9 Small Towns In Maine To Visit For A Weekend Getaway
Maine, the least-densely populated New England state, is roughly the same size as the other five combined. Whether you're after delicious lobster rolls and lighthouses or the moose-trodden forests, the small towns provide seamless access to this iconic vacationland, with highway access across its vast reaches and a crowd-free atmosphere.
In the neighboring towns of Wells and Ogunquit, you'll find fun amenities and a vibrant culture. Hallowell's big personality and quiet nature make the small town stand out against, rather than blend into, the louder capital, while Bucksport just happens to be on your way to Blue Hill. These small towns provide pure Maine magic, especially for a 3-day weekend.
Bethel
This lovely town, situated on the Androscoggin River, offers convenient highway access to the western mountains of Maine, as well as a regional airport and unique accommodations. Bethel's rustic appeal and vibrant amenities promise fun in all four seasons, whether you're after skiing or the community forest in the summer. Minutes north, Sunday River Resort spans across eight interconnected peaks, offering Nordic skiing and slopes for all levels, chairlift rides, hikes, and biking trails, all of which are nearby a historic covered bridge.
Both the Bethel Village Motel and the Elizabeth Inn and Restaurant place you in the heart of downtown, characterized by its 19th-century architecture. In addition to the popular Maine Mineral and Gem Museum, which features a gift shop, the Gem Theater offers concessions and a vividly decorated interior for moviegoers. The warm July sun beckons travelers to launch a kayak on the river, accompanied by the annual Molly Ockett Day Festival, featuring kids' activities, an adult beer tent, and fireworks.
Blue Hill
Blue Hill is a quieter, relaxing escape at the head of a sparkling bay, which allows you to dip your toes in the larger Blue Hill Peninsula's regional splendor over a weekend. Its New England blend of thriving arts and scenic trails feels instantly calm and inviting, a feature less apparent across popular Maine hubs. For lodgings, the Blue Hill Inn is a popular B&B located next to all the shops, cafés, and galleries lining the main strip, backed by Blue Hill Bay. It offers antique-filled rooms in a 1835 Federal-style inn.
Many enjoy the nearby Peters Brook Trail, an easy outing that features small waterfalls, a wooden bridge, and a transitional landscape. Carter Nature Preserve offers day-hike material across a vast coastal landscape of lush forest trails and rocky shores via the Blue Hill Mountain Trail, a gradual ascent to elevated ocean scenery and the town of Blue Hill. After the steep, rocky trails nearing the summit's crème-de-la-crème views, you'll be eager to dive into Aborvine's creative menu and wine list in an 1823 farmhouse.
Boothbay Harbor
With its charming, colorful cottages, hilly lanes, and marinas, Boothbay Harbor is an iconic escape on the southern tip of a peninsula in the Gulf of Maine between the tidal Sheepscot River in the west and the Linekin Bay in the east. Cap’n Fish’s Cruise is popular among nature lovers for exploring the waters on whale watching and puffin tours. As “The Boating Capital of New England,” thousands visit in the summer to discover the town’s profound connection to the waters firsthand.
Across the famed footbridge from Brown's Wharf Inn and Marina, you can explore the coves and access the 1800s Burnt Island Lighthouse, topping a 5-acre wooded island with tours and hiking trails. The harborfront town brings the region alive with abundant marine life, mouthwatering seafood, and the iconic Maine State Aquarium. Countless shops, galleries, a craft brewery, and an opera house provide whatever your heart desires in the downtime on an oceanfront retreat.
Bucksport
Named USA Today’s #1 Seaside Small Town in 2021, Bucksport is an astounding place on the ancient lands of the Red Paint Culture, who painted their graves using red ochre. The working waterfront and the charming downtown area you see today were partially destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War, who occupied it during the War of 1812. History, which runs deep along these "narrows" of the Penobscot River, is on display at the Bucksport Historical Society, housed in an old railway station.
You can soak in the thrilling 360-degree views of the bay and surrounding countryside at Penobscot Narrows Bridge, featuring the US's only and the world's tallest public bridge observatory at 437 feet, with tickets at Fort Knox. Open from May to October, the 1844-built Civil War-era fort is one of the best preserved. After a stroll along the mile-long Bucksport Waterfront Walkway, drop by the Lighthouse Arts Center. Enjoy similar million-dollar views anytime at Fort Knox Park Inn.
Hallowell
Augusta's residents enjoy this charming suburb as a quick escape on a time crunch, with no time wasted on travel to exchange the small yet bustling capital city for a no-frills weekend. Perched east of Cobbosseecontee Lake on the Kennebec River, Hallowell's historic downtown is filled with immersive small-town joys, like galleries, antique stores, and quirky shops in 19th-century buildings, steps from fishing, watching riverboats, and simple strolls along the boardwalk.
Charmingly called "Hobbit Land," Vaughn Woods is a magical place to explore along the crisscrossing trails and stone bridges, with a waterfall and a nearby historic estate. In addition to the waterfront Gaslight Theater, one of the state's oldest community theaters, you can treasure hunt through the riverside antique mall, stop by the popular taproom, and enjoy fine dining. No visit is valid until a commemorative selfie is taken downtown by the Goat Head Fountain on the square.
Ogunquit
Meaning “beautiful place by the sea” in the native Abenaki language, this beach town with 3.5 miles of pristine sandy beaches boasts the picturesque Marginal Way, offering endless Atlantic coast views. Skirting the beaches and oceanfront hotels, you can start at either side of the paved 1.25-mile-long trail, stroll back and forth, and access beaches to enjoy the waves, build castles, fly a kite, or go seashelling. At the eastern terminal, Perkins Cove packs retail stores, galleries, and eateries.
Lobster Point Lighthouse may not be the tallest, but its simple appeal is part of the charm framed in stunning coastal views and the sound of waves. This beloved photo op is just a short, scenic detour along the Marginal Way. In addition to the Ogunquit Playhouse, known for big musicals, Ogunquit’s lodging collection, like the top-rated Old Village Inn for budget travelers, enhances every summer getaway along the large, white sand beach for swimming, sunbathing, and sunset picnic views.
Rangeley
Poised at the head of a large lake, Rangeley is a naturally endowed, all-season getaway escape in a mountainous area, with starlit skies. From its modest waterfront downtown area, you can play lakeside golf, visit the nearby Wilhelm Reich Museum with medical science history, and meet bountiful wildlife at Rangeley Lakes Birds Trail, with many moose and birdlife. Across the shore, Rangeley Lake State Park is popular among campers, with hiking, fishing, and winter sports from the doorstep.
The enticingly blue Rangeley Inn & Tavern (1907) is a popular lodging on a pond, while Saddleback Ski Area & Bike Park provides winter sport junkies with skiing, boarding, and snowmobile trails, plus wildflower hikes and the large Loon Lodge. Hordes of anglers visit for the springtime trophy-sized salmon and brook trout run. In the summer, enjoy Lakeside Convenience & Marina Inc. to access the interconnected lakes. The 35.6-mile Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway transforms with the seasons.
Rockport
Not to be confused with Rockport in Massachusetts, which boasts the iconic Motif 1 shack, this seaside gem between Rockland and Camden remains in the shadow of its more popular neighbor to the north, paving the way for unique discoveries and a gamut of activities in a low-key ambiance. In Rockport, you can enjoy crowd-free gallery surfing, play mini golf, and explore the nearby 295 forested acres at Beech Hill Preserve with two trails to the summit views of the bay and mountains.
The Aldemere Farm Ocean Trail meanders through sparsely shaded woods to fantastic ocean views on the peninsula in the smell of brine and fresh forest. The nearby seaside chapel is a peaceful spot to admire its details and reflect in a forest setting. Whether you splurge on the iconic Rockport Harbor Hotel downtown or opt for the unpretentious Starlight Lodge just a mile from Rockport Marine Park, no visit is complete without a selfie by Andre the Seal Statue, the town's iconic mascot.
Wells
Founded in the early 1640s, the third-oldest town in Maine is a historically charming waterfront destination for seaside strolls, kayaking, and lodgings with front-row views, such as the Atlantic Oceanfront Hotel. Spilling onto a peninsula, Wells is an ideal beach escape, complete with sunbathing and dog-friendly adventures beyond the sandy barrier island shores. The three-headed Bauneg Beg Mountain is a short drive away, renowned for its forested trails, rock formations, and stunning scenic views.
The active enjoy plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs across Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, an iconic salt marsh and estuary, with a variety of trees and bird-watching trails. Culinary adventures range from New England-style seafood to coffee shops and classic American grub. Sift through treasures at Anytime Antiques and pick up a box of house-made donuts at the family-owned Congdon's Doughnuts, which serves breakfast fare and brunch cocktails in a throwback vibe.
The state bordered by the Atlantic is synonymous with Acadia National Park and fresh seafood, with trademark Maine lobster. While some towns are made for vacations, like Bar Harbor, others are ideal weekend escapes, connecting you to diverse landforms and natural wonders, as well as cultural heritage that ranges from maritime to mountainous and the interconnected Rangeley Lakes.
The small towns sprinkled across the vast, diverse state allow you to indulge in unique flavors and regional scenery for whatever your heart desires on a weekend and a hefty dose of New England charm. Distance is not a hindrance but an opportunity to soak in the views along the way, yet weekend getaways require at least a concept of the drive that lies ahead.
