It is the unique goal of many travel adventurers to visit all 50 states in America. To boost this objective, each week we shall explore one state. Alphabetically, the 19th to visit is none other than Maine, abbreviated ME. Regardless of the order in which you visit them, Maine, the Pine Tree State, wholeheartedly welcomes you.
Visit state # 19 – Maine
| State Motto | Dirigo (Latin for “I lead”) |
| State Flower | The white pinecone and tassel |
| State Bird | The chickadee |
| State Gemstone | Tourmaline |
| State Capital | Augusta |
| Famous Foods | Wild blueberries, the Holy Donut, Whoopie and other Pies, Raye’s mustard, Fried clams, Maine Lobster, Red snapper hot dogs, Craft beer, Old Soaker Wild Blueberry Soda, Fresh seafood, Popovers and more. |
Maine is a fabulous state in the New England region of the United States. It is bordered by New Hampshire to the southwest, the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Maine) to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick to the northeast and Quebec to the northwest. Maine is the 13th-least densely populated state and the most rural of the 50 states.
Historically, the first European settlement in Maine was established on St. Croix Island in 1604. Frenchmen Pierre du Guast and Samuel de Champlain founded a colony called Acadia, which included part of Maine and Quebec, Canada. Maine was once part of Massachusetts. Congress established Maine as the 23rd state under the Missouri Compromise of 1820. The northern border was not finalized until 1842. Maine also has a Native American History. The Abenaki, Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot tribes are collectively called the Wabanaki. For thousands of years, their ancestors have made their lives in Maine.
Per National Geographic, the state can be divided into three main geographic areas. The first region is coastal lowlands, found along the Atlantic coast and slightly inland. This region features sandy beaches, bays, marshes, inlets, and islands. The second is the eastern New England uplands which feature rich and fertile soil, lakes, streams, and the Longfellow Mountains. The third region includes Maine’s highest point, Mount Katahdin. This area includes the White Mountains in the northwest of the state and Baxter State Park.
A trip to Maine is an unforgettable experience. It is jam-packed with an abundance of nature and wildlife. Its forests overflow with black oaks, sugar maples, black walnuts, American elm, and more. In addition to endless fields of wildflowers, Maine is home to many animal species. The moose, with a sizable population inhabiting the forests, is Maine’s state animal and is deeply symbolic of the land. In fact, this largest extant member of the deer family is so beloved that it appears on its state seal. Maine is also home to bald and golden eagles, great gray owls, osprey, and more. Reptiles include various types of snakes, such as northern redbelly snakes, eastern garter, and smooth green snakes. Of course, there are amphibians as well, such as eastern painted turtles, bullfrogs, and eastern red-backed salamanders. It is a paradise for anyone who loves beauty and nature.
It’s nearly impossible to list all the wonderful things to do when visiting the state. Toward the top of everyone’s must-see list is Acadia National Park. Located on Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park is often referred to as the crown jewel of the North Atlantic coast. The park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline. There are 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of pristine hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads to explore. A trip to the top of Cadillac Mountain, located on Mount Desert Island within the national park, is well worth the trip. Be there at dawn to watch the sunrise or go later to see the sunset at this highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. Cadillac Mountain is notably the first place to view sunrise in the United States from early October to early March.
There are so many great towns to visit in Maine. A remarkable time can be had in Bar Harbor, Maine, on Mount Desert Island along Maine’s Frenchman Bay. The charming town serves as a gateway to the mountains and cliffs of the park and is known for its coastal beauty, yachts, schooners, whaling and fishing tours, and more. The town itself showcases historic homes, artsy shops, a mix of upscale and cozy restaurants, and sweet bed & breakfasts. Take a sail around Frenchman Bay, take photos from the Bar Harbor Town Pier, head to Bar Island, and take in the natural history museum to gain a true appreciation of the region.
Other notable towns in Maine include Kennebunkport; a coastal town noted for its beaches and trolley display, and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, fishing and shipbuilding history, and as the vacation home of Presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush and their families, Portland; featuring jagged cliffs, historic lighthouses that overlook the Gulf of Maine, a rich art district, and hot vacation spots such as Peaks Island where biking and kayaking are second to none; and Augusta, the state capital of Maine, proud of its historic buildings including the copper-clad domed Maine State House built in 1832 and overlooking the Kennebec River. So much to see and do in one great state!
Up next: Maryland
Maine is a great get-away destination. When I was young, we took long car trips through New England, into Canada, stopping in Maine before traveling to the Bay of Fundy or Quebec, farther north. A couple of times when my kids were very young, we drove to Wayne, Maine to visit friends, and spent the day picking blueberries or strawberries and making jam. Fun, beautiful state…and memorable. I want to do that again, but not with gasoline at $4.76/gallon.