The Ultimate Guide to Vacationing in Maine in the Summer
Maine became an official state in 1820. At the time, it had a population of 300,000. There were also nine counties and 236 towns.
A lot has changed since then. More counties, people, and towns have appeared in the state over the last 200 years. Plus, a lot of the most popular vacation spots probably didn't exist in the 17th century.
That's a bummer for the people living in Maine at that time. It isn't a bummer for you, though. These days, a luxury vacation in Maine is just a plane ride and a reservation away for most.
Read on to get some tips to have the best Maine vacation possible.
Summer Vacationing in Maine
Yes, you're going to face a lot of crowds if you go to Maine in the summer. But if you don't want to deal with the crowds, you'll have to face a lot of cold weather. Even if you like this, you'll probably have a hard time enjoying outside activities.
And a lot of the best Maine vacation spots are outdoors. Tourists in Maine often go where nature is and they do this with good reason. There are plenty of beautiful beaches to relax on, woods to hike in, and more.
Of course, many people may argue that Maine is great in the fall as well. There is plenty of that famous New England fall foliage. There are also plenty of craft fairs, festivals, and more that only happen in the fall.
But again, you can't enjoy summer's warmth in summer. And you are less likely to see beautiful blue skies in the fall. Overall, the best time for you probably depends on your personal preferences.
Maine Transportation
Before you decide what you're going to do during your Maine vacation, you should probably figure out how to get to different vacation spots first. You can always get a rental car, of course. And you may also live close enough that you can just drive yourself to Maine.
If either of these options isn't possible, consider using the following transportation options:
Taxis
There are plenty of taxis available in Maine. Just keep in mind that it's unlikely you'll wave down a taxi in the more rural areas. You'll likely have to call up a service to get help if you're hanging around these places.
Buses
Maine's counties have a variety of different bus lines. Greyhound buses run through the state as well.
Ferries
Do you need to get across either Casco or Penobscot Bay? If so, you can use one of two ferry lines to get to the other side.
Trains
Tamarack has a local train line that runs from Brunswick, Maine to Boston, Massachusetts, and back again. It also stops at many major cities and towns along the way.
Maine Lodging
Hotels are most people's go-to for lodging when they're vacationing in Maine. But these can get crowded and expensive. Consider trying the following options instead:
RV Rentals
Are you planning on covering a lot of ground during your Maine vacation? If so, an RV may be the best lodging choice for you. You can also find plenty of RV parks and campgrounds throughout the state.
House and Room Rentals
Plenty of people have been putting their extra real estate up for rent in Maine. If you look hard enough, you can find a spot that's right in the middle of all your perfect vacation spots.
You can also find places for rent that are right in the middle of nature. Consider looking for lakefront or oceanfront properties if you love spending time on the water.
Cabins
Cabins are far more likely to sit in natural locations than rooms and/or homes. The exact location of the cabin you rent should depend on the activities you want to do. For example, consider renting a cabin in the woods if you're interested in hiking the trails around Maine.
Maine Foods
Yes, seafood is as iconic to Maine as it is to the rest of New England. You should still try the clams, lobster rolls, etc. But Maine also offers plenty of unique local foods you just have to try.
Pancakes
If there's one thing Maine residents love, it's pancake breakfasts. Perhaps the locally made maple syrup and locally picked blueberries are what make this food so popular. You'll probably find a lot more joy in the pancake breakfasts served at small-town festivals, etc.
Bean Suppers
Beans are another food that Maine communities love to serve. You can usually find these events at churches and community centers. Along with the beans, communities will also often serve pies, ham, hot dogs, brown bread, and/or coleslaw.
Corned Hake
The contents of this meal are just as unusual as its name. This meal features onion, vinegar, salted pork, and boiled potatoes. It's time-consuming for chefs to make, but is extremely delicious.
Fiddleheads and Ramps
Are you up for a bit of fun foraging? If so, consider going into the forest and picking some fiddleheads (immature fern leaves) and ramps (wild leeks). You can use them to make your own tasty Maine meals.
Maine Hikes
A lot of people think of coastal Maine towns and cities when they plan out their trips. But you may be more of an adventurous type than a relaxing type. If so, there are plenty of trails in the woods to explore.
Some examples of great trails are below.
Beehive Trail
Located in Acadia National Park, this trail will have you climbing up iron ladders bolted to granite walls most of the time. But it's worth it if you want incredible views of Maine's rocky coast.
Knife's Edge Trail
If you want to hike up a mountain, consider going up Mount Katahdin. The Knife Edge's trail is a short but steep trail from Pamola to Baxter Peak.
But you may want to avoid this one if you're scared of heights. There are plenty of steep drop-offs along the way.
Cadillac Mountain South Ridge Trail
Though this trail is very long, you shouldn't struggle too much to climb it. It'll also give you lovely views of the woods and open rocky ledges.
Maine Beaches
Maybe you want to spend your whole vacation relaxing by the water. Or maybe you want to relax on beaches after a day or so of exercise. Either way, here are some great Maine beaches that you're sure to enjoy.
Wells Beach
Maine locals often call Wells the "friendliest town in Maine". The official Wells Beach has sea grass, dunes, and miles and miles of coastline.
Goose Rocks Beach
Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport will make you think you're on a Caribbean island rather than in southern Maine. It has clean white sands with gentle waves and is also protected by an offshore barrier reef.
Scarborough Beach State Park
Water temperatures on this beach often reach the high 60s in the summer. You can also expect soft sand and far-reaching coastlines.
Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach has seven miles of shoreline for you to enjoy. But there's also a ton more to do as well. The Old Orchard Beach Pier, for instance, has yummy seafood restaurants and hilarious comedy shows. The Palace Playland also has plenty of roller coasters to enjoy.
Maine Culture
Perhaps you're not the outdoorsy type. Maybe you prefer to view the unique arts and culture of the places that you visit. If so, that's okay. Maine has plenty of activities in the area that you can enjoy.
Museums
If you're an art lover, you don't need to look any further than the Maine Art Museum Trail. Some of the museums on this path include the Abbe Museum, Portland Museum of Art, and Bates College Museum of Art.
Music Festivals
Maine has no shortage of music events that attract groups and artists from all over the world. You have the All Roads Music Festival, North Atlantic Blues Festival, Portland Chamber Music Festival, and more.
Theater
Theater fans don't need to drive down to New York for Broadway musicals. The Maine State Music Theater (MSMT) offers four musicals in the summer alongside children's musicals. You might also want to try the Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick.
Try Our Oceanfront Luxury Vacation Rental
With so much to enjoy, your next Maine vacation should be full of exciting events. No matter what you're looking for, you're sure to find it in Maine. Plan well and you're sure to have an excellent trip.
Also, if you're looking for a great luxury vacation stay in Maine, come rent our Boot Cove compound. It sits on forty-six untouched acres of private oceanfront. There are also two miles of private trails.
Book your stay by contacting Sarah via the email or phone number on this page.