Planning a Trip

Regions in Brief

Western Maine Mountains This oft-overlooked region -- which arcs from Bethel up to Maine's highest peak at Mount Katahdin -- is home to blue, brawny hills, wide, fast rivers, and plenty of opportunity for outdoor activity. And you may see a moose!

Coastal Maine Maine's rocky coast is the stuff of legend, art, and poetry. The southern coast features most of the state's beaches; farther "down east" are rocky headlands and Acadia National Park.

Maine's North Woods With millions of acres of uninhabited terrain, the North Woods is almost entirely owned by timber companies that harvest trees to feed their mills. Within this vast tree plantation are pockets of undisturbed wildlands.

Visitor Information

If you're a highly organized traveler, you'll call the chamber in advance and ask for information to be mailed to you long before you depart. If you're like the rest of us, you'll swing by when you reach town and hope the office is still open.

All three Northern New England states are pleased to send out general visitor information packets and maps to travelers who call or write ahead. Here's the contact information:

Maine Office of Tourism, P.O. #59 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 (tel. 888/624-6345 or 207/287-5711; www.visitmaine.com)

Destination: Northern New England -- Red Alert Checklist

Did you make sure to book advance reservations for popular tours (such as Frank Lloyd Wright's Zimmerman House in Manchester, N.H.) and restaurants you don't want to miss?

Did you make sure your favorite attractions are open? Especially if you're traveling early or late in the season, you should call ahead for opening and closing hours if you have your heart set on seeing certain places.

Do you have a safe, accessible place to store money?

Did you bring identification that could entitle you to discounts, such as AAA and AARP cards, student IDs, and so on?

Did you bring emergency drug prescriptions and extra glasses and/or contact lenses?

Do you have your credit card PINs?

If you have an E-ticket, do you have documentation?

Did you leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home?

If renting a car, have you checked your insurance and credit card policies to see what's covered? You may be able to save money by declining the extra insurance (collision damage waiver) offered by the rental agency.