When people ask for advice on what to do in Maine, do you always have a list of your favorite places to share? If the answer is yes, you might consider keeping just a few of them to yourself. Nothing is better than finding that one special place that few people find! Alternatively, if you’re one of those people that keeps all the best places to themselves, you might consider sharing a few with your friends. We love finding something new to experience in Maine based on recommendations. So, for those looking for the next fun weekend trip, check out these hidden attractions in Maine. Your friends might not tell you about them, but they’re all worth a visit.
- Melby’s Market & Eatery, Waterford
Paul B / TripAdvisor Melby’s is a beloved institution to the community who lives nearby. Breakfast here is served all day. Aside from that, there’s a whole lot of comfort food being cooked up here! Visit them at 927 Valley Rd., Waterford / 207-583-4447.
- Barred Harbor Beach, Isle Au Haut
donahue / Flickr This spot is often times left off the tourist-friendly lists simply because it’s harder to get to. The secluded beach can only be accessed via Goat Trail or the Median Ridge Trail, which spans all of Isle Au Haut. Both routes are a few miles, making this beach more difficult to access. But, once you arrive you’ll be met only by seabirds, aquatic friends and the sounds of a peaceful Maine ocean.
- Cliff Island, Casco Bay
Dana Pico / Flickr Skip Peaks Island and head here instead! It’s more remote and arguably more beautiful, PLUS it’s just a short ferry ride from the mainland. Explore the seaside areas and then head inland for some of the most beautiful island forests in all of the state.
- Jasper Beach, Machiasport
Jessica Hayssen / Flickr Head south of Machiasport to explore Jasper Beach, overlooking Howard Cove. The ecology here is great for wildlife lovers and there’s no better beach combing in Maine! Keep an eye out for the many colored stones that can be found mixed among the pebbles.
- The Last Remaining Bridge Of Its Kind, New Portland
C Hanchey / Flickr Between Bangor and the Canadian border is the small town of New Portland. This bridge is older than even the town financial records, but it was likely built before 1866 along with three others of its kind.
- The Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville
Colby College Museum of Art / Facebook This art museum on the Colby campus might have, the state’s most diverse collection of American art. With more than 8,000 incredible and important works in a stunning glass-and-steel space, coming here is the perfect way to introduce outsiders to Maine’s incredible, and often overlooked, art scene. But, don’t worry about that because you’ll probably just want to keep this for yourself anyway.
- Outlet Beach at Sabbathday Lake, New Gloucester
Outlet Beach at Sabbathday Lake / Facebook This tiny beach area is family-owned and can be found on the northern side of Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester. But this lake isn’t like the others in Maine. This one is comes with all the things you need for fun water activities without the lines that come with the commercial water parks. Visit them at 106 Outlet Rd., New Gloucester. They can be reached by phone on 207-926-3388.
- Saco Beach Loop Hike, Saco
sas572 / TripAdvisor You’ve probably begun to notice how much we love the Saco Bay Trails system. This particular four-mile round-trip hike will take you to the beach as well as some more structured trails. It’s located just a few miles from Old Orchard Beach, at Ferry Beach State Park. The park is comprised of more than 100 acres and includes some of the trails that are part of the Saco Bay Trails system.
- Thorncrag Sanctuary, Lewiston
nhoulihan / Flickr Thorncrag is located outside of downtown Lewiston and provides access to one of the largest sanctuary for birds in all of New England. For those who aren’t bird-lovers, there are also six different trails to explore, collectively making up about 6 miles.
- The Entire Solar System, Presque Isle
Cynthia R / TripAdvisor We must admit that leaving this out of recommendations for travelers might just be the result of its out-of-the-way location. But, nonetheless, we urge you to head to the county for the scaled model of our solar system. Created by the University of Maine in Presque Isle, this model begins with the sun in Presque Isle and goes all the way to Houlton where you’ll find the Pluto.
For more great ways to experience the state of Maine, explore the 11 best places to spend a long weekend!
Paul B / TripAdvisor
Melby’s is a beloved institution to the community who lives nearby. Breakfast here is served all day. Aside from that, there’s a whole lot of comfort food being cooked up here! Visit them at 927 Valley Rd., Waterford / 207-583-4447.
donahue / Flickr
This spot is often times left off the tourist-friendly lists simply because it’s harder to get to. The secluded beach can only be accessed via Goat Trail or the Median Ridge Trail, which spans all of Isle Au Haut. Both routes are a few miles, making this beach more difficult to access. But, once you arrive you’ll be met only by seabirds, aquatic friends and the sounds of a peaceful Maine ocean.
Dana Pico / Flickr
Skip Peaks Island and head here instead! It’s more remote and arguably more beautiful, PLUS it’s just a short ferry ride from the mainland. Explore the seaside areas and then head inland for some of the most beautiful island forests in all of the state.
Jessica Hayssen / Flickr
Head south of Machiasport to explore Jasper Beach, overlooking Howard Cove. The ecology here is great for wildlife lovers and there’s no better beach combing in Maine! Keep an eye out for the many colored stones that can be found mixed among the pebbles.
C Hanchey / Flickr
Between Bangor and the Canadian border is the small town of New Portland. This bridge is older than even the town financial records, but it was likely built before 1866 along with three others of its kind.
Colby College Museum of Art / Facebook
This art museum on the Colby campus might have, the state’s most diverse collection of American art. With more than 8,000 incredible and important works in a stunning glass-and-steel space, coming here is the perfect way to introduce outsiders to Maine’s incredible, and often overlooked, art scene. But, don’t worry about that because you’ll probably just want to keep this for yourself anyway.
Outlet Beach at Sabbathday Lake / Facebook
This tiny beach area is family-owned and can be found on the northern side of Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester. But this lake isn’t like the others in Maine. This one is comes with all the things you need for fun water activities without the lines that come with the commercial water parks. Visit them at 106 Outlet Rd., New Gloucester. They can be reached by phone on 207-926-3388.
sas572 / TripAdvisor
You’ve probably begun to notice how much we love the Saco Bay Trails system. This particular four-mile round-trip hike will take you to the beach as well as some more structured trails. It’s located just a few miles from Old Orchard Beach, at Ferry Beach State Park. The park is comprised of more than 100 acres and includes some of the trails that are part of the Saco Bay Trails system.
nhoulihan / Flickr
Thorncrag is located outside of downtown Lewiston and provides access to one of the largest sanctuary for birds in all of New England. For those who aren’t bird-lovers, there are also six different trails to explore, collectively making up about 6 miles.
Cynthia R / TripAdvisor
We must admit that leaving this out of recommendations for travelers might just be the result of its out-of-the-way location. But, nonetheless, we urge you to head to the county for the scaled model of our solar system. Created by the University of Maine in Presque Isle, this model begins with the sun in Presque Isle and goes all the way to Houlton where you’ll find the Pluto.
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