There is a motive why Maine is called Vacationland! The Pine Tree State gives scenic rocky coasts, comfortable sand seashores, serene lakes, mountain landscapes, and untouched pure magnificence. Spend the right day on the seashore looking for sand {dollars} or hike up mountains to take pleasure in picturesque views. Ride a Ferris wheel after snacking on fried dough or store in distinctive boutiques. The greatest trip spots in Maine for households vary in value, sights, and placement, ensuring there’s something for everybody.
Maine has at all times been my household’s favourite trip spot. It’s much less crowded, extra inexpensive, and cooler in the summertime months than different in style New England locations like Cape Cod. We usually ventured as much as Maine throughout the low season, leading to extra inexpensive holidays and tranquil atmospheres. My favourite childhood recollections embrace strolling the pier at Old Orchard Beach, holding a lobster on Diver’s Ed in Bar Harbor, and constructing sand castles at Wells Beach.
Here are some highlights of the perfect trip spots in Maine to select from:
Best Vacation Spots in Maine for Families
Kittery
If you might be in search of a extra low-key household trip, go to Maine’s oldest city Kittery. Known for its mixture of procuring shops and historic forts, this coastal city has loads to supply. Located proper throughout the border from Portsmouth, it’s simple to enterprise all the way down to New Hampshire Beaches or take a day journey to Boston. Kittery is much less touristy than the seashore cities simply to the north, reminiscent of York and Ogunquit, however you possibly can simply journey there for a seashore day.
Grab lunch with the household at When Pigs Fly Pizzeria or Bob’s Clam Hut, after which munch on recent cookies and bread at their firm retailer. Head on over to the ocean and go to Fort Foster State Park on Gerrish Island. This outdated army fort has rolling grass to picnic and a small rocky seashore to stroll alongside.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 healthier for a weekend, day journey, or cease on a highway journey.
Wells
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. Some of the most well-liked seashores embrace Moody Beach and Drakes Island Beach, however Wells Beach needs to be the perfect. It’s rockier and has a jetty, good for teenagers to seek for marine creatures in tide swimming pools. It’s an awesome place to stroll, boogie board, construct sand castles, or simply chill out below the solar.
Nearby there’s the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, a group of intensive nature trails centered 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 superb central location, with easy accessibility to close by in style cities like Old Orchard Beach, Ogunquit, and York.
Belfast
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, attempt each taste of jelly bean at Chocolate Drop Candy Shop, and store in any respect the distinctive boutiques. You can watch motion pictures at the old fashioned theater, take a sailboat journey 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 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 awesome central location.
Wonderview Cottages is the right place to remain for a household trip. This cozy group of cottages provides you entry to a personal rocky seashore on Penobscot Bay. The water is calm and shallow, good for youthful youngsters to swim.
Rangeley
If your loved ones is extra all for off-the-beaten-path lake life, Rangeley is a superb trip vacation spot. Rangeley Lake is kind of massive and clear, making it well-suited for water actions. From kayaking and swimming to mountaineering 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 evening, we might pile into the again of a truck and go moose sightseeing!
Quill Hill is a superb spot to drive up and see stunning views of the area. On your method down be sure that to drive slowly and preserve your eyes peeled. The highway again into city is named “Moose Alley” the place you possibly can usually spot these elusive giants after sundown. If you might be in search of a family-friendly hike, try Cascade Gorge Stream Trail, which ends up in a pure waterfall and swimming gap. The hike just isn’t very strenuous making it very accessible for various ages.
Several Airbnb cabins close by supply a comfy rustic setting among the many bushes. Rangeley is extra distant and additional north into Maine than different locations, good for households trying to get away from the crowds and luxuriate in nature. However, there’s a small downtown with retailers like Classic Provisions, a scrumptious sandwich store.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor is an ideal all-around trip vacation spot that could be a little mixture of all the things. Located on the mid-coast, there are numerous sights on this charming city. The youngsters will love the Summer Windjammer Days the place genuine historic schooners sail into city. Celebrations are carried out via each on-land and boat parades, ending with fireworks.
The Maine State Aquarium is a close-by attraction that children will love. You can discover contact tanks with child sharks, picnic, and browse the reward store. I touched the sharks after I was round 5 years outdated and it was the best expertise, so it’s nice for even the younger ones.
Some different family-friendly sights embrace the Boothbay Railway Village, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (the place you possibly can see big 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 Factory and Orne’s Candy Store for saltwater taffy.
Fryeburg
Rather less recognized however an absolute gem is Oxford County’s oldest city Fryeburg. Located near the White Mountains, this charming city is nice for nature lovers. In {the summertime}, vacationers flock to Weston’s Beach the place you possibly can swim within the calm Saco River. It’s a small sandy seashore, best for households with youthful youngsters. You may go tubing, kayaking, and paddle boarding within the Saco River or Kezer Pond.
The group is energetic with weekly live shows in Bradley Memorial Park. Set up a picnic on the grass and benefit from the ambiance each Tuesday in the summertime. In the autumn, the Fryeburg Fair attracts guests from throughout to see over 3,000 animals! The youngsters will love seeing the horses and cows up shut, in addition to the amusement park rides and concessions.
Moosehead lake
Maine is thought for its lakes and the most important is Moosehead Lake within the Maine Highlands. Lily Bay State Park is a superb spot to take pleasure in lake life. Fine Pebble Beach is in style for swimming, there’s a playground for the children, two campgrounds, and areas to go boating.
The Lodge at Moosehead Lake is a superb lodging that gives fantastic eating and outside actions. Cabin leases are additionally out there if that’s extra your model. The close by village of Greenville is quaint and has all of the requirements for meals and retailers.
Take a ship journey across the lake, attempt mountaineering a number 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
Millinocket Lake is one other peaceable trip spot, full of outside journey within the shadow of Mount Katahdin. The New England Outdoor Center gives cabins on the lake and a plethora of journey alternatives.
Get up near wildlife safely via one in all NEOC’s moose safaris. Traveling both by pontoon boat or passenger van, you possibly can take a tour of the encompassing space to identify moose! The similar firm additionally gives water rafting on Penobscot River from enjoyable cruises to speedy rides.
Take a day journey to Baxter State Park, an awesome spot for mountaineering. Just remember the fact that if you wish to hike Mount Katahdin, it’s an excessive hike that may take eight to 12 hours and requires a parking allow upfront, so be sure that to come back well-prepared.
Monhegan Island
Is your loved ones a lover of artwork? Looking 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 comfy cottages. Cathedral Woods is a well-liked spot for artists to collect as a consequence of its magnificence, and several other fairy homes may be discovered on the strolling trails.
There are cute retailers like The Morring Chain which gives espresso, tea, recent bagels, and pastries. The Monhegan House is the right place to remain because it’s a mattress and breakfast proper on the ocean. Enjoy scenic views and work together with native artists.
Bar harbor / Acadia National park
Bar Harbor is likely one of the hottest locations in Maine as a consequence of its shut proximity to Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park is a real marvel 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 Hole, or chill out among the many rocky cliffs and sandy shoreline of Sand Beach.
Downtown Bar Harbor is conveniently accessible via the free Island Explorer bus. This space can get fairly congested with vacationers within the busy summer season months, so be sure that to plan for crowds and better costs. This charming city gives 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 teenagers to study and discover. Kids will take pleasure in 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 want to camp, Smuggler’s Den is a family-friendly campground half-hour from city. If you like glamping, try Terramor Outdoor 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 number of the different scenic areas close to Acadia.
Portland
As the most important metropolis in Maine, Portland gives nice meals, a improbable craft beer scene, procuring, and leisure of all kinds. Old Port is the historic district which is thought for superb meals and boutiques. Flatbread Pizza is a household favourite with crispy recent pizza, however there are additionally a number of good seafood choices like Luke’s Lobster and Eventide Oyster Company. Of course, it’s a time-honored custom to line up for the superb shakes and fries at Duckfat.
You can discover Casco Bay and the close by islands like Peaks Island or Great Diamond Island through ferry or take the children on a lobster boat tour to see what it’s prefer to be a lobsterman (or lady!). A must-visit is to see Portland Head Light in close by Cape Elizabeth and spend a while exploring the coast and climbing on the rocky seashore.
Because of the quantity of issues to do and the town scale, I’d suggest Portland for households with older youngsters and a weekend keep. Visiting within the winter is a superb 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 world.
Rockland
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 attraction. Nearby sights embrace the Rockland Breakwater the place you stroll out to a phenomenal lighthouse. You may take a drive to Owls Head Lighthouse for one more scenic expertise.
In early August, you possibly can benefit from the Maine Lobster Festival. Due to its mid-coast location, Rockland can be an awesome cease on a highway journey or as a base camp for exploring the close by islands like VinalHaven and Monhegan or taking day journeys to Camden.
Sebago Lake
If you don’t need to drive all the way in which as much as the Maine Highlands area, Sebago Lake is just an hour from Portland and is the deepest and second largest lake in Maine. Sebago Lake State Park gives a tenting expertise with bogs, seashore entry, a playground, and electrical energy.
I keep in mind making selfmade 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. Point Sebago Campground and Resort is a well-liked spot in case you are in search of a step up from Sebago Lake State Park tenting.
Ogunquit seashore
Ogunquit gives the quintessential Maine seashore expertise. You can entry the three miles of sandy seashore from close by rental cottages, inns, and downtown inns. The attraction 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 outdated fishing village downtown brings a singular attraction. The seashore itself is sandy, spacious, and attracts a ton of vacationers yearly. There is a small inlet for teenagers to swim, protecting them secure from the stronger waves and potential currents.
York seashore
The fundamental draw of York for households is the countless quantity of kid-friendly sights. With each Long Sands Beach and Short Sands Beach, there are many actions to take pleasure in. Long Sands is sandy and extensive, with larger waves, good for boogie boarding and seashore sports activities. It has a extra laid-back ambiance. Short Sands Beach is smaller and is near downtown. There is an old-school arcade and a bowling alley, and it’s near Golden Rod, a store the place you possibly can watch via 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 mixture of a zoo and an amusement park for younger youngsters. There is even a child zone with puzzles, video games, and humanities and crafts.
Old orchard seashore
What’s extra good than spending the day on the seashore after which going to an amusement park? Old Orchard Beach 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 journey the Ferris wheel, eat fried dough, and stroll alongside the pier.
Near the seashore, there’s indoor karting, mini golf, parasailing, and biking as a number of the out there sights. However, the perfect half is the seven-mile-long sandy seashore good for having fun with a whole day below the solar. Every Thursday there are fireworks at 9:45 p.m. throughout the summer season months.
Old Orchard Beach is a extra touristy space so it may get fairly crowded. Parking may be tough so be sure that to plan forward. You can simply take pleasure in a trip right here with the household and create lasting nostalgic recollections.
Family Glamping, Camping & Skiing in Maine
Sometimes the right trip spot is all about discovering a enjoyable campground, glamping expertise, or particular resort for the household to take pleasure in. Here are a few of our favorites:
Sunday River Resort
Maine turns right into a winter wonderland within the colder months, attracting winter sports activities lovers. Sunday River Resort, situated in Bethel is one in all Maines’s largest resorts with over 84 km of trails and 15 lifts. You can ski, snowboard, snowmobile, snowshoe, and even canine sled with the entire household. All ranges of talent and expertise are welcome from rookies to returning professionals.
We have 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 rookies that present sufficient choices to ski all weekend with out losing interest. There are totally different choices for lodging just like the Resort Lodging and the Grand Summit Hotel.
Terramor Outdoor Resort
Looking to get near nature with out all the effort that comes with tenting? Your household can take pleasure in a luxurious New England glamping expertise at Terramor Outdoor Resort alongside the pure great thing about Acadia National Park. You might be staying in a furnished tent with beds, indoor bogs, and screened in porches. There are all of the facilities one would want like Wi-Fi, electrical energy, area heaters, and overhead followers.
There are communal facilities just like the Lodge that serves breakfast and dinner. Families will benefit from the spacious tent choices, corn gap, board video games, and heated pool and sizzling tub. Your location might be prime for exploring Bar Harbor and mountaineering in Acadia.
Shin Pond Village
Looking for a country outside setting that’s off-the-beaten path the place you possibly can take pleasure in off roading, snowmobiling, mountaineering, and extra? Shin Pond Village is a leisure resort within the Maine Highlands, close to Patten. There are choices for all sorts of campers from campsites and RV websites to extra spacious cottages. This 100-acre vacation spot has a common retailer, reward store, and a restaurant and bar.
In the encompassing 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. In the winter season, snowmobiling could be very in style.
Huttopia Southern Maine
Huttopia is a European-influenced glamping resort with places 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 is a heated pool, sport room, meals truck, and entry to the lake the place you possibly can paddle board and swim.
The fundamentals are lined with a propane-fueled camp range, electrical energy, cooking provides, and a full rest room. Enjoy the peace of the forest or enterprise not far out to the coastal seashores.
Baileys Camping Resort
Vacationing in Bayley’s Camping Resort was one in all our household’s favourite spots after we have been youngsters. Its location in Scarborough is conveniently near in style seashores like Old Orchard Beach, Ogunquit, and Wells.
The resort gives areas to arrange your tent or camper, or you possibly can guide a small cabin. The three swimming pools stored 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 space is secure, spacious, and ideal for biking round. There are public bogs and electrical energy.
Fun Town Splash Town, 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 Beach.
Visiting Maine? You may additionally be all for…
Lily O’Neill is a contract content material author set to graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in spring 2024. She additionally blogs on her personal web site, Humanscrapbook, the place she focuses on life-style, wellness and journey content material. With a background in psychology and cultural anthropology, Lily combines social sciences and her personal travels to craft significant tales.