Maine’s coastline is a place of granite headlands, spruce forests meeting the sea, and lighthouses standing guard over cold Atlantic water. It rewards travelers who slow down and follow the winding shore.
Acadia National Park
The crown jewel of the Maine coast, Acadia covers much of Mount Desert Island. Drive or bike the Park Loop Road, walk the carriage roads built a century ago, and climb Cadillac Mountain — the first place in the country to see the sunrise for part of the year. Timed-entry reservations are required to drive up Cadillac in season. The town of Bar Harbor offers lodging, restaurants and harbor cruises.
Lighthouses Worth the Detour
- Portland Head Light — one of the most photographed lighthouses in America, set in a scenic park near Portland.
- Bass Harbor Head Light — perched on the rocks within Acadia, magical at sunset.
- Pemaquid Point Light — dramatic striped rock ledges run down to the surf.
Eat Lobster Like a Local
Maine is synonymous with lobster, and the best way to eat it is at a no-frills “lobster pound” or shack on the water. Order it steamed with melted butter, or as a lobster roll — chilled with a little mayo, or warm with butter, depending on your preference. Pair it with steamers (soft-shell clams) and blueberry pie for dessert; Maine grows famous wild blueberries.
Working Harbors and Small Towns
Beyond the parks, the pleasure is in the villages: Camden with its schooners and hillside views, Rockland with its art museum, and countless fishing harbors stacked with lobster traps. The Midcoast and Down East regions feel a world away from the bustle of the cities to the south.
When to Go
Summer is warm and lively but busy; early fall brings foliage and thinner crowds along with cool, clear days. Winters are quiet and many seasonal businesses close.
The Maine coast is best taken in small bites — a lighthouse here, a harbor there, a lobster dinner as the fog rolls in. Give it time, and it gives back a deep sense of place.