Touring the Maine Coast is a journey. With more coastline than California
(3,478 miles), it takes some time to view the Maine Coast. The State of Maine is larger
than the other 5 New England states combined. With all that vastness, and the absence of
one specific "shore route", we recommend touring the spectacularly scenic Maine
Coast in sections, and whenever possible venturing out on one of the many boating
excursions offered from the numerous ports and harbors all along the coast.
We encourage visitors to spend several nights in
each town. Get off the beaten path and explore the nooks and crannies of this remarkable
coast called Maine. If this means you only get to visit two towns this year,
then you will
just have to return next year to visit the those you missed and have another great
vacation.
Most people cross over the mighty Piscatiqua River
(on I-95) into Maine from New Hampshire. Immediately the coast beckons. However, many are
drawn to Kittery’s famous factory outlets with over 120 factory and retail outlets
and the popular Kittery Trading Post, shoppers are sure to find what they were looking for
and at prices 20 to 70% off retail.
The first 30 miles of coast are known as the
"Southern Maine Coast Region" comprised of the towns of
Kittery, The Yorks,
Ogunquit, Wells,
Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Saco, and
Old Orchard Beach. These
eight towns offer more to see and do than one could possibly hope to accomplish in a busy
week of sightseeing and touring. This first 30 miles of coast offers 90% of the State's
sandy beaches!
The historic and scenic
town of York will summon you as you venture out along scenic Rt 1A. The Old York
Historical Society operates a wonderful living history museum here, including the oldest
jail in America, "where history comes alive" for all ages. No visit to York is
complete without a trip to Nubble Light, perhaps the most beautiful lighthouse in America.
As we continue our journey north we discover
Ogunquit – which means "Beautiful Place by the Sea" in the language of the
Algonquin Indians. A visit to the irrepressible Perkin’s Cove is definitely in order.
This miniature working lobster & fishing village is chock full of wonderful little
shops, and restaurants. There is a walking drawbridge, a beautiful walkway along the ocean
(the Marginal Way) and numerous boating excursions venture from these docks. Ogunquit is
also home
to a 3 mile stretch of near perfect sand. This community is a thriving artist
community, featuring one of the last remaining summer theaters, the not to be missed
Ogunquit Playhouse.
Wells is home of the Wells National Estuarine
Reserve at Laudholm Farm. This captivating saltwater farm preserves 1,600 acres of field,
forest and beach, with seven miles of nature trails – ideal for cross-country skiing
in winter or scenic walks year round.
Our journey now brings us north into the villages of
Kennebunk and
Kennebunkport. Kennebunkport is best known for its’ popular summer
visitors – President and First Lady, George and Barbara Bush. Both towns offer a
wealth of history, arts, hospitality and five more long and beautiful sandy beaches. Some
of the popular arts and heritage attractions include the Brick Store Museum, Nott House,
Arundel Barn Playhouse and the Seashore Trolley Museum – popular among young and old
– with the largest collection of trolleys and mass transit vehicles in the country.
If you’re in the mood for an amusement park,
Saco has the answer for you. Funtown/Splashtown is the largest amusement Park in the
state, and new this year, will offer the Maine’s first wooden roller coaster in 50
years!
Old Orchard Beach is a perfect stretch of long-wide
sand, hence their well deserved name "Maine’s Premier Family Beach Resort".
This stretch of beach is home to Palace Playland, a seaside amusement park, cotton candy,
and "The Pier" jutting nearly 500 feet straight out into the Atlantic. For those
looking for some "action" they will want to drop their towel near the Pier. If
it is quiet one seeks, no problem, just move a mile north or south of the Pier. If
you’re still not satisfied, and want that "solitude on the beach" feeling,
simply explore a mile either direction of the Pier. Old Orchard Beach is plenty big and
diversified enough to accommodate everybody.
Just 12 miles north of Old Orchard Beach is the
small city of Portland and its historic Old Port district brimming with charming boutiques
and restaurants. On the way to Portland, discover the unique Cape Elizabeth Light.
Originally twin lighthouses, the second has been inactive since 1924. The active light,
subject of two Edward Hopper paintings, is the most powerful on the New England coast.
Keep your camera ready, because a few miles north is
the oldest, and possibly the most famous of all Maine lighthouses, the Portland Headlight.
America's first lighthouse, it was commissioned by America's first President, George
Washington and was built in 1787 to guard the state's busiest harbor.
Continuing up the fabled Maine Coast you will come
upon the wonderful seaside town of Freeport - Home of L.L. Bean, and 120 upscale factory
outlets. Non-shoppers can explore the delights of the nearby Maine Maritime Museum, Wolf's
Neck Park and Farm, and the Sequin Island Lighthouse, with a foghorn so loud, it's knocked
seagulls out of the air!
Heading north again (Down East, as the natives say),
you'll follow a ragged coastline so dotted with lighthouses and picture-perfect seaside
villages that it's impossible to describe them all here!
Boothbay Harbor,
Camden,
Rockport and Rockland are just a few of the many perfect Maine towns. Enjoy schooner rides, whale
watches, lobster and seal boat tours from any of these spectacular harbors.
Traveling further up
the coast you will go over a narrow causeway onto Mount Desert Island,
home of Bar Harbor. The Island,
discovered by Samuel de Champlain in 1604, hosts Acadia National Park, the most visited in
the U.S. You will want to take a scenic drive through the Park, a drive to the top of
Cadillac Mountain rewards you with spectacular land and ocean views. Or enjoy one of the
numerous hiking trails the Park offers. A few miles before the park is the busy town of
Bar Harbor, once the playground for America's rich and famous, and today, home to a wide
variety of fascinating shops and restaurants.
One last piece of driving advice, when traveling to
the region you want to explore, whenever possible, use I-95 (the Maine Turnpike) to travel
South to North.
When looking at a Maine map first timers often think that if they travel
on Route One they will see more of the Maine Coast. While there are sections of the
Mid-Coast Regions visited only by Route One, when possible, use the Interstate – get
there – explore – enjoy! The truth is you will be several miles closer to the
coast than the Maine Turnpike but not close enough to see the coast. With all of Route
One's traffic lights your drive time will double.
Enjoy the beautiful state of Maine a state of
seaside treasures for you to discover.
Maine's Best Beaches l
Best Attractions l
Must See Landmarks l
Lighthouses l
Lodging Directory l Images of Maine
