Overview
Calais (pronounced "Cal' lus") is a coastal town located in the Down East region of Maine at the Canadian border across from the town of St. Stephen, one of Maine's busiest border crossings. Calais and St. Stephen have a close relationship, celebrated with a multiple-day International Festival each year. A parade crosses Ferry Point Bridge, with the mayors of both communities shaking hands across the border.
5 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Calais
Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Daily dawn to dusk, but displays are covered in winter. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site marks the first presence by Europeans on mainland northern North America and is part of the United States National Pa…
Whitlock's Mill Light
Three miles south of Calais. Northernmost lighthouse in the U.S. and still a working light. While the light cannot be visited, it can be seen from the St. Croix View Rest Area on U.S. Highway 1.
Dr. Job Holmes Cottage & Museum
Calais Free Library
Holmes House
Built 1804.
St. Croix Country Club Golf Course
Public, nine holes. 5534 yards, par 70, slope 107, rating 65.2.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Nov. (climate data from nearby Acadia National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BHB Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, Bar Harbor — 74 mi away. Directions
- BGR Bangor International Airport, Bangor — 81 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 184 mi away (major hub). Directions
The direct route from Bangor, ME is via Route 9, locally called "The Airline."
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Whitlock's Mill Light, Dr. Job Holmes Cottage & Museum
- Afternoon Calais Free Library, St. Croix Country Club Golf Course
Day 2
- Morning Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, Holmes House
- Afternoon International Festival
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
The direct route from Bangor, ME is via Route 9, locally called "The Airline."
By bus
By plane
The closest airport is Bangor International Airport (BGR).
See
See Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Daily dawn to dusk, but displays are covered in winter. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site marks the first presence by Europeans on mainland northern North America and is part of the United States National Park System. It is composed of a mainland site and 6.5-acre Saint Croix Island. Travel to the island is discouraged due to its fragile ecosystem. The mainland site includes an outdoor interpretive shelter, picnic tables, a pit toilet, and an unimproved boat launch. A short, accessible interpretive trail features bronze figures of the French and Passamaquoddy, as well as displays discussing historical events and the interaction of the two cultures.
See Whitlock's Mill Light
Three miles south of Calais. Northernmost lighthouse in the U.S. and still a working light. While the light cannot be visited, it can be seen from the St. Croix View Rest Area on U.S. Highway 1.
Do
Do St. Croix Country Club Golf Course
Public, nine holes. 5534 yards, par 70, slope 107, rating 65.2.
Festivals
Do International Festival
Early August week-long festival with cross-border neighbor town, St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada.
Sleep
Go next
- Campobello Island
- The Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine is 20 mi northwest on the road to Houlton (US Route 1)
Nearby
Eastport
City / town · 12 listings · 21 mi away
Lubec
City / town · 28 listings · 25 mi away
Jonesport
City / town · 7 listings · 47 mi away
Lincoln
City / town · 9 listings · 63 mi away
Winter Harbor
City / town · 12 listings · 67 mi away
Hulls Cove
City / town · 6 listings · 71 mi away
Bar Harbor
City / town · 104 listings · 72 mi away
Houlton
City / town · 4 listings · 72 mi away
My experience
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