Maine
Go for the rocky Atlantic shoreline, lighthouse villages and lobster, with a forested interior and lakes further inland.
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Maine is the northeasternmost state in the contiguous United States, in the New England region. Augusta is the capital and Portland is the largest city, but most visitors come for the coast: rocky shoreline, lighthouse villages, lobster, clams and wild lowbush blueberries. Acadia National Park, near Bar Harbor, is the only national park in New England and draws more than 4 million visitors a year. The state also has about 6,000 lakes and ponds, and Moosehead Lake is the largest lake wholly within New England.
Maine is the most rural US state, and much of the interior is uninhabited wilderness, so plan fuel, food and lodging ahead when you leave the towns. Most visitors come in spring, summer and fall. Summer suits southern beaches and interior lakes, and winter draws skiers and holiday travelers. Allow a week or more to cover the coast and Acadia without rushing, and plan to drive between towns.
Maine in five
- Rent a car for the coast and the interiorPublic transport outside Portland is thin, so most trips need a car. Fly into Portland International Jetport or Bangor International Airport, or take the Amtrak Downeaster from Boston to Portland.Getting around
- Fuel up and stock food before the interiorMuch of the interior is uninhabited wilderness with few towns and few services. Fill the tank and buy food before you leave the coast or the main towns.
- Pack a warm layer for summer nightsOvernight lows in July are usually in the high 50s °F (about 15 °C) statewide. Pack a fleece or jacket even on warm days.Clothing
- Download offline maps before you driveThe interior is remote, and signal can drop out in forests and on rural roads. Save maps offline in your map app before you leave the coast.Phones and eSIM
- Book Bar Harbor rooms early for AcadiaAcadia National Park draws more than 4 million visitors a year, and Bar Harbor is the main town near it. Reserve rooms early for summer.Acadia National Park
Neighborhoods
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park centers on Mount Desert Island, with granite peaks, a one-way coastal loop and 45 miles of carriage roads.
Midcoast Maine
Midcoast Maine is a road trip along Penobscot Bay, with working fishing harbors, lighthouses and boat trips to offshore islands. Summer and early fall are the easiest seasons to plan around.
Things to do in Maine
See all attractions in Maine
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver Program with ESTA for eligible visitors; others need a visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected: about 15 to 20% at restaurants and for taxis
- Time
- UTC-5 (Eastern), UTC-4 in daylight saving time
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snowy
- FebruarySki resorts open
- MarchCold, quiet
- AprilCool, quiet
- MaySpring, mild
- JuneLong days
- JulyBeaches, lakes
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberWarm, lakes
- OctoberFall visitors
- NovemberNor'easter season
- DecemberHoliday events
Right now in Maine
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 14%
Maine
07:04 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°4°14%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Tue11°7°58%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Wed19°7°66%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Thu19°10°44%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Fri18°11°62%Friday: Fog. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Sat14°7°73%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun11°3°60%Sunday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated 03:42 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- FreeportBy car from PortlandThe L.L. Bean flagship store draws more than 3 million visitors a year.
- Old Orchard BeachBy car from PortlandA long summer beach, and a stop on the Amtrak Downeaster.
- OgunquitBy car from PortlandBeaches and a late-19th-century artist colony.
- Acadia National ParkBy car from Portland, base in Bar HarborSomes Sound and Bubble Rock, with Bar Harbor as the base.Read the guide
Before you go to Maine
Rules for Maine, checked
- Check whether you need an ESTA or a visa for the US on the State Department site before you fly.Source
- Acadia is federal land with its own entry rules and fees. Check the National Park Service Acadia page before you drive in.Source
- Maine adds a 9% tax to lodging and prepared food, on top of the 5.5% sales tax. Check the total before you book.
- Watch for moose on rural roads, especially at dawn and dusk, and do not feed or approach wildlife.
Plan around Maine
Cars, the Amtrak Downeaster and regional airports, with the trade-offs of each
Read the guideMidcoast MaineCoastal towns, harbors and lighthouses from Portland to the Midcoast
Read the guideAcadia National ParkBar Harbor, the park loop, Somes Sound and Bubble Rock
Read the guideWhere to stay in MaineBases on the coast, near Acadia and by the interior lakes
Read the guideMoney and costsPaying in US dollars, tipping and what a day costs
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA, visa rules and what to bring to the border
Read the guideMaine FAQ
Is Maine worth visiting?
Yes, for the rocky coast, Acadia National Park, the lakes and the lobster towns. The southern beaches suit a summer trip, and the interior suits people who want long, quiet drives.
Can you get around Maine without a car?
Not easily. The Amtrak Downeaster links Boston with Portland and Brunswick, but most of the coast and the interior need a car.
When is the best time to visit Maine?
Summer suits the southern beaches and the interior lakes, and most visitors come in spring, summer and fall. Winter suits skiing and the holiday festivals.
How many days do you need in Maine?
A week covers the southern coast or the Midcoast and Acadia at a relaxed pace. The interior needs more time, because services are far apart.
Is it safe to drive at night in Maine?
Drive slowly after dark. Moose and deer are common on rural roads, and Maine has the largest moose population in the contiguous US.
What language is spoken in Maine?
English is the most widely spoken language. French is the largest linguistic minority, and the state has no official language.