Hidden Gems on the Maine Coast › Just Life With Jen

I don’t need to convince you that Maine is beautiful. Just google Bar Harbor and you’ll see what I mean. The terrain of Maine – even just along the coast – is so varied. The coast of Maine is a breath of fresh air. You can’t help but feel refreshed after just a few days in this beautiful state.

When most people think of Maine and plan a visit, they think of Bar Harbor – the picturesque town in Acadia National Park. While Bar Harbor is certainly worth the visit – there are actually a lot of beautiful spots along the coast that are just as cool while not as crowded.

Wondering where to visit in Maine? If you want to find out about some of the best hidden secrets of the Maine coast – and get off the beaten path – keep on reading. I’m revealing some of my favorite places and the picturesque towns I came across during my month in Maine.

When is the best time to visit Maine?

You’ll find that the best time to visit Maine is May-October. These will be the warmest months that will give you the most of your outdoor time.

Shoulder season months like May and October will have less crowds, but you’ll also find that more restaurants and attractions are closed during this time.

June-September is peak summer season along the Maine coast, and when you’ll enjoy the best lobster and the warmest water for swimming. It can actually get pretty hot in Maine in August and September, so you’ll have plenty of chances (and excuses!) for taking a plunge in the sea.

Accommodations for families in Maine:

Besides AirBnb and VRBO, there are a number of family-friendly options for accommodations along the coast of Maine. Outside of Bar Harbor, they will be spread along the coast in the many seaside towns.

MONEY TIP: Make sure to turn your Rakuten extension on when booking to earn cash back!

250 Main Hotel – Rockland

Coveside Bed & Breakfast – Georgetown

The Bradley Inn – New Harbor

East Wind Inn – Tenants Harbor

Blue Sky Cottage – South Thomaston

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How to travel along the Maine coast?

Traveling along the coast of Maine is pretty easy. Highway 1 in Maine will take you all the way from Portland to Bar Harbor.

Traveling the coastal highway is not the fastest trip due to the number of small towns you have to drive through and the low speed limits. However, to get across the coast of Maine, Highway 1 is your only option.

Renting a car is the best option for seeing the hidden gems on our list, but Maine does offer public transportation from Bangor and Portland to Bar Harbor if you prefer not to rent a car.

Picturesque towns along the Maine coast:

Kennebunkport
Camden
Wiscasset
Port Clyde
Boothbay Harbor

The best places to visit in Maine:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click my link but does not change your price. See my affiliate policy here.

Port Clyde

Seriously, Port Clyde is one of the sweetest little towns in all of Maine. It’s small enough that it’s not milling with tourists, but it’s just idyllic enough that you get the authentic Maine experience.

Squid Ink Coffee is the best place to grab a drink and watch boats move in and out from the lone pier in Port Clyde. Catch a special morning when the morning fog covers the harbor, or enjoy dinner at the Dip Net while you watch the sun set below the waterline.

Port Clyde is also the starting point for the Monhegan Boat Line, your access to the next hidden gem on our list, Monhegan Island.

Monhegan Island

This is one of the most picturesque places in Maine – it’s remote and not easy to get to. An hour ferry ride will get you to this haven for artists, its isolation an inspiration for artists for decades.

Wondering what fun things to do on Monhegan? Take a cruise to see puffins, check out the lighthouse, or choose from many seaside hikes among the wildflowers.

Owls Head Lighthouse

This lighthouse is one of my favorites among the coast of Maine. It’s on the St George peninsula, and is just a short hike from the parking lot. However, it’s situated on an 80 foot bluff, giving absolutely breathtaking views as you walk up.

When you visit, take one path to the lighthouse, and another path to a secluded rocky beach where you can watch the lobster boats glide by while you take a dip.

Owls Head Lighthouse is one of two on St George’s peninsula that are worth your visit. It’s even close to other attractions, like the Owls Head Transportation Museum – worth a visit of its own!

Camden

Camden may not be a secret in Maine, but it’s definitely a gem of a town. It’s absolutely adorable, it’s about halfway between Portland and Bar Harbor, and there is a lot to do! You’ll have a wide range of restaurants to enjoy that are right on the waterfront. Sunsets are glorious over the Camden Hills.

And looking for a sailing tour along the Maine coast? You’ll have plenty of options here at Camden, and lots of activities for families. Viator has a couple of affordable sailboat tours available to choose from (MONEY TIP: remember to activate Rakuten on Viator’s website for 8% cash back!).

Camden Hills State Park

One of my favorite hikes during our stay in Maine was at Camden Hills State Park. You can truly see for miles from the tower at the top of the hills.

It costs $6 per adult to visit, but it’s worth it – this is an award winning park in Maine! On clear days, you can see all the way to Acadia National Park. It’s truly breathtaking. Pack yourself a sandwich and find yourself a seat on the rocky hillside on a sunny day.

Clary Hill Preserve

Now, this may be one of my favorite hidden gems near the coast of Maine. The Clary Hill Preserve is a little ways away from the coast – just far enough that you can’t see the sea but still within a 30 minute radius of the coastal highway.

When I first stepped out of the car here, it took my breath away. The landscape was so incredibly different than the rocky coastal cliffs. Surrounded by goldenrod, I felt like we had had been transported to the moors of Northern England.

There’s a simple little hike around here, that stretches a good distance if you have the time. It’s well worth the visit if you’re looking for a pretty hike in Maine.

Rockland

Rockland, Maine is such a cute little town between Portland and Bar Harbor. We stayed 10 minutes away in South Thomaston and spent a lot of time here during our month-long stay.

I personally found Rockland to be a good base for a long stay here – you’ll have access to great restaurants, an art museum featuring the famous Wyeth family, good shopping, and a unique lighthouse walk along a 7/8 mile breakwater wall.

Grab a bacon and scallion scone from the Atlantic Baking Co, view a special exhibit at the Farnsworth, or if you time it right – view a film at the local film festival.

Maine State Prison Showroom

Just before you get to Rockland, you’ll find yourself driving through a little town called Thomaston. Here you’ll find the Maine State Prison Showroom, a shop that features woodwork by prisoners in the Maine petitionary system.

I love this little store – filled with items created by prison residents and manned by them – this store helps build job skills and work ethic for those members of the community awaiting release.

The hand-crafted items here are high-quality and range from kitchen tools, to wooden toys, to Maine souvenirs. This is one of the best Maine souvenir stores in my opinion!

McCloon’s Lobster Shack

Wondering where to spot celebrities in Maine? Want to do a little celeb watching while enjoying a fresh lobster roll in a rocky seaside haven? McCloon’s isn’t necessarily a secret but it is an absolute gem. The drive to the hidden little shack is breathtaking. It’s quintessential Maine, topped off with a buttery shellfish.

While it’s a little out of the way from Highway 1, it’s absolutely worth the pit stop.

And I’m not kidding about the celebrity watching – rumor has it, Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted here while in Maine. There was an actress from the Brontë tv show eating there on one of my recent visits.

Looking to do a lighthouse tour in Maine?

One of the best activities to do while visiting Maine is touring all of the lighthouses! There are too many to count, and each one is quite unique. Kids love lighthouses, especially the ones in Maine with rocks to climb on and wildlife to spot. Here are some lighthouse tours from Viator:

MONEY TIP: Book through Rakuten or with the extension and get up to 12% cash back!

Downtown Portland, Maine City and Lighthouse Tour

Lighthouse Bicycle Tour from South Portland-Three Hours and Four Lighthouses!

The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local

Acadia National Park and Camden Private Day Trip from Portland

Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse Tours and Tickets