It's hard to avoid great vistas in Maine. They're everywhere! But here are some of the most stunning, and the most stunning ways to see them:
  • Hiking Trails on Monhegan: While the village of Monhegan (see above) is clustered around the harbor of the same-named island, the rest of the 700-acre rock is comprised of picturesque wild lands, with miles of trails crossing open meadows and tracing rocky bluffs. 
  • From the Deck of a Windjammer: See Maine as many saw it for centuries—from the ocean, looking inland. Sailing ships depart from various harbors along the coast, particularly from Rockland and Camden. Spend between a night and a week exploring the dramatic shoreline.
  • Merchant’s Row via Kayak: The islands between Stonington and Isle au Haut, rimmed with pink granite and capped with the stark spires of spruce trees, are among the most spectacular on the entire East Coast. They’re inaccessible by motorboat, but wonderful to explore by sea kayak. Some outfitters even offer overnight camping trips on the islands.
  • Acadia’s Park Loop Road: Forming the heart of Acadia National Park, this is New England’s premier oceanside drive. Start along a ridge with views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands, then dip down along the rocky shores to watch the surf crash against the dark rocks. Plan to do this 20-mile loop at least twice to get the most out of it. 
  • From a Well-Located Rocking Chair: Views are never better than when you’re caught unaware—such as glancing up from an engrossing book on the front porch of an ocean-side inn and catching a great sunset or angle of light on the water. A list of the best porch views in Maine could run for pages, but it would certainly include those gleaned from the Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit, the Black Point Inn in Scarborough, Grey Havens on Georgetown Island, East Wind Inn in Tenant’s Harbor, the Samoset Resort outside Rockport, the Inn on the Harbor in Stonington, and the Claremont in Southwest Harbor.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.