By David Monforton

Dirigo.
The motto of the state of Maine means, simply, “I lead.” Geographically, this is certainly the case. The first point of the continental United States to see the sunrise every morning is Lubec, Maine, on the northeastern Atlantic Coast.

The motto applies to the people here, as well. They’re a friendly bunch who are always happy to lead (or direct) you to the nearest picturesque lake, charming village or proud lighthouse.

So, in the spirit of the State of Maine, let me lead you to some of the highlights of the Pinetree State.

Unmatched Beauty
Any discussion of Maine and its beauty must include its most famous locale, Acadia National Park. Located on Mount Desert Island, two-thirds up the state’s coastline, the park was the summer playground for America’s rich and famous in the early 20th century. Recognizing the park’s unparalleled beauty, the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Morgans and others built “cottages” on the island while preserving its landscape for future generations.

Times change, though, and two World Wars and the Great Depression forced these families to abandon the island, leaving behind the empty shells of their mansions. Then, in 1947, a great fire consumed most of these homes, as well as many others. This set the foundation for the park’s metamorphosis, and soon Acadia was no longer a place of summer cottages, but instead a destination for all Americans to come and experience the natural diversity of its mountains, lakes, forests and ocean shoreline.

Today, the park offers a host of services (scaled down in winter, of course), including hiking trails, camping, a stunning drive around the park, beaches and a wildlife habitat. The Hulls Cove Visitor Center, open from mid-April through October, will provide you with a schedule of activities. Otherwise, you can get more information from the park headquarters, located three miles northwest of Bar Harbor on the island.

The park offers a 7-day pass of $10 per vehicle; the annual pass is $20. There is a fee for camping, but the Island Explorer shuttle bus, which will pick you up at your lodging or campground and transport you to destinations around the park and island, is free.

Jewel by the Sea
In Portland, along the southern coast of the state, you can get the best of both worlds. As Maine’s largest city, there are museums, shopping, performing arts, and a charming waterfront district, replete with brick sidewalks and old-fashioned streetlights, invoking the feeling that you’ve stepped back in time to the Portland of the Victorian Era. But with a population of just 65,000, it still offers a comfortable, small-town atmosphere.

Portland’s favorite son, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, called his hometown “the jewel by the sea.” To see what he meant, visit the Portland Observatory, offering a stunning 360-degree view of the city, the nearby White Mountains and picturesque Casco Bay. The observatory also houses a small museum, focusing on the history, architecture and preservation of the last maritime signal tower in the U.S.

Lighthouses
For lighthouse enthusiasts, Maine is home to 64, due in large part to the state’s craggy coast. Perhaps the most famous is the Portland Headlight, built in 1791 after being commissioned by President Washington. Located on the south side of the Portland Harbor entrance on Cape Elizabeth, the 80-foot lighthouse is a white fieldstone and brick conical tower.

Off of York Beach, in southern Maine, is the Cape Neddick Lighthouse, one of the most-photographed lighthouses in the state. The light is found on a small rocky island that often faces the brunt of 100-mph winds.

At the northeastern tip of the state is the West Quoddy Head Light, originally commissioned by President Jefferson in 1806 and rebuilt in 1858. This lighthouse’s claim to fame is that it is located in Quoddy Head State Park, the farthest point east you can drive to in the U.S.

Covered Bridges
For fanciers of covered bridges, Maine is home to nine scattered throughout the state, including the Sunday River Bridge, or “Artist’s Bridge,” located in Newry in the western part of the state. Its nickname comes from the belief that more paint has been laid to canvas by artists drawing the bridge than has been put onto the bridge’s walls in the 130 years since it was built.

While most of Maine’s covered bridges can be found near the state’s western border with New Hampshire, the Robyville Bridge can be found in the central part of the state in Corinth. This bridge is the only completely shingled covered bridge in the state.

Drive On
Whether you’re searching for fall colors, want to encounter a moose close up, or would like to explore the incomparable Maine Coast, there is a driving tour for you in the state.

Fall colors abound from September through October, no matter where you go in Maine. But possibly the best area to view these extravagant displays are in the western section of the state, where you can view incredible vistas from the many mountaintops, the most stunning to be found on the mountains around Stratton. But don’t wait until fall to take a drive. The entire state consists of picturesque lakes, mountains and wildlife that are inspiring in their beauty any time of year.

If spotting big wildlife is your goal, then go for a ride through the center of the state for a moose watching driving tour. Head toward Greenville and Rockwood, both located on the aptly named Moosehead Lake, and take one the many safaris offered by plane, boat and on foot. But simply going for a drive at dawn or dusk will invariably allow you to spot moose meandering near the road, so drive slowly or you may miss them.

A drive along U.S. 1 will give you ample opportunity to check out Maine’s splendid coast. From its exquisite beaches along the southern coast to the jagged, rocky coastline as you head farther north, there’s a never-ending supply of quaint fishing villages stocked with charming antique shops and lobster shacks at every turn. Just remember to frequently turn off of U.S. 1, which stays a few miles off the coast for almost the length of the state.

Tucked away at the northeastern tip of the U.S., Maine is the ideal vacation destination for anyone wishing to “get away from it all.” Its timeless beauty is without peer and crowds are never an issue. But don’t expect to depart the state satisfied that you’ve had your fill of its splendor. Maine will enchant you, and lead you back for another visit. It’s what Maine does. It leads.

Dirigo.

>Back to top