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Start planning your next adventure with some of the best day trips in Maine, curated by Mainers.


Statewide

Platter of raw oysters

The Maine Oyster Trail

Whether you want to shuck, taste, learn from the experts or just grab and go, there’s no better way to appreciate the fresh reward of Maine oysters.

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Red trees reflected in a lake

Land Trusts

Land trusts work with landowners to open private lands to the public to conserve land, protect wildlife, provide outdoor recreation opportunities.

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gallery with art glass in Maine

Great Little Art Galleries

Find creative treasures while browsing the many art galleries around the state featuring works by skilled artists and crafters.

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Aroostook County

Maine's northernmost county is draped in sprawling forests and dotted with mountain peaks. Considering it's bigger than Rhode Island and Connecticut combined, you'll run out of energy before you run out of hiking, mountain biking, ATV and cross-country ski trails.

Statue at Acacian Village

Acadian Village in Van Buren

Discover the daily customs and cultural heritage of the Acadians, descendants of the French who settled in Acadia in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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bridge on the Aroostook Trail

Travel the Aroostook Valley Trail

Abundant outdoor activities beckon along this 28 mile railbed converted to a gravel byway.

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spruce grouce on a snowy limb

Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge

The area, once overflown by Air Force bombers, now offers a wild and quiet place for wildlife watchers and birders.

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DownEast & Acadia

Downwind from shipping ports like New York and Boston. And to the east. That's how you get DownEast. Defined by booming ocean, craggy coastline, and inland beauty, the region's natural wonder continues far beyond Acadia National Park, so we'd recommend you do the same.

Tree covered shore at Cobscook Bay

Cobscook Shores

Nestled in the DownEast and Acadia region, Cobscook Shores is a series of preserves on the eco-rich shores of Cobscook Bay near the historic town of Lubec.

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Couple walking by the water on rocky shoreline

Deer Isle Tennis Preserve

For an uncrowded hike through undisturbed forest and shore-hugging trails, check out the Edgar M. Tennis Preserve on Deer Isle.

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quoddy head lighthouse

Revisit Quoddy Head

A candy-striped light house, four interconnected hiking trails along cliffs and bluffs and open ocean shores are all offered at Quoddy Head State Park.

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Greater Portland & Casco Bay

Art? Absolutely. Shows? Sure enough. Food? Really good food? Probably more than you can handle in one trip. So, plan two. Or three. Or however many it takes to get to know this culturally diverse corner of Maine.

Children's Museum sign and building

Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine

Every exhibit is designed to be explored by kids through dramatic role play, hands-on experiences, navigating immersive environments and taking safe risks.

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woman looking at painting

Portland Museum of Art

In the heart of Portland’s downtown arts district, The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) is worthy of a visit and a great reason for a visit to Portland.

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quaint inn in Freeport

Maine’s Portland Symphony Orchestra 100th Anniversary Celebration

A vibrant lineup of music, dance and celebratory community events are planned for the 2024-2025 season, with guest Yo-Yo Ma, Star Wars Screening and So Much More.

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The Kennebec Valley

The Kennebec Valley is a gift of the 170-mile Kennebec River that rolls, and sometimes rocks, from Moosehead Lake in the north to the Atlantic Ocean. Test your mettle on some rapids, cast a line, explore the Appalachian Trail, or just sit back and enjoy the waterfalls.

People rafting on the Kennebec River

Rafting the Kennebec River

The Kennebec river provides loads of thrills while still being approachable for folks with little or no experience in whitewater rafting.

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people in front of the Colby Museum of Art

Colby Museum of Art

Considered one of the best academic museums in the country, with a focus on American and contemporary art, you can spend an entire day enjoying the museum’s many permanent collections.

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Leaves

Viles Arboretum

With 224 acres and six miles of trails, several botanical collections and local art, Viles Arboretum is a year-round destination for exploration, reflection, education and just plain fun.

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Maine's Lakes & Mountains

Beginning just an hour from Portland and reaching to the Canadian border, Maine's Lakes & Mountains region is home to ten of the state's highest peaks, our largest ski resorts and plenty of opportunities to paddle, cast and cannonball.

fall foliage and lake with mountains in the background

36 Hours in Rangeley

Among the picture-perfect western Maine mountains and pristine waterways is the Rangeley Lakes Region, aptly named for the many lakes sparkling among the natural terrain.

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36 Hours in Lewiston/Auburn

Arts and culture are thriving in Lewiston and Auburn (L/A to locals), which are the heart of Maine’s rich Franco-American heritage.

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white barn at Pineland Farms

Pineland Farms

Pineland Farms in New Gloucester is a working farm and business campus that offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities and educational family fun.

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Maine's MidCoast & Islands

Scale a mountain, turn your head and see islands punctuating the sparkling sea. Maine's MidCoast & Islands region specializes in breathtaking vistas, which is probably why some of America's greatest painters called this place home.

boats on display

36 Hours in Bath

Historically one of Maine’s largest cities and a major supplier of America’s 19th-century sailing vessels, this charming town skirting the Kennebec River is known as the “City of Ships.”

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old airplane on display

Owls Head Transportation Museum

Owls Head Transportation Museum houses more than 150 antique automobiles, aircraft, motorcycles, bicycles, engines and more

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Family walking toward old stone fort

Maine's MidCoast Forts

Whether you are a history enthusiast or looking for a unique day trip on the coast, Maine’s historic MidCoast forts are worth exploring.

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The Maine Beaches

Maine might be known for its dramatic and rugged coastline, but just one hour north of Boston and a stone's throw from Portland you'll find wide sandy beaches. There's nothing like a sun-soaked beach day. And there's no place quite like a Maine beach.

red brick buildins in Biddeford

36 Hours in Biddeford & Saco

The neighboring communities of Biddeford and Saco are divided by the Saco River but are perfect for a day of exploration.

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couple walking on York beach

Ogunquit Museum of American Art

The Ogunquit Museum of American Art houses a mix of past and present collections featuring paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints and photographs dating back to the late 1800s.

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couples on benches overlooking the ocean

36 Hours in Ogunquit

Ogunquit offers expansive sandy beaches, dramatic rocky cliffs and a charming harborside town — in addition to world-class dining and resort experiences.

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The Maine Highlands

The highest peak. And the largest lake. Just two of the natural wonders you'll encounter in the Maine Highlands. And if you make your way to Baxter State Park, you'll probably be able to add a moose to that list.

paintings and sculpture in Zillman Art Museum

Zillman Art Museum

Discover Zillman Art Museum, known for its modern and contemporary art, having just reopened its doors in downtown Bangor.

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Mural on building in Bangor Maine

36 Hours in Bangor

Home to many of Maine’s unique attractions, from spots that inspired author Stephen King’s books to a thriving arts, dining and shopping scene.

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Plane crash site

Discover a B52 Crash Site

Visit the site of a plane crash that took the lives of seven people in January, 1963.

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