Hey Maine, time to awaken from your Covid quarantine slumber and be #Vacationland once again.
If Maine is “the way life should be”, then let’s be open to our visitors again. Like all good things in life, Maine’s natural beauty is best when shared.
May Day May Day, that’s the plan – May 1, 2021, the date when residents of all states can travel to Maine without test or quarantine. However, the Maine CDC reserves the right to identify states that have a high prevalence of highly contagious COVID-19 variants, and exclude them. If your state has a spike in variant cases, Maine may apply its Keep Maine Safe Certificate of Compliance form. This will remain in effect through the summer.
Reasons to Visit Maine…
Maine is beautiful, from sandy beaches stretching out to be strolled, to unspoiled rocky coastlines of glimmer granite.
Maine’s inland fresh crystal clear lakes Sebago and Moosehead and countless others, and interesting swerving sparkling rivers, are ready to be paddled, navigated, explored.
Majestic mountains like Sugarloaf, Katahdin and Kineo await your cameras, packs and boot pack. Blueberry plains and pine tree forest blanket much of the pristine state.
Quaint coastal towns hug the hundreds of inlets and peninsulas that make Maine’s coastline so varied and vast. Kittery to Kennebunkport to Camden and beyond..
Lighthouses serve as landmarks to visit, and remain beacons to boaters at sea. With over 70 lighthouses in the state, Maine does not eclipse Michigan’s number, but Maine’s lights are dramatic, historic – and Portland Headlight is the oldest in the U.S. commissioned by President George Washington.
Lobster, clams, oysters, scallops, these are Maine’s seafood treats, plentiful and ready for you to eat. Maine’s world-famous shellfish and fresh fish can be savored in so many ways, however humbly – its always best with butter. Order Maine lobster here…
Locals – Maine’s inhabitants, so called Mainahs, are characters, with their wicked accent, colorful if slightly inappropriate inane humor, and funny stories and expressions. There’s no place quite like Maine, and “you can’t get there for here”…
L.L. Bean boots, bags and hunting gear, and other ingenious Maine inventions, make this state resilient, not weary of bad weather, and creative. Visit Bean’s flagship store in Freeport, also Kittery Trading Post, Reny’s and Marden’s – all Maine originals, to sample a whole new way to shop, sample, stock up, and save.
First place to see the sunrise is Maine, the north-easternmost state in the nation. A drive up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park at dawn break is a remarkable experience.
Maine hospitality – Maine has so many unique inns, Bed & Breakfasts, lodges, camps and resorts, each with their own special setting, worth discovering, staying and exploring.
We hope to “sea” you in Maine soon. See why Maine is called Vacationland, and visit our tips on Touring the Coast.
Copyright & photos property of VisitMaine.net 2021
There’s a reason Main
1. Pack layers. They say in Maine “if you don’t like the weather in Maine, wait a minute.” Summer in Maine, temps can vary from 40’s at night to high 80’s in the day – 
3. Bring sunscreen. Just because Maine is far north, 43-degrees latitude, doesn’t mean the UV index doesn’t come after you. You don’t want to look like a cooked Maine lobster on vacation. Particular on the water, the refraction from of the sun’s rays is intense – but you might not sense it with the cool sea breeze in your face. Cover up or you could get burned to a crisp.
6. Or buy a tacky t-shirt to flaunt that you “aint from around here”. A Bah Harbah t-shirt or a “
8. Shop– If you didn’t pack properly, no worries – just make a trip to the Beaner… 
9. Backpacks and duffle luggage are better than rollie suitcases. You look like a city slicker rolling in with your black carryon bag with wheels, bumping along the salty old streets of Portland or Boothbay.
Camden
Visit Camden State Park and Mt Battie, you can drive the auto road to the top for fabulous views of the Camden Harbor and often see as far as Cadillac Mt on Mt Desert Island. This Maine State Park of Camden is over 5,000 acres, with 30 miles of trails. There’s a 1.5 mile loop hike. Or simply pack a picnic, get your selfie at the summit by the fortified tower, and enjoy splendid Atlantic scenes.
A Camden harbor cruise is a fun way to see the beautiful boats and schooners that port here, and venture out to a few lighthouse and beautiful Penobscot Bay – one of our favorite places to sail in all of Maine! Lively Lady offers harbor cruises from Camden’s docks daily.
Camden Harbor Park by the beautiful Camden Public Library is a lovely setting for a stroll or a picnic with a picturesque view of all the sailboat masts in the harbor. There’s an Amphitheater here for Camden’s frequent outdoor concerts .
Wine tasting at Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville – Bettina the propreitor departed Wall Street to pursue a passion in wine and elegant entertaining, she’s spent beaucoup bucks on harvesting 
Top Places to Dine in Camden
For the Best in Coffee in Camden
Time for you to discover Vacationland! Enjoy Maine with NO CROWDS at “unprecedented” rates, and help out Maine small biz owners! It’s a win win, they desperately need your lodging reservations right now – all they’ve gotten is cancellations lately. And YOU NEED to get out of the damn house! Winner winner 
Affordable and family friendly fun in Kennebunkport, 
Ever explored 
These are some wicked good local lodging deals. See Maine, shop local, save money, save our economy too! You won’t be trippin’ ovah cruise shippahs eithah this summah. You can even 
e upta Maine. If you have to ask for directions, be ready for anything. Maine, the way life ought to be.
2. Walk the quiet beautiful beach. Watch the cool surfers riding the winter waves (brrr). Love the beach so much you don’t want to leave? Stay beachfront at 
5. Get happy at 
8. The 
Marginal Way is a must, walk this 3-mile shorefront pedestrian walkway that connects Ogunquit village to Perkins Cove. There are promentories, picnic benches and a lighthouse along the way, more photo opps than you can count so keep the camera/phone handy.
Hit the Beach – Ogunquit has two 
Ogunquit Art! Ogunquit originated as a shipbuilding colony in 1641, and later flourished for its artistic community. The beautiful seaside setting inspires all mediums of art, and you can visit many studios and galleries. Ogunquit Museum of Art is small gallery with a fantastic oceanfront setting, founded in 1951, this art collection on Shore Road showcases over 3,000 paintings, ceramics and sculptures.
Soak in The Cliff House Resort – This spectacular property is worth a visit for a seaside cocktail, or a spa treatment, a splendid overnight stay of luxury – or more! Perched high on Bald Head Cliff, this incredible resort has fantastic views out to sea towards Boone Island Light and Nubble Light. The two story glass walled lounge is a lovely spot for a drink, or hit the heavenly 9,000 square foot spa for a massage and a dip in the ocean view oversized outdoor hot tub. For luxury lodging, 
Shop Ogunquit’s unique boutiques along Main Street in the historic village center. Browsing is both art and amusement in this great town full of fun shops like Sea Glass Jewelry Studio, Abacus and Whistling Oyster.
Take in a Play at Ogunquit Playhouses – one of the last, original authentic off Broadway summer theaters. 
#2 Best Maine Festivals!
Maine’s North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland jams with live bands, blues and jazz, in July on Rockland’s waterfront – which is an 
#4 Maine Farm and Craft Fairs
#8 Maine’s best biking events
#9 Christmas in Maine
A dip in the Atlantic on January 1 is a very chill way to welcome the New Year, and a shore cure for a New Year’s Eve hangover. 
It’s magical being surrounded by water, your arrival and departure solely reliant on a boat, far removed from the traffic, hustle and bustle of mainland living… it’s surprising how life slows, how so-called “necessities” melt away and life’s real “niceties” emerge… quiet, calm, natural, just the sound and smell of the sea.
Here are three special Maine islands that come to mind, very unique from one another, well worth discovering …
Chebeague – pronounced “sha-beeg”, is the largest island of the Calendar Islands… a reference to the number of islands equaling the days in the year in this region (slight hyperbole but a fun anecdote). Chebeague is actually comprised of 17 islands, the “Big” island is 3 mile long by 1 mile wide. Settlers in the 1740’s farmed and lived here, lobsters were so abundant they used them for fertilizer, not food. By the 1900’s Great Chebeague had five hotels, now there’s just one – 
Spend the night at Chebeague Island Inn, you owe your soul the experience! Arrive by ferry or your own boat and be whisked up the hill in the courtesy van to this historic charming hotel. The cozy fireplace living rooms lead to a gracious veranda with sea views. Take bikes to the East Shore beach, or explore the two roads – North & South – past the Historical Society and Maritime Museum, the Slow Bell Café, the island grocery store, community center and school.
Back at Chebeague Inn, cocktails are served on the easy breezy porch, followed by the acclaimed Chef’s delicious dinner – lobster, local mussels, duck, in the classic dining room or out on the lawn – our preference. Sunsets do not dissapoint here from the west-facing hillcrest overlooking the bay. Sleeping at the Inn -with your ocean view windows open, the light white drapes fluttering in the sea breeze – is perfection.
Great Diamond Island is a gem in the heart of Casco Bay, just a mile from Portland. This historic island has remnants of 1890’s Fort McKinley – the country’s coastal defense system built to protect Portland’s Harbor. 
As guests of Inn at Diamond Cove, we could hop on a complimentary bike or stroll to the old artillery spots – from the Spanish American War, visit the beach or sit by the hotel pool, hot tub and Cabana bar. There’s croquet, tennis, even indoor bowling and basketball. After a day boating Casco Bay and exploring the island, our balcony was a delightful spot to rest and relax before walking down to the Cove and waterfront for a wonderful seafood dinner at Diamond’s Edge. We passed the Crown Jewel, another popular spot for diners that came by ferry or more fortunate like us spending the night. Our ideal island-hopping day concluded with a dip in the cool pool back at the Hotel, then nightcaps by the fire pit.
Eagle Island is for the explorer, truly. This dramatic island in Harpswell, eastern Casco Bay, is a Maine historic site, and former home to Admiral Robert E. Perry who ventured to the North Pole in 1909. You can tour his family’s 1904 summer home, complete with artifacts from his bold expedition, even a Polar Bear. Bring a picnic, and enjoy the ocean views from this prominent point, admission is $5-6, plus your sightseeing ferry ride to the island. Overnights on Eagle Island are not permitted, so allow yourself at least an hour to tour the island, home and museum.
For real remote island life, venture out to sea to rustic 
Penobscot Bay – midcoast Maine
HISTORY BUFFS BUFF UP ON YOUR HISTORY
HAPPY HOUR
LOBSTAH FOR SUPPAH