Fodor's Maine, Vermont, & New Hampshire: with the Best Fall Foliage Drives & Scenic Road Trips
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...
Classic townscapes, rocky shorelines punctuated by sandy beaches, and picturesque downtowns draw vacationing New Englanders to Maine like a magnet. Counting all its nooks, crannies, and crags, Maine's coast would stretch for thousands of miles if you could pull it straight. The Southern Coast is the most visited section, stretching north from Kittery to just outside Portland, but don't let that stop you from heading farther "Down East" (this nautical term is Maine-speak for "up the coast"), where you'll be rewarded with the majestic mountains and rugged coastline of popular Acadia National Park. Slow down to explore the museums, galleries, and shops in the larger towns and cities, like Portland, and the antiques and curio shops and harborside lobster shacks in the smaller towns and fish...
Read MoreClassic townscapes, rocky shorelines punctuated by sandy beaches, and picturesque downtowns draw vacationing New Englanders to Maine like a magnet. Counting all its nooks, crannies, and crags, Maine's coast would stretch for thousands of miles if you could pull it straight. The Southern Coast is the most visited section, stretching north from Kittery to just outside Portland, but don't let that stop you from heading farther "Down East" (this nautical term is Maine-speak for "up the coast"), where you'll be rewarded with the majestic mountains and rugged coastline of popular Acadia National Park. Slow down to explore the museums, galleries, and shops in the larger towns and cities, like Portland, and the antiques and curio shops and harborside lobster shacks in the smaller towns and fishing villages. Despite the cold North Atlantic waters, beachgoers enjoy miles of sandy—or, more frequently, rocky—beaches, with sweeping views of lighthouses, forested islands, and the wide-open sea. The most visited areas in inland Maine are the Western Lakes and Mountains—stretching west and north from the New Hampshire border—and the North Woods—extending north from central Maine. This area attracts skiers, hikers, campers, canoeists, anglers, and other outdoors enthusiasts.
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Top Destinations
Top Destinations

The Mid-Coast Region

Portland

Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island

The Southern Coast

Penobscot Bay

Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle

Down East Coast

Western Lakes and Mountains

Bar Harbor

Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Cape Porpoise

Camden

The North Woods

Rockland

Damariscotta

Blue Hill

The Yorks and Cape Neddick

Brooklin, Sedgwick, and Brooksville

Belfast

Bath

Rangeley

Deer Isle

Bethel

Castine

Lubec Area

Greenville

Northeast Harbor

Millinocket

Eastport

Pemaquid Point

Wells

Brunswick

Wiscasset

Ogunquit

Kittery

Side Trips From Portland

Sebago Lake Area

Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde

Biddeford

Lincolnville

Searsport

Stonington

Machias Bay Area

Jonesport and Beals Island

Rockport

Thomaston

Southwest Harbor

Bridgton

Bass Harbor

Kingfield

Harpswell

Bangor

Bucksport

Monhegan Island

York Beach

Schoodic Peninsula

Somesville

Center Lovell

Old Orchard Beach

Acadia National Park

Isle au Haut

York Village

Boothbay

York Harbor

Tenants Harbor

Portland

Bar Harbor

Camden

Rockland

Blue Hill

Damariscotta

Brooklin, Sedgwick, and Brooksville

Belfast

Bath

Rangeley

Deer Isle

Bethel

Freeport

Castine

Lubec Area

Greenville

Northeast Harbor

Millinocket

Pemaquid Point

Eastport

Brunswick

Wells

Wiscasset

Ogunquit

Kittery

Sebago Lake Area

Tenants Harbor and Port Clyde

Biddeford

Lincolnville

Stonington

Searsport

Machias Bay Area

Jonesport and Beals Island

Rockport

Hancock Area

Thomaston

Bridgton

Ellsworth

Southwest Harbor

Bass Harbor

Harpswell

Kingfield

Bangor

Bucksport

Waldoboro

York Beach

Center Lovell

Somesville

York Village

Old Orchard Beach

Isle au Haut

Yarmouth

Boothbay

York Harbor

Tenants Harbor

The Mid-Coast Region

Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island

The Southern Coast

Penobscot Bay

Blue Hill Peninsula and Deer Isle

Down East Coast

Western Lakes and Mountains

Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Cape Porpoise

The North Woods

The Yorks and Cape Neddick

Boothbay Harbor

Schoodic Peninsula

Side Trips From Portland

Scarborough, Prout's Neck, and Cape Elizabeth

Milbridge Area

Schoodic Peninsula
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Top Experiences
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Stowe, Vermont or Bar Harbor, Maine
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Road Trip Asheville to Maine
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Boston cape cod Maine
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