So I started writing a post about Maine and found myself trying to be way too profound. I was connecting Stephen King, Richard Russo, rocky beaches and lighthouses with a side of Cider House Rules …. and it just wasn’t working. Then I realized I was making Maine not sound very much fun at all, which is horrible. So I scraped the attempt at sounding super smart and here I am with a classic, Buzzfeed type list:

10 Things that are Really Fun About Maine*

*I am well aware that after reading this list a “Real Mainer” will say I need to spend more time in Brooklyn.

1) Lighthouses

What kind of Maine travel blog would this be if I didn’t start off with the wonder that are the lighthouses on the rocky coasts of the Atlantic? Each lighthouse is unique and worth stopping to visit - no matter how famous they are or if they appear in guidebooks or on the Travel Channel.

I consider myself a novice photographer, at best, and it’s amazing how taking a photo of a lighthouse can provide me a false sense of being a good photographer. However, that is kind of the great thing about visiting lighthouses and why it is worth capturing a photo no matter how poorly structured. The image of rocky beaches, ocean and sky with the lighthouse providing stability and guidance can provide such inspiration by either looking at in person, enjoying framed and on a wall or even on the refrigerator with a magnet that you purchased at a Maine gas station.

#FunFactAlert - While on a day trip to Maine with my astrophysicist friend, Shelbi, shared that in 1977 NASA sent a photo of the Nubble Lighthouse aboard the Voyager II. So if NASA scientists thought the Nubble Lighthouse was important enough to send into space - clearly it is reason enough to make a trip to Maine to visit it! (You can #FactCheck this #FunFact by clicking here).

2) Sunday River Ski Resort

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that my ability to ski is considered novice at best - even worse than my photography skills. However, in my 20’s and 30s, my skiing ability didn’t stop me from saying yes when groups of friends went away for ski weekends. One such weekend I found myself enjoying Sunday River, which you are probably now expecting me to tell you how it is great for beginners and you can have fun with friends regardless to your skiing ability - this is all true.

Yet, it was on this trip that I discovered the Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program which is Amazing! You can click here for more details, but in case you don’t want to read in details - in summary: at the Sunday River ski resort this program provides equipment and training for people with physical limitations to enjoy all types of outdoor sports year round. I can certainly attest from personal experience that there nothing more inspiring and helpful in getting down a late afternoon ski run than a 10 year old kid with one leg swishing and zooming down a slope. If they can do this - what’s holding me back? Totally amazing and worth the trip to Sunday River to experience.

3) The Press Hotel

During the aforementioned ski weekend, my friendship with Jessi began - a kindred spirit, lover of books and all things words. So when she told me about The Press Hotel in Portland, Maine I took note.

Jessi’s words are perfect without hyperbole and everything she said about this wonder of a hotel was on point. The Press Hotel is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection (which I typically am a fan) and is located in the previous building of the Portland Press Herald Newspaper.

Once you enter the doors and see the beautiful arrangements of typewriters and signage in the most perfect of typeset fonts - any lover of words is hooked! Little items throughout the hotel have witty and fitting quotes on them. The lobby is full of comfy couches to curl up to read a newspaper or good book. And to top it off, in the morning the bar serves free coffee in coffee cups that fit your hands perfectly.

4) LL Bean Flagship Store

LL Bean Flagship Store - Freeport, Maine

I first heard about the LL Bean Flagship store in Freeport, Maine when I was a graduate student. The store is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week so this obviously means that it should be visited during odd hours.

So of course shortly after moving to Boston in 2003, I made the pilgrimage to Freeport, Maine. I arrived late evening to purchase much needed boots for snowy New England winters. With new boots in hand (that would end up lasting almost 20 years!), I realized that going up to Freeport, Maine late at night was a strategic error.

The town of Freeport, like 99.99% of towns in Maine is charming. In addition, Freeport is a mecca for all things outdoorsey retail. I am not a huge shopper in general, but Freeport is an exception for me. I highly recommend going to other places than “just” LL Bean in Freeport. There are countless places, in addition to LL Bean, that you can find a great selection of smartwool, fleeces and those metal coffee cups that outdoorsey people have.

Of course there is more than outdoorsey shopping in Freeport (just like there is more than corn in Indiana) - Check out a brewery, go on a hike, stop by the water, grab a lobster roll and make a day of it!

5) Kennebunkport

Speaking of super cute towns and lobster rolls, Kennebunkport is a great day trip as well. A shorter distance from Boston than Freeport - it makes a get away for a day all the more easier. Please disregard the Kittery outlet stores on the way and enjoy the artisan botiques in Kennebunkport and its neighboring Kennbunk instead. Meander through the main street, enjoy a great cup of clam chowder paired with a lobster roll and relaxing read - your day is made!

Another super fun aspect of Kennebunkport is driving by Walker Point to see the compound made famous by the 41st and 43rd Presidents of the United States. Regardless of your views on the politics of President H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush, it is endearing to see their Maine house easily viewed from the road with only a few signs saying “no drones allowed” to indicate security is tight.

There are unfortunately a few stores that sell kitschy political memorabilia. I don’t want to make assumptions, but I think Pappa Bush would rather have you honor him by purchasing some nice socks (possibly even smartwool) at a local shop rather than a bobblehead not made by a Mainer.

6) Hiking in Acadia (or if hiking isn’t your thing - enjoying a popover and good book by Jordan Pond)

Of course no blog about Maine is complete without fun things to do in Acadia and at the top of my list of favorite Acadia things is enjoying popovers with a view of Jordan Pond. They are delicious and worth the hype. Of course most people would say they are more enjoyable after hiking Jordan Pond, but that isn’t the case. Don’t let hiker people shame you - They are good with or without a hike!

Like photography and skiing, calling myself a novice is an exaggeration of my hiking abilities. And if you are similar - the 3.5 mile hike around Jordan Pond is lovely and was our son’s first mile+ hikes. As a just-turned-3-year-old he did a fantastic job making the loop. Of course it helped to stop for several rock throwing opportunities and snacks along the way. Regardless if you are traveling with a toddler, the Jordan Pond hike is a great place for snacks (insider tip - bring a backpack with snacks and beverages to enjoy along the way - like a popover, local brew or coffee that you can put in the fancy metal coffee cup you bought in Freeport on the way to Acadia).

Of course there are lots of other hikes that novices can do. One of the first hikes Sean and I did as a couple was the Bubble Loop which is totally doable and if you have a furry companion it’s good to know that Acadia is more dog friendly than many other National Parks.

7) Carriage Roads

Driving through Acadia is beautiful and is a highlight of visiting. Of course getting a reservation to go up the Cadiliac Road is a must do. However, because of the weather it is not always guaranteed to have a view. We have yet to go up the summit for a clear view that lasted more than 5 minutes.

Meandering around Acadia and taking in the sights of the carriage roads is always a sure bet for fun. We have not done this yet, but when Jack is older we hope to bike the carriage roads.

The last time we went we were also able to secure a time slot for an actual carriage ride on the carriage roads which was a great highlight. It was such a unique way to learn about the history of the park (and how many Mainers don’t like Martha Stewart - not surprising!). It’s also fascinating to learn about the investment people have made through the years to keep the land of Acadia protected. Also, as a heads up - the company that runs the carriage tours is a bit old-school (like the don’t have internet) so it can be a challenge to book a tour. You can click here for more details.

8) Acadia Under Canvas

If you stick around this blog for awhile, I am sure multiple posts will include my love for the Under Canvas ‘camping’ resorts. For people who have no interest in camping but enjoy the outdoors, this is a perfect option. The tents are super comfy and the resorts provide great food and simple entertainment like acoustic live music, movies under the stars and trivia nights. There is no wifi in the tents so it allows you to disconnect, which I find great if I can plan accordingly. The first Under Canvas resort I stayed at was in 2016 near Glacier and it was fantastic even then which was before they had a partnership with West Elm - so obviously it is even better now!

The Acadia Under Canvas has a stunning water view and allowed our son to run around with other kids while playing games like tag and kick ball. S’mores, local beers and acoustic live music in the background made the time we spend at Under Canvas resorts all the more genuine. I can’t recommend these resorts enough (and as always, I do not receive any compensation for saying such!)

9) Lobster

It goes without saying and is probably of no surprise that Lobster made this list of really fun things about Maine. So often the stereotype of lobster is that it is for rich people to eat at fancy restaurants with white table clothes, but that is definitely not the case in Maine.

Lobster is best enjoyed in Maine on a wooden table, with hands ready to get messy, clothes that aren’t ruined if butter is splattered and paired with a nice summer cocktail or local brew. There are also countless food trucks along the side roads that have fantastic lobster rolls. If you are near Acadia, Abel’s Lobster is a hidden gem and if you are in Portland, Luke’s lobster is a “not-hidden” gem. (Insider Tip: Be willing to spend as much for a lobster roll as you would a fancy metal coffee cup in Freeport)

10) All of Portland

I love all things Portland. The bookstores, the cute shops, the foodie restaurants, the endearing hipster vibe and the laidback attitude. It is a city that can say definitively that they were farm to table before that was a trendy thing. In addition, Portland is where I first experienced nitro coffee so obviously it is a place that has changed my life.

Another way that Portland changed my life was when Sean, Jack and I visited the beginning of March, 2020. We were coming off a rather busy February and needed to get away. Despite rumblings of a virus starting to go around Boston, we were assured it was fine to make the trip. While having dinner at a lovely restaurant, Sean received a call from a local public health department in Massachusetts notifying him that he had been identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID. Sean was given directions on how to quarantine and we cut our trip short to get a two week head start on isolating before the rest of the country joined our fun.

There were countless times in the long weeks and months that followed where I looked back on that weekend with such fondness. The simple fun we experienced as as a family provided me hope that someday we will once again be able to safely enjoy Portland. This made our return trip in February 2023 all the more special.

Traveling is a privilege and regardless of where your itineraries take you, it is helpful to remember that time enjoying loved ones is a blessing. Portland taught me this and I will forever be grateful.

Maine @ Home

I definitely understand that not everyone can take a trip to Maine so here are some ideas on enjoying some of my favorite things about Maine no matter where you are.

Find a pond and walk around it - you can totally call it hiking if you want.
If you have yet to purchase a fancy metal coffee mug, get one! For bonus points, get a trendy outdoorsey themed sticker to put on the coffee mug.
Display up a picture of a lighthouse on a wall, desk, bookshelf or refrigerator. If you want me to mail you a lighthouse postcard from Maine, I have plenty - just let me know!
Next time you order sushi - get a lobster roll.
Pitch a tent in your backyard to sleep under the stars like at Under Canvas. Or if you are like me and that sounds uncomfortable, put glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling above your bed.
Grow some herbs in a pot or flowerbed. Use them for cooking. Now you are officially a farm to table cook!
Drink Allagash or ask your local beer snob friend what their favorite Maine beer is and get that.
Watch a Stephen King movie or if that is not your thing - check out the Ken Burns National Park Documentary and watch the episode about Acadia.
Read a book that reminds you of Maine.

Maine Book Recommendations

Evie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes - This book is about a widow and a baseball player who both have difficult pasts and are living in Maine trying to figure out a way to live a new normal. A perfect book for a get away weekend to Maine.

Cider House Rules by John Irving - Not a perfect book for a get away weekend. This was my first John Irving book. I read this in college and it greatly influenced the way I look at challenging moral issues. I’m so very grateful that I read this earlier in life rather than later as I’m grateful for how it has made my life better.

Anything by Stephen King - if you are into that type of stuff, but I’m not so I can’t give you any recommendations. However as a person and as a Mainer - Stephen King seems beyond lovely and I’m grateful for the advice and assistance he provides to authors trying to make their way. Also the FAQ section on his website is the stuff of legend - you gotta check it out! Click Here

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey - I loved this book as a child even more than Make Way for Ducklings. Spoiler Alert - does anyone else think that the this should be included in the children’s lit genre - “Books that could never be written today?” Who would write a children’s story about a mom losing their child and discovering it with a bear?

Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan - having grown up in the Midwest, a story of a mail order bride from Maine traveling to 19th century Midwestern farm was my first introduction to how lovely Maine is. I also don’t believe I’m the only Midwestern who was first introduced to Maine this way!

Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - full disclosure, I haven’t read this poem yet but when I learned it is about an Acadian girl from the time of the Great Expulsion of the Acadians I became very intrigued. This is a history I do not know much and would welcome the opportunity to learn more. #FunFact - the Maine Historical Society is housed in Longfellow’s old Portland Home.

Support Read Far and Wide

The Main things about Maine