8 Storybook Towns In Maine
As a travel destination, most people associate Maine with summers on white beaches, “leaf peepers” in fall, or antiquarians on the hunt for their next grand find. However, this New England state has a magical side. Maine stirs the imagination by constructing fairy houses, enchanting buildings, magical gardens, and giant trolls. Here are eight storybook towns in Maine filled with the delightful tales of fairies, princesses, and enchantment.
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport is best known as the home to the Bush family’s much-photographed Walker Point Estate. Its idyllic coastal location at the mouth of the Kennebunk River might not be fairytale material, but the colorful clapboard buildings set against the majestic sea conjure up romantic ideas of whimsical childhood summers along the Atlantic shoreline.
St. Ann's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church is a lovely chapel made of sea-washed stones. The 1887 gothic inspired façade, quaint red doors, and whimsical curve of the tower roof feel like a magical cottage welcoming visitors to discover the peaceful sanctuary within. The windows' imposing stone frames and sills allow gently filtered light to stream through the stained glass. The church is surrounded by well-maintained gardens with lovely views of the sea.
Dock Square’s 18th-century buildings and impressive homes of sea captains and wealthy merchants capture the imagination with stories of perilous adventures at sea. Stories of later generations come to life at White Columns on Main Street, a lovely 1853 Greek revival home wealthy merchant Eliphalet Perkins gave to his son as a wedding gift.
Kennebunkport Inn is an 1899 home with impressive architecture and many interior upgrades that elevate the feel and romantic ambience of the inn. The Inn features the innovative Botanical Bar, a tavern-chic gastropub, The Burleigh, and beautifully appointed suites.
Stonington
Stonington is located on the southern end of Deer Isle. It is considered the gateway to the Merchant’s Row archipelago in a rather cloistered area that feels like stepping into an enchanted garden. The smell of sea air and pine wafting on the breeze seems undisturbed by the town’s daily activities.
To breathe in more of that fresh air, take the trails at Settlement Quarry. The trails lead to different scenic areas, whether trekking through the woods, visiting the quarry’s historic structures, or finding the splendid views of Webb Cove, Merchant Row, Isle Au Haut, and the Camden Hills.
The scenic Main Street straddles the shoreline where boats roll in with fresh lobster. Although it seems a bit of a cop-out to simply suggest strolling aimlessly along the town streets, this is the best way to discover inspiring views and charming homes and gardens as the peace and quiet of the town take you back in time.
At the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society, restored heritage buildings include the 1830s Sellers House, offering a glimpse at village life in the 1800s. The original owner was a Real Daughter of the American Revolution who reportedly died at the ripe old age of 108. The site highlight is the Exhibit Barn, featuring an operational 1882 printing press, Native American artifacts, and a fisheries exhibit.
Northeast Harbor
Northeast Harbor is another island haven situated on the southern coast of Mount Desert Island. Whether you envision princesses in need of rescue, the perils of dark forests, or frogs turned into princes by babbling brooks, Northeast Harbor’s fairytale gardens are enchanting.
Your arrival at Thuya Garden is as inspiring as the gardens themselves. The Asticou Terraces ascend the hillside with mossy, granite steps leading to the beautifully carved wooden gates and tranquil gardens above. This unique walk through the woods captivates visitors who are uncertain what to expect at the trail’s end, just like reading a classic tale by the Brothers Grimm. The garden features woodland paths, shaded pavilions, water features, and border gardens planted with lines of perennials and annuals.
The Japanese-inspired designs at Asticou Azalea Garden enhance the natural beauty of the island’s landscaping with shaded forests, brilliant flower beds, and carefully placed rocks scattered across stretches of manicured lawns. The garden reveals its secrets throughout the year. Cherry trees ring in the arrival of spring, soft and pretty with pink blossoms, while the azaleas and rhododendrons create a tapestry of color in May and June.
Much of Mount Desert Island’s expansive landscape is reserved for Acadia National Park. Just north of Asticou Azalea Garden is peaceful Upper Hadlock Pond. The tranquil pond welcomes hikers to explore the beautiful park along the southern and eastern shoreline of the island. Follow the trail all the way to Bald Peak to take in the captivating views.
Ogunquit
Ogunquit sits where the Ogunquit River flows into the sea. The hidden paths through peaceful forests feel like they shelter fairies in their branches, although we all know this cannot possibly be true. That enchanted feeling carries over to the historic streets of the seaside town and the charming heritage sites that tell their story.
The storybook façade of the Winn House is a classic 18th-century "Cape" nestled in the charming parkland of Dorothea Jacob Grant Common. It reflects the life of seafaring captains in the 1780s. Today, the Ogunquit Heritage Museum displays the original period features, exhibits, and artifacts from the town’s fishing and lobstering heritage.
Look for the museum's Ogunquit Dory replica in Perkins Cove or leaning on the front lawn. The seaworthy dory's unique design accommodated the particularly rocky coast and strong tides of Ogunquit.
Since the late 1800s, Ogunquit’s art colony has offered a home for artists to produce their works. Barn Gallery hosts exhibits of local artists of various mediums, where the gallery walls constantly evolve with new works. The Ogunquit Museum of American Art was founded by Lost Generation artist Henry Strater, where a permanent collection of important paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs offers a compelling look at the evolution of American Art from the late 1800s to the present. From landscapes to social gatherings and portraits to Shakespeare-inspired etchings, the museum’s collection tells America's story in moving ways.
Wiscasset
Wiscasset is often called the prettiest town in Maine, with a natural bend in the river concealing its presence. The charming Castle Tucker sitting high above the village is filled with wistful romance, where a princess might await the arrival of her prince.
Built in 1807 by the wealthy Silas Lee, the structure, while not an actual castle, still manages to create an imposing sight with its large central section and two rounded bays. The mansion's breathtaking views from the two-story piazza outshine the rest of the home's lavish features. In 1858, the Tucker family restored and furnished the home to reflect the Victorian style.
The Federal-style Nickels-Sortwell House is a modest, yet equally impressive home built by shipping magnate William Nickels in 1807. He lost his fortune when Thomas Jefferson’s Embargo crushed the local economy. After serving as a tavern for many years, it was purchased in 1899 by Alvin Sortwell, who restored the house to reflect the Colonial Revival style.
Fort Edgecomb State Historic Site on Davis Island in the Sheepscot River was built in 1809 in response to hostilities with England. The Blockhouse's charming clapboard façade, whimsical rotund shape, and cupola make it difficult to imagine its original purpose. The musket ports now afford lovely views of the river.
The Cushman Preserve is part of the Back River Trail at Eaton Farm. You can follow the trail to Birch Point and the Wiscasset waterfront and explore the lovely pasture located on the 147-acre property.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor sits on a peninsula in southern Maine flanked by the Sheepscot and Damariscotta rivers. The town’s Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are proof some storybook creatures do exist.
Guardians of the Seeds by Thomas Dambo is a collection of mammoth recycled-wood troll sculptures living in the woods. When wandering the wooded grounds, each troll shares their wisdom about the importance of conservation. The famed Danish artist’s trolls are always hidden in plain sight, ready to be found by hikers armed with the correct answer to a series of riddles.
A collection of sculptures appears throughout the gardens, including fountains, forest and mystical creatures, and abstract works. Continue your journey at Slater Forest Pond surrounded by native shrubs and trees. Large steppingstones invite visitors to cross the pond and spot frogs, minnows, and dragonfly nymphs among the fragrant water lilies.
To experience the charm of the town, the Museum in the Streets walking tour ensures you visit the most endearing and historically significant sites.
York
York sits on the Gulf of Maine at the mouth of the York River. In a carefully preserved village where even the Old Gaol looks like it was plucked out of a storybook, the Old York Historical Society is a delight.
The Old Gaol’s charming red clapboard façade makes it impossible to imagine it was colonial Maine’s first prison that sits upon the hill. Constructed in 1656 it served as the jail for the Province of Maine and then York County until 1860.
The Emerson-Wilcox House has not been as consistent in its purpose, with its functions ranging from general store to tavern and tailor shop to post office. With a history spanning 250 years, its final service as a home makes the perfect backdrop for a museum featuring ten period rooms fashioned to reflect popular styles between 1750 and 1850.
Donnell-Hancock Warehouse has a charming position along the York River and is the last remaining Colonial period commercial building on the river’s banks. Built in the 1740s by a ferry owner and chair maker, the warehouse provided storage for goods being shipped to the West Indies and around the world.
The Perkins House Museum is perhaps the most charming of the buildings. The gabled red house with its rambling design makes a sweet picture nestled beside Sewall’s Bridge. The summer home reflects the Colonial New England style and displays the original interiors and possessions of the former owners.
Falmouth
Falmouth is located at the mouth of the Presumpscot River, minutes north of Portland. It is the gateway to Mackworth Island via a convenient causeway that takes you to a magical state park overlooking Casco Bay. What makes the state park magical? It is also home to Maine’s fairy houses. The rocky shores of the island make an unlikely home for fairies. However, tucked behind the rugged beaches are peaceful forests and paths lined with lush ferns and graceful Queen Anne’s lace. In these sheltered woods lies Fairy Village.
Hidden along the trails and through the forest are imaginative fairy houses designed by park visitors using the ample supplies found in the woods and along the beaches, including shells, twigs, and stones. The playful works range from twig and pinecone huts to intricate homes complete with landscaped rocks and paths leading to cozy shelters dug under exposed tree roots.
The wonderful thing about the park is that it feels miles away yet offers views of Portland just a short drive from Falmouth. While taking a leisurely hike along the loop trail, the views of the bay, circling seabirds overhead, and the green majesty of the forest reconnect you with nature and set your mind at ease.
Gilsland Farm is a 65-acre sanctuary and nature preserve with 2.5 miles of trails that take you through diverse landscapes from meadows and orchards to woods and riverbanks. However, the farm's lovely peony garden is unexpected. Row upon row of varied-colored peonies bloom in June, filling the air with their heavenly perfume.
The storybook villages of Maine are alive with enchanting buildings, imaginative fairy villages, and otherworldly woodland creatures. Although these towns are summer destinations, a visit in cooler weather is especially magical. In the fall, the forests are brilliant with fall colors, and village porches are adorned with pumpkins, cobwebs, and Halloween witches. In the winter, the pine trees and rooftops are heavy with a silent white blanket of snow. Regardless of the season, these eight storybook towns in Maine evoke images of fairy tales and fantastical worlds.
