This post is written by Jen Tenzer, founder of The Soloist!
Warning: This trip up the Maine coast may steal your heart and make you want to up and move there.
Maine offers something for every travelerβdramatic cliff landscapes, incredibly quaint towns, freshly caught seafood, rich historical heritage, and a national park to boot!
Maineβs rustic and rugged charm is attractive all year round, but tourists tend to flock for summer beaches and vibrant fall foliage. This itinerary is meant to serve as a loose guide; my only hard suggestion is to drive up via Route 1 and avoid the faster Interstate 295 (which misses all the coastal charm)!
If you have extra time, you could venture to New Hampshire by either adding Portsmouth at the southern end of the itinerary or White Mountain National Forest further north!
Here’s the ultimate guide to visiting the Maine Coast!
Ultimate New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
Join me on a 10-day New England fall road trip filled with stunning foliage, apple picking, and indulging in all the lobster rolls!
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Maine Coast Road Trip Highlights
- Kennebunkport
- Portland
- Wiscasset
- Camden
- Bar Harbor
Whether itβs the first time youβre heading out on the open road for an extended period of time, or youβve planned a few adventures beforeβthese ten tips are essential for any road tripper!
Read More
Kennebunkport
Historically a shipbuilding and fishing village, Kennebunkport is one of Maineβs most popular seaside towns for its picturesque harbor, intact colonial-era architecture, galleries, and gift shops. Kennebunkport is also widely known as where the Bush family has its summer compound!
Top Things to See and Eat in Kennebunkport
- Stroll through the historic district and scope out original colonial homes from the 1700s
- Snag a picnic table with harbor views at the Clam Shack for some of New Englandβs freshest lobster rolls, fried clams, and homemade lemonade
- Sea Bags makes the COOLEST one-of-a-kind beach totes, recycled out of vintage ship sails; picked up one for me and one for my mama!
- Check out Dock Square Emporium for quirky and nautical-themed gifts
Detour: Ogunquit Beach
When you think of summer in Maine, you think of the beach and Ogunquitβs wide white sands make it one of the stateβs best!
This adorable town has all the Maine vibes with upscale seaside restaurants and rustic lobster shacks alike, but is still weekend friendly; only an hour and a half drive from Boston!
Bug Light
Portland
Pulling into the cobblestone streets of Portland, Maine feels like driving back in time to its colonial seaport roots.
This was ranked as the most important harbor in the US during WWII since it was closest to Europe. As a result, this city is filled with military artifacts like forts and bunkers; itβs a history buffβs dream coastal getaway!
These days, Portland is a serious foodie town and seafood loverβs paradise. Check out Where to Find the Best Food in Portland, MaineΒ for some must-eat spots! A couple of my latest additions to that list include DuckFat and Jβs Oyster!
Top Things to See and Eat in Portland
- Walk along the Old Port to get a feel for fisherman life in the late-18th to early-19th centuries
- Visit historically famous lighthouses of Portland Head Light and Bug Light
- Sample various microbrews in town or take a short drive to popular Allagash Brewery
- Picnic at Eastern Promenade waterfront park
Detour: Sebago Lake
Looking to break up the harbor scenery a bit? About an hour drive inland is Sebago Lake, a gorgeous escape for boating, fishing, and state park camping. Iβll never forget waking up in a tent to the sound of waves crashing against the lakeshore; indescribably breathtaking!
Wiscasset
Wiscasset is an ideal town to grab a bite and stretch your legs while road tripping up the Maine coast.
Top Things to See and Eat in Wiscasset
- If youβre willing to wait in line, Redβs Eats has consistently been voted Maineβs #1 readersβ choice lobster roll by Down East magazine for the last decade
- Fort Popham in nearby Phippsburg is a coastal fort used for defense during the Civil War era
Camden
Camden is arguably one of the most charming and iconic coastal towns of Maine; itβs postcard-perfect! Gorgeous Penobscot Bay harbor views, delicious restaurants, a cute main street for window shopping, and lots of boating and kayaking activities.
Moreover, while Camden is a popular vacation spot for northeasterners from Boston and New York, it feels a bit less crowded than the southern part of the state.
Top Things to See and Eat in Camden
- Reserve a spot on Maine Schoonersβ Sailing Vessel Owl for a sunset sail
- Hike up the short but steep Mount Battie Trail for stunning views of Camden Harbor
- Stroll down historic High Street and check out Sugar Tools for unique gifts, books, and houseware
- Dinner at Long Grain Restaurant for authentic Thai street foodβthis was some of the BEST Thai food Iβve had outside of Thailand (sorry, NYC)
- Stay at 16 Bay View, a luxury boutique hotel, and watch the ships come in while sipping on chili mango margaritas at their rooftop bar, The View
Detour: Take the Ferry to Vinalhaven
If you have some extra time, I recommend day-tripping from nearby Rockland to Vinalhaven Island. Itβs about an hour and a half drive-on ferry and a beautiful way to commute!
While Vinalhaven is Maineβs largest offshore island (about the size of Manhattan), itβs incredibly remote with a population of only ~1,100. Itβs the perfect place to venture when you want to be intentionally off-the-grid.
If you visit in the summer, I recommend diving into the swimming hole at Lawsonβs quarry! Vinalhaven was once the leading producer of granite in the US!
Bar Harbor
Continuing up the coast, Bar Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island thatβs best known as the home of Acadia National Park. Itβs so far northeast that you can see Nova Scotia and also boasts the first daily sunrises of the continental US!
While much of your time will be spent exploring the gorgeous grounds of Acadia (gorgeous ANY season!), Iβd recommend carving out extra time to drive around the island and soak up all the super remote vibes of northern Maine.
Acadia National Park - Bass Harbor Lighthouse
Top Things to See and Eat in Bar Harbor
- Cross the Bar Harbor Shore path during low tide and be sure to return before high tide (the path completely disappears during those hours)!
- Hike or drive up Acadia National Parkβs Cadillac Mountain for 360-degree archipelago views
- Visit Jordan Pond and stop for lunch at Jordan Pond House for their famous popovers
- Escape the crowds in the quiet town of Southwest Harbor and check out Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse!
- Choose your own live lobster for dinner at Bealβs Lobster PierΒ
Have you visited Maine before? Share your highlights and favorites in the comments below!
Oo! I’ve never been to Maine before. I definitely feel inspired to travel there in the future. It looks fun!
Doesn’t it look so lovely? π
Any suggestions for when the best time to visit is? I love the pictures that you have posted, what time of year did you end up going?
Hey Kat! A majority of these photos were taken in the late summer/early fall. During the autumn, you’ll get a lot of those gorgeous leaves changing colors!