15+ Quirky Roadside Attractions in Maine Towns
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If you’re only looking at the lighthouses, coastline, and mountains of Maine, you’re missing some great Maine towns with quirky roadside attractions.
Want to be scared? Stephen King left some fascinating fingerprints, while the Devil left his footprint at one roadside stop. Need a laugh? There’s a flying moose and a nut house like no other. Looking for record-setting sights? There’s a globe and a sculpture you need to see.
Some roadside tourist attractions can come and go, so we created the most up-to-date list you’ll find online for your next Maine visit. Make plans to see one or get really ambitious and go see them all!
Maine Highlands Roadside Attractions
Stephen King’s House | Bangor
Until Stephen King moved to Florida, he lived in Bangor at the famous house on Broadway. The grisly gates are still there, and the home is now a writer’s retreat.
Stop by 519 Main Street and hope that Paul Bunyan doesn’t come back to life and chase you as he was prone to do in the famous movie “It.” The famous storm drain from “It” was reportedly inspired by the one at Union & Jackson.
This famous house is just one of several Stephen King-related sites to visit in Bangor!
Head up Thomas Hill Road to see where King penned some scary stories and the inspiration for the It water tower.
True Stephen King fans should park for a few at Gerald Winters and Son Rare Books location on Main Street. We don’t want to give too much away, but here’s a hint.
Then there’s Mount Hope Cemetery, where the famous Gage burial scene from “Pet Sematary” was held, with Mr King himself making a cameo leading the service.
B-52 Crash Site | Greenville
You’ll have to drive a little off-road to reach this Greenville (almost) roadside memorial.
It’s where the remains of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed on Elephant Mountain in 1963.
The site has since become a memorial, attracting hikers and history enthusiasts who can visit the wreckage as a somber reminder of the Cold War era and a tribute to the crew’s sacrifice.
Winged Moose Sculpture | Rockwood
Mainer’s eyes might glaze over when tourists ask, “Where can I see a moose?” but we’ve got the inside scoop on where you can see a flying moose.
Well, a moose with wings, at least. Just south of Rockwood’s town landing on the east side of Rockwood Road, you’ll see a sculpture of the winged moose. There’s room to pull over and read the plaque telling the flying moose’s legend.
By the way, this is also another great town to see the regular kind of moose, too. While you’re here, check out Greenville on the south end of Moosehead Lake.
Roadside Attractions in Mid-Coast Maine
Captain Brown: The Old Lobster Fisherman | Boothbay Harbor
In Boothbay Harbor, Captain Brown, “The Old Lobster Fisherman,” has greeted guests for almost 50 years. The famed fisherman stands outside Brown Wharf’s Inn.
Since 1968, this 25-foot-tall wonder has been a familiar sight along the Maine coastline. It’s reportedly based on a Pennsylvania statue known as the Big Amos Amish man.
There are plenty more things to see in Boothbay Harbor too!
Most visitors have the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens on their road trip plans, but did you know there’s a troll trail to explore? They are known as the Guardian of the Seeds, and you must track them down in the woods.
At most, it’s a three-mile walk, but well worth it as a roadside stop to stretch those legs.
The Opera House of Boothbay Harbor is said to have a ghost named “Fingers” who likes to tune the piano from the other side.
Perry’s Nut House | Belfast
You can’t walk about Belfast without going a little nuts. Perry’s Nut House has been a roadside attraction since 1927.
It’s as quirky as you can get on a roadside attraction, with the slogan “Maine’s Favorite Fudge, Nuts and Curiosities.”
You’ll find some of the best fudge you’ll ever eat, alongside a stuffed gorilla known as “Ape-raham” and other animal skins. Look for the pink dinosaur skeleton outside.
To be honest, Perry’s Nut House feels like being in a Rob Zombie movie.
Head to the Colonial Theatre downtown and look up for a great talking point. That elephant used to be in front of Perry’s Nut House. Any local will be happy to share the story of how it got there.
El Faro Salute Sculpture | Rockland
The El Faro Salute! sculpture in Rockland pays tribute to five Maine Maritime Academy graduates who went down with the El Faro in Hurricane Joaquin.
The sculpture is oddly intriguing at first, and the story brings a somber moment of remembrance for all who visit.
While you’re there, take a walk on the mile-long Rockland breakwater to the lighthouse if you have time.
Andre the Seal | Rockport
And more heartstrings are pulled in nearby Rockport, where the “Andre the Seal” memorial stands. It honors a beloved harbor seal that made Rockport Harbor his home during the 1980s.
This endearing marine mammal’s statue immortalizes his connection with the community. Anyone who saw 1994’s “Andre” will want to stop by and say hi.
World’s Largest Lobster Roll | Woolwich
Just across the Kennebec River from Bath, you’ll find the home of the world’s largest lobster roll.
You can’t miss the Taste of Maine because a massive lobster is waiting on the roof. The giant lobster is 70 feet long and 12 feet tall.
The famed lobster roll is two feet long and contains more than a pound of lobster meat.
Roadside Attractions in the Lakes and Mountains Region of Maine
Various sites | Bethel and surrounding area
Bethel and its neighbors have quirks and curiosities, like why is the largest piece of Mars on Earth located in this small Maine mountain town? Find out at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum.
Then, head 15 miles south to Luncville to see the World Traveler Signpost and see how many cities and countries share names with small Maine towns.
Have fun driving to the so-called World’s Largest Telephone in Bryant Pond with the younger people in your travel group.
We bet you the next lobster roll they have NO IDEA what this is at first. The phone symbolizes the community being the last one in America to ditch the hand crank model.
Roadside Attractions in Downeast Maine
Wild Blueberry Land | Columbia Falls
The wild blueberry is the official fruit of Maine and Wild Blueberry Land celebrates all things blueberry, from the oversized blueberry-shaped building to the “Blueberry Store,” which offers a wide array of wild blueberry products.
The site features giant blueberry sculptures and a whimsical garden adorned with blueberry-themed decorations.
Fair warning–tasting a Maine wild blueberry could lead to a dislike for regular blueberries.
TIP: They take their wild blueberries seriously here. You are asked to take a pledge to Keep Maine Wild: “I pledge always to use the word WILD whenever I reference the “WILD” Maine low bush blueberry. By doing so, I understand I will have a lifetime membership and newsletters to the Agricultural Maine Wild Blueberry Heritage Center and Virtual Museum.”
A few blocks down, you’ll also find the (allegedly) World’s Largest Lobster Trap, new in 2023.
Nellieville | Deer Isle
Nellieville (aka Nervous Nellie’s) of Deer Isle might give the nuthouse a run for its quirky award.
It would be enough that Nellieville makes up to 300 jars of jams and jellies a day, but there’s also a sculpture garden made from scraps of wood and metal.
But trust us, the allure of Nellieville doesn’t stop there…
This is all laid out in an Old Western town facade, complete with a wooded walk where more sculptures await. Whether you want to browse the store or be bewildered, Nervous Nellie’s has it all!
Various sites | Eastport
Eastport has several stops to consider, including the famous fisherman statue and an NSFW mermaid nearby.
On a clear day, you might also be able to spot the Old Sow, one of the largest natural whirlpools in the world, just offshore.
You can also visit the Easternmost City buoy or head to Lubec and see the Easternmost Point in the United States at the West Quoddy Lighthouse, which also houses the Easternmost Gift Shop.
Lubec is a municipality, not a city, so both destinations are correct.
Pet Sematary House | Hancock
For those driving to Bar Harbor, it’s worth a short detour to Hancock, especially for Stephen King fans.
The house at 303 Point Road is the setting for the Creed home in the 1989 movie “Pet Sematary”. While the home is privately owned, there’s a small place to pull over at the scene where little Gage Creed wandered into the road. (We’re not crying, you’re crying.)
Roadside Attractions in Portland/Casco Bay Maine
L.L. Bean | Freeport
Freeport is the birthplace of L.L. Bean, and an iconic stop is the giant Bean Boot outside the flagship store. You might even see the L.L. Bean Bootmobile around the region.
Another Freeport stop is the Desert of Maine, which is as quirky as it comes but fits in with the oddity of the landscape. Camp a night or two here if you’d like.
Lenny, the Life-Sized Chocolate Moose | Scarborough
We know, we know, you want to see more moose. So stop by Len Libby Candies in Scarborough to see the Lenny, the “Life-Sized Chocolate Moose.”
While you’re nearby, head to Higgins Beach, where the skeleton of a shipwreck appears at low tide after storms.
Eartha | Yarmouth
Tech lovers might be impressed enough with visiting the Garmin located in Yarmouth, but wait until you see what in the world is waiting for you.
Eartha is the world’s largest rotating globe. While ownership of Eartha and the building changed hands, Garmin is now honed in on the location and is even doing renovations to expand and welcome more visitors with a new cafe.
Roadside Attractions in the Kennebec Moose River Region of Maine
The Devil’s Footprint | Manchester
The Devil’s Footprint is a peculiar and enigmatic rock formation embedded with a folklore-rich legend.
The footprint-shaped hollow in the stone outside the cemetery is said to be where the Devil himself stepped, leaving a lasting mark.
According to one of many local tales, the Devil came to challenge a local minister but left his footprint as a sign of his power. We’re not sure how Stephen King avoided writing a book about this!
The World’s Tallest Indian | Skowhegan
In Skowhegan, you’ll find a towering and iconic statue known as “The World’s Tallest Indian.”
This colossal Native American sculpture, standing at an impressive 62 feet, serves as a striking symbol of the region’s indigenous heritage and culture.
The statue pays homage to the Wabanaki people, who have a deep-rooted history in Maine.
Downtown Skowhegan also has six of the impressive sculptures along the Langlais Art Trail.
A Few More Maine Oddities to Explore
These are more “if you are in the area” locations curious travelers can find in the Pine Tree State:
- Rangeley: A sign marking the exact spot where you’re halfway between the equator and the North Pole.
- Fort Kent: “America’s First Mile” on Route 1, which goes all the way to the Florida Keys.
- Aroostook County: Keep going on Route 1, and you’ll come across the Maine Solar System Model across 100 miles.
- Kennebunk: A recently renovated “Wedding Cake House” that stands out on the street of already impressive former ship captains’ homes.
- Farmington: You’ll see the happiest tree you could ever imagine. Smile and wave back, or stop and take a photo.
Love Maine Oddities? Thank a Maine State Law
You might not notice this odd occurrence when you’re driving around Maine towns. You know all those scenic views you love so much? You can thank a Maine state law dating back to the 1970s for the unobstructed views.
Maine bans off-premises billboards, limiting advertising structures to only on-site businesses.
This law aimed to preserve the state’s scenic beauty by reducing visual clutter along its roadways, contributing to Maine’s Vacationland reputation for unspoiled natural landscapes and scenic drives.
It remains one of the most stringent anti-billboard laws in the United States, protecting the state’s aesthetic appeal.