Mount Desert Island in 48 Hours
One of the most visited spots in Maine warrants a two-week long adventure, but here's where to hike, eat, and stay in a single luxurious, jam-packed weekend.
Belfast sits on the shores of the Passagassawakeag River where it meets the ocean in Belfast Bay, providing visitors with classic harbor views. Known for its funky vibe and walkable downtown, it’s a popular pit stop for travelers en route to Acadia National Park or the downeast region. We spoke with Kathleen Dunckel, co-owner of Marshall Wharf Brewing Company, to get her advice for how to best spend a day in the midcoast town.
One of the most visited spots in Maine warrants a two-week long adventure, but here's where to hike, eat, and stay in a single luxurious, jam-packed weekend.
Due to its proximity to Pennesseewassee Lake and Maine’s western mountains, Norway has long been a stopover for both summer and winter excursions. At one point it was even known as the “Snowshoe Capital of the World.” We spoke with
The County is a winter playground for ice-fishing, snowmobiling, and dogsledding, but Maine’s largest territory also has much to offer post-thaw.
Summer in Maine comes once a year, so we rounded up our favorite destinations to take advantage of the season. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for a weeklong vacation or just something to do on a warm Saturday afternoon, this guide is for you. No matter where you want to visit in Maine—from island trips to oyster tours to art havens— we have you covered. The only question is, where will you go first?
The Damariscotta River is world-famous for its oysters, and there’s never been a better time to shuck and slurp your way through the region. Many of the river’s oyster farms provide tours of their growing operations, and some now have markets for taking their bivalves home with you as well as outdoor seating for on-site sampling.
Nirvana for freshwater enthusiasts, this is where vacationers mingle with locals all summer long. By day’s end almost every adult seems to have a sunburn on their neck and a beer in their hands. It’s a kids’ playground, too, of course, with numerous water sports available, from pontoon boat rentals and fully rigged fishing trips to simply jumping off a gigantic rock again and again…and again.
The islands reachable via Casco Bay Lines ferry service out of Portland don’t just boast pine-dotted shores, protected harbors, tight-knit fishing communities, and sea life galore. They also offer a slew of activities: from hiking and biking trails to tennis and golf to fine dining and camping. And one thing they all have in spades is a notably slower pace of life and the bliss that comes with it.
The many overlapping layers of culture across this oceanfront resort town have made it a magnet for vacationing families, art connoisseurs, the LGBTQ+ community, and nature lovers. That glorious human mix means that, no matter who you are, you’ll rarely long for something stimulating to jump into around Ogunquit.
The web of pine-lined ponds that make up the Belgrade Lakes region has captured the imagination of travelers and artists for centuries. As E.B. White wrote in his essay “Once More to the Lake,” “None of us ever thought there was any place in the world like that lake in Maine.” To make the most of a day trip to the region is to surrender to the slow pace of a fisherman waiting for a great catch, to idle in tiny pastoral towns, and to pause long enough to hear the babble of the rushing brooks and streams that weave together its seven lakes.
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