Maine Coast Attractions

Explore the stunning coastline of Acadia National Park, top vacation destination Bar Harbor, and the plethora of museums, lighthouses, state parks and bays along the entire coast of Maine.

Savvy travelers the world over know about the famed Coast Highway One that runs the length of California's coastline. But few people realize that the East Coast has its own Route One, a hidden treasure of highway that takes visitors through Maine coast attractions that parallel the beauty and magnificence of any stretch of highway in the world. The beauty of Maine's Route One is even more attainable when you consider that it can be driven easily in one weekend.

Meandering up the coast, parallel to the Maine Turnpike, the first 30 miles of Route One weaves in and out of small Maine towns and past glimpses of Maine's famous rocky shoreline. A short detour to Kennebunkport takes you past Walker's Point, the summer home of former President George H.W. Bush. Stop at Old Orchard Beach, a seven-mile-long stretch of white sandy beach next to a vibrant town and boardwalk.

Thirty minutes north of Old Orchard Beach, Portland features some of the finest restaurants in the United States, thanks to the bounty of local produce and seafood. A short walk through Portland's Old Port will avail you to countless restaurant options and will show you the working waterfront that makes Portland so unique.

Traffic can get thick as you head into Midcoast Maine on Route One, due in large part to the famous lobster roll shacks that line the road and the picture-perfect views of quaint harbors in towns like Damariscotta, Rockport, Camden and Belfast. There is no shortage of coastal attractions in the area, so take your time and explore these magical towns rich in maritime history.

Acadia National Park is a short drive from Route One as you head into Downeast Maine. The terminus of the coastal section of Route One is in Calais, Maine, at the border of Canada. With a plethora of inns and bed and breakfasts all along the way, the 300 mile drive along Maine's Coast is enough to fill an entire vacation.