the most popular being Portland Headlight, Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, and West Quoddy Headlight. Really unwind by enjoying the sweet little coastal towns that rival the buzzing of the big city.
Maine is a sweet spot to spend time making memories with those you love.
From Bangor to Porland, Bar Harbor to Camden, Boothbay, and beyond it is aptly named Vacationland. While you’re there don’t forget to indulge in some Mainestays (see what I did there? Whoopie pies, blueberries, and Moxie). This is just Maine in the summer, the rest of the year is just as grand, offering a myriad of changing colors in fall as well as top-notch hunting, fun snow sports in the winter, and new life popping into spring.
