MAINE

Updated 3/11/21

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The Best Time to Visit Maine: A Seasonal Guide

So, you are thinking of going to Maine? Happy planning! I think that you’ll find that there is so much to see and do on a Maine vacation that it can be hard to whittle down your list. A good place to start might be this list of the top-ranked attractions based on 7 “must-do” lists with 50 different suggestions:

ATTRACTION	# VOTES
Acadia National Park	6
Lighthouses	5
Baxter State Park (inc. Mount Katahdin)	5
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Boothbay Harbor	4
Maine Art Museum Trail	4
Cruising Coastal Maine (windjammer, whale-watching, puffin tour)	3
Old Orchard Beach and Pier	3
Kennebunk/Kennebunkport	3
Marginal Way and Ogunquit Beaches	3
Casco Bay Islands	3
Portland Restaurants/Shopping	3
Maine Maritime Museum	3
Water Sports and Activities (inc. whitewater rafting)	3

Source: H+A Best Things to Do in Maine Spreadsheet

A key factor in having a “quintessential experience” in Maine, however, is knowing when to go. Because Maine’s top attractions are beloved by outdoor adventurists and artists alike, the weather could have a significant impact on the best time to visit Maine. Therefore, I have created four short summaries below that identify seasonally-specific major attractions or factors that might help you pick the right month, week, or weekend for your next visit. If you just need a quick summary, however, see the Seasonal Timeline For Popular Attractions in Maine below.

Before you pick your dates, zoom out on the following map to get an idea of the driving distances between major attractions (black pins). When you’re ready to make some plans, zoom in and toggle the “Interest Areas” square to see highlighted areas with restaurants, sights, nightlife, shopping, and transit lines. Finally, the filters will give you helpful hotel, Vrbo, and “experience” prices based on your budget.

Map of Maine Attractions and Lodging Options

I. A SEASONAL GUIDE TO MAINE

A. Overview

For the purpose of uniformity, this guide relies on the official designation of seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. What it really feels like in any state, however, varies considerably. In Maine, it feels like winter for about 6 months of the year from mid-November to April. Each winter, Maine averages 50 to 70 inches of snow along the coast compared to 60 to 110 inches inland.

The other seasons seem to last about 2 months each, so you can enjoy summer weather from July to August, fall weather from September to October, and spring weather from May to June. There is also an unofficial “mud season” that runs from late March to early May when things start to melt and a “black fly” season that runs from mid-May to mid-June (or later). For “ideal warm weather,” the best time to visit Maine is from May 21st to September 30th when average daily temperatures are between 55 and 75°F and constant rain is unlikely. You should also be aware of the fact that beach towns and tourist destinations may close down or offer limited hours during the off-season, so additional research might be necessary depending on your itinerary.

In the following four seasonally-specific sections, I have identified when your visit to Maine could be significantly affected by the timing of your trip. If you just need a handy table to make sense of it all, however, I’ve done that for you, too, in Section II below.

B. Summer (June, July, August)

1. Parks, Historic Sites, and Museums

Maine’s mild summer temperatures make it a particularly desirable escape from the warmer/more humid conditions found in many other states. Seventy-five percent of Maine’s 37 million out-of-state visitors in 2019 arrived between May and September.

Many tourists come to enjoy Maine’s 4 national and 32 state parks, including favorites like Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park. Although the weather is ideal in July and August to visit Acadia National Park, the park can be crowded. In the future, summer crowding might be alleviated by a new parking reservation system starting in October 2020. Baxter State Park has the highest mountain in Maine (Mount Katahdin) and includes the northernmost 10 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The summer camping season at Baxter State Park runs from May to October.

2. Water-Related Activities

Because Maine’s air temperatures dip below 75°F in the spring and fall, summer can be the best time to enjoy water-related activities in the Atlantic Ocean or Maine’s many lakes and rivers. Note that the delightfully mild summer air temperatures also mean that the ocean temperatures might be too cold for some swimmers. That said, beachlovers can still relax on the beach, stroll along the Marginal Way, or go boating (windjammers), surfing, paddleboarding, canoeing (Northern Forest Canoe Trail), kayaking, and whitewater river rafting.

If you’re in Maine during the last week in June, the annual Windjammer Days Festival in Boothbay Harbor is sure to entertain you with its fireworks and lighted boat parade in the evening.

3. Lighthouses

Summer is a great time to be visiting Coastal Maine. If you’re interested in touring or photographing any of Maine’s 65 lighthouses, consult page 169 of Maine’s Official Travel Planner and Adventure Guide for a list of the lighthouses and any limitations on access.

4. Food-Related Festivals

Seafood-lovers should find plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy in Maine. Every third weekend in July, the Yarmouth Clam Festival serves up clams, lobster rolls, pancake breakfasts, shore dinners, homemade pies, strawberry shortcakes, Lime Rickeys, and more.

As you might know, Maine accounts for almost 85 percent of all lobsters caught in the United States, and those lobsters are renowned for their succulent sweetness. Although you can enjoy amazing Maine lobsters at any time of the year, the lobster shack season runs from May to October. If you want company, head to Rockland Harbor for “five days of fun and feasting” for the annual Maine Lobster Festival the first weekend of August, from Wednesday through Sunday. If you decide to go in August, you might be interested in our article: Three Great Reasons to Make a Three-Day Detour to Coastal Maine in August.

Maine’s official state fruit is the blueberry because the state is the single largest producer of wild blueberries in the United States. Blueberry season runs from late July through early September, and those harvests are celebrated on the third weekend in August at the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival.

5. Flora and Fauna

From April through October, you can also enjoy the blooms by strolling through one of the largest public gardens in the country, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. If you’re arriving by boat, you might be able to use the Gardens’ dock on the Back River in Boothbay.

Although bird-watching in Maine (for migrating birds as well as bald eagles, loons, puffins, and sandpipers) can happen at any time, most bird-watching festivals run in May and June (see the Acadia Birding Festival). Your best chance of seeing a moose would be from mid-May through July and during the fall breeding season. There are also puffin tours off the coast during the summer and whale-watching tours that run from mid-April to mid-October.

white lighthouse on rocky precipice overlooking ocean — Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine - photo courtesy of Visit Maine

C. Fall (September, October, November)

1. Lighthouses

Fall can be a great time to experience the outdoors in Maine, whether on the coast or inland. If you’re interested in touring or photographing any of Maine’s 65 lighthouses, consult page 169 of Maine’s Official Travel Planner and Adventure Guide for a list of the lighthouses and any limitations on access. If you plan a trip in early September, you can see over two dozen lighthouses during the annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day.

2. Fall Foliage

Maine’s peak fall foliage varies from year to year but is generally on display during the last week in September through the first week in October (north), the week of Columbus Day (central and western mountains), and mid to last week in October (coast and south). Fall foliage can be enjoyed from the water, through a national or state park, or on a road trip via your pick of 4 national- and 10 state-declared scenic byways.

3. Parks, Historic Sites, and Museums

For a handy list of state parks and historic sites that are open in the fall, see page 167 of Maine’s Official Travel Planner and Adventure Guide. If history and/or art are among your primary interests in visiting Maine, double-check the opening hours because some museums, galleries, historical homes, forts, and art museums might be closed or have limited hours outside of the Memorial Day to Columbus Day window.

4. Flora and Fauna

As explained above, from April through October, you can also enjoy the blooms by strolling through one of the largest public gardens in the country, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. If you’re arriving by boat, you might be able to use the Gardens’ dock on the Back River in Boothbay.

D. Winter (December, January, February)

1. Snow- and Ice-Related Activities

Maine’s ski season generally runs from mid-November to as late as May with January being the state’s snowiest month. Maine also has over 14,000 miles of snowmobile trails in addition to cross-country ski or snowshoe trails. During the winter, it’s generally cold enough for outdoor skating, and the ice fishing season runs from January to March.

2. Holiday and Northern Lights

Although you aren’t guaranteed a white Christmas on Coastal Maine, you will be able to enjoy festive holiday lights as part of the Boothbay Lights and Gardens Aglow events in November and December. Other holiday events include Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude during the first two weeks of December, and Portland’s six-week celebration of Christmas at Victoria Mansion.

In the winter, you will also have the best chance of catching a glimpse of the famed northern lights if you’re in Aroostook County. You might also be able to see stars, planets, and the aurora borealis on clear nights at the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

3. Parks, Historic Sites, and Museums

Parks can be great places to cross-country ski, snowshoe, or bike depending on the location. For example, Acadia National Park offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling during the winter (December through March), and its ice fishing season runs from January to March. Likewise, Baxter State Park offers bicycling, cross-country ski touring, snowshoeing, back-country skiing/snowboarding, ice climbing, and mountaineering during the winter (December through March).

For a handy list of state parks and historic sites that are open in the winter, see page 167 of Maine’s Official Travel Planner and Adventure Guide. If you decide to visit Maine in the winter, note that most state parks and historic sites “are not plowed during the winter due to seasonal staffing” and a “few parks are only plowed when the manager is on duty.”

If history and/or art are among your primary interests in visiting Maine, double-check the opening hours because some museums, galleries, historical homes, forts, and art museums might be closed or have limited hours outside of the Memorial Day to Columbus Day window.

orange, purple, and white tulips in foreground with woods in the background — Spring Tulips, Boothbay, Maine - photo courtesy of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

E. Spring (March, April, May)

1. Snow-Related Activities

Depending on the year and the location, winter can extend through March and beyond in Maine. As a result, many of the snow-related activities that you can enjoy in the winter might also be available in the spring before things melt. In fact, the milder temperatures make spring an ideal time for mountain skiing or snowboarding at Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and other ski resorts through May.

2. Water-Related Activities

When the ice begins to melt on the lakes in the spring, spring fishing begins. Consult the state’s fishing laws for specific seasonal limitations. The whitewater river rafting season also runs from May through October.

3. Food-Related Activities

March kicks off with an annual Maine Restaurant Week with special menu prices. On the fourth Sunday in March, you can also seek out a sugarhouse participating in the annual Maine Maple Sunday to sample some treats or buy some syrup to take home.

4. Flora and Fauna

As explained above, from April through October, you can enjoy the blooms by strolling through one of the largest public gardens in the country, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. If you’re arriving by boat, you might be able to use the Gardens’ dock on the Back River in Boothbay.

5. Parks, ATV Trails, Historic Sites, and Museums

Spring can be a great time to enjoy the 4 national and 32 state parks with a hike or ride the 6000 miles of ATV trails (late spring after mud season). For a handy list of state parks and historic sites that are open in the spring, see page 167 of Maine’s Official Travel Planner and Adventure Guide. If history and/or art are among your primary interests in visiting Maine, double-check the opening hours because some museums, galleries, historical homes, forts, and art museums might be closed or have limited hours outside of the Memorial Day to Columbus Day window.

II. SUMMARY

I hope that this article helps you better time your Maine trip to coincide with your interests, whatever they may be.

The following seasonal timeline should give you a ballpark idea of the best time to visit Maine. For greater precision, use the hyperlinks on the left-hand column (coupled with the sources cited in this article) to identify the referenced day, week, or month.

Seasonal Timeline For Popular Attractions in Maine

See the “Research” section below for more weather-related resources and helpful travel guides, including a link to the Maine Office of Tourism’s first-class website, YouTube channel, and a 180-page electronic guidebook, that are sure to inspire your travels to “Vacationland.”

H+A newsletter subscribers can access (1) a downloadable/printable version of the Seasonal Timeline for Popular Attractions in Maine, and (2) the Best Things to Do in Maine spreadsheet to see how all 50 suggestions ranked. If you’re interested, see the link at the bottom of this page to subscribe.

If you’re ready to pick your dates, head back to the Map of Maine Attractions and Lodging Options to figure out what works for your budget.

We wish you safe and happy travels whenever you decide to go to Maine!