Off The Beaten Path | Maine

Maine is filled with drama. Visitors will find amazing cliffs and coastline, beautiful towns with plenty of culture and fun, lighthouses, and much more. The state has many opportunities to enjoy its unique natural features at Acadia National Park and at its many state parks. Here are a few great ideas for all visitors to Maine.

The Marginal Way, Ogunquit

Visitors to Maine should take this scenic coastal walk. This mile and a quarter paved path stretches between Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach. The Marginal Way winds along the rocky shores and cliffs of the Maine coastline, this stretch of coastline happens to be a particularly beautiful part of the Maine coast. Visitors will find shopping at either end of the path. The path can be fairly crowded during the summer, however, it is equally beautiful during the fall, winter and spring.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is located on the east side of Mount Desert Island, and it is the largest community on Mount Desert Island. Visitors will also find that Bar Harbor is surrounded by Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor has granite cliffs, amazing fall foliage and great opportunities for whale watching. The community has museums, music festivals, family activities including a zoo, an oceanarium and even a lumberjack show. Visitors will find amazing mansions converted into inns. The Abbe Museum is a great location to learn about the Native AMericans from the region.

Desert of Maine

The Desert of Maine is located near Freeport. It was created by the path of a glacier as it passed through the area 11,000 years ago. The Desert is forty acres of exposed glacial silt. Once the Desert was the farm land of the Tuttle family. The Desert was discovered in 1797, after years of land clearing and soil erosion. Eventually, the exposed Desert took over the entire farm. Visitors to the Desert of Maine will now find a gift shop, museums and tours.

Victoria Mansion

Located in Portland, Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House is a must see historical destination. Victoria Mansion is a stunning example of pre-Civil War era American architecture. Ruggles Sylvester Morse had the house built sometime between 1858 and 1860. The Mansion was designed by Henry Austin, and the interiors were designed by Gustave Herter. Visitors to Victoria Mansion will discover that this Italian style villa is a truly amazing example of American architecture and design. As visitors tour the mansion they can admire the amazing interiors which remain in excellent condition.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Located on the stunning coast of Maine, Acadia National Park has the special distinction of being the first National Park east of the Mississippi. Within this park you will find enough activities and sights to fill your entire vacation. For those that love car trips, the 27 miles of Park Loop Road offer plenty of views and sights. You can hike on Cadillac Mountain, which is the tallest mountain on the eastern coast of the country. The park also offers great access to its fascinating history at the Islesford Historical Museum on Cranberry Island.

Maine Lighthouses

The state of Maine is also known as the "Lighthouse State," there are 65 lighthouses still standing along the coast of Maine. Maine has more coastal lighthouses than any other state in the United States. Visitors to Maine should be sure to visit one of Maine's lighthouses. There are about ten lighthouses that have museums, and twenty of the lighthouses have grounds that are open for visitation. Some of the parks are located in local and state parks. Visitors to the state could stop in and visit the Burnt Island Light, near Boothbay Harbor, which has a great tour. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is rented to visitors on a weekly basis. Visitors can also take boat tours that provide stunning vistas of many of the most beautiful lighthouses.

Lobster Boat Tour

Lovers of lobster should be sure to take a Lobster Boat tour to learn about the industry that brings Lobster to plates across the nation. Tours of lobster boats include the opportunity to learn about lobster, as well as viewing lobster pots and maybe even the chance to haul in a lobster trap. Another bonus of a lobster boat tour is the chance to see the coast of Maine from the ocean. After a long day on a lobster boat, visitors can treat themselves to a fresh lobster dinner.