5 Great Reasons to Take an Active Vacation to Maine
Backroads offers a nice mix of Maine and Acadia National Park adventure tours.
This post comes courtesy of our friends at Backroads, our favorite active travel company, and highlights a destination that we visited fairly recently and had an incredibly fun experience: Maine.
We arrived to Portland, Maine, via cruise ship and had a wonderful time exploring the seaside city, with all of its charming history, beautiful parks and, of course, the great Portland craft breweries. We have vowed to return for an extended stay to crush many more beers and enjoy the array of outdoor activities available throughout the state.
Backroads, which has been offering hiking, biking and multi-sport getaways around the world for more than four decades, has a wonderfully diverse program in Maine. The rugged coastline — where lobster rolls, soaring mountains and ocean vistas abound — is a true paradise ripe for adventure. Backroads offers a range of Maine tours.
Here are five reasons that you'll love an adventurous vacation in Maine.
1. It’s an Active Travelers Paradise
Maine's rocky, rugged shoreline and dense woodlands have attracted outdoor adventurers for decades. Today, the state is 90 percent forest, and its coastline contains enough hidden coves and concealed trails to keep any explorer occupied for a lifetime. With more than 500,000 acres of protected land, from the wild coastal landscapes of Acadia National Park to the sweeping ocean views of Camden Hills State Park, the opportunities for exploration are endless.
2. The Culture and History
Maine's fascinating culture stretches back thousands of years. Today, that history can be easily enjoyed through experiences such as the Abbe Museum's presentation of indigenous culture in Bar Harbor or the yearly festival in northern Maine celebrating their French-Acadian heritage. Contemporary culture shines as well, with a vibrant small-town life.
3. Abundant Wildlife
Maine's wilderness doesn't just make the state an unforgettable destination for hikers and bikers. The abundant nature and special outdoor spaces are habitat for hundreds of animal species, including majestic peregrine falcons, migrating raptors on Cadillac Mountain, harbor seals off the shore of iconic Acadia National Park and snowy owls perched in the park's white pines.
4. Stunning Atlantic Coastline
Much of Maine's unique charm comes from the state's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Maine's ocean coastline stretches only 228 miles, but that number expands to nearly 3,500 miles when you consider the numerous inlets and bays. This means water is a big part of the state's character, with plenty to discover. Whether you're enjoying ocean vistas from Camden Hills State Park or kayaking past colorful fishing villages, the invigorating allure of the Atlantic is undeniable.
5. Delicious Cuisine (Lobster and So Much More)
Maine is known for its fresh farm-to-table cuisine. Of course, the iconic lobster roll is a classic Maine delicacy, featuring buttery, fresh lobster served with mayonnaise atop a split top bun. But there's more on offer than tasty crustaceans. From corn chowder to baked beans and ployes, a kind of buckwheat crepe that comes from French-Acadian culture, the cuisine is delicious — and it's just the thing to refuel after a day of biking, hiking and other adventures in Maine.
You also might like these Backroads trips that we've enjoyed: 7 Cool Things About a Biking Trip with Backroads and AmaWaterways
15 Things to Know Before You Visit New Zealand Thanks for reading,
JR