is a domain with many names. Among other things, the northeastern state is famous for natural wonders, recreation, and a robust food and beverage scene.

You may know Maine for its frigid waters and lobster rolls—but with 30,843 square miles of land and 3,500 miles of coastline, the state also offers much more. And while the Portland in Maine may not be quite as famous as Oregon’s, it’s still unique and interesting (and popular in its own right).

Jerry

, the

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and license broker

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, is here to take you on a tour of the good eats, fine libations, and fantastic outdoor and recreational opportunities available in the great state of Maine.

What is Maine famous for?

Picturesque landscapes and natural wonders

Lending to its official state nickname, the Pine Tree State, Maine has abundant white pine forests covering the region. Ninety percent of the state is covered by trees such as birch, spruce, and fir. In addition to dense forestry, the Pine Tree State has many other natural attractions worth exploring, including beaches, ice caves, and mountains.

Maine is home to an abundance of beautiful and ecologically diverse beaches. From the white, red, and black sand shores to the jagged, pebble-lined coastal bay towns, here are a few must-see Maine beaches in case you visit during the warmer months:

Wells: This gives you the quintessential New England Beach experience, with lush seagrass, tidal pools, and marshes.

Kennebunk: The sand here is talcum-powder soft. Soak up sights of the calm, protected waters.

Crescent: There are hiking trails along the water’s edge and saltwater coves.

Ogunquit: In the Abenaki language, this beach means “a beautiful place by the sea.” This white-sand oasis often makes lists of the nation’s best beaches.

Popham: Perhaps the most undeveloped in Maine, this three-mile stretch of sand offers scenic views of unspoiled natural beauty.

If you’re not planning to sunbathe on the beach, you can always drive Maine’s National Scenic Byway. Known as the Bold Coast, Maine boasts 147 miles of coastal scenery and natural bounty. It’s best to start at Bangor International Airport and drive U.S. Highway 1, but there are several

other ways

to immerse yourself in the breathtaking waterfront views.

You don’t have to visit Maine in the winter to see ice! The Debsconeag Ice Caves were formed when huge glaciers pushed boulders together during the Ice Age. Climb down the iron-rung ladder and witness these magical and rare large talus caves.

But visitors should exercise special caution in the slippery, dark conditions. Bring flashlights and microspikes, any time of year.

Visitors to Maine can enjoy Somes Sound, the only fjard on the East Coast. Not quite meeting the classifications of a true Norwegian fjord, this drowned glacial embayment is one of the most geologically extraordinary and scenic sites to behold in Maine.

If you want to catch the first rays of morning light in the U.S., you can do so in Maine. That’s right, you’ll have to hike up Cadillac Mountain to see the first sunrise of the day in the U.S. Just keep in mind: You can only catch this first light from early October through early March.

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Outdoor recreation

The state slogan—which has graced

Maine license plates

since 1936—is Vacationland. If you spend any time in Maine, you will quickly see why that’s the case.

Beyond being home to Acadia, one of the 10 most-visited U.S. national parks, Maine also hosts many outdoor adventures, including wildlife watching, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, boating, visiting lighthouses, white-water rafting, and much more!

Maine’s mountains, woods, and coastal areas are home to a plethora of wildlife sighting opportunities. Spot humpback whales, pilot whales, and finback whales in

Bar Harbor

. Visit puffins at

Matinicus Rock

, or

book a “moose safari”

during moose-watching tour season.

There are many occasions to get out on a watercraft in Maine, from kayaking and canoeing to paddle boarding, surfing, windjamming, and motor-powered boats. Even if you don’t end up out on the wide-open Atlantic ocean, there are nearly 32,000 miles of rivers and streams to take advantage of. For a most exhilarating experience, there’s always white-water rafting in

Gulf Hagas

, also known as the Grand Canyon of Maine.

If getting wet and wild doesn’t suit your fancy, Maine offers the complete opposite experience at the

Desert of Maine

, an iconic Maine tourist destination for almost a century. The 20 acres of rolling dunes in the middle of a lush forest offer something for everyone, including fossil and gem digging, the Buried Spring House, and mini-golf. Explore this weird and wonderful site that’s 10,000 years in the making.

L.L. Bean

Maine is the home state of L.L. Bean, the outdoor clothing and recreational equipment retail company. The company was founded and headquartered 110 years ago in Freeport, Maine. You can

visit the flagship campus

and take a picture with the 16.5-foot tall Bean Boot located outside the main building—24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round.

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Natural personal care brands

One of the more niche, yet still wildly popular, industries Maine is famous for is personal care product companies that use natural, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly ingredients.

Burt’s Bees was originally founded in Cover-Foxcroft in 1984 as a small honey business. It’s evolved into what's now an internationally recognized and globally distributed business. Burt's Bees produces over 197 products, including the ever-famous lip balm, sensitive skin care, and cosmetics.

If you’re in the area, stop by

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

, which was donated by co-founder Roxanne Quimby.

Tom’s of Maine is another natural personal care product company started in Maine over 50 years ago. The company now distributes over 90 products worldwide, including toothpaste, soaps, and deodorants in sustainable packaging. Schedule an appointment to take a tour of its green factory in Sanford.

Although the Seaweed Bath Co. was not started in Maine, the state still plays a key role in the products. The ocean-inspired skin and hair product line is made with sustainably hand-harvested Maine bladderwrack seaweed, so even if you can’t visit the state, their products can help you feel close to the northern U.S. coast.

Famous locals

Renowned poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and novelist Stephen King are both Portland natives. King wrote his first novel “Carrie” while working as a high school English teacher in the state. Additionally, Ian Crocker, the five-time Olympic medalist and the first man to ever swim the 100-meter butterfly in less than 51 seconds, was born in Portland as well.

Two vice presidents hailed from Maine: Hannibal Hamlin and Nelson Rockefeller. The first woman to serve in both chambers of Congress, Margaret Chase Smith, was also born and raised in Maine. And while former President George H.W. Bush was born in Massachusetts, the Bush family’s summer retreat is in the town of

Kennebunkport

For all you movie buffs and celebrity fanatics, several famous actors and actresses were born in Maine, including Patrick Dempsey, Anna Kendrick, and Rachel Nichols.

MORE: Best road trips in Maine

Cuisine

Eighty percent of America’s lobsters are sourced from the Gulf of Maine. Perhaps the most iconic dish in Maine is the lobster roll. Traditional Maine lobsters are prepared cold with their tail, knuckle, and claw meat slathered in mayonnaise and placed upon a split-top bun—you can’t go wrong.

If you’re looking to warm up during the chilly Maine winters, tuck into a bowl of award-winning,

famous clam chowder

at Billy’s Chowder House in Wells. Clam chowder isn't your thing? Then head to

Helen’s Restaurant

in Machias to try the award-winning, famous haddock chowder.

If fish, lobster, mussels, oysters, and other Maine seafood delights don’t quite delight you, try an Italian sandwich from

Amato’s

, an Italian delicatessen with 44 stores across the state. The Maine classic features American cheese, ham, prosciutto, black olives, sour pickles, lettuce, and tomato on a foot-long sub roll.

Hope you saved room for dessert! No trip to Maine is complete without wild Maine blueberries. The state has 40,000 acres of commercial wild blueberry land, making it the largest producer of wild blueberries in the world. Head to

Two Fat Cats Bakery

for the blueberry pie or get the grilled blueberry muffin or pancakes at

Becky’s Diner

That’s not all Maine has to offer in the way of food. Here’s is a quick rundown of more featured product

Fiddleheads: wild ferns that are freshly harvested for a short 4-6 week season between April and early June

Ramps: wild leeks with peak season in May

Maple syrup: Maine produces more than 500,000 gallons of maple syrup each year between the end of February and mid-April.

Kennebec potatoes: Maine’s largest agricultural crop—perfect as fries, chips, or

Holy Donuts

Red snapper hot dogs: a backyard barbecue and camp grill favorite.

W.A. Bean & Sons

is one of the most recognizable producers of the state delicacy.

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What is Portland famous for?

Also the largest metro area and economic hub,

Portland

is Maine’s most populous city, accounting for 40% of the state’s total population. While the entire state of Maine is known for the following highlights, they all shine extra bright in the city of Portland.

Marine Industry

Portland is America’s 20th-largest fishing port. What’s more, it’s also the closest transatlantic port to Europe.

Fishing and commercial shipping play an important role in the city’s economy, with the Port of Portland being the second-largest tonnage seaport in New England. Plus, the International Marine Terminal has doubled its shipping containers passing over docks since 2017. The industry is bigger than ever!

Beverages

If you’re thirsty, you’ve come to the right place. As of 2021, Maine has the most breweries per capita in the United States. What’s more, Portland boasts the most microbreweries per capita of any U.S. city.

Here are a few of the most eminent Forest City breweries offering some of the best craft beer in the nation:

Allagash Brewing Company

: There’s more to Allagash than Allagash White. Try one of the wild, sour, barrel-aged, and

spontaneously fermented beers

for a truly out-of-this-world, one-of-a-kind drinking experience.

Bissell Brothers Brewing Company

: For some of the best IPAs in Maine (and maybe even New England?), go here. That’s not to say there aren’t also fantastic stouts, porters, lagers, and more.

Oxbow Blending & Bottling

: Portland’s blending and packaging location for all things aged and delicious—so there’s no shortage of sleek and hypnotizing label designs. If you can peel yourself away, be sure to indulge in the Belgian frites from the

Duckfat

Frites Shack (yes, get the sauce flight).

Brewery crawling? Also check out Foundation Brewing Company, Austin Street Brewery, and Lone Pine Brewing Company—just remember to have a

designated driver

Portland is also known for

Maine Root

, carrying delicious fair-trade vegan drinks like root beer, ginger brew, and blueberry.

Still,

Moxie

is the official soft drink of Maine. The sweet soda is similar in flavor to root beer and has a bitter aftertaste. Thus, the name "Moxie" was born–a noun meaning energy, determination, and spunk.

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Open container laws in Maine

Festivals

Portland hosts a wide array of festivals year-round. Here’s a short guide on some of the most notable city celebrations:

Festival	When	Details
Bug Light Kite Festival	May	Every third weekend in May, the sky above Bug Light Park is filled with kites of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Harvest on the Harbor	October/November	Portland’s annual food and spirits festival focused on local- and independently-owned restaurants and organizations.
Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF)	July/August	See specially-curated outdoor adventure and conservation filmmaking made by local artists intended to inspire expression.
Maine Lobster Festival	First weekend in August	This five-day festival is all about lobstah! Host-town Rockland is a two-hour drive north of Portland, but we think it’s worth the trek.

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