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Welcome to Maine

Bordered by Canada in the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Maine seems worlds away from the rest of the nation. This rugged New England state is known for the beauty of its western mountain ranges and the scenery of its craggy shores. Add charming seaside villages and rugged industrial towns to the mix, and you’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime vacation destination.

Bull Moose in a forest

Maine Office of Tourism

Maine’s Myriad Waterways

With 3,500 miles of tidal shoreline along its craggy coast and myriad waterways crossing the state, Maine entices lovers of water recreation. Relax in the sands along one of Maine’s beautiful beaches, or board a boat to hit the seas. Running 375 miles along the Atlantic coast, the Maine Island Trail beckons to paddlers with over 200 wild islands and mainland sites to explore. Anglers can pluck a catch from the depths of the ocean or from babbling mountain creeks.

Iconic New England Towns

Start at Bar Harbor, a quintessential New England town that’s situated on Mount Desert Island, off the Atlantic coast just outside the entrance to Acadia National Park. The town just drips with charm, from the colorful village atmosphere of Main Street to the ships sailing in the harbor. Bar Harbor offers all the human comforts visitors will need after their adventures in the outdoors. Southeast along the coast, Maine’s largest city, Portland, maintains a small-town feeling and offers all the natural beauty of the Pine Tree State, while providing all that visitors would expect to find in an energetic metro area. You’ll find no shortage of lobster shacks on hand for a taste of this regional delicacy.

Lobster on a blue and white tablecloth

Jenny Campbell

From Mountain Peaks to Rugged Seas

Look out from the top of any peak in Acadia National Park for seemingly infinite views of the rugged Atlantic. Wind-swept waves crash into rocky shores, and forests carpet the hills. Peer into tide pools to look for multitudes of marine life, or set your eyes on the endless seas while watching for whales. Experience the park on foot, on wheels, on a boat, or on horseback.