Maine is one of the crown jewels of the East Coast, a stunning New England destination known for its picturesque coastline, charming architecture, gorgeous scenery, and iconic lighthouses. With some of the best seafood cuisine in the country and an amazing culture of outdoor adventure, Maine is a great way to explore the best that New England has to offer.
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If you include its islands and inlets, Maine has almost 3,500 kilometers of coastline. Add in mountains, dense forests, and delightful colonial towns, no wonder it’s a haven for romantic breaks. If you’re single, you’ll find your ideal Maine traveling companion by joining a dating site. These outlets tend to offer free registration and inbuilt algorithms will find a perfect local match based on your preferences. There are chat rooms where you can interact with the other site users and meet local singles online with the help of secure communication channel for exchanging private messages. So once you’ve got to the stage of planning a New England jaunt with a new partner, here are the top six best locations for your first date.
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Have you ever thought of visiting Maine, on the USA’s north-easterly corner, tucked between the Canadian border and the Atlantic Ocean? This is such a beautiful location, but what would make your getaway perfect would be having a romantic traveling companion. Joining a dating site is the simplest way to connect with prospective partners. To give you the best chance of forging a strong relationship, take full advantage of the tools at your disposal. Once you’ve completed the registration process and joined a site, you are in charge of your destiny. How you approach contacting and flirting with prospective partners becomes entirely up to you, depending on whether this is an activity you’d like to dip into or spend a lot of your spare time pursuing You can interact in chat rooms, getting into discussions with other singles keen on New England holidays. Now all you have to do is send messages and start flirting! When you eventually arrange a break, here are your top five romantic activities.
Visit Acadia National Park
What’s your picture of an idyllic romantic location? Busy shops, crammed bars, or bustling restaurants? How about the thought of hand-in-hand strolls through a 47,000-acre wilderness on Maine’s coast? If it’s the latter, Acadia National Park is the perfect retreat. This entire landscape is immersed in rural tranquillity, with an abundance of secluded forests, and dominated by the snowy peaks of the Cadillac Mountains, the loftiest point on the USA’s eastern seaboard. Keep your eyes peeled for exotic fauna, such as moose or bears, and when you get to the rugged coastline, scour the waves for majestic whales and dolphins.
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The Northeastern region of the United States is absolutely stunning. Unlike other areas of the country, the coastline is quiet and quaint. There are dozens of cozy towns with bed and breakfast amenities, local dining experiences, and relaxed vibes. If you are planning a trip, there are many incredible experiences to be had across the entire state. In this article, we will share five experiences that you must indulge in during your time in Maine.
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Are you planning to take a trip to Maine, renowned for its stunning beaches, moose, and delicious lobsters? To experience romantic sunsets as you savor lobsters, you need to file for an ESTA at the earliest. Don’t know what an ESTA visa is? It is a digital travel authorization required to gain access to the U.S. for business or tourism.
If you are a citizen of a country that has a visa-free waiver treaty with the U.S., you will need to fill up one before you head out. In short, any individual who is from a country that has a Visa Waiver Program with the U.S. and who intends to stay for less than 3 months needs to get an ESTA visa. Whether you are traveling to the States by Sea or Air, you will need an ESTA visa. Applying for ESTA is simple. All you have to do is fill in the ESTA form and wait for its approval.
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Portland in Maine makes a fantastic place to vacation with your dog. As well as an abundance of fantastic places to stay in Portland with your dog, there are miles of surrounding trails to hike. That’s not forgetting the beaches and the Fido-friendly restaurants and cafes. Here are some of the best dog friendly attractions in Portland, Maine…
Willard Beach
Portland, Maine is growing in their inclusion of dog friendly spots and when your pooch requires a bit of rest and relaxation on the beach or just an expansive place to run and enjoy the water, Willard Beach is the best. Willard Beach is a mildly dog restrictive area, but no need to worry. Dogs are aloud from 6 am to 9 pm and virtually the only restriction is to keep them away from bird eggs and off sand dunes. Ample parking, clean restrooms, and a lifeguard on duty make Willard Beach in Portland, Maine a top hot spot for families and individuals with furry friends. In order to enjoy the beach fully, always be sure that your dog exhibits excellent voice control as this beach is only one mile long and the surrounding beaches are not as dog-friendly.
Quarry Run Dog Park
Restrictive, small fenced in dog parks can be a hassle to use when there are a lot of dogs enjoying the space. That is not something you will have to contend with at Quarry Run Dog Park in Portland, Maine. This dog park is expansive offering at least 10 acres for your dog to romp around in and enjoy. Not only are there clear spaces to enjoy a game a catch, but wooded trails leading you to every part of the park. Locals and visitors alike have enjoyed this park and it is among the top spots in Portland to give your pet a break from an indoor lifestyle. If your dog needs some time to really run around and play with other furry friends, Quarry Run Dog Park is the place to do it.
Two Lights State Park
State parks are a wonderful place to take your best four-legged friend, but not all are very pet-oriented. Two Lights State Park is an exception to that notion. It offers a place to enjoy the outdoors right along the beautiful coast of Maine. It should be noted that dogs are allowed in every part of this 40-acre outdoor dream, but they are restricted from accessing the beach. There is no need to worry. With all the hiking, trail running, and peak climbing available in Two Lights State Park, your pooch is likely not be thinking about heading to the beach at all. Come camp and enjoy the park for all its worth. Stargazing at night is an ideal way to spend an evening in Two lights State Park in Portland, Maine.
Portland Head Lighthouse
Bring your furry friend to one of the most photographed places in the world, Portland Head Lighthouse. This location boasts a spectacularly beautiful rocky coastline so adventurous dogs can enjoy somewhat of a challenge as opposed to simply running on white, sandy beaches. Portland Head Lighthouse is a picturesque, perfect location full of classic New England fog in the morning and crisp, clear views in the afternoon. This area has a unique story as well. It is home to the Shipwreck of Annie C. Maguire made famous by the fact that it happened on Christmas Eve of 1886 and all 14 aboard were successfully saved by the Portland Head Lighthouse Keeper. See Portland, Maine in its most photogenic setting with your best friend.
Baxter Woods
For dogs that play well with children, Baxter Woods in Portland, Maine offers substantial fun in the sun. The woods maintains ample open spaces to play games with your dog as well as well groomed paths and secondary paths that offer a bit more of a challenge. The sprawling 30-acre park is among the top spots for dog lovers to enjoy time with their furry friend. It is easy to spend an afternoon or even a whole day in this beautiful wooded area with your dog, so bring a picnic and enjoy what Baxter Woods has to offer. The location is surrounded by a residential area, so interaction with locals is highly likely. If you are new to Portland, Maine or simply visiting for a while, Baxter Woods will give you the opportunity to allow your dog to play with some local pooches and make lifelong friends.
Old Orchard Beach
If you are heading to Maine for an extended trip, plan your trip around Old Orchard Beach. The beach, itself, offers a long coastal area to enjoy time with your furry friend and once all the running and playing in the water, take a stroll around the neighboring town. Most of the town is very dog friendly and there are a number of pet friendly hotels throughout the area. Bring a picnic to the beach or enjoy one of the many dog friendly restaurants the area is known for.
Eastern Promenade
Dog friendly shopping is fun, but difficult to find. However, Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine offers the solution. This area is highly popular among locals and visitors alike, but there are a few restrictions. As this is a popular area for many people, you dog must have good voice command and when in the Promenade, should remain leashed. However, just beside the Eastern Promenade is the adjacent park. This area is best for dogs that want to run and enjoy. Dogs can be leashed or taken off leash in this area, but it still remains a good idea to ensure your dog follows excellent voice commands.
The Porthole Restaurant and Pub
Even though more pet friendly options for avid pet parents are becoming available, pet friendly restaurants are quite rare due to health codes. The Porthole Restaurant and Pub, however is looking to change all that and allows visitors to bring their best friend along for some world class, New England coastal delights. The restaurant is perched beautifully along the coast offering supreme views for all. The interior seating of The Porthole Restaurant and Pub in Portland, Maine is, not surprisingly, restricted from dogs, but the outdoor, waterfront deck is very pet friendly, so bring your fur baby along for a remarkable dining experience after you have enjoyed other dog friendly spots in Portland, Maine.
With 3,478 miles of shoreline and 542,629 acres of national parks, Maine is a natural beauty that is simply begging to be explored. The beautiful marine scenery, magnificent wildlife, and the delicious seafood that you can find around Maine are simply some of the best in the world. However, if you want to get everything done in the magnificent state, the best way to do so is through a road trip. So, check out this list so that you get check off everything on your list.
What to take
The most important part of your trip is the car. If you don’t want to put the miles on your family car, then you can rent through a rental car company. Choose a vehicle suited for your trip, prepay for the car to get a better rate, and be sure to rent your car somewhere that is a good distance from the Portland or Bangor airport, as the rental company around the airports can get pricey. You may also want to rent a hybrid car since you’ll be doing a lot of driving and a hybrid car can save about $5 per gallon of fuel. Pack your car lightly to also save some gas and to provide room for anything you buy on the trip. However, don’t forget a jacket as it can get chilly in Maine and some waterproof clothes for your beachy journey.
Where to go
The most iconic road trip through Maine takes you along the coastline. If you start in Southern Maine and take US Route 1 up towards Bar Harbor, then you’ll see everything on your bucket list. This route provides 65 different lighthouses, the best harvest of lobsters, and amazing scenic views. Southern Maine will give you the sandy beaches that will help relax the beginning of the trip. Then, Mid-Coast Maine will help you take the perfect postcard picture of boating towns and at the end, you’ll enjoy iconic Bar Harbor and the magnificent sunset at Acadia National Park.
What to do
If you start in Portland, the shopping lover in you will enjoy the harbor and Old Port district. Here you have historic brick building restaurants, bars, and shops before you check out the Portland Head Lighthouse. From then on, your trip will be filled with natural wonders, so you’ll be able to do anything outdoors. This includes fishing, hiking, kayaking, and surfing. You may also want to check out some of Maine’s infamous festivals before you leave to ensure you stop at the right places. At the end of your trip, be sure to check out the sunset in Acadia. Some of the best places to see it are Cadillac Mountain, Seal Harbor, Thunder Hole, and the Bubbles. Any of these spots will give you a magical view of the sunset and create photos and memories to last a lifetime.
Where to eat
You can’t visit Maine without indulging in some seafood. If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy some of the freshest lobster, oysters, and clams in the world. On your journey up Route 1, be sure to stop by Bite Into Maine Commissary, Eventide Oyster Co., and C-Ray Lobster. You’ll get a great taste of the state and won’t be disappointed. A road trip through Maine is one of the best adventures you’ll ever take in your life. From the food to the natural wonders, it is simply breathtaking.
In a world that’s largely dominated by technological innovation and man-made architecture, it’s always a calming escape to visit some of the best national and state parks around the world to enjoy the countless breath-taking sites that they could have to offer. Depending on the national and state park that you decide to visit, you could find yourself bearing witness to stunning wildlife in their natural habitats; you could even opt for a short holiday and camp out. These are our top picks for the best national and state parks around the world.
Acadia National Park, Maine, USA
Acadia National Park boasts 3.3 million visitors every year, and rightly so. With seven peaks that soar above 1,000 feet, 16 stone bridges to cross and admire, and 158 miles of hiking trails to keep your legs moving, there’s no shortage of things to do or sights to see. What’s more, this park is home to the natural beauty that is the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline. With a whole host of different habitats to explore and enjoy, and plenty of clean, fresh air and water to bask in, you can experience the amazing cultural heritage that Acadia National Park has to offer in comfort.
Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Amongst the charming Welsh villages boasting authentic cobbled streets and elegant teak garden furniture, you can find Snowdonia National Park. Here, the ruggedness of the park makes up its charm, with craggy mountains and moss-covered rocks surrounding serene flowing lakes. Plus, if you want to properly immerse yourself in the National Park, you can enjoy some of the world’s best mountain biking, allowing you to get up close and personal with the Welsh nature. Plus, once you’ve properly explored this National Park, you can then venture to the nearby Welsh villages, where you could even join in with festivals.
Grand Teton National Park, USA
Yellowstone is often very dominating of Grand Teton National Park, and while Yellowstone is definitely worth the visit, Grand Teton definitely shouldn’t be missed either. Here, you can marvel at the snow-topped peaks, as well as unwind watching the mountains ripple in the lake’s surface. However, while this national park makes an excellent place for mountaineers and photographers during the winter months, summer usually sees a large influx of hikers, both novice and artisan, all climbing the mountains in order to gain the very best views of Grand Teton. Plus, in Snake River, it isn’t uncommon to see kayakers and rafters floating themselves along the water’s surface.
Jostedalsbreen National Park, Norway
If you like the snow-topped peaks of Grand Teton, then you’ll adore the blanketed mountains at Jostedalsbreen National Park in Norway. The famous Briskdal Glacier can be found at this stunning National Park, boasting stunning hues of blue that shimmer in the sunlight. Furthermore, you could even have the chance to climb by the glacial lakes and flowing waterfalls here and, if you’re lucky – and a safe distance away – watch a blue glacier cascade down the mountain! Either way, visiting Jostedalsbreen National Park is always an unforgettable experience, and will leave you awe-struck the entire time.
Guilin & Lijang River National Park, China
China is renowned for its stunning cultural architecture; however it also has its fair share of gorgeous National and State Parks as well. The Guilin & Lijang River National Park in particular is like something out of a fairy tale, engulfed by clouds of mists with panoramic landscapes as far as the eye can see. Plus, to properly appreciate the stunning surroundings, you can float along the Li River and enjoy the unforgettable landscapes and culture that surrounds the National Park. If you’re looking for the ultimate destination to relax and enjoy some tranquillity, Guilin & Lijang River National Park is the place to do it.
There are enchanting National and State parks around the entire globe – these are just a few. Regardless of whether you prefer the warmer parks, or you want to get close to the beautiful frozen wonders of the world, there is definitely a park out there for everyone.
We have displays of skis from Paris Manufacturing – the first manufacturers of skis in Maine, antique wooden skis from the late 1800’s, a display of the 10th Mountain Division, trophies, medals and various ephemera from past Maine Olympic Skiers and Snowboarders.
There is a satellite exhibit at the Bethel Historical Society which chronicles “The Mountains of Maine: Skiing in the Pine Tree State” which illustrates a large swath of skiing history in this state.
Both locations are free to the public and open year round.
Visit our website at: www.skimuseumofmaine.org.
AUGUSTA, Maine – While the State of Maine is enjoying an abundance of sunshine and beautiful late summer weather, now is the time to start planning your fall foliage trip. Beginning Wednesday, September 9, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) and the Maine Office of Tourism will provide an update on gradual change in leaf color from north to south culminating in peak conditions in late-October.
“Maine fall foliage is world-renowned and draws visitors from all over the country and around the globe,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “The fall foliage season is an example of how Maine welcomes visitors and is ‘Open for Business.’ Anyone can see the best places to go by visiting the fall foliage website and through weekly foliage updates.”
DACF Commissioner Walt Whitcomb noted that the Department’s forestry employees have been reporting foliage color changing conditions since 1959. “The Department’s fall foliage website got over 500,000 page views last year,” said Whitcomb. “Many people and businesses use Maine’s fall foliage season to showcase products, events and the beauty of the entire state. We encourage families to enjoy this colorful season and use the website and weekly foliage updates to plan trips this month into October.”
Maine’s official fall foliage website: www.mainefoliage.com has a number of resources, links to scenic byways and to the Maine office of tourism. State officials are optimistic that the 2015 fall foliage season will be spectacular.
According to Bill Ostrofsky, Forest Pathologist within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, “The overall timing of peak color change will be near average this year – about the last week in September through the first week in October for the Augusta area; a bit earlier North, and a bit later South. With a return to cooler temperatures (more typical of what we have seen all year, with the exception of the past ten days or so), we should be in for a glorious season.”
To produce the weekly report on fall foliage conditions, DACF forest rangers submit on-the-ground observations each week throughout the reporting season (September 9 through October 21, with a final report on October 28 if needed) at www.mainefoliage.com – Maine’s official fall foliage website. The site includes a map indicating current foliage conditions with a useful foliage color key that is updated weekly. Visitors to the site can also find information on Facebook.
While navigating the website, leaf peepers can register to receive weekly reports and submit their favorite fall foliage photos. The site also provides information about complimentary ranger-led fall foliage tours in Maine State Parks.
Generally, the northern region of Maine is at or near peak the last week of September into the first week of October. Central, Southern and Western mountains are nearing peak conditions October 6 through October 18. Coastal Maine reaches peak conditions October 13 through 25.
Now is the time to plan a late-September getaway to Zone 6 and 7 in northeastern and northwestern Maine which includes Fort Kent, Caribou and Presque Isle to experience the first colors of autumn. There are scenic driving tours recommended on www.mainefoliage.com for the St. John Valley Cultural Byway and the Aroostook County circuit.
