ExploringMaine.com

Maine Vacation Rentals:

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Lodging guide:

Browse inns, hotels and motels, by region in the lodging guide.

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You won't go hungry visiting Maine. Whether you have a hankering for a lobster dinner, a fine micro-brew, maple sugar, blueberries or all four, Maine has you covered - and then some. Find out more

Maine is a huge state. It starts on the rocky coast, follows its rivers to wonderful mountain ranges and stretches over endless tracts of remote forest until it stops at Canada. Along the way, you will find history, culture, unique shops, delicious food, breathtaking scenery and the perfect way to recharge your batteries.
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Southern Coast

At the southernmost tip of Maine, the southern coast region is an easy day trip from Boston and offers visitors year-round amenities and attractions. Hidden among the outlet shopping malls of Kittery and the summer beach colonies of Ogunquit, York and Wells is an intricate network of Maine history and culture. more about the Southern Coast

Greater Portland

Portland is a small city that mixes urban sophistication with home-town friendliness. On the southern Maine coast, only a two-hour drive from Boston, Portland lies at the mouth of Casco Bay. With a population of about 65,000, this coastal hub has more than its share of interesting shops and great restaurants. Museums and theaters tend to be small and friendly. Art galleries and musical performances reflect the area's wealth of creativity. more about Greater Portland

Western Lakes & Mountains

This region shouts "ski country" to most visitors, with Maine's two largest ski mountains and a ring of smaller ones attracting winter adventure-seekers. Recreational opportunites abound on the lakes. Crowds from southern Maine cities zip over to Sebago Lake, while the more remote Rangeley Lakes give off the real sense of wilderness. more about the
Western Lakes & Mountains

Midcoast Region

The long and narrow peninsulas of the Midcoast region, which stretch from the Brunswick/Bath area through to the Camden/Rockland area, are often described as gnarly fingers that stretch into the sea. Slow drives down the twisting roads on these peninsulas offer glimpses of snug harbors, historic homes, the rare sandy beach, island communities, fishing villages and summer camps. more about the Midcoast Region

Kennebec Region

At first, you may think this region is merely sitting in between the drama of Katahdin and the allure of the ocean. But the Kennebec region, defined by the Kennebec and Moose River valleys, is one of Maine's most picturesque, with mirror-flat lakes, swaths of woodlands and tumultuous rivers. Visitors come for foliage, lakeside vacations, whitewater rafting and snowmobiling. more about the Kennebec Region

Katahdin/Moosehead Region

The jagged Knife Edge atop Mount Katahdin dominates this region. Katahdin is not just the highest point in Maine. It also marks one end of the Appalachian Trail and is the central point of Baxter State Park, a 202,064 acre park established in 1930 to preserve a slice of Maine's wilderness for generations. Combined with the Moosehead Lake area, this region offers much in terms of scenery and recreation. more about Katahdin/Moosehead

Downeast/Acadia Region

The jewel of this region is Maine's only National Park: Acadia. From Penobscot Bay, Downeast, around the eastern nose of Maine and up along the Canadian border, the scenery is wild, rocky and dramatic. The farther inland you go, the more wilderness you'll encounter. In this region, get a taste of the outdoors, from the gentle recreation in Acadia to the rugged fishing and canoeing farther Downeast. more about Downeast/Acadia

Aroostook Region

Tourism has yet to take Aroostook County by storm, and there are plenty of outdoorsmen and women who'd like to keep it that way so they can fish, hike and canoe with only moose for company. Aroostook, or "The County," as it's often referred to, is best known for two things: recreation and potatoes. more about Aroostook County

Maine Event: Sharing an ice time on Long Lake February 14, 2010

Next Maine Event: Hit the beach for some February fun February 14, 2010

Expansion of Amtrak to Brunswick spurs interest in service for Augusta
A Maine Eastern Railroad official says the company could add both freight and passenger trains.
February 8, 2010

Bar Guide
Deer Run Tavern: Casual with a side of attitude
January 21, 2010

Host of 'No Reservations' TV show slips into town to sample seafood
Anthony Bourdain visits Portland restaurants in the weekend snowstorm.January 5, 2010

Downeaster hopes to tap stimulus money
Officials hope to get up to $39 million in stimulus funds to expand the route to Freeport and Brunswick.
December 14, 2009

'Belt-tightening' forces museum to cancel holiday events
The Tate House Museum can't afford a full-time director or fund this year's Christmas Frolic.
December 12, 2009

Open to the public
The city of Portland's catalog of public art has added several pages in recent years. We took a look at some of these highly visible displays and found a few clinkers, but also lots to like.
November 22, 2009

Falmouth's hidden oasis
An old Indian campsite and home to early white settlers now offers trails and wildlife.
November 9, 2009

KEN ALLEN / ALLEN AFIELDOnce around the island does it: You'll fall for Islesboro October 4, 2009

Catch the late show
Take your best shot at fall foliage photos: Here's how.
September 27, 2009

Foliage from the coast to the foothills
A route from Wiscasset to Farmington passes rolling hills, farms, rivers and lakes.
September 27, 2009

These spots make for good shots September 27, 2009

Shopping Maine, old and new
The stores are busy – and offering bargains – from
now through the holidays.
September 27, 2009

Munjoy Hill: Vibrant and real
A working-class section of the city has more than its share of attractions.
September 27, 2009

Maine's fair season comes to a glorious close
The celebrations in Cumberland and Fryeburg make the next two weeks among Maine's most fun.
September 27, 2009

CAREY KISHSkip chores in favor of these colorful fall hikes September 27, 2009

Summer soak likely to rev up fall foliage
Leaf-bearing trees are now 'very lush,' which an expert calls 'a prerequisite for good fall color.'
September 21, 2009

MEREDITH GOADWhat's the apple of your eye? September 9, 2009

A rare glimpse inside the lights
For the first time, 29 of Maine's beacons will open to the public for a day to celebrate their rich history.
September 7, 2009

Three trips for late summer (archive)
The Rangeley Scenic Byway, the town of Bethel and the Schoodic Peninsula provide different flavors of Maine.
August 23, 2009

Central coast as expected: wonderful (archive)
Lots of lobsters, a health-conscious resort and some side trips overcome the lack of grits.
August 23, 2009

York County: a historical drive (archive)
Museums, old houses and forts provide entertainment that is different from beaches and outlet stores.
August 23, 2009

Amazing mazes, for fun in the fall (archive)
The growth of walkable corn puzzles is part of a trend to produce entertainment income as well as vegetables at farms.
August 23, 2009

Next stop, holiday fun (archive)
Starting this weekend, soak up the holiday spirit on a scenic train ride. Santa might even be your seatmate.

Harvest on the Harbor: The Grand Tasting (archive)

Harvest on the Harbor: Lobster Chef of the Year (archive)

Harvest on the Harbor: The Man Cave (archive)

Harvest on the Harbor: Who's who of chef celebs (archive)

KEN ALLEN / ALLEN AFIELDCamden area offers visitors nice fall escape (archive)

Friday, September 3, 2010

Camden Windjammer Festival Downtown Camden

Saturday, September 4, 2010

36th Island Arts Association "Fair in the Park" 9:00-5:00, 36th Island Arts Assocation

Designing Women 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., First Congregational Church

Pirate Invasion 9:30 a.m., various locations

School Around Us Fall Craft Fair 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Green

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rural maine Aug 28, 2010 08:36 PM 6 Photos 0 comments urban_chickn

Summer Aug 25, 2010 01:28 PM 1 Photos 0 comments chiefjerry

Breathtaking Brassua Lake Aug 15, 2010 04:28 PM 3 Photos 0 comments meggieh

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THE MAINE SHOW

Join adventurers Jeff Riddle and Stephanie Koetzle as they explore Maine's recreational opportunities.

GAS PRICES

The price for a gallon of gas changes daily. Use our Gas Prices tool to find the cheapest reported price in Maine and report your gas purchases.

ADVENTURES IN CONTENTMENT

Dyke Hendrickson has the best explanation of why Maine is the way life should be.

More about what Maine is like

News & Features

What other blogs and publications are saying about Maine.

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If you're just beginning your exploration of Maine, its southern coastline is a great place to start. Many of the towns here offer a nostalgic retreat into the past, as resort villages like Ogunquit have carefully preserved their architecture and historic features like the local trolley alongside the development of luxurious inns, hotels, and timeshares. And while much of Maine's coastline is rough and rocky, the three miles of beach in Ogunquit are composed of soft, white sand and are easily accessible from accommodations like The Falls at Ogunquit, an InnSeason Resort.

Where's a good place to eat in the Greater Portland region?

What people are saying about the Southern Coast

What people are saying about Greater Portland

What people are saying about Western Lakes & Mountains

What people are saying about Midcoast

What people are saying about Kennebec Region

What people are saying about Katahdin/Moosehead

What people are saying about Downeast/Acadia

What people are saying about Aroostook Region