Maine is the northeastern-most state and the 12th-smallest by area in the whole of the United States. Covering a land area of 35,385 sq. mi (91,646 km2) and a population of over a million people, Maine is one of the smallest and least populous of the 50 states. Despite this fact, you will find an endless list of activities that you can explore when you find yourself in this part of the world. Lucky for you, we have narrowed the list down to the best things you can experience. Check out our list below of the top things to do in Maine, USA.
1. Navigate your way to Portland Head Lighthouse - contributed by Tour Guide, Naim Benmayor
Meet the Portland Head Lighthouse, which was commissioned by President George Washington and dedicated by the Marquis de Lafayette. Considered the oldest lighthouse in Maine, Portland Head Lighthouse offers some exquisite views of its surroundings and the past it holds. Start by taking in the picturesque white tower. The lighthouse also offers stunning views of the rugged coastline that surrounds it.
2. Go on a scenic tour of Acadia National Park (from USD 700.0)
If seeing Acadia National Park has been on your bucket list for a long time, then this is the right time to visit. This is a private, half-day tour in an air-conditioned vehicle that picks you up from any accommodation in Downtown Bar Harbor and takes you through the scenic road created by the Rockefeller family. You can stand on the summit of Cadillac Mountain with a view of Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor and Porcupine Islands.
You will also visit Sieur De Monts Spring, Thunder Hole and other scenic attractions on the way. You can bring your kid to this tour as strollers and infant seats are also available in the car.
Private Half-Day Acadia National Park Tour
Duration: 4 hours
3. Discover the beauty of Oyster farms (from USD 79.0)
Enjoy a three-hour kayaking tour to Northwest Casco Bay alone or with a friend, as this tour offers a two-seat kayak. Experience is optional, as you will be given a crash course before the tour begins. First, you’ll meet at the Mere Point Boat Launch and learn how to paddle the kayaks. Then, you will paddle as a group in Casco Bay to an oyster farm, either Mere Point Oyster Company or Love Point Oysters.
You will learn a great deal about the area and come across wildlife and lobstermen hauling. You also get to sightsee and stop on an island where you can taste raw oysters, either plain or with hot sauce. Taking pictures is encouraged, and snacks are provided.
Oyster Farm & Complimentary Tasting Sea Kayak Tour in Casco Bay
Duration: 3 hours
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4. Sail through the spectacular views of Atlantic Ocean (from USD 135.0)
Indulge in the spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from a cruise. You will start from 5 Bay Ave and pass by Wood Island Lighthouse to see whales, seals, and bald eagles. Next, you will pass by Old Orchard Beach and see the attractions from a different vantage point and then go to Biddeford Pool, where you will see beautiful mansions and cruise through various sailboats and lobster boats. To learn about fishing life, you will visit the fishing village of Cape Porpoise, Maine.
During the trip, you can munch on your snacks and beverages. The tour will end at the meeting point.
Saco Small-Group Catamaran Sailing Charter
Duration: 2 hours
Maine Tour Guide
Naim Benmayor
As a Boston tour guide, I have the added experience of being a world traveler. For many years, I frequently visited Europe, Asia, and Latin America on business. During this time, I also organized tours of the USA, Europe and Asia for my business clients. I now bring this passion, excitement and expertise to the Boston area.By exploring the globe, I was exposed to various cultures, and this uniq... Read more
5. Explore Portland on a fire engine (from USD 36.0)
For a unique adventure, explore scenic Portland on a fire truck. You will start the tour by passing the Old Port, which is a historic district with shops selling clothes, gourmet food, and souvenirs. Then, pass by Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal and Shipyard Brewing Company, a brewery and soft drink manufacturer founded in 1994.
You will also pass by the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum, which consists of passenger and freight equipment that ran in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the stops is Victoria Mansion, which is an example of American residential architecture and was declared a landmark in 1971.
Portland, Maine Guided 1-Hour Tour on a Vintage Fire Engine
Duration: 50 minutes
6. Try whitewater rafting on Kennebec River
Kennebec River is a 170-mile-long (270 km) body of water found in Maine, USA. Dating back thousands of years, the river is one of Maine’s most important resources for livelihood, transportation, trade, and in the more recent years, tourism. Today, the river is an attraction for tourists as it offers a plethora of outdoor activities including water rafting, kayaking and tubing. Experience skydiving from Maine’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin. Whether it’s waterfalls or the wilderness, this place has everything for the adrenaline junkie seeking an adventure of a lifetime.
Three Rivers Whitewater
Address: 2265 US-201, West Forks, ME 04985, United States
Website: Three Rivers Whitewater
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)
7. Visit local craft breweries and sample craft beers (from USD 59.0)
The craft beer industry has grown exponentially over the years, and Maine has been one of the states to keep up with the trend. Stroll around the eastern end of Portland, visiting breweries and trying different kinds of local beers. Beer enthusiasts from far and near choose to visit Maine for the numerous selections of craft beers available in the area. To get the full experience, join Walk Portland, led by an experienced tour guide and beer expert, and try Maine’s best beers.
Walk Portland & Try Maine’s Best Beers · ★5.0
Duration: 3 hours
8. Walk through history at Victoria Mansion in Portland
Originally owned by Ruggles Sylvester Morse, the Victorian mansion became his summer home when he decided to leave Maine to build hotels in New York, Boston and New Orleans. Its intricate design, lavish decoration, and modern technologies (some taken from his hotels), the mansion is a perfect portrait of the old rich in 19th-century America. A year after he died, the house was sold to Joseph Ralph Libby, a wealthy department store owner who made it his and his family’s home until 1928. The Morse-Libby House was later purchased by William Holmes and his sister Clara Holmes to save it from demolition, and it was named the Victorian Mansion after Queen Victoria.
Victoria Mansion
Address: 109 Danforth Street, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Victoria Mansion
Opening hours: 10am - 4:30pm (daily)
Price: From 5 USD
9. Explore the giant corn maze at Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant
With 4.5 acres (1.82109 ha) of farmland to explore, enjoy getting lost inside the giant corn maze or experience apple-picking in the orchard. Treworgy Family Orchards is built on the idea of families coming together and enjoying farm living even just for a bit. Bring your family, harvest some fresh strawberries, pick up a pumpkin or eat an ice-cream. Even the President enjoyed a visit to the Orchard. Surely, you will too!
Treworgy Family Orchards
Address: 3876 Union Streent, Levant, ME 04456
Website: Treworgy Family Orchards
10. Learn about blueberries at Wild Blueberry Land
From its name alone, you can tell it’s going to be a blueberry-filled experience! From pies, scones, ice cream - all things imaginable - it’s a place brimming with blueberry-themed gifts and goodies! It’s hard to miss on the side of the road with its massive blue dome begging for attention. Nestled on 220 acres (89.0308 ha), enjoy a diverse set of activities and history learning centred around blueberries and all its glory. It’s a fun stop for families, especially kids to spend the afternoon in.
Wild Blueberry Land
Address: 1067 US Highway 1, Columbia Falls, ME 04623-5224
Website: Wild Blueberry Land
Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 9am - 2pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
11. Paint outdoors in Portland (from USD 150.0)
Get the best view and explore your artistic side at one of the coastlines of Maine. Join Jo-Ann in a three-hour workshop that includes drinks and equipment. Listen as she walks you through the basics of art and painting, and get ready to draw the endless horizon, lighthouses and mountain views seen from the distance. The world is but a canvas of our imagination, and what better way to get inspired than by spending it outdoors with the views of nature?
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine!
Duration: 3.5 hours
12. Hike with corgis and ponies in BlissWood Forest (from USD 65.0)
Take on a unique kind of adventure with corgis and ponies alongside you. You will have the most adorable companions in the world when you go on this hike. Watch the corgis run around and use up their energy while you take your sweet time in one of the shady trees. Regale in stories of fairies and folklores as you spend a magical day finding hidden dwellings and other gems in the forest.
Forest Fairies with Corgis and Goats
Duration: 1.5 hours
13. Explore the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport
For a chance to explore another side of history, get to appreciate the beauty of public transportation during the olden times. Explore the first electric railway museum in the world and enjoy riding trains all day! Join the tour and listen to the history of transportation for a more interactive learning experience. Best for family tours and field trips, the Seashore Trolley Museum is located only 30 minutes away from Portland and 90 minutes from Boston.
Seashore Trolley Museum
Address: 195 Log Cabin Rd., Kennebunkport ME 04046
Website: Seashore Trolley Museum
Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Thu)
Price: From 5 USD
14. Stroll around the Portland Museum of Art
Explore art in terms of history and culture from different walks of life. From kids to adults, the Portland Museum of Art is teeming with artwork that will surely educate and entertain you. It not only serves as lively entertainment but also a cultural representation of women and men within the social and historical contexts of race, equality and gender in American history.
Portland Museum of Art
Address: 7 Congress Sq. Portland, ME 04101
Website: Portland Museum of Art
Opening hours: Temporarily Closed
Price: From 17 USD
15. Go on a cruise from Camden Harbor (from USD 59.0)
Join a sailboat tour and explore the open seas on a Maine Windjammer Cruise. An old tradition lined with a rich history, sailing has been part of the lives of locals in the city. Feel the cold breeze and chill out on the deck while your captain expertly navigates the sailboat. This activity is definitely the best way to enjoy a beautiful, warm afternoon with family and friends.
Windjammer Classic Day Sail from Camden, Maine
Duration: 2 hours
Enjoy your time in Maine
Art, beer, nature, history - you name it, Maine’s got it. With a history that dates back to the 1600s, first settled by Europeans, there is a lot to learn here. A weekend may not be enough to make it through the list, but it’s definitely worth trying.
History
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