Winter,Spring,Summer & Fall: Maine’s motto is “The Way Life Should Be” and with so many places to see and things to do it’s hard to decide where to start. If you are looking for some of the top places to visit then first on your list should be a trip to Baxter State Park. Located in the great northern woods, the natural setting includes mountains, lakes and wildlife galore. For nature lovers this is utopia. Miles of hiking trails, beautiful campsites and quiet all rolled into one. With the shadows of Maine’s highest peak in the background, Mt. Katahdin is a close second in must see sites in Maine. Hiking on Knifes Edge trail atop this majestic mountain is certainly not for the faint of heart but, the views from the the top make it all worth the journey. Perhaps it is the ocean that is calling to you then a definite stop should be Portland Head Light. The Head Light is the oldest of Maine’s 66 lighthouse and the most photographed in the country. What struck me on our last visit was the sharp contrast of the blue sky, the deep blue ocean and the stark white structure of the lighthouse in contrast all the colors around it. It was on those rocks that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his poem, “The Lighthouse”. Traveling a little further downeast will bring you to Acadia National Park where mountains, islands and oceans come together making it one of the most beautiful spots in North America. Cadillac Mountain, Thunderhole, Sand Beach, hiking, biking, camping all make this area worth the trip. In addition to the natural beauty Bar Harbor is close for those who want to spend some time in a quaint Inn or upscale hotel. Consider putting these three top must see sites on your list when traveling in Maine.
Tag: Fall
Bangor: Pick What You Want To Do And Go!
Winter,Spring,Summer & Fall: Bangor is Maine’s third largest city located in the heart of the state. If you are looking for something to do, this town has something for everyone. Bangor has great shopping boasting its own mall and an wide assortment of stores in the downtown area. In addition, this city offers plenty of restaurants to choose from depending on what you are in the mood for and one place to stop in is Nicky’s Crusin’ Diner. This diner is straight out of Happy Days with booths and stools along the counter and a juke box in the corner. The food is perfect diner food, burgers, fries, shakes and best of all breakfast is served all day! If you are looking for things to do while you are there, Bangor is home to the Bangor State Fair which has been going during the last week of July for over 150 years. The Bangor Raceway, located in historic Bass Park is a great place to spend some time and watch harness racing at its best. If you are searching for fun entertainment, you should check out Hollywood Slots which offers players plenty of fun with 475 slots to choose from. Bangor is also host to the American Folk Festival which attracts some of the best musicians from around the country. This event happens in the late summer along the banks of the Kenduskeag River. Speaking of which, Bangor also is host to the annual Kenduskeag Canoe race which has been going on for over 40 years. If you have children with you be sure not to miss out on Bangor’s Maine Discovery Museum, with interactive exhibits and regularly scheduled events that are sure to keep the little ones entertained. With so many things to do in Bangor visitors will not leave disappointed!
Waterfalls: Discover Maine’s Natural Wonders
Summer & Fall: Maine has some spectacular waterfalls and they are more plentiful than you may think. Last fall, we ventured through Greenville in search of Gulf Hagas. This waterfall happens to be known as “the grand canyon of Maine” which is appropriate considering this is one of the states largest waterfall. The whole area was just beautiful with the fall leaves creating a canopy of color and the sound of the water rushing over the fall. The hiking trails into the falls are lined with the most amazing great white pines and there are places to sit on the banks of the gorge and actually swim in the pool below the falls. The whole scene is just beautiful and really makes you appreciate what we have for natural resources in this state. Another waterfall that I have visited is Moxie Falls. This waterfall is very majestic with again some of the largest pine trees lining the pathways in and around the falls. The peaceful hike into the falls area is filled with wildlife which can be spotted clearly from the trails. Sitting on the edge of the water on that hot summer day we could feel the cool midst coming from the rushing water. It was the perfect place to enjoy some down time. Wilson Falls in Monson is another one of my “must visit” waterfalls and is considered one of the highest falls in Maine. The great thing about Wilson Falls is there is a wonderful campground that is at the end of the trails near Wilson Gorge. You and your family could spend the day and night right there enjoying this great waterfall. If you can’t camp overnight than you should at least bring a picnic. There are park benches near the falls as well if you just feel like stopping in and resting for a little while this is the perfect spot. Where ever you decide to go, there are plenty of great waterfalls in Maine for you to discover.
Backpacking & Hiking: Find Your Path On The Appalachian Trail
Spring,Summer & Fall: Maine has some great hiking and backpacking trails and with the Appalachian Trail coming to its culmination at the peak of Mt. Katahdin why not check them out! A challenging but scenic trail to start out on and one of my favorites is Hunt Trail which starts near the Katahdin Stream Campground in Baxter State Park. This trail is actually the last leg of the Appalachian Trail. As you hike along you actually come into Katahdin Brook and Katahdin Falls both are absolutely beautiful and usually offer wildlife sighting opportunities. The trail is challenging with hiking on some steep inclines as well as maneuvering through two substantial boulders called the “gateway” but, it is worth it. Another great hiking trail which is also part of the Appalachian system is Knife’s Edge which is just that, a granite ridge that forms a narrow peak for hikers to pass through. At the top of this amazing ridge, you will have the best views of Moosehead Lake and the Penobscot River. This is an extremely difficult pass through but, when you get to the end of this 1 mile trek you will be glad you pushed yourself to get to the end. Maybe you are just looking for a way to say “I’ve hiked part of the Appalachian Trail”, without risking your life. If that is the case my advice is to hike White Cap Mountain. This trail leads over the summits with magnificent views of Katahdin and leads into Gulf Hagas where hikers can finds awesome swimming under the waterfall. The hike itself is moderate in difficulty but, can be managed by most people with care. Where ever you decide to go, the hiking opportunities are abound in this wonderful state.
Canoe Ride: Glide Across Maine’s Calm Waters
Summer & Fall: Nothing beats the quiet solitude of getting into a canoe and gently gliding across the water. You can see the sun setting in the distant mountains and hear the eerie cries of the loons. You’re on Moosehead Lake in Northeast Carry. Kineo is straight ahead as you paddle your way into an inlet. Just as you round the corner you can see a moose knee deep in the water. Slowly, you lift your paddles and float enjoying one of the most beautiful scenes. The only sound around you is the soft drip of water coming off your paddle. Canoeing has been around for a long time and it’s in moments like that you realize why it is still one of the most peaceful forms of recreation out there. The beauty of a canoe is that they are easy to transport and you can almost put them in virtually anywhere. Not only is canoeing an excellent way to observe and enjoy nature but, it is also a great form of exercise for upper body strength. There are so many great places to canoe in Maine. Another great spot to put a canoe in is just off the Golden Road. You will come to a turn around that is a inlet that leads into Lobster Lake. The “canal” is long and opens up right into Lobster Lake. If it is not a windy day, keep paddling straight ahead and you will find a great beach area that offers a perfect place to swim to cool down from the summer heat. With so many great places to choose from canoeing should be one of your top things to do this summer. Don’t worry if you don’t own a canoe, places like LL Bean will rent one to you for the day, week or longer depending on what you need. So if you are looking for something to do, go for a canoe ride, you’ll be glad you did!