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If you’re looking for a classic New England vacation that includes the best of the region’s scenery, history, and culture, look no further than Maine’s scenic small towns. These beautiful small towns are a must for your 2024 travel plans, with promising storybook scenes around every corner. Grab a lobster roll while taking in coastal views, hike through dense fall foliage, and walk in the footsteps of 1800s pilgrims — a visit to these entrancing communities is an unforgettable adventure for all the family.

Camden

A charming coastal town, the historic village of Camden is quintessential Maine. Take a stroll down the busy main street, and you’ll see lovingly preserved 19th-century homes nestled among iconic local landmarks such as the Camden Opera House. Now a lively performance venue, the Opera House opened in 1894 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Head for the waterfront to see more gorgeous views as the sailboats and fishing schooners bob in the picturesque harbor. If you’re visiting on August 30 - September 1, 2024, you’ll catch the Windjammer Festival, which celebrates Camden’s maritime heritage with a series of events, including lobster crate races and on-the-water treasure hunts.

Outside the downtown core, you’ll discover Camden’s natural beauty at the Camden Hills State Park. Hike to the summit of Mount Battie to enjoy stunning views of the coast and the sparkling blue waters beyond. The Mt Battie Auto Road is a popular drive-in fall when the countryside comes alive with the signature New England autumnal foliage.

Boothbay Harbor

Beautiful Boothbay Harbor is situated on a mid-coast peninsula known as one of the best boating harbors north of Boston. Local boat charters offer plenty of options for exploring the area from the water — take a whale-watching tour, a puffin viewing excursion, or simply stay close to shore and cruise the scenic harbor, a seafaring hub for over 300 years. If staying shoreside is more your thing, check out the Boothbay Harbour Sculpture Trail. This stunning route winds around through downtown Boothbay with striking sculptures from New England artists scattered along the path. Pick up a map of the trail at the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce downtown. There are more opportunities for great views at the Boothbay Region Land Trust, a 32-acre nature reserve with over 35 miles of coastal and pastoral trails that traverse wildflower meadows, rocky shorelines, and forested glades.

Stonington

Stonington is an island town, located on the southern half of Deer Isle and linked to the mainland via bridges. A quaint fishing village and a nature lover's paradise, this is the place to come to get away from it all. Stonington has long been known as a fishing hotspot, especially when it comes to Maine’s signature shellfish. Stonington is one of the top ports for landing lobster in the state. Try some lobster and other delicious local seafood at Fin and Fern, located in a prime spot on the waterfront where views of the harbor provide the perfect mealtime backdrop. Just outside town, you’ll find the Crockett Cove Woods, a 98-acre preserve of unique coastal woodlands. A quarter-mile nature walk meanders through the forest, which is home to snowshoe hares, white-tailed deer, red foxes, warblers, and chickadees. Once the sun goes down, head to Opera House Arts in downtown Stonington to catch a show. This event space, housed in the town’s historic 1912 Opera House, hosts film festivals, movie nights, concerts, and more year-round.

Castine

One of the oldest towns in America, Castine was settled in the early 1600s and has played host to early pioneers, European traders, Civil War soldiers, and industrious sailors. The Maine Maritime Academy’s training ship, State of Maine, is docked in the Castine Harbor for most of the year as a nod to the town’s maritime history. Around town, you’ll see signs and displays with information on this seafaring legacy, as well as beautiful examples of Georgian, Federal, and Victorian homes.

Visit the Dyce Head Lighthouse for sweeping views over the Penobscot River. Located on private property, the light is open to the public during daytime hours. To learn more, head to the Castine Historical Society, housed in the 1859 Abbott School and 1850 Grindle House downtown. Here, you can join a walking tour of the town or browse the fascinating exhibits and displays. Finish up with a look at Fort George, the remains of a British fortification erected in 1779.

Kennebunkport

Located on the pretty Kennebunkport River, Kennebunkport regularly tops the lists of America’s prettiest small towns, and it’s easy to see why. This charming resort town has three beaches at Kennebunkport Harbor, waterfront parks, and plenty of breathtaking historic landmarks. See the sights in comfort via the heritage railway at the Seashore Trolley Museum downtown. Here, you can hop aboard a vintage trolley ride over a portion of the original Atlantic Shore Line Railway. Back in town, take the self-guided walking tour of ‘The Museum in the Streets’ to experience life in Kennebunkport through the ages. Brochures for this innovative historical tour, marked by 25 informative panels dotted around town, are available at the Town Hall and Library.

While Kennebunkport is known for its beaches, swimming, sailing, and boating, this is more than a summer town. In winter, visitors can get an early start on their holiday spirit with the Christmas Prelude, a ten-day festive carnival that’s been running for over 40 years and includes parades, light shows, and Santa arriving by lobster boat. The 2024 Christmas Prelude runs from December 6 to December 15.

Greenville

Nestled at the southern end of Moosehead Lake in the Maine Highlands, Greenville is a hiking and fishing wonderland. It’s also a great place to catch a glimpse of the area’s most famous inhabitants, its moose. Take a moose safari to see the majestic creatures in the wild. You can also get close to nature in Lily Bay State Park, a sprawling 925-acre area of unspoiled wilderness along the lakeshore. The park offers waterfront camping, a swimming beach, boat ramps, and a 2-mile shoreline walking trail. To see the lake up close, take a trip on the historic Katahdin steamboat, built in 1914 and still operating today with lake cruises leaving from the Moosehead Marine Museum.

Capture the Charm of Maine's Enchanting Small Towns

When you’re packing for your Maine vacation, don’t forget to bring a camera. From tranquil wilderness to thriving seaports and from sandy coves to riverside forts, it’s no wonder Maine’s pretty small towns have captured and inspired artists for centuries. The state has something for everyone, whether you’re into forest walks or boat cruises. There’s no shortage of captivating views in the Pine Tree State, where you’ll be given such a warm welcome that you won’t want to leave.