Maine Is More Than Acadia

Every year, millions of visitors pour into Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park — and they should, because it's magnificent. But those same visitors often drive right past places that are equally stunning and far less crowded. If you've already done the Acadia circuit (or want to skip it entirely), these hidden gems will show you a Maine that most tourists never see.

Monhegan Island

A tiny island 12 miles off the midcoast, reachable only by boat from Port Clyde, New Harbor, or Boothbay Harbor. Monhegan has no cars, no paved roads, and about 75 year-round residents. The hiking trails along 150-foot sea cliffs are dramatic. The art colony here dates back over a century — multiple galleries are open in summer. The ferry ride alone is worth the trip. Plan a full day; you can't rush Monhegan.

The Schoodic Peninsula

Technically part of Acadia National Park, but separated from Mount Desert Island and visited by a fraction of the people. Schoodic Point has some of the most powerful wave-crashing-on-granite scenery in Maine. The loop road is scenic and uncrowded. The village of Winter Harbor has a good restaurant or two and zero tourist chaos. It's everything people love about Acadia without the parking problems.

Eastport

The easternmost city in the United States, and it feels like the edge of the world in the best way. Eastport sits on Moose Island, connected to the mainland by a causeway. The Old Sow whirlpool (largest in the Western Hemisphere) churns in the bay. The downtown has art galleries, a brewery, and genuine character. Whale watching from the shore is possible — you can see them from the breakwater. Getting there is half the adventure: Route 1 through Washington County is hauntingly beautiful.

Grafton Notch State Park

In western Maine near Bethel, Grafton Notch is a hiker's paradise that most people don't know exists. Screw Auger Falls, Mother Walker Falls, and the Eyebrow Trail are spectacular. The Appalachian Trail passes through. On a summer Saturday when Acadia is packed, Grafton Notch might have a dozen cars in the lot. It's that under-visited.

The Bold Coast (Cutler)

The Bold Coast Trail in Cutler is a rugged 5-mile (one way) coastal hike along cliffs that rival anything on the Maine coast. No facilities, no gift shops, no crowds — just raw coastline, spruce forest, and the Atlantic. This is a serious hike (plan 4–6 hours for the out-and-back), but it's one of the most memorable trails in the northeastern U.S.

Damariscotta and Pemaquid Point

Damariscotta is a small midcoast village famous for oysters — the Damariscotta River produces some of the best on the East Coast. Nearby Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is arguably Maine's most photogenic lighthouse, and it's far less mobbed than Portland Head Light. The tidal pools at the base of the lighthouse are fascinating for kids and adults alike. Check our Damariscotta town guide for restaurant picks.

Baxter State Park and Katahdin

Maine's crown jewel — a 200,000-acre wilderness park in the North Woods. Mount Katahdin (5,267 feet) is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and the tallest mountain in Maine. The park is deliberately primitive: no electricity, no running water, limited cell service. Reservations for camping fill up months ahead. This isn't a casual day trip — it's an experience that stays with you. Baxter is 3+ hours from Portland, so plan accordingly.

For more off-the-beaten-path ideas, browse our full Maine guides — we cover towns and regions that the big travel sites skip.