6 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In Maine
The entire state of Maine looks like a true-to-life illustration in a book of fairytales. Quaint cottages, calm blue bays with shimmering waves, and steepled churches overlooking rolling hills are everywhere. Not to mention acres and acres of magical spruce-fir forest, rocky, dramatic coasts, and charming historic lighthouses.
For those who want to rediscover America's natural beauty, the best place to start is in small Maine towns that seem to have crossed over from a storybook into the real world.
Ogunquit
The name Ogunquit has a soft, lilting sound when pronounced. Abenaki means ‘beautiful place by the sea’, and the town’s history is rooted in both Native American and European presence.
The ‘beautiful’ moniker is spot-on, especially when the wildflowers bloom along the beach and mist rolls over the water. The magnificent coastline complements Perkins Cove, where a wooden pedestrian footbridge awaits. There is also the draw of Marginal Way, which spans 1.25 miles. This cliff walk starts at The Sparhawk Oceanfront Resort on Shore Road. It meanders along the rocky shore and the cliffs to the cove, passing the Lobster Point Lighthouse.
Other storybook-like activities include visiting the Ogunquit Memorial Library, which resembles a castle. You can also take in a live performance at the popular Ogunquit Playhouse.
It is worth noting that Ogunquit has only around 1,500 permanent residents, but during the summer, tourist numbers can reach 50,000. Consider visiting this stunning town during the shoulder season to avoid the crowds.
Blue Hill
The friendly town of Blue Hill serves as a gateway to Mount Desert Narrows. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea and pretty coastal hills from here. Blue Hill Mountain looms nearby, and several hiking trails allow you to explore the town properly.
You can reach the gorgeous Deer Isle via the Blue Hill Peninsula. Blue Hill is one of several small towns within the peninsula. The outdoors beckon in Blue Hill, especially the Reversing Falls. This waterfall appears to flow backwards, creating an incredible spectacle.
The wilderness around Blue Hill Bay is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature, and the water is fantastic for kayaking.
There are fewer crowds during spring and fall, because winter tends to be freezing and harsh in this part of Maine. Before heading home from your Blue Hill trip, stop by the Acadia National Park, less than an hour from the town. Here, you can brave the Beehive Loop Trail (you should only hike this trail if you have lots of hiking experience).
If hiking at high elevations is not for you, you can drive the Park Loop Road and enjoy picturesque views of Sand Beach and Otter Cliff.
Jonesport
Jonesport is known for being a fishing hub, but it is so much more than that. For one, you can participate in swimming contests here, or explore the water via boat. If you want to go hiking, the nearby Great Wass Island is a huge attraction for those who want to get up close to greenery and wildlife. The trails take around five hours to complete, but they are not demanding, making them an excellent activity for the entire family.
If you love bird watching, visiting Frank E. Woodsworth Preserve should be on your list of things to do. Take your camera and binoculars and see great flocks of migratory birds soaring and dipping in Pleasant Bay's water.
Jonesport also features a part of the Maine Sculpture Trail. The ‘Connection’ sculpture stands in Lincoln Park, shaped out of Maine granite. After visiting the sculpture, you can visit Sandy River Beach during low tide to see the tide pools form in real time. A sandbar also connects the town to Bar Island during low tide.
Friendship
Friendship is another of the many beautiful fishing towns Maine is famous for. The community lives up to its name by being tight-knit and extremely friendly. Friendship lies on the Midcoast and was founded in 1807. It continued to thrive in fishing and boat-building well into the 21st century.
The Friendship Museum, located in a 1851 one-room schoolhouse, leans into the nautical theme with ship models and plans of the famed Friendship Sloop. Nature lovers can experience the water and wildlife at the Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge, off Muscongus Bay, six miles from Friendship.
Friendship is also home to a historic waterfront where you watch the lobster boats going in and out of the harbor, or stroll along the wharves. During the festive season, a buoy Christmas tree goes up in the harbor, with twinkling lights that shine through the night.
For nearby adventures, take the ferry to Monhegan Island, where there are no cars, only art, water, and nature. Or visit the Pemaquid Lighthouse in Bristol to take dramatic photos and selfies. Friendship lies on the eastern side of Muscongus Bay and Bristol on the western side, separated by less than 10 miles.
Kittery
Kittery offers serene beaches, including Seapoint Beach at the end of the Pepperell Cove Marina. At the water's edge, two historic forts can be explored.
A visit to Fort McClary State Historic Site is a must for families. There are gentle hiking trails along which you may spot various wildlife. The Piscataqua River shore is ideal for picnicking or relaxing while enjoying the stunning views.
For a more adrenaline-filled adventure, Take Flight Adventures offers zip line rides, aerial ropes courses, and fun team challenges. There are scavenger hunts for the kids at the Kittery Historical and Naval Museum, and excellent pies for lunch at the When Pigs Fly pizzeria.
Kittery is Maine’s southernmost town, full of retail outlets and restaurants. But the real Kittery magic lies in the views of the lobster boats in the harbor, the flowers along the roadsides, and the waves lapping the shore in a unique rhythm.
Brooksville
Brooksville looks like a postcard picture from just about any angle. Located in Hancock County, this tiny town lies along Penobscot Bay and is surrounded by the Blue Hill Peninsula.
Named for Governor John Brooks, the town covers 51 square miles, of which nearly 20 are water. Brooksville can almost be called an island, as it is only connected to the mainland by two narrow land bridges.
The Holbrook Island Sanctuary is a must-visit for those who want to experience the best of what Maine offers. This unspoiled state preserve offers evergreen forests to hike through, meadows to admire, and a rocky shoreline to explore. Eleven miles of old roads and trails are available for hiking and birdwatching. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for kayaking, swimming, and fishing.
A short hike to Lookout Rock will reward you with sweeping views of Penobscot Bay and the surrounding coastal landscape.
If you want to learn more about this fairy-tale town, the Brooksville Historical Society Museum houses several marine artifacts and genealogical records. And, for something quirky, the Topside Historic Estate amazes with its diamond-pane window and hand-hewn spruce logs right out of a mountain retreat.
Each of these towns is a chapter in the fairytale of Maine. This state is filled with poetic seaside charm, heart, and adventure. If you want to experience a place where time seems to run slower and nature envelops you as you look out over the ocean, these towns are where you need to be.
