Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip To Maine in The Fall
Maine, the not-so-secret gem of the east coast, with Portland as the 2018 Restaurant City of the Year according to Bon Appetit Magazine, breathtaking coastal views, and charming towns – not to mention the awe-inducing vibrant foliage in the fall. The Pine Tree state is definitely a bucket-list worthy place!
My trip to Maine was in partnership with Visit Maine. What started as a friendly invite to admire the fall foliage and savor their world-famous lobsters, left me in awe for a place I’ve never thought of visiting before.
So let’s get planning!
Fun Maine Facts
The capital of Maine is Augusta and not Portland as many believe. It’s home to one the most visited National Parks in the U.S., Acadia National Park - which you cannot miss when visiting Maine. Along the coast and small islands, there are 65 lighthouses - more than any other states. It harvests the majority of lobsters in the U.S, and yes, it’s home to the famous writer Stephen King.
Maine Trip Ideas
Although relatively small compared to other states, Maine packs plenty of things to see and do! And if you are a nature lover, you are in for a treat! Depending on how much you want to see and do, you will need at least a week to cover the main attractions. For the perfect mix of charming towns and nature, I put together this itinerary:
7 Days Maine Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1-2 Portland
Day 3 Camden
Day 4 Bar Harbor
Day 5 Acadia National Park
Day 6 Bold coast
Day 7 Back to Portland
Depending on how much time you want to spend exploring Maine, you can add the following things to your itinerary.
1. Explore one or many of Maine’s Charming towns - Add 1 -2 days
As you drive along the coast, you will find many quaint port and fisherman towns – although small, some of them are full of history. Stop by one on your road trip for lunch or a stroll.
Maine's Most Popular Towns
2. Explore Maine’s famous scenic Byways - Add 1 -2 Days
There’s no doubt that driving through Maine in the fall is breathtaking, but If you can’t get enough of the scenic drive on your road trip, Maine has four byways for you to choose from!
Schoodic National Scenic Byway
The Schoodic Byway is the closest one to you if you are planning to drive from Portland to Lubec. The drive will take you to the quiet side of Acadia National Park and through small fishing towns, sheltered harbors, and rocky coastline.
Just imagine how gorgeous this road must be that it’s named the All-American Road and considered the gold standard of the scenic route. It takes about three hours to drive, but I can guarantee you, it is worth it.
Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
Love a little history? This route will take you back in time. On this byway, you will encounter old-time villages and abundant wildlife.
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway
On this route, you will find the most activities like outdoors sports, local museums, quaint villages, and plenty to ooh and aah about!
3. Go on a hike in the Bold Coast - Add 1 day
Go on an invigorating hike! The highlight of our trip to Maine was hiking the Fairy Head Trail on the Cutler Coast Public Reserved Land. Although there are many hiking trails all over Maine, the Fairy head trail is a must. The moss fields all around the forest and the stunning view of the ocean on the coastal portion of the trail made it one of my favorite hikes yet.
Check out this website to help you plan and find the best hiking trails in Maine. Also, make sure to check out my Beginners’ Guide To Hiking Outfit for Women.
4. Roam the Bold Coast - Add 1 - 2 Days
Many travelers visit the Acadia National Park but miss out on the rest of the Bold Coast. The area is filled with quaint fisherman towns, blueberry barrens, mossy forests, and coastal views.
On our road trip, we made Lubec our home for a few days. The quaint little town is the easternmost area of the United States, located a short-bridge away from Canada. We stayed at the cozy Cohill's Inn, which is located right on the border facing Canada. Our morning consisted of pastel colors sunrises followed by a delicious breakfast at The Inn on the Warf.
Things to do in Maine in the Fall
Wine (or beer) & Dine in Portland
Don’t mistake Portland for an old fisherman town. Au contraire, the city is buzzing with trendy shops and vibrant culinary scene. As a foodie, you will rejoice to learn the variety of restaurants in town – from fresh seafood, to farm to table, to locally sourced ingredients type of restaurants. Definitely add a few extra days to your itinerary if you enjoy hip towns with a great food scene - Read here my food guide to Portland, Maine.
Go leaf-peeping in Maine
It’s no secret that thousands of visitors flock to Maine during the fall season to admire the golden foliage - if you didn’t know, they have a name! Leaf peepers, yes it’s a thing. If you want to spot some of the best foliage you have ever seen, Maine is the place to be. Check out this website, it will tell you the foliage peak color and where to spot it.
Go on a Lobster boat tour
What better way to get fresh lobster than going on tour on a lobster boat and watch how the fishermen catch them? Learn from the experts about lobster harvesting and how they protect their sources and the ocean's environment.
Visit one of the many lighthouses in Maine
Known as the lighthouse state, Maine has over 60 lighthouses along the coast. On our visit, we went to Little River Lighthouse located in Litter River Island right off the coast of Cutler. We took a small boat to arrive and made our way through the beautiful path to the lighthouse. If you are driving along the i95, you will inevitably encounter many of them on your way.
Try a Maine blueberry pie
Did you know blueberry is Maine’s state fruit? As you drive around Maine, you will find many wild blueberry barrens – in the fall these barrens turn red giving a burst of colors to the landscape. The berry grows naturally in the state due to pollination. Maine’s blueberry pie is a staple that you won’t be able to get enough of – we certainly couldn’t!
Try the fresh Lobster
Ok, so lobster is not only available in the Fall, but you are in Maine and you definitely have to try fresh lobster! I love the simplicity of fresh lobster with butter, but you can also find lobster mac and cheese, lobster chowder, lobster roll, lobster dumpling, and even lobster ice cream!
When to visit Maine
Spring and summer might be an excellent time to visit, but those seasons can’t match fall’s vibrant foliage. Visit in September for sunny days and milder temperatures and, in October for the foliage peak season.
What to pack
If you are visiting in the Fall and you are not used to packing for the cold weather, you can follow my Fall/Winter packing guide - stylish and warm! And if you are planning on going hiking check out my Fall Hiking Outfit Guide for Women.
Can’t get enough of Maine? Check out my video!
This post was sponsored by Visit Maine. As always all opinions are my own.
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