Where to Stay in Maine

Maine offers diverse landscapes and attractions, so where you should stay largely depends on your interests. Here's a comprehensive list of the best areas to stay in when visiting Maine:

1. Portland:

   • Best for: Urban explorers, foodies, art enthusiasts.

   • Highlights: Historic Old Port, renowned restaurants, art museums, and boutique shopping.

   • Accommodation Types: Boutique hotels, B&Bs, waterfront accommodations.

2. Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park:

   • Best for: Nature lovers, families, hikers.

   • Highlights: Scenic drives, hiking trails, coastal views, downtown Bar Harbor's charm.

   • Accommodation Types: Hotels, inns, vacation rentals, campgrounds.

3. Kennebunkport:

   • Best for: Beachgoers, luxury seekers, seafood lovers.

   • Highlights: Beautiful beaches, upscale dining, charming Dock Square.

   • Accommodation Types: Luxury resorts, quaint inns, vacation rentals.

4. Camden/Rockport:

   • Best for: Sailing enthusiasts, families, nature lovers.

   • Highlights: Camden Hills State Park, harbor views, sailing adventures.

   • Accommodation Types: Historic inns, B&Bs, motels.

5. Boothbay Harbor:

   • Best for: Coastal enthusiasts, families.

   • Highlights: Botanical gardens, boat tours, aquarium.

   • Accommodation Types: Waterfront hotels, inns, vacation rentals.

6. Freeport:

   • Best for: Shoppers, outdoor enthusiasts.

   • Highlights: L.L.Bean flagship store, shopping outlets, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park.

   • Accommodation Types: Chain hotels, cozy B&Bs, campgrounds.

7. Ogunquit:

   • Best for: Beachgoers, art lovers, LGBTQ+ travelers.

   • Highlights: Ogunquit Beach, Marginal Way, Playhouse.

   • Accommodation Types: Beachfront hotels, motels, inns.

8. Brunswick/Bath:

   • Best for: History buffs, families.

   • Highlights: Bowdoin College, Maine Maritime Museum, historic downtown Bath.

   • Accommodation Types: Hotels, B&Bs, inns.

9. Bangor:

   • Best for: Cultural enthusiasts, Stephen King fans.

   • Highlights: Historic architecture, Stephen King's residence, Penobscot Theatre Company.

   • Accommodation Types: Chain hotels, motels, historic inns.

10. Rangeley Lakes Region::

    • Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, solitude seekers.

    • Highlights: Lakes, hiking, winter sports.

    • Accommodation Types: Lodges, cabins, vacation rentals.

11. Moosehead Lake/Greenville:

    • Best for: Adventurers, nature enthusiasts.

    • Highlights: Moose watching, lake activities, scenic flights.

    • Accommodation Types: Lakefront lodges, cabins, B&Bs.

12. The Midcoast (Damariscotta, Wiscasset, Pemaquid):

    • Best for: Coastal lovers, history buffs.

    • Highlights: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, charming coastal villages, local seafood.

    • Accommodation Types: Inns, motels, vacation rentals.

13. Aroostook County:

    • Best for: Off-the-beaten-path explorers, potato lovers.

    • Highlights: Potato harvest, vast landscapes, outdoor activities.

    • Accommodation Types: Motels, lodges, inns.

14. Lewiston-Auburn:

    • Best for: Cultural enthusiasts, history buffs, river activities.

    • Highlights: Bates College, Museum L-A (chronicling the history of work and community in Lewiston-Auburn), Androscoggin River and its walking trails, local festivals.

    • Accommodation Types: Hotels, motels, B&Bs.