These 9 Towns In Maine Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025
Maine, the largest of the six New England states by total area, has long been a coveted ‘Vacationland’ thanks to its dense pine woodlands, majestic Atlantic and Gulf of Maine coastlines, glacier-scoured alpine summits, and pristine waterbodies that offer inexhaustible outdoor recreational opportunities. Nevertheless, beyond the Pine Tree State’s congested urban centers of Portland and Lewiston are numerous small communities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, which have captured widespread attention as some of America’s most beloved getaway destinations. Each of these nine Maine towns is sure to leave a lasting impression on every visitor to the region in the remaining months of 2025.
Castine
Primarily called ‘Majabigwaduce’ by the native Tarrantine Abenaki Indians and later labeled after the Abenaki chief Baron Jean-Vincent de Saint-Castin, Castine is a pretty Hancock County town set on a peninsula in Penobscot Bay near the site of age-old Fort Pentagouët. The town emanates an idiosyncratic retro vibe with more than a hundred historic markers strewn throughout. Castine invites visitors to walk down its peaceful, elm-lined streets, exploring historic structures such as the Castine Post Office, one of the oldest continuously operating post office buildings in the nation, and the Wilson Museum, housing collections from the renowned Castine summer resident and geologist Dr. J. Howard Wilson. Access the lighthouse grounds, walk around the tower, and admire the panoramas of Penobscot Bay and the way to the Castine Harbor, all while touring the 1829-built Dyce Head Light, and do not forget to inspect T/S State of Maine, the Maine Maritime Academy’s naval research ship.
Wiscasset
Lincoln County’s center of administration, Wiscasset, is located in the state’s Mid Coast region along the western banks of the Sheepscot River, just an hour away from Portland. Nicknamed “Maine’s Prettiest Village,” this vibrant seaside settlement wondrously integrates riverside elegance and longstanding appeal, with multiple noteworthy structures in the Wiscasset Historic District like the Nickels-Sortwell House, a Federal-style house highlighting the town’s flourishing maritime past, and the Wiscasset Jail & Museum, one of the oldest surviving jail buildings in the state which functioned as Maine’s first penal institution between 1820 and 1824, spellbinding residents and out-of-towners alike. Additionally, stop at the far-famed Red’s Eats for feasting on palatable lobster rolls, and zoom along the zip lines, giant swings, and navigate the high ropes courses with multiple levels of difficulty at Monkey C Monkey Do, the state’s lone zipline & adventure park.
Bar Harbor
Titled for the noticeable sand and gravel bar at low tide, Bar Harbor sits on Mount Desert Island by the shores of Frenchman Bay at the base of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point within 25 miles of the Eastern US coastline. Particularly during the summer and fall seasons, excursionists from the world over visit Bar Harbor to partake in sundry recreational activities at the Acadia National Park, including rock climbing, canoeing on lakes, guided boat tours on the ocean, car or bus tour along the 27-mile-long Park Loop Road, and horseback riding on carriage roads.
Traverse the Bar Harbor Shore Path, a level walking path tracing the edges of Frenchman Bay and offering prime views of yachts, large cruise ships, the Bar Harbor Inn (one of the town’s oldest inns), and Porcupine Islands. Taste classic American favorites at Terrace Grille, a seasonal waterfront terrace seafood restaurant in Bar Harbor Inn, and top-quality handmade candies, chocolates, 12 flavors of gelatos, and 64 hard-serve flavors of ice cream (including a lobster flavor) at the Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium shop on Main Street.
Stonington
Occupying the southern portion of Deer Isle Island in Hancock County, by the eastern Penobscot Bay, is Stonington, a spectacular coastal settlement and Maine’s biggest lobster port that has periodically ranked as one of the nation’s best lobster ports. Historically called ‘Green’s Landing,’ the town is famed for its appealing operational waterfront and can’t-miss tourist properties such as the Deer Isle Museum that honors the interesting history and craftsmanship of the workers of Maine’s granite industry, and the Stonington Opera House, hosting theatrical performances, films, music, dance, and community events during all seasons. Furthermore, at Stonington’s inviting Downtown, shop for fine handcrafted furniture from Geoffrey Warner Studio (OWL Furniture) and stuff oneself with special sandwiches, prize-winning lobster rolls, and sixteen flavors of luscious ice cream at Stonington Ice Cream Company.
Camden
Camden, christened in memory of the First Earl of Camden, Charles Pratt, is located at the foothills of the Camden Hills in Knox County at the Megunticook River’s mouth on Penobscot Bay. Publicly recognized as a summer colony for the wealthy inhabitants of the northeastern cities of Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City, Camden’s picturesque harbor, illustrating views of sailing cruises and classic schooners, and countless 19th-century structures have made it a lauded cinematic setting for various American movies.
Stroll through the Downtown district, crammed with one-of-a-kind gift shops like Once A Tree, state-of-the-art art galleries like Page Gallery led by the dynamic energy and innovative ideas of artist Colin Page, and top-notch event spots like the Camden Opera House, showing live music performances, dance, films, and theaters throughout the year. At the 5,710-acre Camden Hills State Park, get unrestricted views of the harbor and Penobscot Bay from the summit of Mount Battie and explore the park’s assorted horseback riding, cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling trails.
Rockland
The seat of government of Knox County, Rockland, is a bustling maritime settlement and an excellent jumping-off point for the MaineDOT-operated state ferry service, on the Penobscot Bay’s western shores. Presently, besides being Mid Coast Maine’s commercial hub, the town is a significant cultural center, supported by the globally recognized Farnsworth Art Museum, which houses an extensive collection of works by American artists, and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, featuring works by contemporary artists and hosting exhibitions throughout the year. Maritime history enthusiasts and outdoorsy folks must amble down the 7/8-mile-long granite breakwater to reach the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, while shopaholics at Rockland’s revitalized Downtown must browse fashion boutiques like The Grasshopper Shop and consume seafood specials alongside wholesome comfort cuisine at the Rockland Café.
Boothbay Harbor
Dubbed the ‘Boating Capital of New England,’ this quintessential seaside town in Lincoln County sits on the southern tip of a peninsula in the Gulf of Maine, bounded on the west by the Sheepscot River and the Linekin Bay on the east. During summertime, vacationists congregate here in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the region’s bounteous underwater life, unwind by the waters, and sample scrumptious coastal cuisine, especially fresh lobster rolls & salads at Shannon’s Unshelled - Rt. 27. Delve into the town’s antiquated days at the National Register-listed Auld-McCobb House, constructed in 1807 for two well-known local merchants: Jacob Auld and Joseph McCobb, watch performances by both regional and national touring musicians at the immaculately maintained Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, and peruse the numerous family-run old fashioned country stores like Gimbel & Sons Country Store and art galleries like Ed Brown’s Wharfside Gallery.
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport is an enchanting resort destination in York County, located roughly 29 miles southwest of the state’s most populous city, close to the mouth of the Kennebunk River on the Atlantic Ocean. Presenting a fascinating combination of New England aquatic allure, maritime heritage, and a popular affluent summer retreat, Kennebunkport is often mentioned among the most coveted towns in Maine.
Travelers visiting this 3,629-inhabitant town must wander through the Dock Square at the heart of the town, where time-honored buildings house clothing stores like Dock Square Clothiers, selling casual resort clothing and accessories, and the delectable New England-style seafood serving eatery Alisson’s Restaurant. Set off for Goose Rocks Beach, ideal for a serene stroll through miles of white sand beaches, soaking up the sun, and taking in sweeping vistas of the Atlantic. Additionally, pay a visit to the St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, an oceanfront, stately stone structure that hosts concerts, events, and summer Sunday services, and learn about the various mass transit vehicles at the Seashore Trolley Museum.
Bethel
Aptly endorsing its catchphrase, “Maine’s Most Beautiful Mountain Village,” Bethel is a paradisiacal alpine community in western Maine’s Oxford County, situated on the western extremity of the Oxford Hills and on the southern margin of the White Mountains’ Mahoosuc Range. Aside from the magnificent mountain ranges, Bethel’s proximity to the White Mountain National Forest has helped transform it into a marvelous all-season holiday haven and a perfect starting point for eclectic leisure activities.
Adrenaline junkies at the Sunday River Ski Resort get to partake in first-class alpine skiing activities during winter, besides scenic rides up the mountain via an open chair car lift or an enclosed gondola, golfing, hiking, swimming, and kayaking activities in the warmer months. Stop by the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum on Main Street, which houses an impressive collection of volcanic rocks, extraterrestrial rocks, lunar and Martian meteorites, minerals, and colorful Maine-mined gemstones. Also, tour the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society that occupies two buildings: the 1813-built Dr. Moses Mason House and the 1821-built O’Neil Robinson House, preserving the rich history of western Maine and Maine and New Hampshire’s White Mountain region, and head to Davis Park for easily accessing the paved 3.5-mile pedestrian pathway that follows the Androscoggin River.
From the artistic enclaves of Stonington to the storybook seaside town of Kennebunkport, these nine aesthetic towns bring to the fore the very best of all that is in the Pine Tree State. Whether it is the inimitable maritime allure of popular coastal towns, unhurried walks through downtown areas, the contentedness of watching the sunrise over the mighty Atlantic from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, or relishing flavorful delicacies such as crab cakes and lobster rolls at bustling harbor-side cafes, these treasured Maine towns extend a warm welcome to all those in 2025’s final phase who wish to breathe in the pine-scented air and discover the quintessence of New England living.
