9 Maine Towns That Locals Love
Amongst the New England states, Maine is one of the least populated, while Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are the most densely populated. Covering as much area as the other five combined, Maine touches one US state, two Canadian provinces, and the vast Atlantic, ushering drama and romance along its famously rugged, foggy coastline. Imagine the freeing views and adventures to discover on your terms.
What Maine lacks in demographics, it compensates for in local pride, with charming towns hidden along the coast and through the heartland. Have you ever met a local who wasn't proud to be a Mainer? Locally beloved, each town is a fresh destination, with enriching experiences and a touch of magic, like Bangor, where many real-life locations inspired settings in Stephen King's novels and films, including the fictional town of Derry.
Bangor
First the "Lumber Capital of the World," then the wealthiest per capita "Queen Cities of the East," this no-frills city exudes a sense of pride and place, where history and nature intertwine, and a number of colorful locals chose to tie their livelihood to these scenic Penobscot River banks. It's hard to imagine that “Ban-GORE” would ever be the same, having welcomed Stephen King in 1980, who stated openly, “For the purposes of my fiction, I would have to do whatever I have to do to Bangor.”
As a resident for many years, King worked as a teacher, and his gothic-style home, a converted private writer's studio, flaunts a unique iron gate and sculptures on West Broadway. It is a must-see within the historic downtown, browsing between King's beloved Bangor Public Library and the cool Zillman Art Museum in a former department store. Take a breather just north along Orono Bog Boardwalk through a diverse wildlife habitat, with beaver wetlands and offshoot dog-friendly trails.
Belfast
As the Down East Magazine readers' choice for 2022's “Best Places to Live in Maine,” Belfast is an alluring destination with scenic views and shipbuilding history sprinkled generously from the walkable historic downtown to the working waterfront. Soak up the sparkling bay views from Waterfront Heritage Park, inviting all-season recreation along a green lawn with picnic tables and seasonal concerts. No wonder the proud locals feel fortunate to call this lively town home.
Incorporated in 1773 at the Passagassawakeag River mouth on Penobscot Bay, this mid-coast seaport seems to have it all, including distinctive architecture, a dynamic arts scene, annual events, and unique shopping opportunities. Stretch your legs from the town beach north along the Rail Trail for a fantastic overlook of the Belfast Armistice Bridge. Tucked nearby on High Street, Waterfall Arts is an eyeful of an arts center occupying a historic elementary school with open studios.
Cape Elizabeth
Home of the iconic 1791 Portland Head Light, local pride is off the charts, and biking is a popular activity, with rentals in town and paved coastal trails within two parks for pedaling in the sea breeze. The operative navigation aid and museum tip the rocky oceanfront within Fort Williams Park, a free park with a ruggedly scenic shoreline, retired military bunkers, and the ruins of the iconic Goddard Mansion. With missing windows and doors, you can see right inside the huge mansion.
Just south, Two Lights State Park sprawls 41 oceanfront acres with coastal walks between twin lighthouses overlooking a rocky coast. The on-site Lobster Shack serves fried seafood, iconic lobster rolls, and strawberry rhubarb pie, perched high above the rocks with a red picnic table on a rocky ledge, complemented by ocean and lighthouse views. Just five miles south of Portland, Cape Elizabeth is a favorite local escape from the city and a must-stop for tourists chasing lighthouses.
Castine
Tipping the Blue Hill Peninsula on Penobscot Bay, this remote town only feels forgotten in time, occupied continuously since the 1600s. Castine offers a historic edge and a real sense of reprieve with 360-degree water views, natural beaches, and some of the best lobster rolls along coastal Maine. The hospitable town lures summertime tourists with a local farmer's market at the historic town square and exciting events, including July's Plein Air Festival and the Bastille Day Celebration.
Boasting British fort ruins, discover one of the state's earliest European settlements, from the beautiful stone church to the historical society across from the historic Wilson Museum, with artifacts and a gift shop. You can stretch your legs through the coastal woods, hop aboard a sightseeing cruise, or join a kayaking adventure. Dyce Head Lighthouse is a sturdy white beacon of affection, stark against the ocean in a peaceful corner to soak it in on a stroll and take sunset pictures.
Damariscotta
Rooted deep in shipbuilding and shipping, Damariscotta has commanding coastal river charm, with a working waterfront, grand mansions, and historic businesses across the bridge from its “twin village,” Newcastle. Now central to Maine’s modern oyster fishery, the annual Pemaquid Oyster Festival features food, displays, music, and an oyster-shucking competition. Take an oyster farm tour by boat, kayak, or one of Damariscotta River Cruises, including seal watching and wine cruises.
You can find the historic "trash pile" after a millennia-long "oyster party rager" along a trail loop up the river, then see what is up at the circa-1875 Lincoln Theater, playing classic and indie movies, special series, and other events within the lively downtown. From Damariscotta's public library, shops, and galleries, cross the scenic bridge to the delightful Shuck Station Raw Bar, packed for a good reason, serving raw oysters from different areas, fish and chips, and an extensive drink list.
Gardiner
Augusta's southern suburb bursts with local pride along the Kennebec River. Founded in the mid-18th century by Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, a prominent surgeon from Boston, this heartland town is often overlooked for its seacoast counterparts. Gardiner is a favorite escape with a lively downtown historic district and the Waterfront Park, the site of the Summer Waterfront Concert Series. Drop by for holiday shopping during the Gardiner Parade of Lights downtown every December.
You can enjoy front-row seats along the river landing, with benches for sunrise views, take the river walk, and chat with the friendly locals at the French-style Bintliff’s Corner Brew, facing the river. The stylish Johnson Hall Opera House delivers a full range of concerts, plays, movies, and comedy acts. In addition, Alan Claude Gallery is a beautiful studio with nautically themed artwork, a must-stop for souvenirs, gifts, and home decorations, including its best-seller, calendars.
Rockland
In Rockland, Camden's neighbor to the south, you can explore marinas and watch the lobsters being brought in from the Atlantic. This creative and livable coastal enclave is home to the annually anticipated Maine Lobster Festival and the Maine Lighthouse Museum, featuring antiquated lighthouse lenses, foghorns, lightships, and other marine equipment from all over. The 1902-built light beacon with a keeper's house offers seasonal tours at the end of a long breakwater.
Along the Main, Strand Theatre delivers historic ambiance and enticing shows, while Archipelago is a curated art gallery and gift shop with local crafts and home decor. Tourists enjoy Rockwell painting vibes from the Main Street Historic District, framed by 19th-century architecture, down to the Owl Head State Park south of town. This remote scrap of coast is ideal to explore with your dog to the foot of the 30-foot 1825 lighthouse, with elevated bay views, seasonal tours, and a gift shop.
Stonington
It only feels like the forgotten coast at the southern tip of Deer Isle. Subject to Maine's famed, persistent fog, the buildings etched into the hillside provide extensive Penobscot Bay views. Stonington offers the genuine hospitality of an authentic fishing town, with galleries, commercial buildings, and a busy waterfront hauling catch from scores of lobster boats. Europeans arrived in the 1600s in the remote area, which had been settled for approximately 5,000 years by Native Americans.
The town developed with granite, hence “Stonington,” in the late 1800s, then came boatbuilding and fishing, first cod, then lobster. Today, Maine’s top lobster-landing port boasts a picturesque working harborfront and historic downtown. Surrounded by rocky beaches and historic lighthouses, you can explore Sand Beach or the nearby dog-friendly Settlement Quarry Preserve to a granite ledge lookout. Kayak out for a waterfront view, with nearby islets prepped for landing.
York
Sporting classic New England architecture, this town lures tourists along one of the state's best coastlines at the mouth of the York River, with nautical charm sprinkled throughout. From Fisherman's Walk across Wiggly Bridge, drop by the former private residence of a local luminary, Sayward Wheeler, with original 1700s furnishings and art. The 1879-built Cape Neddick Lighthouse is the town's pride and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.
Tourists enjoy leisurely strolls along the seafront avenue and several beaches for sunbathing and sunsets. Soak up the laid-back 1900s village beach vibes, with houses overlooking the iconic "Nubble Lighthouse," complete with beachy shops, saltwater taffy, and ice cream, perhaps atop the Ferris wheel within an intimate, family-oriented zoo. Miles offshore, the tall, rustic Boon Island Lighthouse has a mystic appeal, with seagulls circling and seals sunning on the rocks.
Home to historic lighthouses and vast wilderness, the aquamarine Pine Tree State boasts a colonial upbringing, unparalleled sights, and the iconic Acadia National Park. Local love encompasses the most remote corners of this state.
Quiet and beautiful, the state is packed with local charm. Beyond the famous coastal enclaves, there is a sense of pride behind every place, bursting with nautical heritage, genuine hospitality, and seafood. Each town belongs in a Rockwell painting or a state postcard.
