How to Enjoy Maine's Great Outdoors for Free
/Katelyn Michaud • March 4, 2021
Booking a vacation in Maine doesn’t have to break the bank – you can hike, swim, cross-country ski and enjoy the arts scene, all for free. From York to Fort Fairfield and everywhere in between, there are tons of activities to do in Maine year-round. Hike along the rocky coastline in search of incredible vistas and native wildlife or give mash potato wrestling a chance in northern Maine. Just make sure you have your camera ready!
Chase lighthouses
Most of Maine’s lighthouses are free to explore, including the famous Portland Head Light. Commissioned by George Washington, Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth is the most photographed lighthouse in the country. Pack a picnic and enjoy the adjacent 90-acre Fort Williams Park with its stunning ocean views and old forts. Not far down the road you have Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and Big Light in South Portland, too.
As you head up the coast, you’ll find even more lighthouses in the Midcoast region, like Owl’s Head Lighthouse and Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse in Rockland and the famous Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde (you might recognize Marshall Point from Forrest Gump).
West Quoddy State Park in Lubec is the easternmost location in the continental United States and home to West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, a distinct candy-striped tower commissioned by Thomas Jefferson.
Sunbathe on southern Maine's beaches
Southern Maine largely consists of York and Cumberland Counties and most of the state’s 1.3 million people. York County is home to some of Maine’s best sandy beaches – Long Sand Beach in York and Ogunquit Beach are two of the most beautiful and largest beaches in Maine.
Old Orchard Beach may be one of Maine’s busiest beaches in the state during the summer, but you’re close to the iconic pier and amusement park. As you head north, sandy beaches begin to turn into Maine’s famed rocky coastline, but you’ll still find a few sandy spots for a dip in the Atlantic.
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Visit Stephen King’s house
Horror fans don’t want to miss Stephen King’s spooky mansion on West Broadway Street in Bangor. The stately red mansion and its creepy wrought-iron fence evoke the author’s most famous works. The recently added wooden tree carving in the front yard is worth the stop alone.
Unfortunately, you probably won’t catch a glimpse of the famous author (as he resides mostly in Florida now), but you never know! There are plans to eventually open the house to the public as a museum.
Other famous homes you can visit or see from the street include Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's residence in Portland, E.B. White's in Brookline, and Harriet Beecher Stowe's in Brunswick.
Looking for more free stuff in Bangor? Snap a selfie with the Paul Bunyan statue, look for wildlife in the 80-acre Bangor City Forest, and walk or bike along the Penobscot River Walkway. Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge are a 25-minute drive from Bangor, offering incredible views of the Penobscot River and tons of history.
Hike the Appalachian Trail, which cuts through several of Maine's parks and reserves © Cavan Images RF / Getty Images
Take a hike
Maine is home to thousands of miles of hiking, biking and nature trails throughout the state. Alewive Woods Preserve in Kennebunk is a 625-acre nature preserve with 2.5 miles of easy hiking trails that is open to the public for free. Just an hour north of Portland, Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton is the perfect day hike with rewarding views of western Maine.
The Shoreline Trail in Moosehead region’s Lily Bay State Park is an easy two-mile trail for the whole family, and you may even see a moose if you’re lucky.
For slightly harder hiking trails, the Bethel area is home to Grafton Notch State Park and the Mahoosuc Public Lands. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park, but there are other nearby easier trails if you prefer a shorter day hike.
10 breathtaking hikes in Maine
Stroll the First Friday Art Walk in Portland
Maine’s largest city is the state’s cultural hub, home to tons of world-class restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and more. It’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars on food and beer alone here, but there are lots of free things to do.
Portland’s First Friday Art Walk happens on the first Friday of every month, and is a free self-guided tour of the city's art galleries and studios. Many stops provide free snacks and wine.
The Portland Museum of Art in the heart of downtown has a permanent collection of over 18,000 artworks from Andy Warhol to Claude Monet. PMA is home to one of the largest collections of works by Winslow Homer – considered to be one of the greatest American painters of the 19th century – who spent much of his life in Maine.
PMA owns Homer’s studio in Prouts Neck and tours are available for an additional fee. Portland Museum of Art is always free to the public on Fridays.
Jam out at L.L. Bean’s outdoor concerts
Every summer, L.L. Bean hosts Summer in the Park at its flagship store in Freeport. Shop for flannel and duck boots before enjoying a free concert with big names like Walker Hayes and Brandi Carlile. In addition to regular concerts, L.L. Bean also hosts free yoga classes, fitness classes, movie nights, and more. All events are family friendly so even the little members of your family can have heaps of fun.
Many Maine parks groom their trails in winter for cross country skiing © Carl D. Walsh / Getty Images
Cross-country ski, snowshoe and sled in winter
With thousands of miles of hiking trails throughout the state, snow doesn’t have to stop your fun. Many trails across the state can be accessed by snowshoes or cross-country skis, including many of Acadia National Park’s trails, which are free during the winter months. Acadia Winter Trails Association volunteers groom miles of the carriage trails for skiing.
There are 15 miles of free cross-country ski trails in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. If you’re new to cross-country skiing, you can explore the beautifully groomed trails atPineland Farms in New Gloucester for less than $20.
Sledding fans (both adults and kids), grab your favorite ride – there are lots of great sledding hills to enjoy. Payson Park in Portland, Essex Street Hill in Bangor, and Mighty Hill in Gorham are just a few places you can enjoy the thrill of a snowy hill.
Acadia National Park is free during National Parks week in April © Chris Bennett / Getty Images
Explore Acadia National Park
Every April, the U.S. National Park Services celebrates National Park Week, and you can visit any of the country’s national parks for free. Located on Mount Desert Island about 3.5 hours north of Portland, Acadia National Park the first national park established east of the Mississippi River.
Featuring 27 miles of scenic motorways, 158 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads mostly built by the Rockefeller family, Acadia National Park is an incredible place to explore.
Watch the sun rise over the country from atop Cadillac Mountain, take a chilly sip in the Atlantic at Sand Beach, or hike to the summit of the many granite peaks in the park.
While Acadia National Park encompasses a large section of Mount Desert Island, there's more to the destination than the national park. There are tons of free hiking trails and places to swim outside of the park limits for those on a budget.
Experience the Maine Potato Blossom Festival
For a unique Maine experience, head north into Aroostook County for the Maine Potato Blossom Festival, held annually in Fort Fairfield. The festival takes place in July during the potato field blossoming and features over 85 events throughout the nine-day festival.
There’s a town-wide yard sale, nightly entertainment, a huge parade, fireworks and the famous “Mash Potato Wrestling.” Most events are free or low cost and fun for the whole family.
Cycle one of Maine's bike routes to see some of the state's most beautiful landscapes © Ben McCanna / Portland Press Herald / Getty Images
Traverse the state on two wheels
Maine is a great place to explore on two wheels. If you’re in the southern Maine region, just hop on your bike and cycle the 22-mile Eastern Trail from Big Light in South Portland to Kennebunk.
For the more hardcore cyclists, the multi-day Down East Sunrise Trail from Ellsworth to Ayers Junction is just over 100 miles in length on paved or gravel roads.
Bond Brooks Trails in Augusta has six miles of single-track mountain biking trails and Quarry Road Trails in nearby Waterville has many more mountain bike trails free and open to the public.