Exploring maine's coastline: tranquil Towns, terrific trails, and fresh Caught Flavor

Maine sits way up in the northeastern corner of the country, right along the Atlantic. It’s the furthest northeast you can go on the East Coast, and honestly, it feels like it. The air’s crisp, the views are wide, and there’s a calmness to it that makes you want to stay awhile. It’s not crowded—just steady, scenic, and easy to be in.

If you’re sticking to the coast, there’s a lot to see and do just by making your way from one town to the next. Places like Bar Harbor, Camden, Rockport, and Kennebunkport are all different, but they’ve got the same kind of calm, coastal energy. You can walk the waterfront, browse through local shops, grab an ice cream or coffee, and just take it all in. All in all, most of these towns are built for wandering.

One of the biggest highlights here, is Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the state, with hiking trails, bike paths, and scenic drives like the Park Loop Road that give you incredible views of the coast and of the mountains. You can hike up Cadillac Mountain (or drive, if you’d rather), and catch the sunrise, or find a quieter trail and spend a few hours tucked into the trees. There are rocky beaches, sandy beaches, tide pools, and plenty of spots where you can just sit and listen to the waves.

If you like being on the water, there are boat tours that leave from just about every town—some for sightseeing, some for whale watching and puffin spotting, and others that focus on lighthouses or lobstering. You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore on your own, especially in the calmer harbors.

When it comes to food, Maine keeps things pretty simple in the best way. You’ll find lobster rolls, clam chowder, fresh oysters, and a lot of no-frills seafood shacks where you order at a window and eat outside. But there are also a growing number of farm-to-table restaurants, small bakeries, breweries, and coffee shops that hold their own. The blueberry pie is definitely worth trying, especially if you’re here during the summer months during peak blueberry season.

Shopping tends to lean local—think small galleries, handmade goods, cozy bookstores, and shops selling everything from pottery and jewelry to wool blankets and nautical home decor.

Maine also has its share of art, history, and quiet culture. Many coastal towns, like here in Bar Harbor, have local art galleries or historic homes you can tour. And if you’re here in the summer or early fall, you’ll probably run into a craft fair or community event worth checking out.

Bar Harbor is the kind of place where doing less actually feels like more. Whether you’re hiking, eating, shopping, or just sitting by the water, there’s a calmness to it all that’s hard to find elsewhere. 

If you booked a trip to Maine on your next getaway, what’s the first thing you would do when you arrive? If you have any questions about traveling to Maine, I’d love to answer them and help you get there when the time feels right.