Discover the best of Coastal Maine! Picture a summer of chasing lighthouses, hiking rugged cliffs, and munching lobster rolls by the sea. From Southern Maine’s charming towns to Acadia’s jaw-dropping vistas, this coast is a playground for families, foodies, and adventurers.
Whether you’ve got a week or a weekend, our guide hits the must-see spots for an unforgettable summer escape. Discover stunning views, mouthwatering seafood, and endless outdoor fun!
Southern Coastal Maine Adventures: York to Ogunquit
Southern Maine is a summer hotspot with sunny beaches, tasty eats, and outdoor thrills. Start in York at the iconic Nubble Lighthouse, perched on a rocky islet, across from Sohier Park. Check out the gift shop and then grab a treat at the very popular Dunne’s Ice Cream, just down the road.
Cruise up Route 1, a scenic drive dotted with fishing villages and coastal gems. In Ogunquit, hit the beach for swimming or surfing, then stroll the Marginal Way—a 1.25-mile paved path with ocean views and the cute Lobster Point Lighthouse.
Perkins Cove, Ogunquit’s fishing village, charms with boutiques, galleries, and boat-watching at the historic drawbridge.
Wells offers family-friendly beaches like Wells Beach, Crescent Beach, or quieter Drakes Island Beach- plus Wonder Mountain Fun Park for mini-golf and go-karts. Fuel up at Maine Diner for comfort food or Shain’s of Maine in Sanford for buttery lobster rolls and whoopie pies (kids loved the ice cream!).
Route 1 rolls on to Kennebunkport, where Dock Square’s shops and the Seashore Trolley Museum shine, and Parsons Way offers stunning rugged coastal views. Don’t miss Old Orchard Beach’s lively pier or Biddeford’s hip Mill District. Wrap up in Portland’s Old Port for cobblestone streets and lobster shacks. For more see the full post: The Best Places to Visit in Southern Maine.
Hiking Coastal Maine: Trails for Every Vibe
Maine’s hiking trails were the highlight of our summer road trip!
In Ogunquit, the 1.25-mile Marginal Way is a paved path along the rugged coast with ocean vistas, summer wildflowers, and stunning sunsets. Near York, Mount Agamenticus boasts a 692-foot summit. Drive up to the summit or hike from the base for killer ocean and mountain views. You’ll find picnic spots, hiking trails, and overlooks at the top.
Parsons Way in Kennebunkport offers stunning ocean views with a 2-mile paved stroll along Ocean Avenue. Stop at Blowing Cave Park for crashing waves and a peek at Walker’s Point, the Bush family estate.
The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge near Biddeford shines with the Timber Point Trail. This 2-mile coastal loop takes you through marshes and along rocky shores. You can even cross to Timber Island at low tide if you time it right.
Coastal Maine Hikes: DownEast & Acadia
In Hancock, Tidal Falls Preserve’s short loop trail along Frenchman Bay offers wildlife viewing at its finest. Explore the tide pools for starfish galore! Watch for seabirds, seals and otters in the river and catch the reverse falls as the tides change.
Acadia National Park is known for its fantastic hiking trails. The Jordan Pond Path loops around the gorgeous blue waters of the pond, through ferns and evergreens. Take in views of the popular “Bubbles” rock formation. The Cadillac Summit Loop (0.5 miles) delivers epic panoramas from the top of Cadillac Mountain.
On the Schoodic Peninsula, the Schoodic Head Trail is short, a little steep, but has stellar views awaiting at the top. Our kids loved rock scrambling on this 0.6-mile hike.
Lubec’s Quoddy Head State Park pairs quiet trails through peat bogs and along rocky shorelines with views of the red-and-white striped West Quoddy Head Lighthouse.
See our full post for more details: Exploring the Best Hikes in Maine.
Lighthouses: Coastal Maine Icons
Maine is famous for its lighthouses, with over 60 of them dotting the coastline! Here are some of our favorites:
Kick off in York with Nubble Lighthouse (Cape Neddick Light), one of the most photographed in Maine. Ogunquit’s tiny Lobster Point Lighthouse along the Marginal Way cliff walk adds charm to your stroll.
In Portland, see the famous Portland Head Light and explore the museum at Fort Williams Park. Bug Light Park in South Portland is home to the small and quirky Portland Breakwater Light, nicknamed “Bug Light”.
In Tremont, the Bass Harbor Head Light station perches on cliffs surrounded by evergreen trees. This postcard worthy lighthouse has photographers clamoring for the perfect sunset photo in the evenings.
All the way up in Lubec, see the distinct candy stiped red-and-white West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. Located on the easternmost point of the contiguous United States.
Downeast & Acadia Region: Wild Beauty Awaits
The Downeast and Acadia region of Coastal Maine is a must visit on your summer road trip-wild, rugged, and unforgettable.
Acadia National Park Highlights
Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is a stunner! Cruise the 27-mile scenic Park Loop Road to Sandy Beach for sun-soaked vibes, Thunder Hole for wild waves, and the nature center and Wild Gardens of Acadia in Sieur de Monts. Grab popovers at the Jordan Pond House and hike Jordan Pond Path loop trail and see the “Bubbles”.
Visit Cadillac Mountain, one of the most popular destinations in Acadia, for epic panoramas. Busy summer months require a reservation. Stick around for sunset, you will not be disappointed!
Acadia’s Schoodic Peninsula lays about 45 minutes north, offering great hiking with less crowds. Drive or bike the 6-mile loop to Schoodic Point for rocky coast sunsets or hike Schoodic Head for harbor vistas. Little Moose Island’s tide pools at low tide are kid-approved with snails, sea stars, and periwinkles.
For more things to do in Acadia, read our full post: Exploring Acadia National Park: Top 5 Things to See.
Bar Harbor
Located right next to Acadia, Bar Harbor is a very popular summer destination. Book a whale watching excursion or Acadia tour, window shop at the boutiques and galleries, stroll along Shore Path, and enjoy delicious seafood.
Hulls Cove General Store is the perfect shop for picnic supplies on your way into the national park- their whoopie pies are a must! For dinner, Bar Harbor Lobster Pound serves up fresh catches with a coastal vibe. The lobster roll and crab cakes are personal favorites. Don’t forget a sweet treat from the boat shaped ice cream shop!
Other Charming Towns to Visit on Your Coastal Maine Tour
Ellsworth
Half an hour from Bar Harbor, Ellsworth is a chill stopover. Browse Main Street shops, dine at Finn’s Irish Pub for a great dinner, and snag dessert at Helen’s Restaurant of Ellsworth. The chocolate cream pie was our favorite, but you can’t go wrong with the tons of different flavors offered.
Winter Harbor
Near Schoodic, this fishing village charms with a rugged coast and two lighthouses- Winter Harbor Light on Mark Island and Egg Rock. Enjoy hiking and bicycling, visit Grindstone Neck for beautiful views of Mount Desert Island, and stop at The Bakery in town for fresh coffee and Maine blueberry pie- so good!
Lubec
America’s easternmost town, Lubec shines with Quoddy Head State Park. Hike trails near West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and watch for whales in the summer. Discover the outdoor sculptures along the Maine Sculpture Trail.
Your Coastal Maine Summer Awaits
If you’re looking for a fun and relaxing summer getaway, coastal Maine is a fantastic destination. The charming coastal towns have something for everyone, from sandy beaches and boating adventures to hiking trails and lighthouses.
Add in a scenic drive and some delicious seafood, and you will have yourself a great Maine vacation! We hope this post has you ready to plan your own coastal Maine Adventure!
Happy Travels!
*This post contains affiliate links. We are compensated from these links, but that compensation does not effect our review.
