6 Incredible Maine Day Trips You Can Take By Train
By Michelle|Updated on June 02, 2023(Originally published June 01, 2023)
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
Interested in train rides in Maine? We scoured the state for the best day trips in Maine, and we didn’t come up short. There are lots of options for adventure in Maine, including riding the rails. A train ride is one of the best ways to relax AND get somewhere new. From conventional passenger trains to scenic, historic ones, here are some of the best train trips in Maine.
1. Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, 49 Thames St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad is dedicated to sharing the history of Maine’s two-foot gauge railroad. In addition to a small museum, visitors here can take a wonderful, leisurely train ride in Maine along the waterfront. It lasts about 35 minutes and travels three miles round-trip along the Eastern Prom. Depending on the season, there are open-air cars or closed cars.
This beautiful train system is dedicated to preserving the railroad history of the Downeast area. Open May through October, visitors can take part in a variety of station-focused events, including the popular "touch a train." But, the real fun is in the train rides that leave from the station and head to surrounding areas. Enjoy fall foliage tours in the autumn and fun leisure rides throughout the summer. It is one of the best places for train rides near me in Maine.
This museum is one of our favorites! The WW&F Railway Museum is a non-profit focused on displaying and preserving the two-foot gauge Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway. The museum now has over two miles of tracks that are in service over the original roadbed. It operates most of the old equipment from the original railroad. Unlike some of the other train rides, these Maine train rides run during the winter months as well.
Get the most up-to-date information about the WW&F Railway Museum at its website.
The Brooks Preservation Society is a non-profit preservation organization dedicated to preserving railroad history in Waldo County. Thirty-three miles of the former Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad is leased from the Maine Department of Transportation, allowing for some lovely rides! Train excursions are typically offered May through October and include several train trips in Maine focused on foliage, summer fun, and Christmas.
The Seashore Trolley Museum is the largest electric railway museum in the world! It was founded in 1939, and now has a collection that includes vehicles from almost every state that has or had a streetcar system. This is more than just a place to visit - there are interactive events and exhibits for visitors to enjoy. While train rides here are not an every day occurrence, show up during a holiday or during the summer, and you'll likely have the chance to see the equipment in action.
And last but not least (because it might be the only option that will actually take you somewhere) is the Downeaster. This Amtrak connection will take you from Boston all the way to Brunswick, with stops in Wells, Saco, OOB, Portland, and Freeport along the way. Choose from many awesome train rides in Maine!
There are several places you can ride the rails, including Maine’s oldest railroad museum, the Railway Village Museum in Boothbay. The 35-acre museum brings railroad history to life through historical and replica buildings as well as engaging displays and intriguing exhibits. The best part of the museum, though, is the train rides! Visitors of all ages can hop aboard vintage trains, which traverse a ¾-mile track. Sure to be a memorable experience, the museum is the only place in New England where you can ride the rails on an authentic steam locomotive surrounded by a recreated historic village.
Camden, for instance, is a great place to spend a day in Maine, especially when it comes to outdoor recreation. Located on Penobscot Bay, it boasts breathtaking natural scenery and oceanfront vistas. A great place to soak in the area’s scenic beauty, Camden Hills State Park boasts 5,700 acres of oceanfront area, hiking to the summit of Mount Battie, camping, and more.
Consider planning a visit to the world-famous Bailey Island Bridge (a.k.a. Cribstone Bridge) in Harpswell. A true rarity, it’s the only granite cribwork bridge in the entire world! The bridge’s unique design allows for the ocean tide to pass through. Built in the 1920s, it’s an engineering and historical landmark. Load up the car and take a drive across the renowned bridge, which connects Orr’s Island and Bailey Island.