These Maine Towns Fly Under the Radar but Are Worth the Trip
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While Maine carries the Vacationland moniker, there are new vacations tucked away in peninsulas and around lakes that don’t start with Sebago.
The state has some truly special spots that aren’t on every travel guide, and that’s what makes them worth the extra effort. These under-the-radar towns offer everything you love about Maine: scenic views, quiet charm, and that laid-back feel, without the crowds or touristy chaos.
You won’t find bumper-to-bumper traffic or rows of souvenir shops here – just peaceful peninsulas, hidden lakes, and places that feel like a step back in time.
If you’re craving a slower, more authentic Maine getaway, these lesser-known towns are calling. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones a little off the beaten path. So, let’s choose the road less taken and explore Maine’s underrated and timelessly dated towns.
Allagash | A Wild, Beautiful Escape at the Edge of Maine
Allagash is at the mouth of the famed Allagash Wilderness Waterway, a famed 92-mile water route that inspired Henry David Thoreau to write a book about his adventures.
Allagash also overlaps with the St. John River, making water adventures span in three directions and the Canadian border on the fourth side.
On a good day, you’ll see more moose than people. Strip malls are replaced with various outdoor tour companies ready to make your wilderness dreams come true.
Take a ride on the St. John Valley Cultural Byway for fall foliage you just can’t get in Kennebunk. If you like Allagash, you’ll love the rest of Aroostook County.
Castine | Quiet Streets, Rich History, and Coastal Charm
Those heading to Acadia National Park often overlook the Castine (“cass-teen”) exit on Route 1.
If you take the turn on Castine Road, you’ll find a record that pre-dated the Plymouth colonies and takes you through major wars, a robust French trading port, and a summer destination for New England’s elite through the Great Depression.
This waterfront town on the Penobscot River houses the Maine Maritime Academy and an enclave of restaurants, shops, and historic inns. Castine even has its own sandy beach that once served as a British landing point during the Revolutionary War.
Fortune and Travel & Leisure magazines also give this underrated town accolades for its inherent charm and scenery.
Harpswell | A Peaceful Coastal Escape With Miles of Shoreline to Explore
Harpswell stands out as almost a mini-Maine within the state as it covers peninsulas, road-connected islands, and hundreds of offshore islands.
Everything you want in a Maine vacation is here – sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, peaceful trails, overflowing lobster rolls, kayaking, boating, fishing, and so much more.
Harpswell Heritage Land Trust properties give easy access with no packed parking lots and the only Giant’s Stairs in Maine.
If that isn’t dreamy enough, how about a McDreamy reason? This is the town where Maine native Patrick Dempsey married his wife and came back 19 years later to celebrate.
Planning a wedding? The Live Well Farm venue is available!
Houlton | A Friendly Northern Town Where Maine’s Heritage Shines
Houlton holds the spot as the most up-and-coming town in Maine for the 2024 Solar Eclipse. Those preparations will pay off for years to come as the world is introduced to everything this Aroostook County town offers.
This town is easy to access as the “end of the road” for I-95, but there are still plenty of trails (water, dirt, and snow) to explore for a taste of Maine’s outdoors. And, the walkable Market Square mixes river crossings, restaurants, and relaxation for a quintessential Maine experience.
Whether you want to go 4 miles to Canada or 55 miles to the International Dark Sky Park of Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, look for Houlton to make headlines over the next few years.
Jonesport | A DownEast Fishing Village With Unspoiled Views and True Maine Grit
While Jonesport might not be a bustling tourist hub, its unspoiled beauty and genuine maritime culture make it an underrated destination for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. This region is also among the foggiest on the Maine coastline.
From sardines to lobstering, this town has a storied past in the waters of Chandler Bay. If you’re a boater, wait until you see the islands that await, including the lesser-known Moose Peak Lighthouse on Mistake Island.
Visitors also get the bonus of Beals, a bridge-connected island that leads to the Great Wass Island Preserve, a serene 1,500-acre wilderness that boasts picturesque coastal trails.
Millinocket | Gateway to the Great Outdoors and the Heart of Maine Adventure
Many people talk about Mount Katahdin, the end of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the highest peak in Maine. Not enough is said about the anchor town of Millinocket in its shadow.
Hiking, camping, and wildlife-watching opportunities abound here, making it a haven for nature lovers. Plus, the “Golden Road” to Canada is unlike any scenic drive you’ve ever seen before.
Whether you want to go deep into the Maine North Woods and hike the waterfalls of Gulf Hagas or check out a few dozen others in the region, Millinocket is the headquarters for an outdoor Maine adventure. Be sure to get a photo at Pockwockamus Rock.
Related: 10 Best Towns in the Maine Mountains to Visit This Year
New Harbor | Classic Coastal Maine With Working Boats, Quiet Beauty, and Plenty of Charm
New Harbor might technically be a village in the Downeast town of Bristol, but it holds its own underrated value. Even romance author Nicholas Sparks couldn’t find a more idyllic place for his “Message in a Bottle” movie than this village.
Even the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse could square up with the Portland Head Lighthouse for amazing views and surrounding trails, including a dizzying and contrasting bedrock design for a beach.
Ferry service takes guests to Monhegan Island, and tour boats bring you face-to-face with puffins and seals. You might even see some whales. Plus, history buffs will get two forts right next to each other.
Newry | A Four-Season Playground Tucked Into Maine’s Mountains
About half of the things people love about Bethel are technically in Newry.
Sunday River Resort excels as a four-season destination. It doesn’t just offer trails and sweeping scenic views; it includes a lot of fun. The resort has events like skiing Santas and a wife-carrying contest, while Eddy and Betty (the Yetis) could show up anytime.
Two of the best swimming holes in the state are here – Frenchman’s Hole and Sunday River Swim Area. Near Grafton Notch State Park, waterfalls await adventurous hikers, and the Appalachian Trail can lead up to the scenic view of Old Speck Mountain.
Some of the best fall foliage in the state arrives in late September, and winter roads are always plowed for easy access to the slopes.
By no means is Sunday River underrated. It has won many awards, but the town of Newry also deserves applause.
Pembroke | A Hidden Gem Where Tides, Trails, and Small-Town Charm Meet
Many people know there’s a reversing waterfall somewhere in Maine. Or maybe they heard about it. Or is it a hoax? Reversing Falls is in Pembroke, and I assure you, video doesn’t do it justice.
The tide rises and falls up to 20 feet in this narrow stretch of water, creating a suction that makes a reverse waterfall appear. You have to time the trip just right to see it in action.
So you wanna see a moose in Maine? Head to the federally preserved land of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Cameras are planted all over the landscape, offering up-close views of moose, bears, and more birds than you can count.
Visiting Pembroke is also a great excuse to drive to Moose Island and the town of Eastport, another underrated tourism goldmine in Maine.
Related: Exploring Maine’s 10 Most Scenic Towns Across the State
Phippsburg | Where Rugged Coastline Meets Peaceful Trails and Rich History
Phippsburg is another “take up the whole peninsula” kind of Downeast town. Just head south from Bath, and a whole new Maine adventure unfolds.
The Mica Mine Trail sparkles (literally) as unmined minerals reflect the sunlight. Hike up Merritt Mountain for views that rival Camden Hills State Park while standing at the spot where Revolutionary War soldiers watched for the British on the horizon.
If you need sand in your toes, take the Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach trail.
Popham Beach State Park is not underrated by the locals. For good reason, it’s the busiest state park beach–miles of sandy shoreline and a lighthouse on the horizon. Forts Poham and Baldwin are next door.
Raymond | Lakeside Relaxation, Outdoor Fun, and a Welcoming Small-Town Feel
Skip the traffic at Sebago Lake State Park and enjoy the nearby town of Raymond, which still gives easy lake access.
That the ferry to Frye Island or rent a cabin on an equally beautiful Panther Pond. You are also close to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village for a unique cultural experience on the way to a much less crowded Range Pond State Park.
Maine Wildlife Park is just 6 miles away from your lakeside paradise. To truly escape the crowds, though, head to the 4 miles of trails in Raymond Community Forest, with views in all directions from Pismire Mountain.
Rockwood | Moosehead Views, Outdoor Fun, and North Woods Vibes
On the eastern edge of Moosehead Lake is Rockwood, with direct access to one of Maine’s most notable features – Mount Kineo. It has a similar appearance as Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, only no permits are required here.
Rockwood is also the last stop on the way to Maine’s North Woods, making it a perfect place to stop before going on a wilderness adventure. You can still get all the great tastes of the Maine coast at Rockwood Bar & Grill, too.
While nearby Greenville at the south end of the lake is the premiere destination of Moosehead Lake, Rockwood holds its own with rustic lakeside cabins and easy walking distance to the ferry dock.
Stonington | A Working Waterfront With Big Views and Small-Town Charm
Stonington offers much of the same appeal as Portland but at a much slower pace and less commercialization. For good reasons, the town has repeatedly ranked as the most underrated town in Maine.
While it’s on an island, you don’t need a boat, as the drive to Stonington is part of its appeal. It’s just 90 minutes from Bangor, and you won’t have to sit in traffic.
Once you’re there, pick your preferred path through the Island Heritage Trust or take a boat to Isle au Haut. This working fishing village has some of the best lobster meals in Maine and a year-round Opera House with year-round entertainment for perfect date nights.
Stonington has an authentic appeal for those who love Maine; you just have to go off the beaten path to get there.
Winter Harbor | A Quiet Coastal Escape Just Outside the Crowds of Acadia
Splintered off Mount Desert Island, Winter Harbor is on the Schoodic Peninsula. This region is known as the “Quieter Side of Acadia.” It’s also the only part of the park where roads are open year-round.
Winter Harbor wraps around Henry Cove before expanding further down separate peninsulas. Grindstone Point offers epic views of the churning waves slamming into jagged bedrock.
While Winter Harbor is much smaller and less crowded than Bar Harbor across the narrows, a ferry can take you back and forth daily. Also, a trip here offers quick access to more underrated communities in Maine, like Gouldsboro and Prospect Harbor.
It’s the Little Places in Maine That Leave a Big Impression
You can absolutely enjoy Maine on a single trip, but to truly fall in love with it, you have to explore the quieter, less talked-about places, too.
These out-of-the-way towns and peaceful corners still give you that classic Maine feel, just without all the crowds.
Thanks to a growing number of local land trusts, so much of Maine’s beauty is being thoughtfully preserved. So, folks like you can explore and enjoy it without it being overrun or overbuilt.
Around here, “underrated” doesn’t mean less-than. It means treasured, protected, and maybe even a little more special because it’s still a secret.
My mother madiden name Jean Lincoln living in Perry Maine and going to Pembroke high School,drew a scenic art picture and wrote the slogan “Maine Vacation land on it and the teacher took it, she never got it back and after it was put on the license plates and she was never agknolaged as the creator of the slogan 😏
Camp Hawthorne Cottages in Raymond offers vacation rentals on Panther Pond.