Maine Travel and Tourism Information

Planning vacations to Maine can be lots of fun! Your trip preparation can also be very rewarding, once you have done research on Maine travel and tourism and are confident that you can make informed decisions about...

...where to visit in Maine, things to do in Maine, and where to stay in Maine.

With such a large state to explore - after all, Vacationland covers 33,215 square miles, has 4,568 miles of coastline, and well over 4,000 islands...

...how else would you know where the best Maine vacation spots are...

...and when the best time of year to visit Maine is, without doing homework ahead of time.

After planning my own Maine vacations (and lots of others), I have learned that...

...methodical trip planning is best, and for trips to Maine, here is where I begin...

Where to Visit in Maine

For Maine trip planning purposes, and for deciding what places to visit in Maine...

...it's helpful to know the state is divided into 8 Maine travel and tourism regions...

Southern Maine (The Beaches) - with long expanses of white sand against a backdrop of quintessential New England seaside towns.

Greater Portland and Casco Bay - with Portland - Maine's largest city - as its centerpiece, set alongside a picturesque harbor.

Midcoast Maine - with a jagged coastline begging to be explored, and hundreds and hundreds of islands off its shores.

Downeast and Acadia - with the only National Park in Maine - Acadia National Park - and spectacular mountain to sea vistas.

Western Lakes and Mountains - with a wide range of year-round outdoor activities and recreation, including fabulous Maine skiing.

Kennebec and Moose River Valley - an outdoorsman's paradise with a significant Maine wildlife population, including the Maine State Animal - the gigantic moose.

Katahdin-Moosehead - with the stunning beauty of 46 mountain peaks, one of which is Mount Katahdin - the terminus to the Appalachian Hiking Trail.

Aroostook County - with the 92-mile Allagash Wilderness Waterway and millions of acres of forest land, is a prime recreation and hunting area.

Each of these Maine travel and tourism regions, although distinctly varied in geographical characteristics, provide unique and interesting opportunities for great Maine vacations - whether you travel to Maine solo, as a couple...

...on a Maine family vacation with kids, or are a senior travelling in Maine.

My recommendation for planning Maine travel and tourism...

Limit yourself to two regions per Maine trip - unless you have a week or longre, as there will be so many great things to stop and see along the way. Besides, what better excuse could there be for taking more Maine vacations!

You may also want to read about the Top 10 Things Not to do in Maine. #2 has suggestion on how not to overbook a Maine vacation itinerary.

Determining when the best time to visit Maine is will depend a lot on...

...if you are taking a Maine vacation with kids...

...what Maine tourist attractions are of interest to you...

...what Maine activities and events you want to be part of, and...

...what outdoor Maine recreational activities you most enjoy.

That is why, before your trip to Maine, it is good to know about...

Things to do in Maine

You will not be at a loss for things to do in Maine. Whether you plan a Maine coastal vacation, or a visit far from it in the Mountains and Lakes region...

...a unique schedule of activities and events takes place year-round.

Bluegrass concerts, country fairs, hometown parades, 4th of July fireworks, and
festivals celebrating Maine's favorite foods...

...blueberries, strawberries, Whoopie pies and of course, the world's most celebrated crustacean, the Maine lobster...

...are all an important part of Maine travel and tourism in the Summer.

Fall in Maine signals the beginning of the state's largest agricultural fairs and annual Octoberfests and Pumpkinfests in nearly every town, village and city.

And just because the weather in Maine turns cold at the onset of Winter...

...does not mean that the Maine travel and tourism calendar of events is empty, quite to the contrary.

Christmas in Maine is a busy time, with holiday events beginning early.

By late November some of the famous Maine lighthouses are donned in festive holiday decorations and tree lighting ceremonies brighten the night sky.

Then, as New Year's celebrations pass, snow balls, snow festivals and snow carnivals are perfect entertainment for Maine winter vacations.

As winter gives way to Spring...

...and the Maine travel and tourism industry revs up, once again, to welcome its thousands of summertime visitors.

However, tourists do not travel to Maine simply to enjoy the long list of events and activities. They are here for much more!

For the outdoor's lover, Maine travel and tourism offers easily accessible...

... whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, windjammer cruises, beach combing, golf, rock climbing, mountain climbing, canoeing, kayaking, whale watching tours, skiing, snowmobiling and MUCH more!

And for a laid-back vacation day (or a rainy day activity in Maine)...

...museums, art galleries, antique shops, clothing boutiques, award-winning restaurants and casual eateries, are as easy to find, as are...

...the best Maine tourist attractions and interesting places to visit in Maine.

Many tourist attractions in Maine only open seasonally, or have limited off-season hours. Be sure to check hours of operations ahead of time!

Where to Stay in Maine

With a huge selection of hotels in Maine, inns, bed and breakfasts and motels, you are sure to find the perfect Maine lodging accommodation.

Finding the best places to stay in Maine may be easier than you think...

Read reviews of Maine hotels, inns and B&B's, written by people who have traveled to Maine. I never go on a trip without using these reviews!

Romantic Maine inns, secluded motels, historic bed and breakfasts and world-class hotels, line the coast of Maine and can also be found as you travel inland.

Whether you are looking for cheap places to stay in Maine, a luxury resort, or something in between, it should be easy to find room rates that fit your budget.

Although oceanfront hotels in Maine, and other waterfront lodging are typically very expensive during the high season (mid-June to early September)...

...to encourage off-season Maine travel and tourism, many properties offer great Maine vacation packages, special discounts and promotions.

For other inexpensive Maine lodging accommodations...

...you may want to consider a Maine vacation rental house, condo, or cottage.

Not only does a vacation home rental provide more room than a motel or hotel room or suite...

...rentals also have a kitchen - a huge money saver if you are traveling with your family or a large group, and often have a second bathroom!

Check Maine vacation house rentals, condos and cottages...

...that put you in direct contact with the property owners of for rent by owner Maine properties (no middleman!).

There are thousands of Maine oceanfront vacations rentals to choose from, as well lake front cottages, mountainside homes, and rentals for nearly every type of vacation to Maine.

For warm weather vacations, Maine campgrounds can be another cheap lodging choice.

Scattered throughout the state, in Maine State Parks, Acadia National Park, and on private property, are dozens of wonderful places to park your RV or pitch a tent.

Regardless of where you stay in Maine...

...you are likely to find the hospitality of the Maine travel and tourism industry to be as welcoming as you have experienced anyplace else. After all, local business owners want you back again and again, for more great Maine vacations!

Do you have Maine travel and tourism questions? Please feel free to ask them and I will do my best to respond and help with Maine travel plans.