The Best Maine Road Trip Stops
This is the ultimate list of the best Maine road trip stops!
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With its rocky coast, lobster-loving cuisine, and picture-perfect lighthouses, Maine has long been a go-to destination for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. There’s something for everyone – a thriving craft beer scene in Portland, endless hiking trails for adventurers, cozy bed and breakfasts for romantic getaways, and world-renowned restaurants for foodies.
To see the best of Maine, a road trip is the only way to go. After our East Coast road trip we rounded up our favorite sights for this ultimate list of the best Maine road trip stops. These are all the best places to go and things to do in Maine.
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Looking for more unforgettable road trip ideas? Check out California Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Overnight Maine Road Trip Stops
Technically, you can drive the length of Maine in a day. But why rush it? Trust me, you’ll want to take your time along the way. These are the best place to stop and stay overnight during your road trip through Maine.
Portland, Maine
On the southern coast of Maine you’ll find Portland. An old working fishing harbor with a trendy city. If you love great food, coffee shops, and craft beer (who doesn’t?!), you’ll want to plan at least 1-3 days here to see it all.
- Where to stay: The ‘Old Port’ area of Portland will keep you within walking distance to the best restaurants, bars, craft coffee and beer, and the harbor. For the best proximity, pricing, and comfortable rooms I recommend both the Hyatt Place Portland – Old Port and The Press Hotel.
- Where to eat: The Porthole Restaurant & Pub – we passed through Portland twice on our road trip and while there are tons of incredible places to eat in the Old Port area, we HAD to come back to the Porthole for their lobster and ‘Porthole Margaritas’ (they’re made with blueberries!). Sit on the deck for those classic Maine harbor views.
Camden, Maine
Tucked right into the central coast of Maine, Camden is an adorable small town. Its location makes it the best mid-coast Maine road trip stop with a nice escape from the bigger cities. Camden, Maine is extremely walkable with lots of fantastic restaurants and known for its Bed & Breakfasts. Plan at least a night here to fully appreciate the joy of this little wonder.
- Where to Stay: The Inn at Camden Place for a central location that puts you right in the main area of Camden within walking distance of the best restaurants.
- Where to Eat: Peter Ott’s on the Water has great food and harbor views. If you love an old-timey candy shop (or just sweets in general) check out Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Toward the northern side of Maine, Bar Harbor is the closest city to stay near Acadia National Park. It’s an absolute gem for walkability, restaurants, and cute shops to browse. This is our favorite spot in all of Maine – so make sure you plan at least 3 days here if you can!
- Where to Stay: Acadia Hotel – Downtown has clean, stylish, and comfortable rooms and arguably the best location in the city with restaurants, shops, and bars within a few steps.
- Where to Eat: Book a reservation at Salt & Steel for an elevated night out with locally sourced dishes. Check out Leary’s Landing Irish Pub for a laid-back vibe and the chance to drink a Guinness at the Irish pub closest to Ireland in all the U.S.
Know before you go: How to Travel During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Landmarks and Experiences You Can’t Miss During your Maine Road Trip
Portland Head Light House
Maine is known for its lighthouses – some people travel to Maine exclusively to see them all – and Portland Head Lighthouse is IMHO the most picturesque of them all. It’s only a short drive from the Old Port area of Portland, so Portland Head Lighthouse is an easy to access stop for your Maine road trip.
> Link to navigate to Portland Head Lighthouse
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the most popular U.S. National Parks for good reason! There are endless hiking trails for all levels and sights to make you speechless. If you only have time for one quick trail, my favorite is Ocean Path Trail which starts at Sand Beach and hugs the coast past Thunder Hole all the way to Otter Point. It’s a pretty easy trail for all levels and gets you close to many beautiful viewpoints. > Link to navigate to Ocean Path trailhead
If you have a little more time and can do a moderate trail, I also recommend Cadillac North Ridge Trail to see more of Acadia National Park. > Link to navigate to Cadillac North Ridge trailhead
Unforgettable Experience: wake up early and head to Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park for sunrise. Why? From this spot, you’ll be able to see the first sun of the day in the entire continental U.S. (October – March). There are roads to the top so don’t worry, you don’t have to hike through the night!
Cruise the Maine Coast
Maine has a rich seafaring history so one of your Maine road trip stops should surely be for a cruise off the coast. There are countless boat operators in cities along the coast with all kinds of package options. The two hottest boat trips are sunset cruise (a Maine sunset is best appreciated from the sea!) or whale watching.
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There is so much to see and do in Maine! This guide will ensure you’ve got the best places to stay, things to do, and sights to see on your Maine road trip!
