Maine

6 of the Best Things to Do in Maine in September
1. Attend the Pemaquid Oyster Festival
The Pemaquid Oyster Festival is a free event during which guests can enjoy local oysters harvested fresh from the Damariscotta River. Eat them on the half shell, or try one of the many other fantastic dishes prepared by local chefs. This event also features live music and boat rides!

2. Celebrate Nautical Culture at Boothbay Harbor Fest
The Boothbay Harbor Fest is a 10-day event that showcases some of the best community, arts, wellness, and cultural organizations in town. Filled with fun activities and shows, it’s the ideal way to end summer in Maine.

3. Enjoy Fall on Maine’s Pumpkin Trail
Part of the Damariscotta Pumpkin Festival, the Pumpkin Trail is the perfect way to welcome fall in Midcoast Maine. The “trail” covers 50 miles of Maine’s coastline and features cruises, train rides, a pumpkin boat regatta, and pumpkin-smashing events. It’s fun for the entire family!

4. Find a New Favorite at the Claw Down Lobster Bite Competition
Claw Down Boothbay Harbor is one of the region’s signature culinary events! This September, make a point to attend the Claw Down Lobster Bite Competition. This part of the festival features all of the area’s best seafood chefs and samples of their signature lobster dishes. Guests judge this competition and the winning chef receives recognition. There’s no better way to get a taste of the region’s seafood!

5. Enjoy Tee Time at the Boothbay Charities Classic
The Boothbay Charities Classic is an exciting annual golf tournament benefiting some of the area’s best charities. Hosted at the Boothbay Railway Village, this golf tournament brings golf enthusiasts to the coast from far and wide. The best part? It’s all for a great cause!

6. Bring the Little Ones to Family Harvest Days
Family Harvest Days is one of the absolute best things to do in Maine in September. This event is an old-fashioned, family-friendly festival that was created to celebrate the arrival of autumn. Patrons of all ages can enjoy attractions like a working blacksmith, other artist demonstrations, barrel train rides, farm animals, and so much more.

It's been too long. The outdoors are calling. And Maine is ready to welcome you back. Start planning your next adventure with some of the best day trips in Maine, curated by Mainers.

Aroostook County
Maine's northernmost county is draped in sprawling forests and dotted with mountain peaks. Considering it's bigger than Rhode Island and Connecticut combined, you'll run out of energy before you run out of hiking, mountain biking, ATV and cross-country ski trails.

Travel the Aroostook Valley Trail
The trail wanders for 28 miles through northeastern Maine, through deep woods and past open fields and potato farms.

Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
The area, once overflown by Air Force bombers, now offers a wild and quiet place for wildlife watchers and birders alike.

DownEast & Acadia
Downwind from shipping ports like New York and Boston. And to the east. That's how you get DownEast. Defined by booming ocean, craggy coastline, and inland beauty, the region's natural wonder continues far beyond Acadia National Park, so we'd recommend you do the same.

Winter in Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is open in the winter and offers numerous activities for those who don’t let a little snow stop their outdoor fun.

Visit Holbrook Island Sanctuary
Visitors can walk along old roads and trails to discover the unique and varied ecosystems protected here for a truly unspoiled piece of Maine.

Greater Portland & Casco Bay
Art? Absolutely. Shows? Sure enough. Food? Really good food? Probably more than you can handle in one trip. So, plan two. Or three. Or however many it takes to get to know this culturally diverse corner of Maine.

Portland Freedom Trail
Learn about Maine's African American history by following their footsteps for about two miles through downtown Portland.

Maine Foodie Tours
Working with chefs and purveyors, brew masters, bakers, distillers, chocolatiers and more, Maine Foodie Tours is headquartered in Portland and offers experiences in several Maine communities.

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The Kennebec Valley
The Kennebec Valley is a gift of the 170-mile Kennebec River that rolls, and sometimes rocks, from Moosehead Lake in the north to the Atlantic Ocean. Test your mettle on some rapids, cast a line, explore the Appalachian Trail, or just sit back and enjoy the waterfalls.

Viles Arboretum
Just a few minutes from the Maine State House in Augusta is a quiet oasis brimming with plants and trees and lined with shaded walks.

Hallowell Trip Tips
This quaint and completely walkable town is full of unique shops and restaurants, all situated along the shores of the Kennebec River.

Maine's Lakes & Mountains
Beginning just an hour from Portland and reaching to the Canadian border, Maine's Lakes & Mountains region is home to ten of the state's highest peaks, our largest ski resorts and plenty of opportunities to paddle, cast and cannonball.

Bridgton Trip Tips
The town of Bridgton combines picturesque lakes and mountains with charming downtown culture and amenities making for an ideal all-season day trip.

Pineland Farms
Pineland Farms in New Gloucester is a working farm and business campus that offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities and educational family fun.

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Rangeley Trip Tips
Tucked among the mountains along the lake’s shore, the charming town of Rangeley is the ideal winter escape.

Maine's MidCoast & Islands
Scale a mountain, turn your head and see islands punctuating the sparkling sea. Maine's MidCoast & Islands region specializes in breathtaking vistas, which is probably why some of America's greatest painters called this place home.

Explore Camden Hills
This wonderous park is perched atop Mt. Battie, a hub of wildflowers and unique bird species.

Ice Climbing in Camden
It seems impossible. There, hanging from a frozen waterfall, are climbers inching upwards. How did they get there? Are those people nuts?

Bath Trip Tips
Historically one of Maine’s largest cities and a major supplier of America’s 19th-century sailing vessels, this charming town skirting the Kennebec River is known as the “City of Ships.”

The Maine Beaches
Maine might be known for its dramatic and rugged coastline, but just one hour north of Boston and a stone's throw from Portland you'll find wide sandy beaches. There's nothing like a sun-soaked beach day. And there's no place quite like a Maine beach.

Winter Beach Walks
The beauty of the Maine coast is perennial, but winter is perfect for beach walks.

Biddeford & S**o Trip Tips
The neighboring communities of Biddeford and S**o are divided by the S**o River but are perfect for a day of exploration.

The Maine Highlands
The highest peak. And the largest lake. Just two of the natural wonders you'll encounter in the Maine Highlands. And if you make your way to Baxter State Park, you'll probably be able to add a moose to that list.

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge
With over 2,400 acres of pristine natural wilderness, 7 miles of walking trails and educational activities for all ages, Hirundo Wildlife Refuge is Old Town's best kept secret.

Exploring Bangor
Birth place of Paul Bunyan, Bangor is home to many attractions, inlcuding Stephen King's home. Take a self-guided tour around town and visit Bangor City Forest.

Greenville Trip Tips
Greenville is known for its proximity to Moosehead Lake, but there are plenty of additional natural wonders, activities, restaurants and lodging options, making it a great place for a getaway.

6 of the Best Things to Do in Maine in September
1. Attend the Pemaquid Oyster Festival
The Pemaquid Oyster Festival is a free event during which guests can enjoy local oysters harvested fresh from the Damariscotta River. Eat them on the half shell, or try one of the many other fantastic dishes prepared by local chefs. This event also features live music and boat rides!

2. Celebrate Nautical Culture at Boothbay Harbor Fest
The Boothbay Harbor Fest is a 10-day event that showcases some of the best community, arts, wellness, and cultural organizations in town. Filled with fun activities and shows, it’s the perfect way to end a summer in Maine.

3. Enjoy Fall on Maine’s Pumpkin Trail
Part of the Damariscotta Pumpkin Festival, the Pumpkin Trail is the perfect way to welcome fall in Midcoast Maine. The “trail” covers 50 miles of Maine’s coastline and features cruises, train rides, a pumpkin boat regatta, and pumpkin-smashing events. It’s fun for the entire family!

4. Find a New Favorite at the Claw Down Lobster Bite Competition
Claw Down Boothbay Harbor is one of the region’s signature culinary events! This September, make a point to attend the Claw Down Lobster Bite Competition. This part of the festival features all of the area’s best seafood chefs and samples of their signature lobster dishes. Guests judge this competition and the winning chef receives recognition. There’s no better way to get a taste of the region’s seafood!

5. Enjoy Tee Time at the Boothbay Charities Classic
The Boothbay Charities Classic is an exciting annual golf tournament benefiting some of the area’s best charities. Hosted at the Boothbay Railway Village, this golf tournament brings golf enthusiasts to the coast from far and wide. The best part? It’s all for a great cause!

6. Bring the Little Ones to Family Harvest Days
Family Harvest Days is one of the absolute best things to do in Maine in September. This event is an old-fashioned, family-friendly festival that was created to celebrate the arrival of autumn. Patrons of all ages can enjoy attractions like a working blacksmith, other artist demonstrations, barrel train rides, farm animals, and so much more.

Top 10 Maine Summer Events of 2018

Acadia Birding Festival
Mount Desert Island | May 31-June 3, 2018
Celebrate our feathered friends at this four-day event based on beautiful Mount Desert Island. A wide variety of birding adventures is on offer, ranging along rocky coasts, through northern forests, and on the water. Register now for field trips, boat trips, workshops, socials, and evening talks.

SEE MORE: Best of Mount Desert Island | Editors’ Choice Awards

Old Port Festival
Portland | June 10, 2018
The culmination of the four-day Old Port Weekend, this festival brings tens of thousands to Portland’s historic Old Port for the ultimate summer kickoff party. Amid the cobblestoned streets and 19th-century buildings, festivalgoers enjoy live music, food from local restaurants, Maine-made arts and crafts, and the 90-foot Casco Bay Eye Ferris wheel.

Windjammer Days
Boothbay Harbor | June 24-30, 2018
Delight your inner ocean adventurer with a trip to Boothbay harbor for this weeklong nautical gala. Can’t-miss highlights include the Parade of Sail, showcasing a dozen beautifully maintained examples of the grandest of merchant sailing ships, and Lighted Boat Parade. Plus: pancake breakfasts, waterfront concerts, fireworks over the harbor, tours of Navy vessels and a Coast Guard station, and plenty of pirate mischief.

Yarmouth Clam Festival
Yarmouth | July 20-22, 2018
Over 100,000 people are expected to descend on Yarmouth for this homage to the clam, and they’ll be bringing their appetites: From start to finish, more than 6,000 pounds of clams (along with 6,000 lobster rolls, 2,200 pancake breakfasts, and 400 homemade pies) are expected to be consumed this weekend, making it one of the most delicious Maine summer events on record. There’s more to the fun than the food, though, thanks to live music on four stages, a clam-shucking contest, a parade and street dancing, fireworks, a professional bike race, and a firefighters muster.

Maine Brewers Guild Summer Session Beer Festival
Portland | July 28, 2018
Billed as the state’s biggest beer festival of the year, this is the premier showcase for Maine craft brewers, more than 70 of whom will be on site to talk the finer points of brewing with attendees. Worthy out-of-staters make an appearance, too, with past guests including Massachusetts cult favorite Tree House. Factor in the live music and delicious fare from local food trucks, and it’s a summer day in beer heaven. (But get your tickets early, as this event has been known to sell out.)

Maine Lobster Festival
Rockland Harbor Park | August 1-5, 2018
Some Maine summer events are a larger spectacle than others. Gorgeous Rockland Harbor is the backdrop for the Maine Lobster Festival, a venerable lobster blowout and Midcoast tradition since 1947. The five days of fun and feasting will see 20,000–25,000 pounds of lobster—all freshly caught by local lobstermen—served to hungry festivalgoers, who can also amble through maritime displays and demonstrations, browse arts and crafts vendors, take a harbor cruise, cheer on competitors in the lobster crate race in the harbor, and listen to live entertainment. Don’t miss the crowning of the Maine Sea Goddess on opening night!

Maine Antiques Festival
Union | August 3-5, 2018
The largest event of its kind in the state draws more than 100 dealers from across New England to the fairgrounds in Union for a three-day antiques shop-a-thon. Comb through everything from porcelain to postcards, folk art to fine art, heirloom furniture to vintage jewelry—then restore your energy with tasty fried seafood, blueberry pie, lobster rolls, and other great Maine fare.

Acadian Festival
Madawaska | August 10-12, 2018
Maine’s largest cultural festival puts a spotlight on the state’s long French-American heritage. Enjoy Poutine Palooza, along with its poutine eating contest, and the addition of a 5K “color run.” Among the other highlights are the reenactment of the first Acadian landing in northern Maine, a traditional Acadian supper, a golf scramble, a softball tournament, live entertainment, cultural displays, and a parade.

Great Falls Balloon Festival
Lewiston | August 2018 (Dates TBA)
More than 40 hot-air balloons take flight over the city of Lewiston at dawn and dusk. Reserve your spot now (and be prepared to shell out $200) for a launch ride; otherwise, brief tethered rides are offered for $10–$15 per person. Other attractions include live music, a carnival, craft and food vendors, and fireworks.

Wild Blueberry Festival
Machias | August 17-19, 2018
The scenic Downeast village of Machias invites everyone to come taste its summertime harvest of wild blueberries—but that’s just for starters. There are blueberry farm tours, cooking and pie eating contests, art and crafts for sale from more than 250 artisans, a quilt raffle, and more.

What are your favorite Maine summer events? Let us know!

11 Ideas for a Trip to Maine, if You Were Thinking of Going

Maine, arguably one of the most beautiful states in the continental United States, boasts a richly diverse array of environments from its coastal beaches to its inland forests, not to mention some of the best seafood in the world. Whether you’re venturing to the Maine coast for a beach vacation in the summer months or seeking an off-season jaunt in the woods, this guide has some great tips for a memorable trip across the Pine Tree State.

1. Enjoy a Seafood Feast
Maine is known for its bountiful lobster, which should not be missed. In addition to trying the lobster, make sure to sample some clam chowder and crab cakes while in Maine. Many restaurants in the state also offer “Fisherman platters” or specials that include several fried versions of virtually any sea creature that can be caught off Maine’s coast. This full lobster and jumbo shrimp special is featured at Mabel’s Lobster Claw in Kennebunkport. Mable’s has been serving locals and visitors lobsters since opening its doors in the 1950s.
2. Explore Historic Landmarks
Did you know that Maine entered the Union as a part of the Missouri Compromise? Maine and Missouri both became states in 1820 – the first as a free state and the latter as a slave state. The Underground Railroad ran through this free state, and you can stay at one of the houses that operated along the network as it is now a bed and breakfast. The Waldo Emerson Inn is the oldest house in Kennebunk, Maine, and it was built by Waldo Emerson, the Great Uncle of writer Ralph Waldo Emerson. If you stay here, make sure to ask to see the window covers that were used to protect the house from enemy arrows – you can actually see the arrow indentations in wood!
3. Lodge at a B&B
Whether you stay at the Waldo Emerson Inn or any one of the many other B&B’s across Vacationland, make sure to stay at a bed and breakfast inn for either a portion or your entire Maine trip, just for the experience. If you’re staying on the coast, it’s likely that the house will be equipped with bikes that you can borrow at no additional cost. B&B owners pride themselves in the second “B” of B&B: breakfast! Come down early for a hot cup of coffee and perhaps some fresh blueberries before breakfast starts, which often includes homemade specialties like French toast.
4. Visit a Lighthouse
Glaciers carved out Maine’s rocky coastline many years ago, and as a warning to sailors, over 60 lighthouses were erected along Maine’s jagged coast. A visit to one of the many lighthouses in the state offers a glimpse into its rich maritime history. The Doubling Point Lighthouse, for example, was built in 1898, which was 15 years after the shipbuilder Bath Iron Works was established 1.5 miles up the Kennebec River in Arrowsic, Maine.
5. Go to the Beach
Most vacationers to Maine come for two things: the beaches and the lobster. With the 9th longest coastline in the United States – spanning a distance of over 228 miles (367 km) – there are many beach options for travelers. Some of the prettiest beaches are in Maine’s Acadia National Park where visitors can bike, picnic, hike and enjoy an afternoon treat of popovers and blueberry tea.
6. Take a Hike
Lovers of the outdoors appreciate Maine not just for its coastline but also for its inland forests. Plan a day hike through Baxter State Park where you can spot wildlife like birds, bears and moose. Make sure to stay on the marked paths, and arrive early if you’re keen on spotting a moose.
7. See Local Wildlife
Whether you spot moose or bear in Baxter State Park or a crab along the coast of Kennebunkport, it’s likely that you will see several creatures while visiting Maine. Bird watching enthusiasts flock to the state to see any of the 292 different species of birds that exist in Maine (according to Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife). If you’re a birder, don’t forget to pack your binoculars!
8. Plan a Fall Foliage Visit
One of the most beautiful times to visit Maine is during the fall months. While technically “off-season,” many nature lovers visit Maine in October to see the gorgeous fall foliage. The views from the Penobscot Narrows Observatory offer some stunning views of the Penobscot River and the surrounding region just outside of Bangor, Maine.
9. Take a Boat Ride
If you’re visiting Maine during the summer months, take advantage of the weather and one of the many local boating operations to take a ride down one of Maine’s rivers, or venture into the Atlantic Ocean. There are many different options at a variety of price ranges from day charters to tours of the surrounding islands.
10. Visit Acadia National Park
It is within Acadia National Park that you can experience the best of Maine’s two worlds: the forest and the beaches. Walk along the coastline and make sure to hike up to its highest lookout point for some fantastic views.
11. Venture off of the Beaten Path
Ralph Waldo Emerson poetically said “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” While most of Maine’s vacationers flock to the state’s gorgeous beaches in the summer months, consider visiting Maine during the off-season to experience its fantastic National and State Parks such as Baxter State Park in the late fall. Just don’t take Emerson’s quote too literally when hiking on the trail routes. Rather, make sure to stay on the trails as they are there for a reason.