Maine
Maine: wonderful scenery, culture, and food
Known as Vacationland, the state of Maine offers an unforgettable experience that goes beyond mere travel. Mainers take great delight in enjoying the expansive vistas afforded by the state’s lively coastline and deep woods. Maine welcomes all that is genuine, distinctive, and uncomplicated. From the simple act of preparing the ideal lobster roll to the world-famous craftsmanship of their boats, they draw inspiration from nature to incorporate into their daily activities.
Travelers come to Maine in search of inspiration, be it the delight of discovering the best handcrafted gift or beer created locally, or the calming serenity of witnessing the sun rise over the Atlantic. To refuel, take a road trip across Maine.
The Culinary Scene
For centuries, Mainers have relied on farm-to-table and sea-to-table cuisine, which is infused with creativity and passion by the state’s award-winning chefs. Savor the range of Maine flavors and delicacies by sampling dishes from food trucks and neighborhood cafes to tapas-style bistros and fine dining establishments.
Having been at the forefront of the craft brewing movement, Maine is also home to a flourishing craft distillery scene that combines local ingredients with the state’s signature inventiveness and innovation. Even the pickiest palette will be pleased with the selection, which includes Maine potato vodka and blueberry moonshine (yes, that exists).
Outdoor Adventure
It’s simple to understand why Maine’s outdoor activities—as well as our Registered Maine Guides—never take a day, or a season, off. Enjoy bird watching in the spring, finding a new mountain path in the summer, taking in the brilliant hues of autumn, and sliding through heavy snows in the winter. With almost 85,000 square kilometers of uncharted territory, Maine is almost as big as the five other New England states put together. True explorers will discover that the northern Maine forests and streams are mostly unchanged from 150 years ago when Henry David Thoreau traveled through them with guides from the Penobscot Tribe of Maine.
Shopping, Arts & Culture
Our lengthy tradition of exquisite craftsmanship in everything from food to furniture, clothing to jewelry, embodies Maine’s resourceful, trustworthy, and imaginative attitude. Savor the bounty of distinctive galleries, showrooms, and farmers’ markets across the state, such as the Maine Center for Crafts. Maine Made is the epitome of excellence.
A significant portion of Maine’s culture derives from the sea, and the state’s nautical history is easily observed: windjammers regularly cruise the shoreline, and lobstermen and their buoys are dotted along the shore. By visiting the Maine Maritime Museum or simply observing the several active harbors, visitors can get a sense of the ocean’s impact on Maine’s people both historically and currently.
For hundreds of years, the sea and the surrounding breathtaking scenery have served as inspiration to painters such as Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, and Andrew Wyeth. Today, museums, galleries, studios, and performance spaces all contribute to the ongoing integration of the arts into Maine culture. Your thoughts may begin to resemble the lines of a Thoreau poem as a result of Maine’s breathtaking natural beauty. “Enjoy the life you’ve always imagined.”