Start Planning Your Visit to Maine’s MidCoast!

Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Maine’s MidCoast region offers visitors breathtaking landscapes, iconic lighthouses, and a lively culture to explore. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, outdoor adventurer, or simply looking to unwind with a book by the ocean, here are ideas and resources to help you plan the perfect getaway.

 

 

Choose Your Favorite Activities

There’s so much to do here – hiking, kayaking, and exploring lighthouses and historic villages – where do you begin? Download our 32-page FREE MidCoast Guidebook, which is filled with detailed travel information and trip planning ideas. You’ll discover numerous suggestions for planning your perfect Maine day — or week, or longer — along the MidCoast.

 

 

 

Map Your Route Online

Searching for easy walking trails, state parks, or historic lighthouses? Our interactive MidCoast Route Planner lets you zoom into areas of interest and plan your route through the region. You can easily email your personalized route to yourself or open it in Google Maps for on-the-go navigation.

 

 

Book Your Stay Early

Now is an ideal time to choose and secure your stay in the MidCoast. As summer draws near, many hotels, village inns (including the Berry Manor Inn in Rockland), vacation rentals, and campsites will fill up quickly. Whether you prefer a luxury oceanfront inn or a cozy glamping tent under the stars, you’ll find great options. For more lodging options, check it out here!

 

 

Pack Like a Local

Summer weather in the MidCoast can bring bright sunny days, along with occasional hints of fall and spring. Our summers are mild yet often unpredictable. Pack several layers for cool evenings, comfortable shoes or boots, and rain gear. Don’t forget sunscreen for walks along the ocean or hikes on coastal mountain trails. There is no dress code at even our most famous restaurants and inns. “Casual” is always in style in the MidCoast— as locals say, “flannel is formal wear!”

 

 

Include a few Lighthouses in Your Travels

The MidCoast is home to 24 historic lighthouses that are intriguing to explore and admire from a distance at night. Some of our favorite lighthouses to visit include Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Bristol, which features one of the few climbable towers in the state; Owls Head Lighthouse near Rockland, providing panoramic views of Penobscot Bay; and Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde (pictured above). Use the Route Planner to follow the lighthouse trail for unforgettable photos and Instagram-worthy shots.

 

 

Find The Best Lobster Shacks

As the lobster capital of the world, finding fabulous lobster in every town along the MidCoast is easy. However, you don’t need a five-star restaurant to savor the best lobster. For a truly memorable experience, visit where the locals go: a lobster shack by the roadside or at the harbor’s edge. You’ll discover whole lobsters and buttery lobster rolls, along with clam chowder, baked beans, chips, slaw, and often, homemade desserts. (McLoons Lobster Shack in Spruce Head Island, South Thomaston, pictured above, is a popular destination!)

 

 

Make Reservations for Unforgettable Dining

The MidCoast offers delightful dining options for everyone who loves good food, including Nautilus, in Belfast (one of their offerings is shown above). With the growth of aquatic and organic farms, dining has reached foodie bliss at numerous small cafes and some of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants. Not to be overlooked are the region’s beloved craft breweries, specialty bakeries, coffee roasters, and roadside stands with hand-made ice cream.

 

We Can’t Wait to Welcome You!

We hope these planning ideas will help you make the most of your visit to the MidCoast. Whether you come for the scenic views, the rich maritime history, or the outdoor adventures, we’re sure you’ll have a memorable experience.

Browse our Travel Stories for ideas and inspiration. Consider getting off the beaten path and Exploring the Islands of Vinalhaven and North Haven, or if you’re an oyster fan, discover the Maine Oyster Trail.