Shocks to Expect On Your Maine Vacation
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting the state of Maine. This New England state is known for many things, including a rugged coastline, a healthy moose population, and lobster. As with any travel destination, there are many surprises in store for your Maine vacation. If you’re thinking about visiting Maine, don’t be surprised at these “shocks.”
Maine Lobster. Everywhere.
When you think of Maine, you probably think of lobster, so it’s not surprising to see lobster in Maine. But the shock is just how prolific lobster is when you visit Maine. It’s served in ways you could never imagine, and plenty of ways you may have only dreamed about like lobster grilled cheese or lobster mac and cheese. Most of the souvenirs even have a lobster theme.
Some of the best forms of Maine lobster include:
- Steamed lobster is Jocelyn’s favorite. It’s simple and delicious. If you’re not sure how to get the meat out, ask your server or a local.
- If that seems like too much work, a lobster roll is the next best thing.
- Classic dishes like macaroni and cheese or grilled cheese are even better with some lobster thrown in!
Unlike other parts of the world, lobster isn’t a fancy thing to order in Maine. Many times, the divey roadside stands have the best lobster!
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Flavors of Maine
Besides the delicious, fresh lobster in Maine, you’ll be shocked at all the amazing local food! A few things you should try when visiting Maine include:
- Clams! Like lobster, clams come in a lot of varieties:
- Steamers, or steamed clams
- Fried clam strips or whole belly clams
- Clam chowder
- There are so many other ocean creatures that are also delicious: oysters, mussels, crabs, and scallops are just a few. Try them all!
- We already mentioned clam chowder, but they also have good corn chowder, fish chowder, seafood chowder, and others. If there’s a chill in the air, chowder is the answer.
- Maine baked beans are at the heart of what they call Bean Suppers. The supper is basically a potluck, but definitely try the baked beans in Maine.
- Wild blueberries are everywhere and they are so good! Blueberry muffins, donuts, cobbler, ice cream and so much more. Eat everything that has Maine blueberries in it!
- Maine has a ton of strawberry farms, too. We’ve had a lot of fresh, tasty fruit in Maine.
- You might want to try an Italian Sandwich at Amato’s when you’re in Maine. This Portland tradition dates back to 1902.
- Red Snappers; not fish, but hot dogs in a red casing. They snap when you bite into them; hence, the name.
- Humpty Dumpty Chips are the perfect Maine road trip snack
- Moxie soda, which Jocelyn likes, but Mark says it’s an acquired taste. Don’t buy a lot until you’re sure you like it.
- The Holy Donut in Portland serves potato donuts in a huge variety of delicious flavors.
- Whoopie Pies are a Maine thing, and they’re sold everywhere from gas stations to bakeries.
- For beer drinkers, there are a lot of tasty local brews to sample. Just ask for something local!
- Maple syrup is another Maine staple, and you can also get maple candy or maple sweetener for your coffee and tea.
- The Maine Needham Company produces a very popular local candy made with chocolate, coconut, and potatoes. You can get them in various flavors like blueberry and maple, but make sure you try the famous potato candy!
Natural Dangers
Maybe “danger” is a bit overblown, but the Maine mosquito jokes are not. Between mosquitoes and black flies, you might feel like you’ve donated pints of blood to the Maine wildlife. Maine has ticks, too, and those can be quite serious and lead to Lyme Disease. If you go hiking in Maine, and you should, always do a tick check on yourself, your kids, and your pets before coming inside.
Moose can also be dangerous, whether you are driving or hiking. The moose in Maine are massive and can destroy your car if you hit one. They are so big that they are usually pretty easy to spot, but make sure you give them lots of space if you see one on the trail.
Maine Coastline & Lighthouses
Most people visit Maine to see the extraordinary coastline and are still shocked at its beauty. Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful National Parks we’ve visited and is a great showcase of Maine’s rugged coastline.
Aside from the National Park, the Maine coast is lined with cute villages and historic lighthouses. Places like Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, and Old Orchard Beach are all fantastic places to visit in Maine. There are plenty of lesser-known towns and villages to check out as well!
Leaf Peeping in Maine
People come here just to see the leaves change in the fall. And it’s still shocking just how incredible it is. The crowds can also be a shock, as leaf peeping in Maine is extremely popular! When you see all the spectacular colors, you’ll know it’s worth it and you’ll see why they call Maine “vacation-land.”
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B&B Culture in Maine
Maine is chock full of bed and breakfast accommodations, and we think it’s the best option for choosing where to stay in Maine. You can find chain hotels in some of the larger towns in Maine, but you want to stay in the smaller towns. There are some pretty neat cabins and campgrounds. We love our hotel points, too, but when you’re visiting Maine, go for the small stuff. And don’t forget to make reservations far in advance, especially if you’re visiting Maine in the summer or fall!
Inland Maine
Even though most of us visit Maine for the coastal views, inland Maine has some worthy destinations as well. The hiking is incredible, and there are beautiful lakes and rivers. If you’re into outdoor adventures, you will love Maine. It’s the home of LLBean if that tells you anything! Hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting: it’s all there in Maine!
Winter in Maine
We don’t know what’s more shocking. How cold it gets in Maine, or the fact that cold doesn’t seem to phase the locals at all. They bundle up in their LLBean flannels and head outside year-round. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are super popular, and there are over a dozen downhill ski resorts in Maine.
Maine Locals
We have friends who live in Maine, but we were still shocked at how nice all the locals are. They are super hospitable unless you are from New York. They really despise New Yorkers and have quite the rivalry. It’s a shock how friendly they are to everyone BUT New Yorkers.
Prices in Maine
New England tends to be pricier than the Midwest or the South, so it shouldn’t be a shock, but Maine seems to be even more expensive than other New England destinations. Especially in the summer. You can expect to pay top prices for accommodation. You might expect lobster to be cheap since it’s so plentiful, but it’s still pricey. Probably cheaper (and definitely fresher) than what you get at home, but be prepared to spend a few bucks on food in Maine.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “shocks” keep you from planning a trip to Maine; it’s full of pleasant surprises. It’s such a diverse state, with lighthouses, lakes, mountains, friendly people, and famous Maine food! Deciding where to go in Maine can be overwhelming because it’s such a diverse state, but you’ll have a good time no matter which vacation spots in Maine you choose!
Want more tips for traveling in New England? Check out some of our other blog posts: