Planning a Trip

Regions in Brief

Western Maine -- This oft-overlooked region -- centered on Bethel but taking in a wide swath of territory north and south of that village -- is as different from nearby North Conway as could be. It's home to brawny hills, wide fast rivers, unbelievably scenic lakes, great foliage, and endless opportunities for quiet hiking and skiing. You might even see a moose.

Coastal Maine -- Maine's rocky coast is the stuff of legend, art, and poetry. The southern coast has the best beaches; to the north, the Downeast region offers rocky headlands and Acadia National Park. And the lobsters are everywhere.

Maine's North Woods -- The mostly uninhabited North Woods are almost entirely owned by timber companies, but there are still some spectacular places here. Two of Maine's hidden jewels are well worth a visit: big, wild Baxter State Park, home to the state's largest peak (impressive Mount Katahdin); and giant Moosehead Lake, the province of fishing camps and luxury inns. Numerous smaller lakes and ponds, accessible only by seaplane, shine like coins in the woods, and the Allagash River is a once-in-a-lifetime paddling adventure.

Visitor Information & Maps

All three of the northern New England states maintain excellent tourism information offices and kiosks throughout their key areas.

If you're a highly organized traveler, call or e-mail in advance and ask for information to be mailed to you before departure; I have provided plenty of local tourism and chamber of commerce addresses and phone numbers. (If you're like me, on the other hand, swing by the office when you reach town -- and hope it is open.)

All three state tourism offices are happy to send out loads of maps and free visitor information packets to travelers who call, write, or e-mail them. Here's the contact information:

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

  For incredibly detailed maps, consider purchasing one or more of the DeLorme atlases, which depict every road and stream, along with many hiking trails and access points for canoes. DeLorme's headquarters and map store (tel. 800/561-5105 or 642-0970) are in Yarmouth, Maine, open 9:30am to 6pm daily, but their products are available at bookstores and convenience stores throughout the region.