In terms of activities, it’s all about the beach in this part of the state—they can get packed in the summer months, and are deliciously vacant in the off-season. This is the place to go for a long walk along the beach. York, Ogunquit and Wells are all great places to enjoy this. A walk amongst the trees is a rewarding experience, too—the Rachel Carson Nature Wildlife Refuge You can also read about the Cape Elizabeth Greenbelt There are many beautiful and easy hikes that anyone can enjoy.
Portland, a foodie’s paradise
Portland is the largest city in Maine, and it’s only a two hour drive away from Boston. Portland, a city of only 69,000 people, has a lot to offer. Maine may be all about nature and seclusion but it would be a shame to miss out on this if you are so close.
Pick up some supplies first. Pot + Pan, The bakery is owned by women and specializes in edibles that are low-dosed, but still delicious. The mini Bundt cakes are delicious. Book a room at the new Hotel if you plan to stay for more than a day. Longfellow Hotel—it’s walking distance to many of the West End bakeries and cafés, and has a spa complete with social sauna cabins that are fun for groups. Blind Tiger The same neighborhood is home to one of its famous Victorian houses. The other relatively new place in town, is the Weldon Hotel The hotel offers suites in the style of apartment, which are ideal if you plan to stay for a long time (which you should, if possible).
In this city, it’s hard to find a bad restaurant. Especially since there is always a flurry James Beard nominations or other awards to get excited about. Here are some reliable choices: Sur Lie Small plates that are international and shareable; Twelve, The restaurant is run by Colin Wyatt who was previously the chef of Eleven Madison Park, New York City. Brown butter lobster rolls are served along with freshly-shucked clams. Eventide Oyster Co.Creative Vietnamese (think of little clam congee). Cong Tu BotMexican brunch and dinner OcotilloThe wood-fired fare from the farm to your table Fore Street. Dry Dock is the place to go if you plan on returning in 2025. It’s a quintessential Portland seafood tavern from the 1980’s that has been shuttered since 2018, but is soon to be reopened (under the same name) by the owners of Luke’s Lobster—and locals are already buzzing.
Zubakery won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery in 2024. Before you leave, pick up some chocolate croissants or monkey bread. The Presumpscot River Preserve, a 60-acre preserve near Falmouth, is an easy to navigate preserve that allows you to stretch out your legs and digest before heading out. The trails are a great way to get from busy roads into a quiet, secluded forest.
The mid-coast of the United States and beyond: Where the mountains and the sea meet
This is the Maine Coast at its Maine-iest—think never-ending forests, dramatic and rocky shorelines, and the L.L.Bean flagship store in Freeport (which is famously open 24/7, 365 days a year, although it is currently undergoing renovations and offering the slightly truncated hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.). There are so, so many nooks and crannies to explore in this part of the state, literally—whereas the South Coast feels wide open and relatively flat, mid-Coast gets a lot windier and mountainous. It’s possible to spend a whole week driving around and never see the same thing.
