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COASTAL MAINE

.......Sitting at the northernmost point in New England, nestled between Canada and the Atlantic Ocean, is the varied state of Maine. Inland from the coast, it is a land of green forests, surprisingly high mountains, rivers, bogs, and few people. Along the Atlantic coast, it is a prime destination for visitors.

.......The Maine seacoast stretches for 228 miles (in a straight-line distance) from Kittery Point to Eastport. Yet including all the inlets, harbors, and coves, the actual coastline extends more than 5,000 miles – longer than the coastline of California.

Photo courtesy AcadiaMagic.com

.......Our favorite sections of the coast, with rugged shorelines, forests reaching down to the sea, and charming villages, are the "mid coast" and "downeast" sections. This region is the home to wonderful communities such as Castine, Boothbay Harbor, and Bar Harbor, as well as world-renowned Acadia National Park.

.......Experienced sailors love the Maine coast, often spending summers here in the north while wintering in the Caribbean or other southern ports. There are options for hiking, fishing, sightseeing, and kayaking all along the coast.

Some Coastal Maine Highlights
.......Castine is a small village boasting more than 100 historic sites, as well as the Maine Maritime Academy. Castine is one of the oldest towns in New England, established even before the Plymouth Colony.

.......Freeport is the home to the famous L.L. Bean store (open 24 hours a day), as well as innumerable other shops. Be aware that on summer weekends it may take you a half hour to drive the mile or two through town.

.......Bar Harbor is the most well-known destination on the Maine coast. It has plenty of good restaurants, seemingly all serving the famous Maine lobsters. It is also the best base for exploring Acadia National Park.

.......The highpoint of Acadia National Park is 1,532-foot Cadillac Mountain. Cadillac's summit is the first spot in the United States where sunrise can be seen. Acadia offers an auto loop, carriage roads closed to car traffic, and 125 miles of hiking trails.

Inland Maine
.......Much of inland Maine is easily accessible from the coast, including Mt. Katahdin, at 5,268 the highest point in Maine and with more elevation gain from base to summit than some of the famous "14ers" (14,000-foot-high) peaks in the American west.

.......Hiking, travel, and destination guidebooks to coastal Maine and surrounding areas should be available at local bookstores all along the coast. The lodging options in the region are extensive, including some of the best B&Bs we've ever encountered.

Photos above © Kenneth & Francesca Hulick

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