Maine

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Any state that can lay claim to 5,000 miles of coastline, 2,000 islands, 17 million acres of forest, 65 state parks, heaps of historic towns, and even a mountain that's a mile high, is sure to make any getaway worthwhile. So it is with the state of Maine, at once the largest state in New England (the five other states combined would fit into its borders) and the most intimate of them all (the population is smaller than that of Rhode Island).

As famous for its seafood as its scenery, the Maine experience includes activities as diverse as wilderness canoe trips along the 92-mile (147 Km) Allagash Wilderness Waterway, exploring Henry Longfellow's childhood home in Portland, shopping the outlets in Freeport, or even taking a whale watching tour off the rugged Atlantic coast.

Bordered by the Canadian province of Quebec to the northwest, the state of
New Hampshire to the southwest, the province of New Brunswick to the east and the vast Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, Maine offers up a cornucopia of sensory experiences - the quiet, deep woods of the north, pretty seaside villages, wave-washed granite
outcroppings, historic towns and vibrant cities - all accessible via a network of
well-constructed roads that criss-cross
the state.

The most enjoyable route to follow scenically as your group tours the state is U.S. Route 1, Maine's coastal highway that runs within a few miles of the coast all the way to Canada. Designated one of the most scenic byways in the United States by Rand McNally, Route 1 offers many turnings to hidden seaside villages and other coastal gems.  Meanwhile, the I-95 (the Maine Turnpike) is the best route to take if you're in a hurry. Running from north to south, the I-95 offers speedy access to Bangor, Augusta, and Portland, linking up with major routes into Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and beyond. Car ferries also operate between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and both Portland and Bar Harbor, providing convenient access to the Canadian Maritimes.

State Icons

State Nickname   The Pine Tree State
State Motto   “Dirigo” (I lead)
State Tree   White Pine
State Flower   White Pine Cone and Tassel
State Gemstone   Tourmaline
State Fish   Landlocked Salmon
State Cat   Maine Coon Cat
State Insect   Honeybee
State Bird  Chickadee
State Animal   Moose

Discover Maine’s beauty, culture and history at your own convenience with a scenic drive through mountains, forests and coastal towns.

Explore Maine’s magnificent coast, lakes, mountains and communities at your convenience by traversing our scenic byways.

To discover Maine’s beauty, we invite you to explore Maine’s three National Scenic Byways and the All-American Road that allow visitors to experience the state’s pristine scenery, vast and diverse wildlife, history, hospitality and local culture.

An All-American Road, the Acadia Byway starts on Route 3 just south of Trenton, passes through historic Bar Harbor and then loops through Acadia National Park. Craggy shorelines, granite-capped mountains, crystal lakes, old-growth forests and carriage trails blazed during Rockefellers’ heyday are among the captivating views accessed by the roadway.

Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Scenic Byway reveals an unspoiled and real Maine. Beginning on Route 1 just east of Hancock and following Route 186 to Prospect Harbor, the road passes through a working landscape of lobstering, clamming, blueberry barrens and timberland, offering breathtaking views of mountains, islands, historic buildings and lighthouses.

The Old Canada Road Scenic Byway, which runs along Route 201 from Solon to the Canadian border, traces the historic route of generations of travelers, including Continental Army Colonel Benedict Arnold, between Maine and Quebec. Described as one of the most beautiful in the northeast, the scenic corridor winds alongside the Kennebec River, Wyman Lake, the Dead River and vast forests where moose and other wildlife are abundant.

The Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway comprises Route 17 and Route 4 through the mountains of
western Maine. Offering fantastic vistas of rugged mountains, cascading rivers and streams and the more than 100 lakes and ponds that dot the region, the byway passes through an area rich with history from ancient settlers to the logging industry that still shapes its character today.

All four roadways offer stunning vistas and showcase Maine’s distinctive and notable beauty. Welcome to Maine’s National Scenic Byways and All-American Road. If the scenery takes your breath away, it must be Maine.