Maine

7 Delightful Towns to Visit in Maine

Published

2 years ago

May 9, 2024

Maine is a northeastern state in the US known for its numerous delights and splendors worth exploring. From the small town of Castine with its Maine Maritime Academy to Ogunquit with its Ogunquit Museum of American Art, the small communities throughout the state are full of natural and historical landmarks that may appeal to almost any traveler. For any tourist seeking a fun-filled itinerary in New England, these delightful towns in the Pine Tree State of Maine are worth the visit!

Castine

The marina in Castine, Maine. Image credit Kristi Blokhin via Shutterstock.com

Castine is a pretty waterfront town with 1,300 residents that is full of historical finds and maritime delights. The Maine Maritime Academy is a nationally famous academic stop with college-level training for mariners, engineers, scientists, and others of similar backgrounds. At Wilson Museum, one can expect gracious tours of 1920s geology and Neanderthal stone architecture that have been around for 460 million years! Castine Historical Society is just up the alley for any traveler wanting to enjoy even more local history, with special archives and artifacts from the past to satisfy history buffs.

Nature and outdoor enthusiasts may prefer Dyce Head Lighthouse, a famed 18th-century lit structure with a scenic view of the Penobscot River. Rene Henderson Natural Area has quiet and solitary 100-acre preserves designed to keep travelers at ease while exploring lush forestry and various wetlands full of wildlife. Literature lovers will find comfort at Compass Rose Books, a plaza bookstore with the coziest coffee rooms and the most community charm around town! For anyone seeking further community embrace, the Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine always has room to welcome newcomers.

Stonington

A peaceful town of 1,000 inhabitants located on Deer Isle’s southern point, Stonington is a truly delightful destination for travelers. The 98-acre Crockett Cove Woods of Deer Isle is a natural splendor for anyone seeking relaxing strolls and friendly hikers while moving through foggy forests full of red spruces. At Settlement Quarry Preserve, wind around a historical glacial trail that also leads to open water scenery full of lobster boats!

Art lovers may enjoy The Art of Evelyn Kok, an underrated gallery space where a friendly owner makes tourists feel right at home around vibrant watercolor paintings and collections. The Opera House Arts is a glorified locale for entertainment and theater fans who love experiencing fascinating 20th-century performances and local town culture. Marlinespike Chandlery offers unique cultural antiques and nautical rope trinkets that are well-known throughout town. As for hungry stomachs, the Fin and Fern serves refreshing cocktails and satisfying seafood pasta cuisines for anyone feeling coastal dining thrills!

Kennebunkport

A small coastal town with 3,600 residents, Kennebunkport is a splendid destination. The Seashore Trolley Museum, the world’s first and largest known electric railway landmark, has an abundance of trolley cars and buses to appeal to just about anyone who loves mass transit history! For a mixture of natural scenery and religious architecture, one can visit St. Ann’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, an oceanview stop for tourists wanting to explore stunning 1970s worship sites and chapel community charm.

Alisson’s Restaurant is a great locale for the finest New England-style seafood cuisine, alongside being a historic 1970s family diner that has some of the most welcoming and delightful locals! Lobster fans may even take a detour to Nunan’s Lobster Hut, where heartwarming food vendors love to chat up guests and serve the best lobster dishes around. Some tourists may find that Dock Square is a calming waterfront bridge area with the coolest photography spots and chocolate shops to satisfy casual shoppers.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a small town on Mount Desert Island with 5,000 locals who adore nature and history. Acadia National Park is a worthy spot to tour around with its awe-inspiring birding routes and sandbars, along with Shore Path scenery and oceanic viewpoints. Thunder Hole is another landmark to consider for rocky scenery and eastern shoreline views of the town; it even has awesome wave rushes and roaring waters at sudden moments!

Local history at La Rochelle Mansion and History Museum is ideal for anyone who wants to take in delightful 1900s seaside mansion architecture, beautiful flower gardens, and tribal gifts that are all reminiscent of the Gilded Age. Museum lovers can also pay a visit to the Abbe Museum for cultural Wabanaki heritage and Native American archaeological finds in the town. At Little Village Gifts, tourists can find humorous hospitality and amazing homemade gifts like jam and custom t-shirts! For downtown entertainment, the 1932 Criterion Theatre is home to extraordinary talents and orchestral live shows that are quite memorable.

Boothbay Harbor

Another harbor town, Boothbay Harbor is often recognized for its village scenery and sailing routes. Cabbage Island is a must-see for nature admiration and fun boat rides that provide an incredible view of the ocean! Boat tourists may also want to check out Burnt Island Lighthouse, where historic lighthouse sights and private island picnics come to life. Damariscove Island is appealing with its pleasant early settlement history and unspoiled tours of rustic trails used in the older days.

Ed Brown’s Wharfside Gallery is a noteworthy locale with watercolored artistry and fascinating exhibits to appeal to downtown tourists and fishers from all wakes of life. Maine State Aquarium offers both commercial and natural enjoyment for families and couples with its marine wildlife exposure and “touch tanks” to get up close with some sea creatures as well! For an unusual yet delightful shopping experience, one can visit Mung Bean for hand-carved Christmas figurines and earrings that are worth the return trip.

Ellsworth

A historic small town of 9,000 inhabitants, Ellsworth has many delightful points of interest for travelers. The Telephone Museum is an underappreciated landmark with lots of cool telephone memorabilia and technology for kids and adults of all ages! The Black House Museum at Woodlawn contains 180 acres of downtown estate architecture and public tours to showcase croquet and open fields once used by past generations of landowners.

More delights can be expected at Finn’s Irish Pub, a famous 1930s dining car that doubles as a historic Irish restaurant in town with both casual and fancy menu options! The Big Chicken Barn is a surprisingly historical stop with its nostalgic vintage furniture and bygone collectibles. One can find more nostalgia over at D’Amanda’s, a bowling alley housing some of the oldest machines for bowlers. Rooster Brother is a cooking store with all types of kitchen supplies and silverware to appeal to downtown shoppers who want to combine Victorian-era shopping with coffee-tasting.

Ogunquit

A southern coastal town with around 1,000 locals, Ogunquit is perfect for those who crave natural landmarks and seaside charm. Ogunquit Beach is a key stopping point with its wonderful hot sands and stunning seaside cliffs with shopping resorts nearby! Marginal Way is another outdoor option for travelers who want 1.5 miles of paved walking trails while enjoying tranquility and sunset photography. Tourists who like bridges may easily notice Perkins Cove Draw Bridge, a simple but memorable drawbridge where cozy parking stops and open caves are easy motivators to stick around.

At Ogunquit Museum of American Art, panoramic coastal collections of fine art and iconic animal structures are just some of the best things to discover while exploring this landmark. The Ogunquit Heritage Museum is another historical landmark with 18th-century rustic heritage owing to the Native Americans, as well as walking tours of a winding park that includes lovely wooded architecture and cultural fishing history. At The Greenery Cafe, homemade pastries and vibrant patio seating are enough delights to keep everyone happy in town!

These towns in Maine are all delightful and magnificent in their ways, making for a worthwhile trip. For any traveler needing a new itinerary in the northeast built around fun locales and interesting landmarks to check out, there is no shortage of things to see and do. The “Pine Tree State” is anyone’s best option for maritime enjoyment and an abundance of natural thrills or historical finds along the coastline!

Source link

Maine

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

18 jaw-dropping views from Katahdin to help you plan for warmer weather

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in September 2022.

When it comes to Maine hiking, summiting Katahdin is the ultimate achievement.

Maine’s tallest mountain stands at 5,269 feet, and there are a number of different trails hikers can take to get up and down Katahdin. And while some are harder than others, none are easy.

But the views are incredible.

Whether it’s the rugged terrain of the Knife Edge or the vast landscape of the 200,000 acres that compose Baxter State Park below, here’s a look at what it’s like to climb Katahdin.

Hunt Trail

Hunt Trail traces the edge of a ridge on the west side of Katahdin known as Hunt Spur. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Katahdin Stream Falls is one of the many scenic highlights of Katahdin’s Hunt Trail. It’s located about a mile from the trailhead at Katahdin Stream Campground. Credit: Aislinn Sarnacki / BDN

Abol Trail

Chimney Pond Trail

Cathedral Trail

Saddle Trail

Northwest Basin Trail

Knife Edge

Hikers on the Knife Edge of Katahdin have few options for getting off trail to relieve themselves of human waste. Above treeline, Leave No Trace principles recommend planning ahead to avoid the necessity of going to the bathroom in fragile alpine areas, or getting off trail as far as possible to relieve themselves on rock or gravel. Credit: Courtesy of Brad Viles

Tablelands

South Peak

Hamlin Peak

Source link

Maine

Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Published

18 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Maine Township Residents OK Purchase Of Building For Food Pantry – Journal & Topics Media Group

Maine Township residents vote in support of purchasing building for the relocation of the township food pantry.

A proposal for Maine Township to purchase a building at 9850 Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview to move its popular and growing food pantry received strong approval at the township’s Annual Meeting held last week at the Town Hall on Ballard Road.
More than 100 residents attended the meeting where they approved buying the property for $1,429,000. The 3,000 sq. ft. building, which is located within the township, had been the home of a local restaurant. It is currently vacant.
In March, Supervisor Kim Jones explained that the food pantry needs more space for food and to accommodate clients who need food. “We’ve totally outgrown it,” said Jones at the time. “We’ve been looking for more than a year.”
Following last week’s meeting, Jones said about the vote, “That magical moment really encapsulated the strong support system that’s been built from neighbors helping neighbors throughout our community. The food pantry has grown in leaps and bounds throughout the last five years thanks to the dedicated work of its staff, volunteers and the public.”
Des Plaines City Clerk Dominik Bronakowski served as ceremonial moderator for the event.
Jones also recognized a number of employees and officials who currently serve the township. They included Assessor Susan Moylan-Krey and MaineStay Youth and Family Services Director Richard Lyon for their 20 years of service to Maine. Assistant Director of MaineStreamers, Therese Tully was recognized for her 25 years of service.
The meeting also recognized former Des Plaines Self-Help Closet and Pantry Director Debbie Walusiak who was presented the Sgt. Karen Lader Good Citizen Award for her more than 20 years of service to the Des Plaines community.
“Debbie is an exceptional community leader and volunteer,” said township Clerk Pete Gialamas whose office runs the annual award program. “Her work with the Des Plaines community, particularly her leadership navigating the Self-Help Closet and Pantry’s 2020 move to a larger location in the midst of the COVID pandemic really shows the depth and resolve of that leadership and dedication to service.”
In 2011, the clerk’s office instituted the award in honor of Lader, a resident of Des Plaines and a 15-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police who lost her battle with cancer in 2010. She was deeply involved with the township’s Neighborhood Watch program and active in Maine’s National Night Out Against Crime event held each August. She also worked on Special Olympics and animal rescue.

If you like this story, you can get a whole lot more practically every day of the week by subscribing to journal-topics.com. Click here to choose your preference of either print or online, or call 847-299-5511.

Source link

Maine

Spring birding events are happening across Maine. Here’s where to go.

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Spring birding events are happening across Maine. Here’s where to go.

Now the fun begins, as many birds and quite a few birders return to Maine for the summer. It’s time to get organized.

Birding is generally a quiet, solitary pastime — a stroll in the park, a walk in the woods, a paddle in the marsh.

Penobscot Valley Audubon’s Neighborhood Bird Walks kick off May 6. There are 13 walks scheduled at birding hot spots in Greater Bangor throughout the month. These walks have been immensely popular since they began nine years ago.

The benefits are many. It’s a chance to walk with experienced local guides, finding birds you might otherwise overlook. You can start to associate specific species with their preferred habitats. It’s a great opportunity to learn and practice identification skills and gather tips from others. Many participants enjoy the social camaraderie of guided bird walks.

A Baltimore oriole perches in Maine. Spring birding events take advantage of the surge in returning species. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Duchesne

I will lead two of these morning walks and probably tag along on several others. I chuckle at how easy it is to find birds in May. I’ve done these same walks so many times over the years, I usually know where different species will be before I even arrive. It’s almost like cheating.

Penobscot Valley Audubon members have already received the walk schedule in the most recent newsletter. Nonmembers can find the schedule on the chapter website at pvc.maineudubon.org. The walks are free and open to all.

Morning bird walks are fun. But for a full weekend adventure, try a birding festival. There are four great festivals to choose from.

The Wings, Waves & Woods Festival occupies the third weekend of May. Most events occur in Stonington and Deer Isle. Highlights include a Sunday visit to the Atlantic puffin colony on Seal Island, preceded by a Saturday cruise around the islands outside Stonington Harbor. I’ll be one of the guides on both.

I must say I am particularly excited about the archipelago cruise. Last year was the first year we did it, and I was not prepared for how many winter seabirds were still loitering around the islands. The numbers and variety were astounding. This festival is ideal for seeing the overlap of Maine’s overwintering birds and newly arrived spring migrants, all on the same weekend.

A rose-breasted grosbeak perches in Maine. Migratory songbirds return in May, drawing birders to walks and festivals. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Duchesne

The Downeast Spring Birding Festival spans Memorial Day weekend. I’m awed, or maybe odd, to say I’ve been guiding for this festival ever since it began in 2003. Indeed, I led the very first walk of the first festival. That was amazing enough to convince me to keep doing it for the next 23 years.

Cobscook Institute coordinates the festival from its campus in Trescott. Events cover birding hotspots in Washington County, Campobello Island in New Brunswick and nearby offshore islands. Two different boats will visit two different puffin colonies over the weekend.

I might get an argument from the organizers of other festivals, but I personally think this one is the birdiest for two reasons. Memorial Day weekend is about the time the last returning migrants pass through Washington County, adding to the number of songbirds that have already established breeding territories for the summer. The Cobscook Bay area also has some of the most diverse habitat in the state, creating opportunities to see a wide variety of species in a relatively compact area.

The Acadia Birding Festival is the granddaddy of them all. Now in its 27th year, it’s the biggest of Maine’s festivals and attracts nationally recognized guides and speakers. It offers the advantage of birding in and around Acadia National Park.

The official dates for the festival are May 28-31, but three pre-festival trips are offered: one to Monhegan Island, one to Saddleback Mountain near Rangeley seeking the elusive Bicknell’s thrush and one to visit the puffins on Petit Manan, with a second post-festival trip to Petit Manan also available.

And now for something completely different: The Rangeley Birding Festival. The mountainous forests of western Maine host a different selection of bird species compared to the three coastal festivals. This is the realm of Canada jays, boreal chickadees, black-backed woodpeckers and that elusive Bicknell’s thrush.

By June 5-7, when this festival occurs, spring migration is over. Birds have settled into their nesting territories, where they can be predictably found. Very few organized events introduce birders to the boreal forest, so this festival has its own unique appeal.

Source link