LOCATION Maine, a state in the New England region of the US, is probably named after the French province of Maine. The state has the Atlantic in the south and east, New Brunswick, a province of Canada, to the northeast. The Canadian province of Quebec is to the northwest. On the west is New Hampshire.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:
AROOSTOOK: Maine's largest and northernmost county is blessed with natural, cultural and recreational resources. Zig-zag along the endless fields on your bikes, canoe and fish in one of the area's 2000 lakes, rivers and streams. Enjoy a hike along the glorious wooded trails; do cross-country skiing or zip on your snowmobile through the beautiful winter landscape.
While visiting the county, join in the many festivals and fairs that celebrate agrarian roots and the Acadian heritage.
DOWNEAST & ACADIA: Enjoy geographical features carved out by once-marauding glaciers at the Acadia National Park, the symphony of tides at Cobscook and Passamaquoddy Bays. Explore FDR's summer home on Campobello Island, Canada. For adventure lovers, sea kayaking would provide the adrenalin-rushing adventure. Care for lobsters? It's fresh off the boat and would be prepared to your liking. The coast offers whale watching, puffin watching and, while the many lakes boast exceptional canoeing, fishing and hunting opportunities.
GREATER PORTLAND: A four-season recreational wonderland, Portland is surrounded by classic New England villages, wide sandy beaches and Freeport, home of renowned L.L. Bean. The metropolitan area sits right on lovely Casco Bay and is a gateway to historic forts and lighthouses.
KENNEBEC & MOOSE RIVER VALLEYS: The Valleys offer opportunities for hiking, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, fishing, hunting, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and fall foliage viewing. Other attractions include Maine State Museum and historic Ft. Western in Augusta, Redington Museum and Colby College, Margaret Chase Smith Library and Lake George Park, and Jackman, a major snowmobiling center.
MID-COAST: This region is known for it picturesque seaside resorts, charming villages, glacier-carved peninsulas, and grand panoramas. Go biking or kayaking, sail on a famous windjammer, take a scenic train excursion, ferry to spectacular islands, or go sightseeing for seals, whales, puffins and dolphins.
SOUTHERN MAINE COAST: This part of Maine is known for historic coastal towns of Kittery, The Yorks, Wells, Ogunquit, The Kennebunks, and Old Orchard Beach. Enjoy the coastal scenery; broad beaches of pure white sand, and quaint, picturesque New England villages mark the Southern Maine Coast.
THE MAINE HIGHLANDS: Known to be the Mecca of adventure lovers, there is plentiful moose and deer in this part of the state. This region also boasts huge parklands, including 200,000-acre Baxter State Park; Moosehead Lake, the largest in the Northeast; and mile-high Mt. Katahdin, the tallest peak in Maine. There are lots opportunities for whitewater rafting on the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers.
THINGS TO DO IN MAINE
Marine Resources Aquarium has lobsters of all sizes and colors, marine life, including red sea anemones and purple sunstars.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum: From your train, see spectacular views of 19th century forts, lighthouses and the islands of Casco Bay.
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