These 8 Scenic Maine Spots Feel New And Undiscovered, Making Them Totally Worth The Trip
By Michelle|Published February 26, 2021
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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.
Does anyone remember the days that Maine was considered far-off the beaten path? When driving up from New York was a big deal and visiting for the weekend was unheard of? Us either. It feels like Maine is officially on the map and that means that some of the quieter places are more known. But that doesn’t mean everything has been discovered. There are still plenty of places that are new to us and we think that might be the same for some of our readers. Check out these spots and let us know how many you’ve been to!
The year-round population of Cliff Island is about 60 people and it's one of just 15 islands in Casco Bay that have a population throughout the year. Visitors can check it out by taking an hour-long ferry ride to check out the trails.
This perfectly lovely mountain is great for family outings. The 1.25-mile hike to the top is considered a bit challenging, but it's a great way to get your feet wet on more challenging hikes. The good news is that it's relatively short. At the top, you'll love taking in the views of Square Pond and Mousam Lake.
Maine's only ghost town isn't as spooky as it sounds. You can visit by boat to see the six abandoned houses that were part of the town of Perkins, on the Kennebec River. Dating back to the 18th century it's fun to explore the homes, while also taking in the natural beauty of the area. You can learn more about it here.
This sandy beach is about 550-yards, so it's not the largest in New England. But it sure is lovely. The surf is simple and the area is beautiful, but be warned! You'll need to have a valid Kittery town sticker to park. If you don't have one, park further off and plan on walking or cycling to the water.
If you love Maine waterfalls, but prefer the quieter areas of the state you'll want to check out this lovely spot near Borestone Mountain. Little Wilson Stream makes its way through the area for about a mile, creating various falls and pools. And it can be accessed right from the Appalachian Trail.
You'll find Great Pond Mountain in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands preserve. This 4,500-acre region is a great place to explore if you love Maine's waterways. Between ponds, lakes, and rivers there are nine different waterways. And for a little physical exertion, you can hike to the 1,038-foot summit on a 1.2-mile hike.
This beauty is one of our favorite spots to visit. Located right on the coast, the views of Casco Bay are incredible and on a clear day you can see all the way to the ocean. The trail is rocky due to erosion that's made more rocks visible. The fact that it's short is also a nice benefit.
This beautiful area is located at one end of the 100-Mile-Wilderness, which makes it a bit far flung but it's so worth the trip. There are three beautiful mountain ponds as well as a few lodges that can be rented. You can learn more about it here.
How many of these spots have you explored? If they’re new to you, which ones are top priorities? let us know in the comments!
