Maine - 80 Great Things to Do in Maine

10 Great Things to Do in Mid Coast Maine

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Cheap Treats for the Body, Inside and Out

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If you are traveling internationally, you may buy items without having to pay either the sales tax (called value added tax) or the customs duties assessed by the United States – primarily on liquor and tobacco but also with many other products. The savings from duty-free shopping can be significant. At Duty Free Americas in Calais (40 Main Street), and in Vanceboro (119 Water Street), shoppers can find discounted prices on premium spirits, wine, beer and tobacco as well as designer fragrances, cosmetics, fashion watches, crystal, jewelry, leather goods, gifts for children, and more. Currency exchange is available. Phone: Calais store at 207-454-3476 or 207-454-3404; Vanceboro store at 207-788-3989.

Clocks, with Labradors on the Side

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Once upon a time in the far off enchanted land of Bar Harbor there lived a clockmaker known all over the land for his expertise and knowledge of the intricate workings of clocks, watches and barometers. Gentlefolk who lived too far away to visit his charming place of business, shipped their broken but beloved time pieces from all over the world for the clockmaker to work his magic and return these treasures to a state of precise timekeeping. This clockmaker goes by the name of Alexander H. Phillips and his place of business is 110 Main Street. You can visit him there from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to learn of his history and talents and to see a sample of his wares. (the store is also home and guest petting parlor to Finn and Whiskey, a yellow and a chocolate Lab.) Phone: 207-288-3684.

Rocky Shores, Craggy Mountains

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With all due respect, the ultimate expression of Down East Maine’s beauty has to be Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, a must-see place whether you live just down the road or in southern Texas. Among the park’s offerings is the 27-mile Park Loop Road system, offers outstanding views of the park's ocean shoreline, coastal forests, and mountain silhouettes. It’s all in front of you; just putter along and try to blink occasionally. Phone: 207-288-3338

Seaside Beauty From the Piney Heights

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People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history. Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The Acadia Byway, which includes part of the Acadia Park loop road, is a beauty of a drive in all seasons. This byway follows Route 3 into Bar Harbor, then follows the park loop road thereafter. Visitors looking to avoid seasonal traffic can board the free Island Explorer bus network. Phone: 207-667-7131

We’ll Keep the Light On

With its jagged and rocky coastline, Maine in the runaway leader as the New England state of abundant lighthouses. West Quoddy Head Light, in West Quoddy State Park in Lubec, has the additional appeal of offering a visitor center and museum. And the Isle au Haut Light in the town of the same name is among a small handful of New England lighthouses that operate a bed-and-breakfast in the keeper’s house. That’s our idea of romance.

Wooden Artwork Makes Personal Keepsakes

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A beautiful and unusual shop in the town of Eastport is Wood on Water, which specializes in wood-burned and hand-painted giftware and furnishings. Woodburning is the art of using an electric pen to etch designs into wood and other natural materials. Once the image is burned onto the wood, color may be added. Customers of Wood on Water may order gifts with customized images and designs. Some popular choices include keepsake boxes, treasure chests, and lap desks, custom chair rails, baseboards, wildlife scenes, and local or antique maps. Perhaps you have an image of your pet, a favorite flower, or a family symbol. This is the place for unique and personal gifts. Phone: 207-853-WOOD.

French Twist on Maine History

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French Acadians settled in Madawaska in 1785 after being forced to flee Canada. Most Madawaska residents are of Acadian descent, and French is still spoken here. The simple and beautiful Tanta Blanche Museum in Madawaskahonors Marguerite Blanche Thibodeau, who, during the desperate winter of 1796 worked to keep the colony from extinction by distributing food and clothes and medical care.

From Wines to Watches, All the Prices Are Fine

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If you are traveling internationally, you may buy items without having to pay either the sales tax (called value added tax) or the customs duties assessed by the United States – primarily on liquor and tobacco but also with many other products. The savings from duty-free shopping can be significant. At Duty Free Americas in Houlton at 4 Airport Road, and in Van Buren at 122 Bridge Street, shoppers can find discounted prices on premium spirits, wine, beer and tobacco as well as designer fragrances, cosmetics, fashion watches, crystal, jewelry, leather goods, gifts for children, and more. Currency exchange is available. Phone: Houlton store at 207-532 – 6540.

Heaven for Snowmobiles

With its 13,500-mile network of groomed and marked snowmobile trails, Maine has to be the next thing to heaven for snowmobile enthusiasts. The state also hosts a bunch of snowmobile-related festivals and special events. They include the Rangeley Snodeo on January 21-23, 2010, with competitions, rides, children's activities, a snowmobile parade, and fireworks. The Norway Lake Snowfest is January 30-31, 2010, with sled racing, an antique snowmobile show, and a chowderfest. The International Snowmobilers Festival takes place in Madawaska and Edmundston, New Brunswick, February 5-7, 2010, with events on both sides of the border and riding on hundreds of miles of top-rated trails. Dexter Winter Festival happens February 12-14, 2010, with radar runs on the ice of Lake Wassookeag, a public ride and supper, and a Winterfest dance hosted by the Wassookeag Snowmobile Club. More information at the the Maine Office of Tourism.

Hooked Rugs, Folk Art, and More

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For many antique hunters, the exploration begins after entering the shop. A visit to Les Dumond Antiques in Madawaska, near the Canadian border, is an exploration into the northern woods simply to arrive there. Be sure to phone ahead – the shop is open odd hours. When you do, you will be rewarded by county furniture, small primitives, folk art, hooked rugs, game boards, advertising, porch, garden and camp furniture. An exploration within an expedition. Phone: 207-728-7004.

Saturn Is Our Favorite

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Ok, it’s not big compared to the solar system, but it is big for a model of the solar system. The three-dimensional Maine Solar System Model stretches for 40 miles along U.S. Route 1 from Houlton to the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The model includes the Sun and nine planets, and all but Pluto are visible from Route 1. Keep kids busy in the car the old-fashioned way: Make them compete to find and name our space neighbors.

Wilderness and More Wilderness

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Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle, which includes Quaggy Jo Mountain and Echo Lake, is the ideal starting point for discovering the North Maine Woods and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. Echo Lake is stocked with brook trout and public boat access is available. Canoe and paddleboat rentals are available. Campsites and a guarded beach are opening the warm weather. Cross-country ski trails and snowmobile trails are plentiful in winter. Phone: 207-768-8341

Wildflowers Below; Eagles Above

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The northernmost of Maine's scenic byways, State Route 11 follows the rolling hills between Portage and Fort Kent. Outstanding views of wildflower meadows, Eagle Lake, and Mount Katahdin. Much of the 37-mile route is forested, so glimpses of eagles and moose are likely. Route 11 connects Aroostook County and New Brunswick, Canada, and the people here are proud of the strong Acadian influence on their cultural traditions.

Bringing Clay to Life

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At Wayne Village Pottery on Main Street in Wayne, shoppers who love pottery will be impressed by this fact: the artisans go out to their own back field to dig up the Maine blue clay used in the final works. How up-close-and-personal is that?? The early redware potters also used this kind of Maine clay, and potters at Wayne Village Pottery follow their tradition of making hand-thrown pottery which is useful, affordable, and decorative. Visitors also will find an array of Maine birds and beasts brought to life from clay. Open daily. Phone: 207-685- 3300

Did We Mention the Majolica?

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Imagine this: 20,000 square feet of (carpeted!) display area. That’s part of the description for Fairfield Antiques Mall, on Route 201 in Fairfield,the largest group of antique shops in Maine. More than 100 antiques dealers are parked in this crossroads of Maine, offering a huge inventory of Victorian, oak, country, mission, and wicker furniture; glassware; frames, mirrors and clocks; hoosiers and iceboxes; jewelry, watches, and coins. But why even try to list the highlights? The mall has three huge storewide sales every year, in January, April, and November, so check back often for dates and details. Open daily, year-round. Phone: 207-453-4100.

Everyone Loves the Lower Prices

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If you are traveling internationally, you may buy items without having to pay either the sales tax (called value added tax) or the customs duties assessed by the United States – primarily on liquor and tobacco but also with many other products. The savings from duty-free shopping can be significant. At Duty Free Americas in Jackman (2621 Route 201 North), shoppers can find discounted prices on premium spirits, wine, beer and tobacco as well as designer fragrances, cosmetics, fashion watches, crystal, jewelry, leather goods, gifts for children, and more. Currency exchange is available. Phone: 207-668-7738.

Murals and Frescoes on Every Side

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From outside, the South Solon Meeting House looks like many in New England. Inside, the 1842 Greek Revival building on south Main Street in Solonis unlike any other. It was restored in 1939 and during the 1950s students and faculty of the nearby Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture decorated every inch the interior walls and ceiling with fresco murals showing contemporary images from the Bible and the founders of the meeting house. The structure is open to visitors while it undergoes renovations. Just unlatch the front door (it's never been locked) and step inside to photograph the colorful scenes or reflect in solitude. Phone: 207-643-2541 or 207-643-2812

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art

The Maine Art Museum Trail offers more than 53,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, in a dazzling array of collections at seven leading art museums. Museums on the trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). The museums’ permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have vacationed or worked in Maine. They also feature masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso, Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Some museums also offer free admission during selected hours.

Watercolors of Maine

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Among its offerings, the Colby College Museum of Art on Mayflower Hill Drive in Waterville has a permanent collection focused on American art. The Lunder Wing of the museum offers 200 American works, including paintings by John Marin, an early modernist artist best known for his watercolors of coastal Maine and urban scenes of New York. Maine settings that Marin depicted include Small Point Harbor, Deer Isle and Stonington on Penobscot Bay, Cape Split and South Addison. Open year-round. Admission is free. Phone: 207-859-5600.

Where the Trees Hang Out

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Calling itself “Maine’s Living Museum of Trees,” the Pine Tree State Arboretum on Hospital Street in Augusta is a paradise for nature lovers. It contains 300 species of trees and shrubs; a five-mile trail system open year-round to hiking, jogging, bird watching, biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing on groomed winter trails; picnic areas; and bird-watching opportunities. Trail maps are available at the arboretum. This place is serenely beautiful in all seasons. Phone: 207-621-0031

Animals of Maine, Up Close and Mellow

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A visit to the Maine Wildlife Park on Game Farm Road in Gray is a great activity for kids and adults who are fascinated by wild animals. The park is home to native orphaned and injured wildlife, including moose, lynx, bear, eagles, turtles, and more. In addition to observing the animals, visitors may walk the tree trail to learn about tree species and see how a lumberyard works; feed the animals; walk the wetlands or the game trail; enjoy the gardens; and watch the care and feeding of brook trout at the Dry Mills Fish Hatchery. The visitor has plenty of interesting and educational exhibits, from displays of animal tracks to samples of fur. Phone: 207- 657-4977 ext. 1.

Bradbury Beckons with Fabulous Views

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Bradbury Mountain State Park, on Route 9 in Pownal about halfway between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn, features panoramic views from the top of Bradbury Mountain and nearly 1,000 acres of forested land to explore. The trails are a primary attraction, especially the short hike to the summit of Bradbury Mountain (easy enough for youngsters). From the summit, 485 feet above sea level, hikers and bikers have a great view of Casco Bay. Mountain bikers and horseback riders also use many of the park’s trails, as do cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobiles in the winter. Picnickers enjoy the tables, grills, and shelter with a nearby playground and ball field. Campers can make a day trip to nearby beaches at Reid and Popham Beach State Parks, or shopping trips to Freeport (just 10 minutes away). Phone: 207-688-4712.

Horseflesh, Live and Simulcast

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Scarborough Downs in Scarborough is home to New England's fastest half-mile track and is a top entertainment destination in southern Maine. Patrons can watch live harness races from April through December and watch televised simulcasts of races from premier thoroughbred and harness tracks across the United States and Canada 363 days a year. The 350-seat Downs Club Restaurant is the perfect place to watch the races while you enjoy a good dinner. Live racing takes place April through the end of December; simulcast racing takes place year-round. Phone: 207-883-4331

International Crypotozoology Museum

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Cyrptozoology? What is that, you might ask. The short answer is “the study of hidden animals,” and the longer answer can be found at the new International Museum of Crypotozoology , opened November 1, 2009, on Congress Street, in the Portland Arts District, just down the street from the Portland Museum of Art, the Children's Museum, and the State Theater, and right across from The Fun Box Monster Emporium. The centerpiece of the collection is the once-elusive, eight- foot-tall, 400-pound "Crookston Bigfoot," created by Wisconsin artist Curtis Christensen. Special drawings, bronzes, paintings, and sculpture creations by the world's leading cryptozoology artists are featured in the collection. The museum also includes exhibits on the discoveries of "living fossils," the successful cryptozoological stories. Zoologists, why are you still reading this?

That’s a Seriously Big Globe

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Astronomers: you need to make a visit to planet Eartha , a 3-dimensional scale model of Earth that rotates and revolves, representing Earth as it is seen from space. Housed in a three-story glass atrium at the headquarters The DeLorme Mapping Company in Yarmouth, Eartha is 41.5 feet in diameter. Every continent is beautifully detailed, with vivid colors illustrating all levels of vegetation. Ocean depths are also completely represented. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed New Years, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Phone: 800-642-0970

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art The Maine Art Museum Trail offers more than 53,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, in a dazzling array of collections at seven leading art museums. Museums on the trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). The museums’ permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have vacationed or worked in Maine. They also feature masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso, Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Some museums also offer free admission during selected hours.

Traipsing Around the Island

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For a wonderful walk and stunning views of Casco Bay and Portland, take the causeway from Falmouth at the mouth of the Presumpscot River to Mackworth Island . The one-mile trail that encircles the island takes about an hour to complete and the views are gorgeous. Along the way, stop to watch boats and ferries motor though the Atlantic waters while seagulls, osprey, and shorebirds glide overhead. Open year-round. Phone: 207-624-6076

Art Deco Beauty Hosts Great Performances

The Penobscot Theatre , located in the heart of downtown Bangor, started in 1973 and has been going strong ever since, particularly with its acquisition in 1997 of the Bangor Opera House on Main Street, an early example of Art Deco/Egyptian Revival architecture, built in 1920. The theater offers post-show discussions, student matinees and summer theater workshops. The 2009-2010 season is packed with interesting offerings, including “Forever Plaid,” "A Christmans Carol," "Spunk," "Hedwig and the Angry Itch," and "The Underpants." Phone: 207-947-6618.

Body Oils and Other Pleasures
From Maine Ingredients

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The retail storefront for the Maine Mountain Country Store is, not surprisingly, a log cabin located in downtown Greenville. The Company Store features handmade scented and beeswax candles, all-natural bath and body soaps, lotions, balms, facial products, and pet shampoo. All products are made in small batches with high-quality ingredients, including chamomile flowers grown in gardens on the property, organic vegetable oils, and beeswax from a local beekeeper. The shop is accented with a wonderful array of products to decorate the home, from lamps to drawer pulls. Open year-round. Retail store open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 207-695-3926.

Desserts and Antiques Under One Roof

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Two huge floors filled with fine antiques and unusual collectibles and a knowledgeable sales staff are waiting at the Antique Marketplace & Café in Bangor. From the experienced collector to the weekend shopper, there's something for everyone and the merchandise changes daily. Two floors and more than 100 booths and showcases filled with Victorian, antique, & primitive furniture; sports, presidential, and military memorabilia; porcelain, pottery, and glassware; Oriental rugs; rare coins; dolls and toys; tools; postcards; tin ads, and much more. When you have shopped until you are almost ready to drop, relax at the Marketplace Café for coffee, fine tea, homemade soup, biscuits, and desserts. Phone: 207-941-2111

For an Up-Close View of the Forest

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Baxter State Park was designed primarily to be a hiking park with very limited vehicle use. The park has 200 miles of trails and it is home to the Katahdin massif and the Traveler Range. Favorite waterfalls include Katahdin Stream Falls, Big and Little Niagara Falls and the remote Green Falls. Two of the most significant streams are Nesowadnehunk Stream and Wassataquoik Stream. Many ponds provide excellent fishing in most cases and the chance to canoe with the scenic north woods as a backdrop. Phone: 207-723-5140

Heaven for Snowmobiles

With its 13,500-mile network of groomed and marked snowmobile trails, Maine has to be the next thing to heaven for snowmobile enthusiasts. The state also hosts a bunch of snowmobile-related festivals and special events. They include the Rangeley Snodeo on January 21-23, 2010, with competitions, rides, children's activities, a snowmobile parade, and fireworks. The Norway Lake Snowfest is January 30-31, 2010, with sled racing, an antique snowmobile show, and a chowderfest. The International Snowmobilers Festival takes place in Madawaska and Edmundston, New Brunswick, February 5-7, 2010, with events on both sides of the border and riding on hundreds of miles of top-rated trails. Dexter Winter Festival happens February 12-14, 2010, with radar runs on the ice of Lake Wassookeag, a public ride and supper, and a Winterfest dance hosted by the Wassookeag Snowmobile Club. More information at the the Maine Office of Tourism.

Let’s Take an Old-Fashioned Walk

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Brownville’s Pleasant River Walk is a nature walk of nearly three miles connecting the Village and the Junction. The nature trail is carefully groomed, quite easy to walk and is a three to four foot wide trail. There are a number of bridges to carry you over the brooks along the way and many benches located at carefully chosen scenic spots overlooking the river. Phone: 207-965-2311

Reel Excitement

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Oh, the colorful lights; oh the devil-may-care good humor; oh the chance to hit it big. Hollywood Slots on Main Street in Bangor, has 475 slot machines, including video poker and video blackjack. During a break from the spinning wheels, make a visit for the house restaurant, Chairman's. If the parking lot is full guests can jump on the complimentary shuttle service. Phone: 877-779-7771

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art

The Maine Art Museum Trail offers more than 53,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, in a dazzling array of collections at seven leading art museums. Museums on the trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). The museums’ permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have vacationed or worked in Maine. They also feature masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso, Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Some museums also offer free admission during selected hours.

A Garden for All Ages in All Seasons

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Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is an oasis of beautiful trails and plants on Barters Island near Boothbay in midcoast Maine. Opened in June 2007, this botanical garden, open to the public year-round (!!) is a haven of stunning ornamental gardens and exceptional natural beauty, waterfalls, and incomparable stonework and sculpture. Miles of trails allow visitors to experience waterfront and woodlands that are quintessentially Maine. A new feature in June of 2009, is the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses. This exquisite garden of about an acre adjacent to the Visitor Center has many features that make its delights accessible to disabled people. Coming in 2010 is a new children’s garden, featuring themes derived from beloved children’s literature by authors with a Maine connection. Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., year-round. Phone: 207-633-4333.

Bath Is Home to Graceful, Historic Neighborhoods

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Alongside the Kennebec River, Bath is a small jewel of a city that embraces an old seafaring town. Bath welcomes visitors with tree-lined historic avenues graced by handsome mansions that were once home to shipyard owners and ship captains. You can take a guided walking tour of the Bath historic district or ride the Bath Trolley around the scenic streets. Bath’s Front Street is home to antique stores, specialty shops, galleries and many fine restaurants. The summer concert series takes place on Friday evenings at Patten Free Library, and every third Friday from June to October there is an Art Walk from 5 to 7 p.m. Phone: 207-442-7291.

Beads, Buttons, and Bows to the Ceiling

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People who rely on buttons and beads and related goods to express their artistic creativity need to make their way to the Beadin’ Path on Main Street in Freeport. This retailer is a one-stop bead resource for all beads and beading needs. Here you will find jewelry supplies, stringing products, metal wire, fibers, weaving threads, sea glass, vintage parts, Lucite flowers and filigrees, buttons, Czech glass buttons, and much more. Also the store hosts various special events and offers some in-store classes. Nymo, Fireline, as well as customized ‘BeadinPath’ products and more. Beading artists: look for further. Phone: 877-92-BEADS

It’s All About Lighthouses

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The Maine Lighthouse Museum on Park Drive in Rockland owns the most important landmark collection of lighthouse artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia in the United States. Also, The Lighthouse Depot is the world's largest retailer of everything for the lighthouse lover. Find a spectacular inventory of lighthouse models and miniatures, replicas, clothing, gifts, art, toys, memorabilia, and exclusive regional favorites. Hours are Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and other times by appointment. Phone: 207-594-3301

Maine Beauty, on Canvas

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The Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center and Wyeth Center on Museum Drive in Rockland features the works of many Maine artists, including Andrew, N.C., and Jamie Wyeth, alongside a wonderful collection of American art, including works by American artists Gilbert Stuart, Frank Benson, Thomas Sully, and many more. The museum also presents many works by 20th-century sculptor Louise Nevelson. Phone: 207-596-6457

Spectacular on All Sides

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Try this drive for unforgettable views: Beginning on the seaward side of Damariscotta, Route 130 leads south about 12 miles to the lighthouse at the spectacular Pemaquid Point (this lighthouse appears on the Maine quarter). Continue east on Route 32 north to U.S. 1. Be sure to visit the Rachel Carson Memorial Salt Pond. Located on the shores of Muscongus Bay, this tidal salt pond retains a bit of the sea every time the tide recedes. Wonderful for poking and exploring. The next historic towns on Route 1 are Waldoboro, Rockland, Camden, Lincolnville, Belfast, and Searsport. Phone: 207-677-2423.

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art

The Maine Art Museum Trail offers more than 53,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, in a dazzling array of collections at seven leading art museums. Museums on the trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). The museums’ permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have vacationed or worked in Maine. They also feature masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso, Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Some museums also offer free admission during selected hours.

Tutu for You

Visitors to Maine may be traveling with very young princesses and fairies or have a crop of them back at home, hoping for presents. One solution may be found at Pitter Patter, Inc., a children's boutique on Front Street in Bath, or at Ms. Lulu’s Boutique on Gold Street in Portland. This gift breakthrough is handmade, designer tutus for young children produced by Sheabella Tutus . The business was created in 2007 by two mothers with a herd of young daughters. Surrounded by fairies, ballerinas and princesses, the founders started to design and make their own tutus, and then to sell them, mostly online. These fun garments are handmade with the softest tulle and come in a variety of fresh colors, designs, and lengths. Great for ballet, dress-up, portraits, parties, mucking in streams, and searching for salamanders.

Wooden Ships Through Maine History

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The Maine Maritime Museum on Washington Street in Bath collects, preserves and interprets materials on the early days of Maine’s shipbuilding industry and features the country’s only surviving wooden shipbuilding yard. From watercraft and lobstering, to shipbuilding and sea trade, visitors hear stories about dangerous voyages to distant lands; see how a shipbuilder’s family lived in the 1890s; smell the sawdust from historic ship timbers; and discover the wonders and mysteries of Maine’s maritime culture. Highlights include ten acres of galleries and exhibits; a life-size sculpture of the largest wooden sailing vessel ever built; seasonal river cruises; and a children’s play area. Phone: 207-443-1316.

Wooden Wonders

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The The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport is a year-round woodworking school that also features The Messler Gallery, a public gallery displaying the work of students, faculty, and professional furniture makers on display. The gallery is the only venue in Maine dedicated to the ear-round exhibition of handcrafted furniture and fine woodworking, thus offering exposure for regional furniture makers. Phone: 207-594-5611.

Art Happens Here at All Times of the Year

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The people who operate and visit River Tree Arts on Western Avenue in Kennebunk are not deterred by wintery weather. This community arts organization operates music, dance, and performing arts school, and also has three galleries open to the public year round. Stop in for some quiet time in Kennebunk and enjoy luscious original artwork in the heart of a community of artistry in all its forms, static and moving. Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 207-967-9120.

Beach Plum Farm Offers
Beautiful Seaside Strolls

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Beach Plum Farm, on Route 1 in Ogunquit, is a 22-acre site with remnants of an old New England salt-water farm, natural landscapes and wildlife habitat. At the farm there is a walking loop which circles the fields and community gardens. Down by the salt marsh, you can see bayberry, beach plums and a variety of coastal birds. Benches provide spots to sit and contemplate. The loop walk can be completed at a leisurely pace in a half-hour. The farm was donated to the Great Works Regional Land Trust by Joe Littlefield in memory of his uncle, who farmed and sold vegetables from there since the 1920s.The land is open to the public, free, from dawn to dusk. Trails, benches, and community gardens, and beautiful views of the marches and ocean can be found there. Phone: 207-646-3604.

Beauty Along the Margin

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The magnificent Marginal Way in Ogunquit is a paved footpath beginningin a corner of Oarweed Cove near the harbor, then running for one and a quarter miles to the marvelous expanse of Ogunquit Beach. This delightful, exhilarating walk meanders by bayberry and bittersweet bushes, gnarled shrubs of sea roses, shaded alcoves formed by wind-twisted trees jutting out onto high granite outcroppings, and views of the mighty Atlantic. Thirty memorial benches dotting the path offer places to sit and rest.

Carson’s Name Helps Protect Fragile Coastline

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The author whose seminal work, “Silent Spring,” launched the American environmental movement is the namesake for the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge , consisting of a patchwork of properties along 50 miles of coastline from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth, with a headquarters on Route 9 in Wells. The refuge serves as protected region of valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. Visitors are welcome to hike on the developed trails of the Refuge. is permitted in several rivers and creeks in the Refuge. Phone: 207-646-9226.

Farm Houses Diverse Samples of Fine Art

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Set on an antique dairy farm with sweeping views of expansive open-field trails, the Haley Farm Gallery on Haley Road in Kittery is housed in a turn-of-the-century renovated barn surrounded with sweeping views of expansive open-field trails, a conservation duck pond and the Spruce Creek. The gallery exhibits works by local and national artists as well as unique handcrafted artistic gift items. You can always find an original at Haley Art Gallery Gift Shop, showing work by the artisans of Morocco, Indonesia, Armenia, South Africa, Chile, India, Vietnam, Kenya, the United States, and Canada. The Gallery works directly with the artisans or through Fair Trade Federation to assure that artisans are not exploited. Phone: 207-439-2669. Phone: 207-439-7612.

Furnishings Through History

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The Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk was built in 1825 as a dry goods store and today serves as a museum depicting the region’s history, along with changing exhibits of local fine and decorative arts. A signature exhibit, Treasures of the Community, is a wonderful collection of early American arts, including portraits, sideboards, clocks, chairs dating from 1700 to 1900. Open year-round. Phone: 207-985-4802.

Mount Agamenticus Offers a Wonderful Walk

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The Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region in York contains 10,000 acres of land and is one of the largest remaining expanses of undeveloped forests in coastal New England. The area provides an ideal location for picnicking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, sightseeing, and ATV riders. Recommended trails are an intermediate trail from the summit, following Witch Hazel to Ring Trail to Horse Trail and another intermediate trail from Mountain Road following Ring Trail to Witch Hazel to Sweet Fern to Ring Trail. Trail signs, color blazes and the trail map tell which uses are permitted. Phone: 207-361-1102.

Outrageous Outlets

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The Kittery Outlets on Route 1 in Kittery are also known as America’s Maine Street for Shopping, and you’ll see why when you visit this one-mile-long strip of famous outlet stores. The outlets include 120 stores – way too many to name here – but dedicated shoppers can easily guess the names of the major brands to be found there. Many stores host special events and all kinds of sales, Located at the gateway from New Hampshire into the South Coast region of Maine, Kittery is home to many wonderful attractions, from beaches to museums, to entertain family members of all ages and tastes while shoppers are doing their thing.

Peace, Beauty, Prayer

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St. Anthony’s Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunk features extensive walking paths on the 60-acre estate, through gardens, woodlands, and outdoor chapels. Thousands of people come to enjoy these peaceful and expansive grounds every year. Everybody is most welcome to visit, to rest, to meditate, and to pray. There is also a gift shop, as well as a guesthouse. Phone: 207-967-4865

Spectacular Views and Protected Wildlife

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The Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm on Laudholm Farm Road in Wellsfeatures a 7-mile trail system, exhibits, coastal resource library and an Ecology Center. Seven miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails provide access to woodlands, fields, wetlands, beach, and dunes. Spectacular views and diverse habitats make the reserve popular for nature photographers and birdwatchers. Trail maps are available at the Visitor Center. Phone: 207-646-1555 ext 116.

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art The Maine Art Museum Trail offers more than 53,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, in a dazzling array of collections at seven leading art museums. Museums on the trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). The museums’ permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have vacationed or worked in Maine. They also feature masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso, Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Some museums also offer free admission during selected hours.

Appalachian Trail, Northern Version

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The The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway follows Routes 17 and 4, around Rangeley Lake. The route follows the ridgeline of the Appalachian Mountains before dropping into rolling hills and valleys. The Height of Land on Route 17 is the centerpiece of this scenic drive, offering breathtaking views of Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson Lakes. Prepare to see moose.

Bethel Welcomes Walkers and Bikers

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Bethel is an ideal place for walkers of all ages and abilities, from a leisurely stroll through the National Historic District to a more rigorous walk through the village up Paradise Road. For starters, the Bethel Recreational Path is a one-mile multi-use paved trail that begins at Davis Park and extends across the Androscoggin River on a multi-use bridge and out to the North Road. The path features an authentic scaled replica of the famous Artists’ Covered Bridge over the Sunday River. The Androscoggin River Recreational Walking Trail is a 1.5-mile trail from the Riverside Rest Area on Route 2, three miles east of Bethel, to the River View Resort. This trail provides the visitor an opportunity to see the river up close and enjoy the serenity of a wooded setting.

Floating on the Boardwalk

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Holt Pond Preserve in Bridgton is a scenic and fun walk through woods and over a quaking bog boardwalk. Starting at the parking area off Grist Mill Road, the path takes you through a mixed forest and into a red maple swamp. Next comes the Holt Pond Overlook and Boardwalk. The boardwalk crosses a quaking mat of sphagnum moss. The boardwalk quakes because the sphagnum moss is floating, colonizing the open water in front of you. Phone: 207-647-8580

Heaven for Snowmobiles

With its 13,500-mile network of groomed and marked snowmobile trails, Maine has to be the next thing to heaven for snowmobile enthusiasts. The state also hosts a bunch of snowmobile-related festivals and special events. They include the Rangeley Snodeo on January 21-23, 2010, with competitions, rides, children's activities, a snowmobile parade, and fireworks. The Norway Lake Snowfest is January 30-31, 2010, with sled racing, an antique snowmobile show, and a chowderfest. The International Snowmobilers Festival takes place in Madawaska and Edmundston, New Brunswick, February 5-7, 2010, with events on both sides of the border and riding on hundreds of miles of top-rated trails. Dexter Winter Festival happens February 12-14, 2010, with radar runs on the ice of Lake Wassookeag, a public ride and supper, and a Winterfest dance hosted by the Wassookeag Snowmobile Club. More information at the the Maine Office of Tourism.

History and Culture of Mills on Display Here

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From the 1850s to the 1950s the textile mills, shoe mills and brickyards of Lewiston and neighboring Auburn (L-A) made up the state's largest manufacturing center. Museum L-A documents the industries and the people who made them thrive. Within the 1850s Bates Mill, the museum displays vintage machinery, tools, shoes and quilts along with an oral history tour of mill workers from both cities. Open year-round, Monday through Saturday,10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 207-333-3881.

Let's Go Rock Pickin'

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Mount Apatite Park in Auburn is a free collecting site where children can search through rock piles scattered through the woods; Lord Hill Quarry within the White Mountain National Forest in Stoneham, another popular collecting site where visitors might find topaz, quartz and aquamarine crystals. Mount Apatite Park is owned and administered by the City of Auburn. It is open to the public, and no special permission to visit is required. Further information, including a detailed map of the park and its trail system, is available from the Auburn Parks & Recreation Department Phone: 207-784-0191.

Meet “The Crag”

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At an elevation of 510 feet, Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary in Lewiston (“The Crag”), a 312-acre wildlife preserve, is forested oasis above the city surrounded on three sides by urban development. Thorncrag encompasses several habitats: upland wetlands, mixed forest, restored farm meadows, vernal pools, and old growth forest. Visitors are encouraged to walk the trails, using a 32-page brochure for guidance. Passive recreation like birdwatching, walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, skating, and nature photography are encouraged.

Step on his Toe; He Won’t Mind

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The Rumford Information Center on Route 2 has an 18-foot-tall statue of folk lumberjack Paul Bunyan that seems to serve as a magnet for visitors who can’t resist taking whimsical pictures of their traveling companions. Also nearby is the beautiful Rumford Falls (also known as Pennacook Falls), a 180-foot-tall cascade of water into the Androscoggin River. So save some film after having your fun with the biggest lumberjack of all. Phone: 207-364-0925‎.

The Artists Can’t All Be Wrong

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Sunday River Bridge, popularly known as the Artist's Covered Bridge , in Newry, achieved that name because of its reputation as being the most photographed and painted of the venerable covered bridges in Maine. If the artists, all agree, what are you waiting for? Those of us who don’t measure up to the skills of a Matisse can at least grab a camera and a traveling companion and do some poses on this very New England-y piece of essential architecture. The bridge is located about four miles northwest of North Bethel near Routes 2 and 26.

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art

Trail to 53,000 Works of Art The Maine Art Museum Trail offers more than 53,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary, in a dazzling array of collections at seven leading art museums. Museums on the trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). The museums’ permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have vacationed or worked in Maine. They also feature masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso, Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics, and sculpture. Some museums also offer free admission during selected hours.