Maine is known for lobster, rocky coastline and lighthouses, Acadia National Park, fall foliage, moose, wild blueberries, and a huge amount of forest. It is also known for Stephen King, for skiing, and for a few foods you won’t find anywhere else. Here is what each of those means and where to see it for yourself.
Stephen King’s Maine is a big draw too. See Stephen King’s Bangor for where to go.
Quick Answer: What Maine Is Famous For
- Lobster, and lobster rolls in particular
- A rocky coast with dozens of lighthouses
- Acadia National Park, the only national park in New England
- Fall foliage
- Moose and the North Woods
- Wild blueberries
- Stephen King, who lives in Bangor
- Skiing, hiking and Mount Katahdin
Lobster
Lobster is the first thing most people think of, and Maine is the leading lobster state in the country. You can eat it at a roadside shack, a working lobster pound on the dock, or a restaurant. Start with our guide to the best lobster rolls in Maine. If you have never faced a whole one, read how to eat a lobster. For more seafood, see best seafood in Maine.
The Coast and Lighthouses
Maine’s coast is rocky, jagged and full of islands, harbors and small fishing towns. It is also lined with lighthouses, with more than 60 of them by most counts. West Quoddy Head, near the Canadian border, is the easternmost point in the contiguous United States. See the best lighthouses in Maine, the best beaches in Maine, and the hiking along the Bold Coast. The windjammer schooners out of Camden and Rockland are another classic.
Acadia National Park
Acadia, on Mount Desert Island, is the only national park in New England and one of the most visited in the country. Granite peaks meet the ocean, and the park sits beside the town of Bar Harbor. Plan with our Acadia National Park guide.
Fall Foliage
Autumn color draws visitors from all over the Northeast. Timing depends on where you are, with the north turning first and the coast last. See when fall foliage peaks in Maine, the prettiest foliage towns and the best foliage drives.
Moose and the North Woods
Maine is one of the most heavily forested states in the country, and its north is wild enough that moose are a common sight near the roads. Greenville and Moosehead Lake are the usual starting points. See where to see moose in Maine, and the Baxter State Park guide for Mount Katahdin, the northern end of the Appalachian Trail.
Wild Blueberries
Maine grows the large majority of the country’s wild blueberries, mostly on the barrens of Washington County. The berries are small and intensely flavored, and August is the season. See our guide to blueberry season and where to pick.
Stephen King and Bangor
Horror writer Stephen King lives in Bangor, and many of his stories are set in fictional Maine towns. Bangor is also a good base for the Penobscot River and the north. See things to do in Bangor and the history of Bangor.
Skiing and Hiking
Maine has real mountains. Sugarloaf and Sunday River are the biggest ski areas, and the hiking is some of the best in the Northeast. See Sunday River vs. Sugarloaf and our Maine hiking guide.
Maine Foods
Beyond lobster, Maine is known for its blueberry pie, whoopie pies, and Moxie, the state soft drink. It is also known for clam chowder, fried clams and fiddleheads in spring.
More Things Maine Is Famous For
Maine is also famous for L.L.Bean, whose flagship store in Freeport is a destination in itself. Aroostook County in northern Maine is potato country. And Portland has built a name for its craft breweries and restaurants, so it is worth planning a meal or two there. See things to do in Portland.
Nicknames and Quick Facts
Maine is called the Pine Tree State, and its license plates say “Vacationland.” For more general background, see about Maine, and what America searches about Maine.
Planning a Visit
Decide when to go with our guide to the best time to visit Maine. For a longer trip, see the one-week Maine road trip itinerary.