Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns In Maine, One For Each Month Of The Year
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Chris Dodge
Author
Maine is a very big state. Most people stick to just the coast, but by doing so, miss a huge portion of the state. You could spend a long time traveling and exploring our corner of New England, so we wanted to make it easy for you. We did the work of compiling a list of 12 Maine small towns for you to visit throughout the year. If you follow along you can visit one each month and that gives you plenty of time to plan and enjoy the most that our state has to offer. So don’t worry about planning out your calendar this year because we have got you covered.
Presque Isle, ME, USA
While many people are flocking to warmer states for the winter we here in Maine, have learned to embrace it. The long winters have made us self-sufficient and resilient people. That is why during one of the coldest months we suggest you just fully commit to a winter getaway and go where the snow piles high. You can rent a cozy cabin and bunker down as the snow falls. Northern Maine also has some of the best snowmobiling around so if you want to make the most of the snow you can take out the sled and ride for hours.
Belfast, ME 04915, USA
Belfast is a little harbor town right off popular route 1. However, have you ever stopped to check out this little town you pass right through? With a charming downtown filled with unique shops and restaurants, it’s worth the visit. During February the town hosts an amazing event that has people from all over the state competing for the best ice sculpture. The Belfast Ice Festival gives good reason to bundle up and get outside and see the several works of art on display. They place them throughout the town so it becomes a fun scavenger hunt to find them all. They also have a whole host of other activities to enjoy while you are there.
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Wiggly Bridge, 57 Barrell Ln Ext, York, ME 03909, USA
About this time of the year, everyone in Maine is starting to get cabin fever. So it's time to take a warm weather day and take full advantage of it. Go almost as far south as you can go to the little town of York. There you will find a lovely little trail called Fisherman’s Trail to Wiggly Bridge. This is a very unique trail that will have you bouncing on a pedestrian bridge over the ocean, walking in a nice wooded path, across a breakwater, along a boardwalk, through neighborhood fishing buildings, and arriving at a beach. There is so much to see and do on this trail that it makes for a great way to spend the afternoon when the weather is nice and you can finally feel a little bit of sun on your skin again.
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Houston Brook Falls, Pleasant Ridge Plantation, ME 04920, USA
The weather has been teasing Maine residents at this point and promising warmer days so take one of those days and head to Bingham. This is a great town to get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet. While you are there make sure to bring your hiking boots because there are a few trails you will want to go on while you are there. Huston Brook Falls is an epic waterfall and April is the perfect time to see it. When the snow starts to melt this waterfall turns into a mighty raging flow and makes it an, even more, impressive scene to witness.
Boothbay Harbor, ME, USA
Memorial Day weekend is a much-celebrated time in our state. The seasonal coastal towns finally open up and summer fun is just around the corner. Boothbay Harbor is one of those quintessential small harbor towns that everyone in Maine loves. The unique little shops and restaurants make this town just amazing. There is however just outside of downtown a location that everyone should see. The Coastal Maine Botanical Garden opens up and is teeming with life. Plants and flowers have bloomed and are a glorious and wonderful sight after a long winter. One thing you will want to do during your visit is to seek out the massive forest giants hidden throughout the gardens. These hulking pieces of art are truly awe-inspiring and a fun way to explore the property.
Jackman, ME 04945, USA
Time to get away from it all again and we mean way away from it all. Surround yourself with mountains and lakes in this quiet and often forgotten section of the state. Jackman isn’t just for logging companies, you can find great lakeside cabins and spend a quiet weekend away. If you wanted to be really adventurous you could even go international. Quebec is less than two and a half hours' drive away from Jackman.
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Camden, ME, USA
Summer is in full swing and the sun is high in the sky. Camden is a great little harbor town to visit during the summer. Downtown is busy with open art galleries, one-of-a-kind shopping, and delicious seafood restaurants, spend some time in the charming downtown area. Then when you have had your fill of shopping head behind the buildings and watch the boats coming and going on the water. Hang out on the small sand beach, or have a picnic in the park, there are so many options in this harbor town. Go on a hike and climb up Mount Battie for one of the best views of the harbor. As the day starts to come to a close book a sunset cruise and watch the sunset from the water.
Ocean Park, Old Orchard Beach, ME, USA
Most people have heard of Old Orchard and thousands of people will flock to the beach for the summer for some fun in the sun. There is, however, a small little family town right next to it that shares the same beach and isn’t nearly as busy. Ocean Park is a great way to spend a summer getaway. Spend some time soaking up the sun on the beach then grab some old fashion candy in the center of town. This little town hasn’t changed much over the years and that is exactly why we love it so much. August is a great time to visit this little ocean town because there is a fun event they host every year. Illumination Night is an event where the residents decorate their camps with lights. Shells will line the streets with lit candles and the whole town will come together for this fun event.
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School starts back up and carefree summer days may be behind us but we are heading into one of the best seasons in the state. Fall burst forth with brilliant colors and is a perfect time to visit Bar Harbor. This town sees some of the highest volumes of visitors out of most of the small towns in our state, but by braving the crowds you will be rewarded with one of the best places to visit in our state. Seafood is fresh and amazing in Bar Harbor so eat your fill of lobster and then head into Acadia. Our national park is unlike any other national park in the country and is well worth exploring. Depending on when you go in September, chances are you will see some lovely colors. Take a pleasant stroll around Jordan Pond or watch the sunset on top of Caddilac, the options are endless in Acadia.
Bethel, ME, USA
Bethel is filled with amazing mountains surrounding it and is praised for its incredible fall colors. Keep a close eye on the weather and when you hit this little town at the peak of fall foliage you will be blown away. Driving around and seeing all of the colors in the mountains makes it apparent why New England is hailed for its brilliant fall colors. There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and there is nothing quite like hiking in the mountains and seeing the leaves change.
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947, USA
Spend some time in Carrabassett Valley right before things get busy in this little ski town. Nestled in among all of the mountains you will be able to see Sugarloaf in the background as well as several impressive peaks. If you hit the timing just right you may even see remnants of the fall colors, or see snow-capped mountains. Either way, this town is simply beautiful. There is a trail we recommend doing while in the area, Reed Brook Trail will lead you to an amazing waterfall you simply must see. This hidden gem has plenty of points of interest along the way and then you can marvel at this incredible waterfall.
Freeport, ME 04032, USA
The Christmas season is in full swing and it is time to take an annual trip to Freeport. L.L.Bean for years now has been celebrating the holidays with their Northern Lights event. Years past they have had tall singing Christmas trees, an igloo, and an ice rink. You never know what they might add each year but one thing is sure, there will be thousands of Christmas lights strung up. There is enough holiday cheer packed into this little town to make even the grumpiest of grinches fill with seasonal joy.
We have now packed out your year with all of these Maine, small towns. We love our state and the little places that make it so great. There is a whole lot more to discover but this should be plenty to have a great year of exploring some of the best places that our state has to offer.
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