Summer in Maine: 11 Reasons Millions Visit Vacationland

There is nothing quite like summer in Maine.

Maybe it is the smell of salt air along the rocky coast, the sound of loons calling across a quiet lake, or the first bite of a fresh lobster roll after a day of exploring. Whatever brings people here, Maine has a way of turning a simple summer vacation into a memory that lasts for years.

Every summer, millions of people travel to Vacationland to experience Maine’s beautiful coastline, lakes, mountains, seafood, small towns and outdoor adventures.

Some families have been coming to Maine for generations. Others are finally making that bucket-list trip they have dreamed about for years.

Whether you are planning your first Maine summer vacation or returning to an old favorite, here are 11 reasons people love visiting Maine during the summer.

1. Explore Maine’s Beautiful Coastline

 

One of the biggest reasons people visit Maine in summer is our incredible coastline.

From southern Maine all the way Down East, visitors can discover rocky shorelines, working harbors, quiet coves, islands, beaches and picturesque coastal villages.

Popular destinations such as Bar Harbor, Camden, Boothbay Harbor, Kennebunkport and Portland come alive during the summer.

But you do not need a detailed itinerary to enjoy the Maine coast.

Take a scenic drive. Stop at an overlook. Watch lobster boats come into the harbor. Walk along the waterfront. Find a local restaurant or roadside stand.

Sometimes the best part of visiting Maine is simply taking the long way and seeing what you discover.

Looking for more ideas? Check out our guide to the top places to visit in Maine.

2. Spend a Day at Acadia National Park

No list of the best things to do in Maine in summer would be complete without Acadia National Park.

Located on Mount Desert Island and surrounding areas, Acadia offers an incredible combination of mountains, forests and rocky Atlantic coastline.

Visitors can spend the day hiking, biking, sightseeing, taking photographs or simply enjoying the scenery.

Popular stops include Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Park Loop Road.

After exploring Acadia, many visitors head into nearby Bar Harbor for restaurants, shopping, ice cream and Maine souvenirs.

It is easy to understand why the Acadia and Bar Harbor area has become one of Maine’s most recognizable summer destinations.

3. Eat a Fresh Maine Lobster Roll

For many visitors, you cannot say you had a real Maine vacation until you have eaten a lobster roll.

During the summer, lobster shacks and seafood restaurants throughout the state serve one of Maine’s most famous foods.

And part of the experience is where you eat it.

There is something about sitting at a picnic table overlooking the ocean with a lobster roll, a bag of chips and a cold drink that just feels like summertime in Maine.

Of course, lobster is only the beginning.

Visitors also look for fried clams, haddock, scallops, crab rolls and traditional Maine favorites such as whoopie pies, Needhams, red hot dogs, wild blueberry treats and maple syrup.

Can’t get enough Maine food? Browse our selection of Maine food and gifts and bring a taste of Vacationland home.

4. Relax at a Maine Lake or Camp

The coast gets plenty of attention, but Maine’s lakes and ponds are just as important to the summer experience.

For generations, Maine families have spent summer weekends “upta camp.”

Visitors quickly discover why.

Days at camp can be spent swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing or simply sitting on the dock doing absolutely nothing.

Moosehead Lake, Sebago Lake, Rangeley Lake and countless smaller lakes and ponds provide places to escape the crowds and experience a quieter side of Maine.

Then, as the sun goes down, start a campfire and listen for a loon calling across the water.

That’s Maine.

5. Go Looking for a Maine Moose

Seeing a moose is high on the vacation wish list for many people visiting Maine.

Northern and western Maine offer opportunities for visitors to see moose, deer, bald eagles, loons and other wildlife.

Along the coast, visitors may also take boat tours in hopes of seeing seals, whales and puffins.

Wildlife should always be watched from a safe and respectful distance, but seeing one of Maine’s famous animals in its natural surroundings can become one of the most memorable moments of an entire vacation.

6. Visit Maine’s Famous Lighthouses

Few sights say “Maine” quite like a lighthouse standing above a rocky Atlantic shoreline.

Maine’s historic lighthouses attract photographers, history lovers, families and road-trippers throughout the summer.

Portland Head Light may be one of the best-known, but lighthouse lovers can find beautiful examples all along the coast.

You could even build an entire Maine road trip around them.

Pack a lunch, grab your camera and spend a day traveling from one coastal community to another.

For some inspiration, take a look at our guide to Maine lighthouse photo spots.

7. Spend the Day at a Maine Beach

Maine may be known for its rocky coastline, but we also have some wonderful sandy beaches.

Old Orchard Beach is perhaps the most famous, offering miles of sand along with restaurants, shops and plenty of summertime activity.

Other beaches throughout southern and coastal Maine give visitors a chance to swim, walk the shoreline, search for shells, build sandcastles or simply sit in a beach chair with a good book.

The Atlantic Ocean may be a little chilly, but that certainly does not stop people from jumping in!

8. Get Outside and Explore

Summer in Maine was made for the outdoors.

Hiking is one of the most popular activities, with trails leading visitors through forests, along the coastline, beside waterfalls and to mountain overlooks.

But hiking is only the beginning.

Depending on where you travel, you can go kayaking, canoeing, fishing, camping, mountain biking, golfing or whitewater rafting.

Whether you want a challenging adventure or a peaceful afternoon surrounded by nature, Maine offers plenty of ways to get outside.

For more ideas, check out some of our favorite Maine outdoor activities.

9. Explore Maine’s Small Towns

Not every great Maine attraction has an admission fee.

Sometimes the town itself is the attraction.

Spend an afternoon walking through a Maine downtown and you may find locally owned restaurants, bakeries, antique shops, farmers markets, art galleries and small family businesses.

These are the places where you often discover things you cannot find anywhere else.

Maybe it is a jar of locally made jam, a handmade craft, fresh baked goods or something created by a Maine family business.

Those unexpected discoveries often become some of the best souvenirs from a Maine vacation.

10. Enjoy Maine Wild Blueberry Season

If you visit toward the middle or end of summer, you may arrive during one of Maine’s tastiest traditions: wild blueberry season.

Wild Maine blueberries are smaller than many cultivated blueberries and are famous for their sweet-tart flavor.

During summer, visitors can find blueberry pies, pancakes, muffins, jams, honey, sauces and other blueberry treats throughout the state.

For many Mainers, wild blueberries are simply part of summer.

If you’re a blueberry fan, read more about Maine wild blueberry season.

11. Take a Maine Summer Road Trip

One of the easiest ways to experience Maine is to get in the car and explore.

Stay off the interstate for a while.

Follow the coastline. Head toward the mountains. Drive through a small town you have never visited before.

A Maine road trip might take you past blueberry fields, lobster boats, lakes, mountains, roadside farm stands, antique stores, small diners and tiny towns you did not even know existed.

Leave yourself some extra time.

You’re probably going to stop more often than you planned.

And that is exactly the point.

Why Summer in Maine Keeps People Coming Back

Maine does not need enormous amusement parks or flashy attractions to make summertime special.

The things people remember are often much simpler.

A lobster roll overlooking the ocean.

Morning coffee on the dock.

A lighthouse at sunset.

Picking wild blueberries.

A family hike through the woods.

Spotting a moose on a back road.

A quiet evening beside the campfire.

Or discovering a little Maine-made product you cannot find back home.

Those are the moments that make summer in Maine special and keep families returning to Vacationland year after year.

Eventually, every Maine vacation has to end.

But you can always bring a little piece of Maine home with you.

At Box of Maine, we are proud to share Maine-made foods, treats and gifts from small and family-owned businesses throughout our state. Whether you are remembering a favorite Maine summer vacation, sending a taste of home to someone you love, or simply wishing you were back here, we can help bring Vacationland to your doorstep.

Build your own Box of Maine and keep those Maine summer memories going all year long.