Maine offers a combination of natural beauty, historic charm, and a slower pace of life. Its rocky coastline and wooded landscapes are peppered with hidden gems. These 11 charming Maine communities are completely overlooked by most tourists:
1. Castine
The place is Penobscot Bay.
Features: A historic seaside village with cobblestone streets, quaint buildings, and views of the shoreline.
The Dyce Head Lighthouse and the Castine Historical Society are must-sees.
2. The Blue Hill
Where: The Blue Hill Peninsula
Features: Blue Hill is a peaceful haven, well-known for its organic farms, vibrant arts scene, and small-town friendliness.
The Kneisel Hall music festival and the Blue Hill Heritage Trust trails are must-sees.
3. The Wiscasset
Where: Maine’s midcoast
Features: Wiscasset, sometimes referred to as the “Prettiest Village in Maine,” has charming harbor vistas, antique stores, and historic residences.
Red’s Eats, with its renowned lobster rolls and the 19th-century Castle Tucker, is a must-see.
4. The Bethel
Where: Western Maine
Features: A charming downtown and a mountain town renowned for outdoor pursuits including hiking, skiing, and fishing.
The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum and Sunday River Resort are must-sees.
5. The Island of Monhegan
Twelve miles offshore is the location.
Features: Hiking paths, stunning cliffs, and a tranquil, car-free setting make this place an artist’s paradise.
The island’s art galleries and the Monhegan Island Lighthouse are must-sees.
6. Damariscotta
Where: Maine’s midcoast
Features: Known for its oyster farms, Damariscotta combines the attractiveness of the waterfront with regional cuisine.
The Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site and the Damariscotta River Cruises are must-sees.
7. Greenville
Where: Lake Moosehead
Features: Greenville, a gateway to Maine’s woods, provides a wealth of outdoor activities and breathtaking lake vistas.
Guided moose safaris and the Moosehead Marine Museum are must-sees.
8. Camden
Where: Maine’s midcoast
Features include a lively downtown full of stores and eateries and a charming port town with sailboats dotted around the bay.
For sweeping views, Mount Battie and Camden Hills State Park are must-sees.
9. Kennebunkport
Where: Southern Maine The coast
Features: Kennebunkport, which combines small-town coziness with coastal elegance, is well-known for its historic houses, sandy beaches, and attractive downtown.
Dock Square and Walker’s Point, the Bush family compound, are must-sees.
10. Rangeley
The Western Maine Mountains
Features: With its immaculate lakes, hiking paths, and picturesque mountain views, Rangeley is a paradise for outdoor lovers.
A must-see are the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust holdings and the Height of Land, which offers stunning vistas.
11. Bar Harbor
Mount Desert Island is the location.
Features: Bar Harbor is a gateway to Acadia National Park that blends coastal charm, a vibrant downtown, and natural beauty.
A lobster boat trip from the harbor and Acadia’s Park Loop Road are must-sees.
With breathtaking natural settings, a wealth of historical significance, and hospitable locals, each of these towns offers a distinct aspect of Maine’s personality that makes them standout travel destinations.
