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21 Greatest Trip Spots in Maine for Households


There’s a cause why Maine is called Vacationland! The Pine Tree State provides scenic rocky coasts, gentle sand seashores, serene lakes, mountain landscapes, and untouched pure magnificence. Spend the right day on the seashore trying to find sand {dollars} or hike up mountains to get pleasure from picturesque views. Journey a Ferris wheel after snacking on fried dough or store in distinctive boutiques. The very best trip spots in Maine for households vary in worth, sights, and site, ensuring there’s something for everybody.

Maine has at all times been my household’s favourite trip spot. It’s much less crowded, extra reasonably priced, and cooler in the summertime months than different widespread New England locations like Cape Cod. We frequently ventured as much as Maine through the low season, leading to extra reasonably priced holidays and tranquil atmospheres. My favourite childhood reminiscences embrace strolling the pier at Outdated Orchard Seaside, holding a lobster on Diver’s Ed in Bar Harbor, and constructing sand castles at Wells Seaside. 

Portland Head Lighthouse Best vacation spots in Maine

Listed below are some highlights of the perfect trip spots in Maine to select from: 

Greatest Trip Spots in Maine for Households

Kittery

sunset at beach
Picture courtesy of Lily O’Neill

In case you are on the lookout for a extra low-key household trip, go to Maine’s oldest city Kittery. Identified for its mixture of buying retailers and historic forts, this coastal city has quite a bit to supply. Positioned proper throughout the border from Portsmouth, it’s straightforward to enterprise right down to New Hampshire Seashores or take a day journey to Boston. Kittery is much less touristy than the seashore cities simply to the north, similar to York and Ogunquit, however you possibly can simply journey there for a seashore day.

Seize lunch with the household at When Pigs Fly Pizzeria or Bob’s Clam Hut, after which munch on contemporary cookies and bread at their firm retailer. Head on over to the ocean and go to Fort Foster State Park on Gerrish Island. This previous navy fort has rolling grass to picnic and a small rocky seashore to stroll alongside. It’s fairly dog-friendly, and the water is calm and clear. This spot is best for a weekend, day journey, or cease on a street journey

Wells

rocky jetty at Wells Beach
Jetty at Wells Seaside, picture courtesy of Lily O’Neill

Wells was a typical trip spot for my household, particularly after we have been little youngsters. There are a number of inns shut by and a number of sandy seashores. A few of the hottest seashores embrace Moody Seaside and Drakes Island Seaside, however Wells Seaside must be the perfect. It’s rockier and has a jetty, excellent for youths to seek for marine creatures in tide swimming pools. It’s an incredible place to stroll, boogie board, construct sand castles, or simply chill out below the solar. 

Close by there’s the Rachel Carson Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, a set of intensive nature trails targeted on defending native ecosystems. It’s a good way for households to discover whereas studying about pure sciences. 

There are additionally nice meals spots like Congdon’s Doughnuts which was a favourite for us as youngsters. Wells is a good central location, with easy accessibility to close by widespread cities like Outdated Orchard Seaside, Ogunquit, and York. 

Belfast 

harbor view of Belfast
Belfast Harbor, picture courtesy of Lily O’Neill

For over a decade, my household has vacationed in Belfast, an underrated coastal city nestled in Penobscot Bay. This artsy, dog-friendly, cozy city has loads of issues to do for the household. 

Head to the historic downtown the place you possibly can eat at Rollie’s Bar and Grill, strive each taste of jelly bean at Chocolate Drop Sweet Store, and store in any respect the distinctive boutiques. You possibly can watch motion pictures at the old-fashioned theater, take a sailboat trip to see the sundown, go to the Blue Alpaca Ranch, convey the children to the city park, or spend all day sea glass looking on the seashore. 

You possibly can take a day journey to Camden to hike Mount Battie at Camden Hills State Park. There are additionally a number of islands within the mid-coast area to discover, making Belfast an incredible central location. 

Wonderview Cottages is the right place to remain for a household trip. This cozy neighborhood of cottages offers you entry to a personal rocky seashore on Penobscot Bay. The water is calm and shallow, excellent for youthful youngsters to swim. 

Rangeley

Rangeley Lake
Rangeley Lake, picture courtesy of Lily O’Neill

If your loved ones is extra all in favour of off-the-beaten-path lake life, Rangeley is a good trip vacation spot. Rangeley Lake is sort of giant and clear, making it well-suited for water actions. From kayaking and swimming to mountain climbing and picturesque views, you’ll fall for the pure magnificence. 

As youngsters, we camped at Rangeley State Park with different households at a distant campsite with swimming entry to the lake. At night time, we might pile into the again of a truck and go moose sightseeing! 

Quill Hill is a good spot to drive up and see stunning views of the area. In your approach down ensure that to drive slowly and preserve your eyes peeled. The street again into city is named “Moose Alley” the place you possibly can usually spot these elusive giants after sundown. In case you are on the lookout for a family-friendly hike, try Cascade Gorge Stream Path, which results in a pure waterfall and swimming gap. The hike just isn’t very strenuous making it very accessible for various ages.  

A number of Airbnb cabins close by supply a comfy rustic setting among the many timber. Rangeley is extra distant and additional north into Maine than different locations, excellent for households trying to get away from the crowds and luxuriate in nature. Nonetheless, there’s a small downtown with retailers like Basic Provisions, a scrumptious sandwich store. 

Boothbay Harbor

Puffins in the water in Boothbay Harbor

Boothbay Harbor is an ideal all-around trip vacation spot that could be a little mixture of every part. Positioned on the mid-coast, there are lots of sights on this charming city. The children will love the Summer time Windjammer Days the place genuine historic schooners sail into city. Celebrations are carried out by each on-land and boat parades, ending with fireworks. 

The Maine State Aquarium is a close-by attraction that youngsters will love. You possibly can discover contact tanks with child sharks, picnic, and browse the present store. I touched the sharks once I was round 5 years previous and it was the best expertise, so it’s nice for even the younger ones. 

Another family-friendly sights embrace the Boothbay Railway Village, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (the place you possibly can see large trolls), and whale-watching or puffin sightseeing boat excursions! Downtown, there are a number of cute retailers, nice eating places, and historic candy retailers like Downeast Ice Cream Manufacturing facility and Orne’s Sweet Retailer for saltwater taffy. 

Fryeburg

Rather less identified however an absolute gem is Oxford County’s oldest city Fryeburg. Positioned near the White Mountains, this charming city is nice for nature lovers. Within the summertime, vacationers flock to Weston’s Seaside the place you possibly can swim within the calm Saco River. It’s a small sandy seashore, excellent for households with youthful youngsters. You may as well go tubing, kayaking, and paddle boarding within the Saco River or Kezer Pond. 

The neighborhood is full of life with weekly concert events in Bradley Memorial Park. Arrange a picnic on the grass and benefit from the ambiance each Tuesday in the summertime. Within the fall, the Fryeburg Honest attracts guests from throughout to see over 3,000 animals! The children will love seeing the horses and cows up shut, in addition to the amusement park rides and concessions. 

Moosehead lake

Adirondack chairs overlooking Moosehead Lake
Overlooking Moosehead Lake in Greenville

Maine is thought for its lakes and the biggest is Moosehead Lake within the Maine Highlands. Lily Bay State Park is a good spot to get pleasure from lake life. Positive Pebble Seaside is widespread for swimming, there’s a playground for the children, two campgrounds, and areas to go boating. 

The Lodge at Moosehead Lake is a good lodging that provides high quality eating and out of doors actions. Cabin leases are additionally out there if that’s extra your type. The close by village of Greenville is quaint and has all of the requirements for meals and retailers. 

Take a ship trip across the lake, strive mountain climbing a few of the mountains on the Pinnacle Pursuit problem, take a moose safari, and luxuriate in a few of Maine’s most stunning sunsets.

Millinocket Lake 

moose on the lakeshore next to a rock

Millinocket Lake is one other peaceable trip spot, full of outside journey within the shadow of Mount Katahdin. The New England Out of doors Heart provides cabins on the lake and a plethora of journey alternatives.

Rise up near wildlife safely by one in all NEOC’s moose safaris. Touring both by pontoon boat or passenger van, you possibly can take a tour of the encircling space to identify moose! The identical firm additionally provides water rafting on Penobscot River from enjoyable cruises to speedy rides. 

Take a day journey to Baxter State Park, an incredible spot for mountain climbing. Simply needless to say if you wish to hike Mount Katahdin, it’s an excessive hike that may take eight to 12 hours and requires a parking allow prematurely, so ensure that to return well-prepared. 

Monhegan Island 

Is your loved ones a lover of artwork? Searching for a extra slow-paced, enjoyable getaway? Take a ferry from both Boothbay Harbor or New Harbor to Monhegan Island. This one sq. mile of land is off-the-beaten path with its rocky cliffs, magical woods, and comfortable cottages. Cathedral Woods is a well-liked spot for artists to collect attributable to its magnificence, and a number of other fairy homes will be discovered on the strolling trails. 

There are cute retailers like The Morring Chain which provides espresso, tea, contemporary bagels, and pastries. The Monhegan Home is the right place to remain because it’s a mattress and breakfast proper on the ocean. Get pleasure from scenic views and work together with native artists.

Bar harbor / Acadia Nationwide park  

Schoodic Peninsula at Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor is without doubt one of the hottest locations in Maine attributable to its shut proximity to Acadia Nationwide Park. Acadia Nationwide Park is a real surprise the place you possibly can drive as much as the summit of Cadillac Mountain to see the dawn, watch 40-foot waves spray up at Thunder Gap, or chill out among the many rocky cliffs and sandy shoreline of Sand Seaside. 

Downtown Bar Harbor is conveniently accessible by the free Island Explorer bus. This space can get fairly congested with vacationers within the busy summer time months, so ensure that to plan for crowds and better costs. This charming city provides a number of interactive actions to do with your loved ones.

Diver’s Ed Dive in Theater was an unforgettable expertise for my household. You board a ship, exit to sea, after which a diver goes down to gather marine life to place into contact tanks for youths to be taught and discover. Youngsters will get pleasure from holding lobsters, starfish, and different enjoyable creatures, making it each an academic and thrilling expertise. There are additionally boat excursions to discover the wildlife in Frenchman Bay and a few are even dog-friendly. 

If you need to camp, Smuggler’s Den is a family-friendly campground half-hour from city. When you favor glamping, try Terramor Out of doors Resort. There are a number of mattress and breakfasts on the town as properly. For a day journey, enterprise to the Schoodic Peninsula and a few of the different scenic areas close to Acadia.

Portland 

Portland harbor

As the biggest metropolis in Maine, Portland provides nice meals, a improbable craft beer scene, buying, and leisure of all types. Outdated Port is the historic district which is thought for superb meals and boutiques. Flatbread Pizza is a household favourite with crispy contemporary pizza, however there are additionally a number of good seafood choices like Luke’s Lobster and Eventide Oyster Firm. After all, it’s a time-honored custom to line up for the superb shakes and fries at Duckfat.

You possibly can discover Casco Bay and the close by islands like Peaks Island or Nice Diamond Island through ferry or take the children on a lobster boat tour to see what it’s wish to be a lobsterman (or girl!). A must-visit is to see Portland Head Mild in close by Cape Elizabeth and spend a while exploring the coast and climbing on the rocky seashore.

Due to the quantity of issues to do and town scale, I’d advocate Portland for households with older youngsters and a weekend keep. Visiting within the winter is a good time to keep away from crowds and the exorbitant resort charges that you just discover in the summertime. There are nonetheless loads of issues to do within the winter months like browse bookstores, and thrift retailers, take meals excursions, and discover the historical past of the realm.

Rockland 

Rockland Maine breakwater light

With a singular and artsy vibe, Rockland is a hidden gem. With artwork museums and avenue artwork to admire, this historic downtown holds a particular appeal. Close by sights embrace the Rockland Breakwater the place you stroll out to a good looking lighthouse. You may as well take a drive to Owls Head Lighthouse for an additional scenic expertise. 

In early August, you possibly can benefit from the Maine Lobster Competition. On account of its mid-coast location, Rockland could be an incredible cease on a street journey or as a base camp for exploring the close by islands like VinalHaven and Monhegan or taking day journeys to Camden.

Sebago Lake

Sebago Lake State Park, picture courtesy of Lily O’Neill

When you don’t need to drive all the best way as much as the Maine Highlands area, Sebago Lake is barely an hour from Portland and is the deepest and second largest lake in Maine. Sebago Lake State Park provides a tenting expertise with loos, seashore entry, a playground, and electrical energy. 

I bear in mind making do-it-yourself ice cream, biking alongside the paths, and swimming within the clear, refreshing lake water throughout our household holidays to Sebago Lake. We additionally reneted a pontoon boat in close by Naples. It was enjoyable swimming, leaping, and fishing off the boat. Level Sebago Campground and Resort is a well-liked spot if you’re on the lookout for a step up from Sebago Lake State Park tenting. 

Ogunquit seashore

best places to go in Maine in the summer - Ogunquit Perkins Cove

Ogunquit provides the quintessential Maine seashore expertise. You possibly can entry the three miles of sandy seashore from close by rental cottages, inns, and downtown accommodations. The appeal of the city is proven in its trolley rides, historic structure, and vibrant ambiance. 

Perkins Cove is a vacationer hub with well-known eating places like Barnacle Billy’s and Perkins Cove Candies. This previous fishing village downtown brings a singular appeal. The seashore itself is sandy, spacious, and attracts a ton of vacationers yearly. There’s a small inlet for youths to swim, preserving them protected from the stronger waves and potential currents.

York seashore 

York Beach cliff walk

The principle draw of York for households is the countless quantity of kid-friendly sights. With each Lengthy Sands Seaside and Quick Sands Seaside, there are many actions to get pleasure from. Lengthy Sands is sandy and large, with larger waves, excellent for boogie boarding and seashore sports activities. It has a extra laid-back ambiance. Quick Sands Seaside is smaller and is near downtown. There’s an old-school arcade and a bowling alley, and it’s near Golden Rod, a store the place you possibly can watch by a window how salt water taffy is made after which eat some! 

The largest draw for my household was York’s Wild Kingdom! This one-stop occasion for household enjoyable is the mix of a zoo and an amusement park for younger youngsters. There’s even a child zone with puzzles, video games, and humanities and crafts.

Outdated orchard seashore

Old Orchard Beach pier
Outdated Orchard Seaside Pier

What’s extra excellent than spending the day on the seashore after which going to an amusement park? Outdated Orchard Seaside has the one oceanfront amusement park within the space, Palace Playland. This coastal city has that basic American retro ambiance the place you possibly can trip the Ferris wheel, eat fried dough, and stroll alongside the pier. 

Close to the seashore, there’s indoor karting, mini golf, parasailing, and biking as a few of the out there sights. Nonetheless, the perfect half is the seven-mile-long sandy seashore excellent for having fun with a whole day below the solar. Each Thursday there are fireworks at 9:45 p.m. through the summer time months. 

Outdated Orchard Seaside is a extra touristy space so it may well get fairly crowded. Parking will be difficult so ensure that to plan forward. You possibly can simply get pleasure from a trip right here with the household and create lasting nostalgic reminiscences. 

Household Glamping, Tenting & Snowboarding in Maine

Generally the right trip spot is all about discovering a enjoyable campground, glamping expertise, or particular resort for the household to get pleasure from. Listed below are a few of our favorites: 

Sunday River Resort 

Upper Dreammaker at Sunday River
A snow storm on Higher Dreammaker at Sunday River

Maine turns right into a winter wonderland within the colder months, attracting winter sports activities fanatics. Sunday River Resort, positioned in Bethel is one in all Maines’s largest resorts with over 84 km of trails and 15 lifts. You possibly can ski, snowboard, snowmobile, snowshoe, and even canine sled with the entire household. All ranges of ability and expertise are welcome from freshmen to returning execs. 

We have now beloved snowboarding at Sunday River as a result of it isn’t practically as crowded because the Vermont ski resorts and there’s a part and elevate devoted to freshmen that present sufficient choices to ski all weekend with out losing interest. There are completely different choices for lodging just like the Resort Lodging and the Grand Summit Resort.

Terramor Out of doors Resort 

Terramor tent at night

Seeking to get near nature with out all the trouble that comes with tenting? Your loved ones can get pleasure from a luxurious New England glamping expertise at Terramor Out of doors Resort alongside the pure great thing about Acadia Nationwide Park. You may be staying in a furnished tent with beds, indoor loos, and screened in porches. There are all of the facilities one would wish like Wi-Fi, electrical energy, house heaters, and overhead followers. 

There are communal facilities just like the Lodge that serves breakfast and dinner. Households will benefit from the spacious tent choices, corn gap, board video games, and heated pool and scorching tub. Your location will likely be prime for exploring Bar Harbor and mountain climbing in Acadia. 

Shin Pond Village 

side by side at Shin Pond village

Searching for a country out of doors setting that’s off-the-beaten path the place you possibly can get pleasure from off roading, snowmobiling, mountain climbing, and extra? Shin Pond Village is a leisure resort within the Maine Highlands, close to Patten. There are alternatives for every type of campers from campsites and RV websites to extra spacious cottages. This 100-acre vacation spot has a common retailer, present store, and a restaurant and bar.

Within the surrounding space, you possibly can hike, discover Baxter State Park, star gaze, and hire ATVS or side-by-sides to discover the miles of maintained trails. Within the winter season, snowmobiling may be very widespread. 

Huttopia Southern Maine 

Huttopia White Mountains glamping tent
Huttopia White Mountains

Huttopia is a European-influenced glamping resort with areas in Southern Maine and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This resort is extra utilitarian than luxurious, specializing in offering an immersive nature expertise. There’s a heated pool, recreation room, meals truck, and entry to the lake the place you possibly can paddle board and swim. 

The fundamentals are coated with a propane-fueled camp range, electrical energy, cooking provides, and a full lavatory. Benefit from the peace of the forest or enterprise not far out to the coastal seashores.

Baileys Tenting Resort 

Vacationing in Bayley’s Tenting Resort was one in all our household’s favourite spots after we have been youngsters. Its location in Scarborough is conveniently near widespread seashores like Outdated Orchard Seaside, Ogunquit, and Wells. 

The resort provides areas to arrange your tent or camper, or you possibly can e book a small cabin. The three swimming pools saved us youngsters busy with diving boards the place we might apply our jumps. There’s a movie show and a number of camp shops to purchase snacks. The realm is protected, spacious, and ideal for biking round. There are public loos and electrical energy.

Enjoyable City Splash City, a enjoyable mixture of an amusement park and a water park, is about ten minutes away in Saco. There are additionally stunning seashores close by to discover like Scarborough State Park and Higgins Seaside. 

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