Maine's winding coast is a wonderland of small villages, hidden coves and rocky beaches with views of offshore islands. This is a place where you can buy lobster fresh off a boat, take a ferry to car-free Monhegan Island or kayak miles of unspoiled coastline in Acadia National Park. One of the best ways to experience the coast is to drive along it, planning stops in small towns and viewpoints.
Maine has pleasant summers with daytime highs typically in the upper 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit. This also is the high season when you'll see the most crowds on the roads and at top attractions. Spring and fall are enjoyable, although you may need to bring a light jacket. Fall's colors draw crowds, too; late September and early October are common times to visit. Avoid winter, as temperatures can be frigid and snow -- even along the more temperate coast -- can accumulate to 50 to 70 inches over the season.
If you are flying in, Boston's Logan Airport is the major regional hub. From there, you can connect to smaller airports in Maine, including Augusta Airport, Bangor International Airport, Bar Harbor Airport and Portland International Jetport. You can reserve a car at the airport. If you are driving to Maine, select a starting city based on the activities you're interested in and the amount of time you have. The easiest way to start your trip may be to aim for Portland, a major town on the coast that is on Interstate 95. From here, I-95 heads inland and you may take smaller highways along the coast.
If you like the outdoors, aim for Acadia National Park, where you can summit Cadillac Mountain or rent kayaks to explore the rugged coastline and its abundance of tide pools. If you are a shopper, Kittery has more than 120 outlet shops, and Freeport is home to the original L.L. Bean store, which is open 24 hours a day. If small towns are more your speed, drive along Route 1 and hit Wiscasset, Newcastle and Damariscotta. From Port Clyde, take a ferry to the car-free colony of artists and fishers, Monhegan Island.
Book your lodging at stops along the way. If you are planning an outdoor trip, camp at places such as Paradise Park Resort near Old Orchard Beach, or Flanders Bay Campground, with its views of Cadillac Mountain. Scenic inns provide luxury in a quiet setting; Lubec Bay Cottage has a boardwalk for watching the sunrise and Bath's Kennebec Inn provides a jumping-off point for exploring the mid-coast.
