6 Reasons to Visit Maine in 2017

The Coast

"If you were to draw a straight line from Kittery in the far south, to Eastport, the Easternmost town in the United States, Maine only has 293 miles of coast. BUT if you stretch out the jagged coves, inlets and jetties and remeasured, Maine has 4,568 miles of coast…more than the all of the East Coast combined. When you add in the coastline from Maine’s 4,617 islands, you now how a figure of 7,000 miles, that’s more than 11260 Kilometers or more distance than between Maine and Iraq. (searsportshores.com)" Any way you put it, Maine has a TON of coastline. Sure it may be cold the majority of the year but that doesn't stop us locals, and the beauty of it doesn't stop just because it's cold outside! If you're an ocean fanatic, there are plenty of places to see among all of Maines' quaint little ocean towns. Old Orchard Beach, Portland Headlight, Acadia National Park, and Bar Harbor just to name a few! Keep your eye out for some awesome seafood shacks along the coast as well, those places always have the best, cheapest, and freshest seafood!

Mountains

While Maine isn't known for its mountainous area, we do have some pretty cool mountains to call our own! The biggest and most well-known being Mount Katahdin, home of the northern terminus to the nearly 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail. This is often said to be the most difficult mountain, but one of the most beautiful parts of the trail as well. This mountain is definitely not an easy feat but for anyone looking for an adventure, it is definitely a must-do while in Maine. Always be sure to check weather conditions first and prepare accordingly, I have been on the summit in July when it has started to snow!

Public Lands

Here in Maine, we've got some of the most beautiful public lands this side of the Mississippi. For one, we have Acadia National Park, a beautiful park along the coast of Maine with mountains to climb, trails to hike, paths to bike or run, and sights to see. Acadia is also a relatively pet-friendly park as well, compared to some of the other National Parks, so feel free to bring your four-legged companion! Acadia has some of the best ocean scenery along the entire East coast. 

Also, another honorable mention as far as public lands go, is the up-and-coming Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. With land donated to the government late in the 2016 year from co-owner of Burt's Bees, Roxanne Quimby, we now have a brand new 87,563 acre National Monument in Northern Maine. This area spans the outer regions of Baxter State Park, the park in which previously mentioned Katahdin resides, and protects some of the most wild lands in Maine. With so many small, run-down mill towns around the area, there is hope that the attraction to the park will bring life back into some of these towns.

People

If you visit Maine, you will likely find some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Mainers tend to always be willing to help somebody else out with whatever they may need. Ever since I have begun traveling around and living in other states, whenever people find out I am from Maine, I have more than once heard that Maine is a misplaced southern state due to the "southern hospitality" of the area. 

Outdoors

With so many undeveloped acres of land in Maine, this tends to be the outdoorsmans' paradise! Whether it be hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, canoeing, camping, or whatever other sport you choose as your favorite, we've got a place for that! Always check local laws and regulations before you go on any outing though, and always be courteous! Most of the undeveloped lands are owned by somebody who is nice enough to let strangers use it for recreational purposes. 

Seasons

Here in Maine, we've got some of the most drastic seasons in the U.S., so if you are somebody who loves having a full 4 season climate, Maine is for you! Winter is a bit extreme, typically lasting about 6 months or so, but with such a long winter, brings winter sports. Maine is home to a couple big time skiing and snowboarding mountains, but, if flat is more your forte, Maine also has tons of x-country skiing trails, snowshoeing trails, snowmobiling trails, and places to go ice fishing. Spring time things start a full bloom and the long-awaited warmer weather begins to arrive! Summer in Maine is heaven on earth; not too hot, not too cold, and well deserved after the winter and mud seasons. Fall in Northern Maine is something everybody should add to their bucket list, the colors are brilliant shades of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens; there is just nothing like it anywhere else!

If none of this convinces you to visit the Great State of Maine, at least come for the cheap lobster!