Maine

Understand

Maine owes its statehood to the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which admitted Missouri as a slave state and split off Maine from Massachusetts to admit it as a free state, to maintain the balance of pro- and anti-slavery factions in the US Senate.

Maine is the northernmost and easternmost state in New England. As such, Maine experiences seasonal variation in weather and daylight, and weather can change rapidly. Nor'easters and the occasional tropical system can bring heavy precipitation and gusty winds. Temperatures usually hover around freezing in the winter (daily highs range between 22°F to 36°F north to south); and around 81°F in the summer. However, heat waves can still raise the temperature to 90°F and above. Snow and Nor'easters can persist from November until the end of March. Rainfall is plentiful throughout the year. In the winter, the sun is up from as late as 7:05AM to as early as 3:40PM. In the summer, the sun is up from as early as 4:35AM to as late as 8:15PM.

Tourist information

• Visit Maine website

Regions

Cities

Some of Maine's major cities are:

• Augusta – the state capital
• Auburn – one of Maine's "Twin Cities"
• Bangor – the Queen City, home of Stephen King
• Bar Harbor – adjacent to Acadia National Park
• Biddeford
• Brunswick – home of Bowdoin College
• Ellsworth – Downeast Gateway
• Lewiston – a large industrial town in central Maine, home of Bates College, the other of Maine's "Twin Cities"
• Portland – largest city

Other destinations

• Acadia National Park – preserves some of the highest mountains along the US's Atlantic Coast
• Baxter State Park – possibly Maine's best-preserved wilderness
• Mackworth Island
• Rangeley Lakes
• Rockland – Home of the Lobster Festival
• Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Lubec — Franklin D. Roosevelt's summer island home, on an island administered by both the U.S. and Canada.
• Sebago Lake — Second largest lake in Maine
• Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, Calais — A small uninhabited island on the U.S.-Canada border that is shared by the two nations.

Get in

Maine shares land borders with New Brunswick, Québec, and New Hampshire.

Boston is the major gateway to Maine for visitors from overseas or from elsewhere in the United States.

A bus service runs from Boston to Maine's major cities, and the Amtrak Downeaster offers train service from Boston's North Station to Portland, with some trains continuing to Brunswick.

A car is generally required for exploring Maine. Many visitors rent a car in Boston and take Interstate 95 northward to Maine. It takes about two hours to drive from Boston to Portland and another two hours to drive from Portland to Bangor.

Several airlines provide direct flights to Portland and Bangor from most major cities in the northeastern United States. Bay Ferries runs high-speed ferry service from Yarmouth (Nova Scotia) to Bar Harbor.

Get around

Public roads are rare in the area north and west of Bangor. Private land owners maintain the few roads available in these north woods, and permits are required for access through each of ten checkpoints. Hours vary. Bicycles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and horses are banned in the North Maine Woods to reduce hazards involving logging trucks and forest fires in hard-to-reach places.

By train

By bus

Information on Maine Transit can be found here.

Stay safe

Maine has one of the lowest crime rates in the United States -- in fact, in some parts of the state, "Mainers" leave their houses and cars unlocked even when gone for long periods of time. Violent crime is rare, but visitors to Maine or anywhere should safeguard their possessions. Avoid leaving valuables in plain view in an unattended vehicle.

Automobile collisions with moose can be deadly for both the moose and the occupants of the vehicle. It is best not to drive too fast in areas frequented by moose. Many areas with high risk of moose-auto collisions are marked with signs. Moose are far more lethal than deer, which are also around. Drivers visiting during winter (as early as October or as late as April) should be familiar with winter driving, and wise to worry about black ice on the hilly windy roads.

Outside of driving, risk of death from animals is usually remote, but black flies and mosquitoes may drive one mad.

Hikers should carry and know how to use a map and compass and dress in layers for changeable weather. Cell coverage is spotty in many parts of the state, so ensure any digital maps work offline.

It is unsafe to venture out onto Maine's coastal waters without the necessary equipment and experience. This is true of kayaking, canoeing, sailing or any other kind of boating. The water is cold and hypothermia can set in a short amount of time, and the rip currents are strong. Dense fog often rolls in very quickly as well as the occasional storm. If you are determined to go out on your own, wear a personal flotation device (PFD) such as a life jacket, having a compass you know how to use, and understand how to navigate safely around other boats and water hazards. Not doing so is not only foolish, but could result in serious fines from the Coast Guard or a Marine Patrol officer. There are numerous companies that offer guided sea kayak, sailing, and power boat tours.

Go next

• New Hampshire - The only U.S. state to share a border with Maine, New Hampshire is a fiercely independent state that offers the rugged White Mountains, idyllic lakes, and a handful of ocean resorts.
• New Brunswick - Maine's northeastern neighbor is one of the Canadian Atlantic Provinces. New Brunswick's interior consists of sparsely populated forests, while its vast coastline is home to most of the population.
• Nova Scotia - Located across the Bay of Fundy, this Canadian province boasts a Scottish heritage and stunning natural beauty.
• Quebec - Maine's western neighbor, Quebec's European feel, history, culture and warmth have made it a favorite tourist destination both nationally and internationally.