Southern Maine has white sand beaches that continue for miles along the coast. A good base of operations for a southern Maine vacation is Old Orchard Beach. The town has a large number of accommodations, some right on the beach, and the beach can hold a vast number of visitors without feeling crowded. Old Orchard Beach is also home to Palace Playland, an amusement park right on the beach that kids are sure to appreciate, with rides, games, shops, food and weekly fireworks during peak season. As a backup plan for the potential rainy day, Maine's largest city, Portland, is only 12 miles from Old Orchard Beach and offers indoor entertainment in the form of museums, theaters, shops and galleries.
The MidCoast of Maine is a string of seaside villages, many that are still working fishing towns. Unlike southern Maine, there are few beaches in this part of the coast, which tends to be more rocky and rugged. Waterside is the best vantage point for experiencing MidCoast Maine, either from a whale watching boat, by riding along on a lobster boat, sailing on a schooner or just taking in the activity in a busy harbor. The neighboring MidCoast towns of Camden, Rockport and Rockland provide visitors with access to all on-the-water activities, along with a variety of accommodations, shopping venues, restaurants and museums. For lighthouse lovers, these three towns alone have seven lighthouses to visit, each with a distinct look and history.
Bar Harbor is a small town along the northeastern coast of Maine that becomes a bustling tourist town in the summer months, complete with large cruise ships arriving regularly. Based in Bar Harbor, you can take advantage of a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, sea kayaking, whale watching and scenic plane rides. Or, if you're so inclined, you can spend the day (or several days) exploring the local shops and galleries. There are many options for accommodations from rental cottages and campgrounds to luxury resorts. Adjacent to Bar Harbor is Acadia National Park, the most visited national park in the country. It has hiking trails suitable for all fitness levels, lakes for canoeing, kayaking and sailing, and a few small beaches for swimming and sunning. Visitors to Acadia who want to stay right in the park can choose from two primary campgrounds.
