(This article by Maine-based contributor Col. William D. Bushnell, USMC (Ret), originally appeared in the June 2022 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)

Maine isn’t called “Vacationland” for nothing, as 15 million visitors would affirm. Maine’s iconic rocky coastline, lighthouses, and islands, as well as its mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and natural beauty offer countless opportunities for outdoor fun.

“Where else but Maine can you see a moose while eating a Whoopie Pie washed down with a craft beer?” said a former Chamber of Commerce region director and Navy veteran.

Maine’s 42 state parks provide wonderful options for beachcombing, swimming, camping, fishing, hiking, biking, and boating. The most well known is Baxter State Park near Moosehead Lake, anchored by Mount Katahdin, the mile-high terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

On the coast, there are more than 60 lighthouses to see and visit — on foot, in the car, or by boat. Visitors will enjoy sailing on nature cruises or on windjammer schooners along the coast and among the islands, for 2-hour cruises or 3-5 day voyages (where you can be part of the crew). The most well-known passenger schooner is the Victory Chimes, a three-masted schooner featured on the Maine State Quarter.

Maine is also steeped in maritime history, from the first ship built by Englishmen at the Popham Colony in 1607 to modern U.S. Navy destroyers built by Bath Iron Works today. The best place to learn about Maine’s maritime heritage is the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, with fascinating  outdoor sites and activities like the 125-year-old wooden shipbuilding shipyard with its original buildings, tools, and machinery, a working blacksmith shop, launch demonstrations, and interactive shipyard tours.

Visitors love Maine’s lobster rolls, but folks should also try the famous fish chowder at the Dolphin Marina and Restaurant at the tip of Basin Point in Harpswell. Family-owned for years, the Dolphin serves steaming bowls of fish chowder with freshly baked blueberry muffins. The Dolphin has picturesque outdoor seating overlooking a working harbor and the five islands of Broad Sound. 

MAINE FOODIE FACTS:

• Beer lovers may be surprised to know that Maine has 165 craft beer breweries. Try a brew outdoors at Flight Deck Brewing, located aboard the old Brunswick Naval Air Station. It’s dog-friendly, too.
• The Whoopie Pie is Maine’s official state treat.