|
|
About Maine
Maine is a wonderfully diverse state from mountains to oceans or country sides to cities. Whether you are here for vacation or business you will always find a unique place to stay and explore. Click on the area of Maine you are interested in either on the map or the list below.
Southern - Top Of Page
The southern tip of the state has a variety of shopping with the outlets in Kittery and plenty of ocean beaches from York to Ogunquit and Wells. You can also get the best of both worlds with a visit to Old Orchard Beach with both the sand and numerous shops. Other places of interest include the twin cities of Biddeford and Saco with the town of Sanford lying to the west.
Greater Portland - Top Of Page
Portland is Maine's largest city and combines the look and feel of a big city with the charm of Maine's coastline. Visit one of the numerous restaurants the city has to offer, stop in for a local microbrew in the "Old Port" or take a boat ride around the many islands of Casco Bay. Just to the south is South Portland which hosts the state's largest mall with dozens of surrounding stores and restaurants. Go west for boating and fishing on Sebago Lake, the state's second largest. North from Portland you will find the charming coastal towns of Falmouth and Yarmouth until you reach the shopping outlet town of Freeport which is anchored by the one and only LL Bean Flagship Store.
Western Lakes and Mountains - Top Of Page
Western Maine is full of lakes and mountains starting with the town of Bridgton, featuring shops and antiques in and around its downtown, and Fryeburg at the foot of the White Mountains leading into New Hampshire. Located in the foothills is the cluster of South Paris, Oxford and Norway where more shopping and dining await. Heading north past the charming four season recreation town of Bethel, known for its skiing and golfing at Sunday River and paddling on the Androscoggin river, you will find Grafton Notch State Park. The notch is carved through the mountains with access to the Appalachian Trail. Further north lay more lakes, mountains and skiing with the Rangeley Lakes region, known for skiing at Saddleback Mountain, fishing on its many lakes and snowmobiling in the winter. You will find more of the same even further north with skiing and golf at Sugerloaf USA, plenty of snowmobiling and fishing on Flagstaff lake and the small towns of Eustis and Stratton.
Central Maine - Top Of Page
Central Maine is highlighted by river cities and small towns surrounded with clusters of lakes. Within its boundaries are the twin river cities of Lewiston and Auburn split by the mighty Androscoggin river. Follow the Androscoggin north and you will find the twin mill towns of Livermore Falls and Jay. The famous Kennebec River lies to the east with the historic towns of Gardiner, Hallowell and Augusta. Augusta is Maine's Capital and Central Maine's shopping center. Go north on the Kennebec to Waterville, a college town and gateway to the north. Three smaller towns exist in Central Maine known for their numerous lakes. Belgrade, China, and Winthrop Lakes regions all offer classic fishing spots known throughout the Northeast. Central Maine is also speckled with numerous golf courses.
Midcoast - Top Of Page
Starting in the southern portion of the Midcoast are the neighboring cities of Brunswick and Bath, both offer numerous shopping and dining opportunities and are rich in shipbuilding history. The Midcoast region offers endless ocean opportunities. Heading north on the famous coastal Route 1 you will encounter the towns of Wiscasset, with numerous antiquing opportunities, and Damariscotta. Rockland and Camden come next laid along side Penobscot bay. These ocean destination towns offer quaint shopping and dining experiences. Take a stroll out on Rockland's breakwater or up Camden's Mount Battie for closer looks at the water and hills. Still further up the bay is Belfast where yet more shopping, dining and ocean life await.
Acadia - Top Of Page
The entrance to this major destination area is Ellsworth where you will find plenty of establishments to gather supplies before entering Mount Desert Island. The staples of the area are the ocean town of Bar Harbor, with numerous stores and restaurants, and Acadia National Park, known for its sweeping ocean vistas and numerous outdoor adventure opportunities. The Island and park alike are riddled with ocean views, beaches and numerous bare mountain summits for hiking. Take a walk, bike or a horse drawn carriage ride on the many miles of carriage roads. Drive up to the top of Cadillac Mountain, famous for its sunrises. The island is dotted with small charming towns for shopping, dining or just strolling.
Downeast - Top Of Page
The Downeast region includes the town of Winter Harbor and the less known section of Acadia National Park, Schoodic Peninsula. Follow route 1 through Milbridge and then down to the towns of Jonesport and Beals for even more ocean views. The Cities of Machias and Calais, both sitting along rivers entering large ocean bays, anchor this region. If you stay east you will reach the end of land at either Lubec or Eastport each at the most eastern points of the United States.
Greater Bangor - Top Of Page
On the way to Maine's second largest city you will pass through the towns of Pittsfield and Newport both giving you the opportunity to re-supply for your journey into Bangor. The city itself lies on the banks on the Penobscot river and boast numerous shopping and dining opportunities. Surrounding towns include Brewer across the river and the college town of Orono, home to the University of Maine. Just to the north of that is Old Town, which houses the maker of the famous canoes by the same name. Four other towns of interest make up the remainder of this area, Dover-Foxcroft, Milo and Howland. In general this area is the last of major population and business before you reach Northern Maine.
Upper Kennebec River Valley/Moosehead Lake - Top Of Page
The gateway to this great recreational area is Skowhegan, offering the last of the numerous shopping and dining opportunities allowing travelers to gather supplies before heading into the wilds that the region has to offer. Heading up the famous Route 201 along side the Kennebec river, once known for logging now rafting, you will pass through the charming towns of Bingham and Solon. You will soon arrive at the apex of the rafting world in the Northeast, The Forks. Two major rivers converge here to form this town's name. Jackman is the region's northern most outpost, providing main access into Canada and plenty of opportunities to re-supply the weary traveler or active outdoorsman. To the east is Maine's largest lake, known simply as Moosehead. Towns of note are Rockwood, with famed views of Mount Kineo, a jutting cliff rising out of the lake and Greenville, offering many opportunities to re-supply, both are major destinations on the lake. Numerous outdoor activities await in all seasons: hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, rafting and snowmobiling are the mainstays along with Moose watching (one of the best regions to do so).
Northern - Top Of Page
This region, the largest, starts in Millinocket with access into the expansive Baxter State park. The park houses the great Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest peak and hiking Mecca, with the end of the famous Appalachian Trail at its peak. The park offers numerous outdoor activities, but plan ahead as entrance into the park is limited and highly sought after due to its beauty. Heading north on Route 1 you will pass through the three major towns in the region, Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou. All three offer shopping and dining for the weary traveler. Fort Kent, the northern most outpost in the state, lies on the banks of the St. John river and offers a major access point into Canada. The second area of recreational interest in the area is the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, which leads canoeists on miles of untamed wilderness rivers and lakes. Many lakes, streams and forest cover northern Maine offering numerous outdoor activities. And don't forget the Moose and other wildlife, which are plentiful throughout this region as well.
|
|
