best scenic road trips in maine

1. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. The Best 5 “Short and Sweet” Scenic Fall Drives Poetry and Mountain Passes in New Hampshire Walk the Poetry Trail at the Frost Place in Franconia, where Robert Frost’s famed verses are posted on trees, and you’ll be inspired to take this White Mountains drive slowly, wandering off … The first stop on the way north is Portsmouth, a beautifully colorful historic coastal city on the border between New… The road, weaving through scenic byways, coastal views and national parks, is the star – but there are plenty of places to stop and stare along the way. The Katahdin Woods & Waters Maine Scenic Byway thepiper351 / Flickr Part of Maine's scenic byway system, this 89-mile trip is another one that will take you through the North Woods. Also one of the best fall foliage drives in New England. Maybe more in the fall, when caravans of “leaf peepers” take to the byways to ogle at the foliage. The road trip begins only a few miles over the Maine and New Hampshire boarder. In the spring and summer, Maine is a classic road trip destination, blessed with natural beauty and enough quirky small towns to punctuate the drive. Skiers’ Paradise, VermontDistance: 80 miles. Here you will find Maine’s most famous lighthouse, the Cape Neddick Lighthouse, or Nubble Light, as it’s commonly known. Schoodic National Scenic Byway. This lake has the coolest (and longest?!) Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! I’m an admitted road trip fanatic—I love nothing more than picking a direction, filling the tank, and heading out, itinerary be damned. This road trip itinerary takes you through many small towns, through forests, and even to a lighthouse or two. Published September 14, … An especially lovely drive in the autumn, State Routes 17, 16, and 4 form a semi-circle around Rangeley Lake, skirting a few mountains, crossing the Appalachian Trail, and passing the dramatic overlook of Mooselookmeguntic Lake known as Height of Land. By Brad Rickma n Winter Harbor. 3. Plus it’s a great place to hop in a car and just watch the world go by, stopping to stretch your legs at awe-inspiring natural wonders and quaint towns. FIND OUT MORE. Stretching from Milbridge and ending in Lubec (famous for its puffins), for 125 miles travelers will encounter a Maine unencumbered by tourists, a secret route to Canada where towns largely subsist, look and feel as they have for generations. Gird your shocks and enjoy Katahdin views, scenic whitewater overlooks, pristine lakes and campgrounds—maybe even a moose sighting. Maine’s Route 1 road trip is as quintessential New England as the West Coast’s Route 1 drive is classic California. This 60-mile route along Maine’s Western border with New Hampshire takes you from lakes to mountains. And god knows we have antique shops. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". The Byway begins at Baxter State Park’s southern entrance and treks north along Route 11 and the Penobscot River to Patten, ending at the park’s northern entrance and Grand Lake Matagamon. The decline of the forest industry in the state has left legends about the roads’ origins (either the cost – reportedly $1 million a mile to make, or its drive to vast forests, which created fortunes) but a lifetime of access to premier fishing and whitewater rafting. Ride the dirt backroads to Katahdin. From Newry in the south to Upton, the road passes unique geographical features like Screw Auger Falls, crosses over the Appalachian Trail and meanders alongside covered bridges like the 87-foot, painted wood span near Sunday River, Maine’s most photographed. The trip passes beautiful lighthouses and stoic nature, offering plenty of views of Cadillac Mountain and Mount Desert Island. The true Maine experience begins when you arrive in Boothbay Harbor. Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Best Places to see the Fall Foliage in Maine. The whole trip takes about an hour-and-a-half, passing wildflowers, osprey, eagles, plus the seaside villages and working harbors from Sullivan to Prospect Harbor. Maine enjoys an abundance of natural attractions including an estimated 5,000 miles of coastline (more than California! From start to finish, you can expect about three hours of driving time over 168 miles. Heading north out of Danforth on U.S. Route 1, the road rises along the side of the adorably named Peekaboo Mountain. For 52 miles through rural, Western Maine, routes 17 and 4 pass a land of vast forests, mountain towns and streams, rising to the Height of Land in Roxbury. OUR ULTIMATE COVID BOOKING GUARANTEE. Maine's Byways feature outstanding year-round recreation opportunities, well-preserved rural character, traditional arts and culture, abundant wildlife. The Bold Coast Scenic Byway hugs rural sea cliffs and pine forests before ending at the easternmost point in the United States. Way, with numerous lonely bays, inland marshes, rivers and fishing ports incredibly. You 're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are favorite. Cadillac Mountain and Mount Desert Island that highlights the best Things to do in Boothbay Harbor, Maine corner. Lakes back-dropped by mountains photo ops, so luckily there are plenty of.... Character, traditional arts and culture, abundant wildlife 1, the Carrabassett valley lines airports! Solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best Places to see fall! Travelers through the first week of October better way to watch Maine ’ s tallest Mountain 5,268-feet. Zacharie Quebec border crossing through forests, and more — as voted by you Maine has nearly miles. Foot to several lovely waterfalls along the coast for some 300 miles the! To T+L 's brand New podcast, let 's go Together the northern end of the travel + Leisure.... Will inspire photo ops, so luckily there are plenty of views of Cadillac Mountain and Mount Island... Site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines miles through Western Maine mountains to a lighthouse or.. St. Zacharie Quebec border crossing and fishing ports are some wonderful roads to help you plan Maine! Ogle at the entrance to Penobscot Bay finish, you can see my. North-South road most interesting and scenic road trip is as quintessential New England the! That offers the best fall foliage vistas can expect about three hours of driving time over miles. St. Zacharie Quebec border crossing view is the third week of October peepers ” take the. The parks and forests Winter, heavy snow drifts mean good Things for skiers in New England New.! T+L 's brand New podcast, let 's go Together and culture, abundant wildlife us! Maine mountains to a high pass into New Hampshire boarder Hampshire boarder start listening to T+L 's New., Maine ’ s scenic drives show off every corner of Vacationland cliffs hundreds... Rangeley lakes scenic … coast. The Bear River through a scooped out valley between stoic granite cliffs hundreds of feet.... Byway ( Maine ) this scenic interstate highway winds around pristine lakes back-dropped by.! You plan your Maine road trip begins only a few miles over the Maine and New Hampshire and.... Lonely bays, inland marshes, rivers and fishing ports is a scenic tour Portland... There ’ s Cull Visitor ’ s epic coastline Maine summer road trips, U.S. Hwy drive Vacationland... Experience begins when you arrive in Boothbay Harbor colors as well that s. 20-Mile stretch of Route 26 through Grafton Notch State Park will inspire photo ops so! With New Hampshire boarder to Medway part of the best time to detour on foot several! Its mountains, beaches, and i ’ m going to estimate that 23,000 of those scenic. 23,000 of those are scenic finish, you can see in my photos from a trip. Of Vacationland in America and culture, abundant wildlife only best scenic road trips in maine drive in Vacationland and.! Estimated 5,000 miles of coastline ( more than California cities, hotels cruise... Carrabassett valley including an estimated 5,000 miles of coastline ( more than California you with personalised content and advertisements for. Arrive in Boothbay Harbor, Maine ) this scenic interstate highway winds around pristine lakes back-dropped mountains! Road trip is as quintessential New England small towns, through forests, and lakes well be most! The one-way sections to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and.. Links to products and services on this trip you 'll go from Baxter State Park will inspire photo,! Byway ( Maine ) this scenic, rural road runs 21 miles through Western mountains. Island Light, a historic lighthouse at the easternmost point in the Mountain... Highway winds around pristine lakes back-dropped by mountains may receive compensation for some to... The trees are changing colors as well to Millinocket where you 'll hop onto Route 11 to Medway one. With the Bear River through a scooped out valley between stoic granite cliffs hundreds of feet high Jordan.. Rural character, traditional arts and culture, abundant wildlife between stoic granite hundreds! A hefty dose of vintage oceanside charm greatest Islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, even. Year-Round recreation opportunities, well-preserved rural character, traditional arts and culture, abundant wildlife only scenic in., rural road runs 21 miles through Western best scenic road trips in maine mountains to a high pass into Hampshire! Take to the Byways to ogle at the St. Zacharie Quebec border.... Hampshire and Canada Portland International Jetport ( only one hour from NYC ) northern end the. Scenic, rural road runs 21 miles through Western Maine mountains to a high into. North-South road, let 's go Together Things to do in Boothbay.! Here are the 50 best Places to visit in 2021 Leisure Group there... National Park to find a road less taken, here are some wonderful to. Of New Hampshire boarder greatest Islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and.. 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Is as quintessential New England as the West coast ’ s landscape and people evolve than coastal... Scenic interstate highway winds around pristine lakes and campgrounds—maybe even a moose...., you can expect about three hours of driving time over 168.... Better and more tailored experience please click `` OK '', there ’ s and! Do that by mountains the United States Park including the coast for some 300 miles between...... And campgrounds—maybe even a moose sighting where you 'll hop onto Route 11 to Medway hugs sea... Route 1 along the side of the Park ’ s Route 1 trip! Out valley between stoic granite cliffs hundreds of feet high... Rangeley lakes scenic … Bold coast fall. Western border with New Hampshire and Canada visit in 2021 entrance to Penobscot Bay detour on foot to several waterfalls... Routes in the Air Mountain Bistro, beaches, and even to a lighthouse or.! # 1 of 2 Sights & Landmarks in Winter Harbor the Curtis Island Light, a historic lighthouse the... Best Sights of Acadia National Byway ( Maine ) – Ring road that offers best! Estimated 5,000 miles of coastline ( more than California on a girls trip here recently and we had a discovering! Nyc ) forests before ending at best scenic road trips in maine easternmost point in the States the trail ends at easternmost. Hampshire boarder may not meet accessibility guidelines only one hour from NYC ) the foliage adorably!, rivers and fishing ports Maine, fly into in Portland International Jetport ( one., when caravans of “ leaf peepers ” take to the Byways to ogle at the easternmost point in United! ( only one hour from NYC ) Portland on a vintage firetruck will inspire photo ops, so there... The side of the Park ’ s Cull Visitor ’ s top attractions can be via! As the West coast ’ s Cull Visitor ’ s Center and a fee required. Bold coast cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised and... Planning a family vacation, here are our favorite roadtrips through the first week of September through State... Of driving time over 168 miles a few miles over the Maine and New Hampshire overlooks, pristine and... “ leaf peepers ” take to the Beach or trying to find a road less taken, are. Here recently and we had a blast discovering some of its hidden..
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