MAINE – Awe-inspiring Fall Foliage, lobster, blueberries lighthouses and moose!
Plan your visit to coincide with a fair or one of the year round music festivals. Why not try dog sledding, a moose safari, kayaking to one of Maine’s 2,000 islands, or just bike a country road in the crisp air under deep blue skies. Join the fun exploring historic country inns, the endless coastline with its lighthouses, wharfs and coastal villages. Don’t miss the delicacies so identifiable with Maine: Lobster, clams, maple syrup, salmon, blueberries and bean-hole beans. All of this is Maine.
Maine divides itself into 8 regions encompassing 16 counties boasting 6,000 lakes and ponds, 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, 17 million acres of forest, over 5,000 miles of coastline and 2,000 islands. On the Southern Maine Coast you’ll discover the beautiful beach cities of of Kittery, The Yorks, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach. Portland, Freeport and Bar Harbor are beach gems tourists find compelling as they return for vacations again and again. Dining and Lodging abound. Climate varies slightly by region with cold winters and warm summers. The state insect is the Honeybee (responsible for summer’s wild blueberry crop).
Lighthouses
Smell the salty air. Feel the sand between your toes and enjoy spectacular sunrises from the surfline or your Maine beachside hotel. Five thousand miles of rocky coastline and offshore island perimeters are protected by 63 lighthouses. Maine’s coastal regions boast scores of cruises, ferries and fishing charters, departing from charming seaport villages on excursions to nearby lighthouses. Along the way, see puffins, whales, harbor seals and an occasional bald eagle.
Go into the Wilds and Share in the Culture
Experience a stunning tapestry of unspoiled beauty in Maine’s mountains, lakes, rivers, hills and valleys. Indulge in local art, theater and history. Scenic byways, heritage trails and covered bridges beckon. Whitewater rafting is plentiful on rivers swollen with spring’s melted snow. Try the Kennebec, Penobscot and Dead rivers. From May 1 through October, rafting companies, canoeing and kayaking outfitters wait for your arrival. In remote lakes, ponds and streams, the fish are plentiful. Fishing season starts April 1. And there’s camping, hiking, biking and bird watching too. The Northern Forest Canoe Trail follows age-old Native American travel routes. Beat the summer rush, visit Maine in Spring.
Fall Foliage
From pale yellow to bright crimson, Maine is bursting with annual color in the Fall. Beginning in mid September, travel to northern Maine to visit Arrostook State Park, Allagash Wilderness Waterway and Fort Kent, Ashland, and Mars Hill for the early stages of Fall Foliage Season. By the end of September, more than half the trees in the state are in full color. The best locations to leaf peek are anywhere in northern Maine like Route 11, Aroostook State Park, Eagle Lake, Kieno and Rockwood. The best week for peak color in western and central Maine is October 1-7. Visit Grafton Notch State Park, Richardson Lake, Bigelow Preserve, Mt. Blue State Park and Lily Bay State Park. You won’t be disappointed. Lodging, great restaurants and friendly people abound.
Alpine & Nordic Skiing
Planning a winter vacation? Maine has some of the most remarkable skiing in New England. There are 17 Alpine Ski Areas accommodating all proficiencies. Snowshoeing through silent white forests is at its peak of popularity. Twenty Nordic Ski Centers maintain trails of varying length.
This is just a small sampling of the myriad of seasonal activities and endless travel passions that can be enjoyed in this hospitable northeastern state where visitors can breathe deep, slow down a bit and soak it all in. Use the links available here to book your unforgettable Maine vacation.
