Our time spent in Maine was short but filled with exciting weekend adventures! Because we lived in Maine in 2020, we weren’t allowed to leave the state, which made staying and exploring only Maine non-negotiable. Luckily, Maine has a lot to offer! We explored adorable coastal towns, another National Park, hiked to the end of the Appalachian Trail, and so much more!
THE UGLY TRUTH
Being a travel physical therapist can take you to beautiful places all around the world, which is the biggest perk of being a travel PT. However, being a travel PT also has its downsides. Maine was my second contract as a new grad. We just left a 10-week contract in Fargo, North Dakota where I enjoyed my job, we had a great apartment and fell in love with the city of Fargo. We were so excited to move to Maine, watch the seasons change, and fall in love with New England. But like I said travel PT has its downsides.
One downside is housing. The only place we could find was a shared house with an older couple who rented out multiple bedrooms + one shared bathroom upstairs. We grew to love the couple and their dogs (especially their dogs), but as newlyweds ourselves, living with other people, sharing a bathroom with strangers, and sharing a kitchen with the owners became tough. Don’t get me wrong, this bed & breakfast was adorable! The house sat on a few acres of land, had a lake in the front yard that we could kayak on, hiking trails in the backyard, and two sweet pups. It was a PRIME Airbnb for a short stay. But 3 months is a long time and that was one reason we decided not to extend. We were ready for our privacy again.
The other downside to travel PT is the unknown of the job itself. During my interview process, I make sure to ask a series of questions about the job to better prepare myself and to make sure the job is right for me. No matter how well the interview may go doesn’t mean the job is going to be great. I bounced around to multiple locations within an hour’s driving distance of each other, never had a set schedule, and felt overworked. But sometimes that’s how travel contracts go.
Because of my living situation and my contract, the weeks were long. Thankfully, I had my Saturdays and Sundays to immerse myself in nature and explore the beautiful state of Maine. And now in retrospect, the amount of fun we had on the weekends immensely outweighs the tough times had during the week. Now that we got the ugly truth out of the way, let’s get into the fun stuff!
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
I think the majority of tourists who visit Maine are going specifically for this park alone, Acadia National Park. This park is in the top 10 most visited National Parks with over 4 million visitors each year. And for good reason! There’s so much to do and with views of the beautiful Atlantic Ocean coastline it’s a park like no other.
LODGING
Because Acadia National Park is a huge tourist destination, there are countless places to stay. Located just outside of the park is Bar Harbor (which I’ll talk about later). You can find hotels, Airbnb rentals, cottages, cabins, and so much more! Or you could camp inside the park by making a reservation at one of the handful of campgrounds. Since we didn’t camp inside the park you can find more information regarding reservations here.
We decided to rent a cute and rustic cabin at Narrows Too Campground outside of the park. The cabins sleep 5, with two sets of bunk beds, two singles, one twin, and one queen. However, no bed linens are provided, therefore you will have to bring your own. The cabins also have a microwave, refrigerator, and a charcoal grill outside. Cost per night can depend on season and day of the week but on average you’re looking between $70-90/night. This cabin was perfect for us because we weren’t planning on spending too much time at the cabin itself. We had a full weekend of exploring planned but loved getting to essentially “glamp,” since we’re usually tent campers.
Narrows Too Campground also has a mixture of RV sites including oceanfront views and adorable little cottages for rent. As I said earlier, Acadia National Park is very popular, so be sure to book your accommodations well in advance to secure the best rates and availability.
EXPLORING ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks out there. Give me an ocean view, great hiking trails, and sprinkle in cool lighthouses and I’ll be there! BUT before planning your trip be sure to check the National Park Service website for updates or if reservations are needed.
Unfortunately for us, we visited Acadia on the first weekend the National Park Service started their reservation system. It is well known now that a lot more national parks are requiring reservation time slots during the busy months of the year, which certainly helps keep parking lots, lines, and foot traffic more manageable, but at the time we had no idea and got turned away because we lacked a reservation time slot. And because the service isn’t great near the park that means you have to backtrack to problem-solve how/when you can enter the park. So, be sure to PLAN AHEAD!!
THE EAST SIDE
After reserving your reservation time slot, if needed, now you can start planning an epic experience! Your first stop has to be the visitor center, Hulls Cove. From there you can explore the East Side of the park. This will include beautiful locations like Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Point, Jordan Pond House, and Cadillac Mountain. Upon entering the park, you will follow the one-way street and be able to stop and admire all of these points and overlooks, hike the popular and adventurous Beehive Trail, and make your way up to the top of Cadillac Mountain ($6 entrance fee) for epic views!
The East Side of the park can keep you busy for the whole weekend, and I highly suggest you give it the time it deserves so you can stop at Jordan Pond House and enjoy the infamous popovers, hike the Bubbles Loop Trail for beautiful views of Jordan Pond, and stop and hear the “thunder” at Thunder hole.
THE WEST SIDE
When you feel like you’ve given the well-deserved time to the East Side, head on over to the West Side. The West Side is also known as “The Quiet Side”. That’s because, unlike the East Side, there isn’t a popular destination around every corner. However, don’t let that stray you from visiting the West Side.
Here you can find more beautiful hiking trails, great camping spots, swimming locations, and boating expeditions. You will also find Bass Harbor Lighthouse. The lighthouse is located at the very bottom tip of the West side. To get there will be about a 35-minute drive one way, depending on weather and traffic conditions. If you have time to spare, stop at Milagro Coffee & Espresso or Little Notch Bakery & Cafe for a delicious breakfast.
Once you arrive at the lighthouse it’s a short and easy half a mile hike to the lighthouse itself. You can either stop at the lighthouse and enjoy the beautiful views from the top, or continue scrambling down onto the rocks to get a different perspective of the lighthouse and watch the waves roll in. This is especially fun if you happen to catch low tide like we did! Either way, visiting Bass Harbor Lighthouse will be a highlight of your trip and I highly suggest you carve time in your schedule to fit this one in!
BAR HARBOR, MAINE
Located just outside of Acadia National Park is Bar Harbor, Maine. One reason Acadia National Park is so popular is because of this town. Just like Estes and Rocky Mountain National Park go hand in hand so do Acadia and Bar Harbor. You can create an eventful itinerary by visiting this section of Maine alone.
ADVENTURES
With so much to do in Bar Harbor, it can be overwhelming to pick the best options for the whole family. But here’s a few ideas:
LOCAL EATS & DRINKS
There are so many fun activities to do for the whole family! But we all know the best part about vacations is the food. And Bar Harbor might have some of the best meals out there! With the freshest seafood, local craft beer and wine, and decadent sweets you won’t leave hungry.
BAXTER STATE PARK
Whenever we move to a new place, I always research the best things to do near that area. When I came across Mount Katahdin I realized a few things. One, “Katahdin” means Great Mountain, and two, Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in the state of Maine sitting at 5,269 ft. And three, summiting Mount Katahdin means you’ve completed the last leg or the “Northern Terminus” of the Appalachian Trail. After reading about this Great Mountain, I knew I had to conquer it.
RESERVATIONS & FEES
Mount Katahdin is located in Baxter State Park, which is a heavily trafficked park. Because this park is very popular during the summer and fall, I would highly recommend making reservations for everything! Baxter State Park does NOT accept an annual National Park pass for an entrance fee. They will accept the Baxter State Park annual pass which is $42. Otherwise, you will need to have either camping reservations at one of the campgrounds or a day-use permit. And if you don’t have Maine license plates you will need to pay an extra $16 entrance fee. If you were lucky enough to claim a camping spot at one of the 12 campgrounds that will include your entrance fee. Be sure to plan ahead because the campgrounds sell out quickly!
If you are planning on hiking Mount Katahdin and you didn’t secure camping reservations you will need to reserve a $5 parking spot at one of the three trailheads, Abol, Katahdin Stream, or Roaring Brook. Once you decide what route up the mountain you would like to take, then you can choose what parking reservation you will need. If you weren’t able to secure a parking reservation you can still try and grab a parking spot by arriving before the gates open. This is what we had to do.
We arrived around 5 a.m. The gates open at 6 a.m. and there was already a line of cars waiting. Once the gate opened then you could hope and pray that there was an unreserved spot available. If not, then you may have to try conquering Katahdin at another time. There isn’t any service in the park, so it does make last-minute changes pretty hard to do.
*Parking reservations are only needed for those three parking lot trailheads, Abol, Katahdin Stream, and Roaring Brook.
THE CLIMB
One reason of many reasons why Mt. Katahdin has become so popular is that the word got out on just how incredible summiting this mountain can be. In 2015, National Geographic released an article on the World’s Best Hikes: Summit Hikes, and Mt. Katahdin (aka Baxter Peak), came in at #2 on the list!! Hence, why it’s so important to plan ahead as best you can because this will be a busy place when you visit!
CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE
The most popular place to start the ascent to summit Mt. Katahdin is at Roaring Brooks campground, as many of the popular routes begin here. We had planned our route from here ahead of time, but unfortunately, when we finally got to the park entrance for our parking reservation, this campground was all sold out. Instead, per the park ranger’s recommendation, we parked at Katahdin Streams Campground and summited the Great Mountain via the Hunt Trail.
THROUGH THE FOREST YOU GO
This was both one of the most memorable but also most grueling hikes we’ve done to date. This is an 11 mile out-and-back trail with 4285 ft elevation gain. The trail starts off friendly, traversing through the forest next to Katahdin Stream. Then you begin to ascend through the forest, and after was feels like a full hike in, you come out of the tree line to see the sweeping panoramic views you’re about to admire for the next several hours.
ROCKS, ROCKS, MORE ROCKS, AND FALSE SUMMITS
After breaking through the tree line, this is when the real climb begins. We were warned by the park rangers to be sure to bring gloves, and we were very thankful for this recommendation! The most strenuous part of this hike is the couple miles of scrambling and bouldering up large sections of granite rock. It was equally beautiful and impressive as it was challenging!
As you hike up the rock scramble, you may think the peak is just at the top of the next big rock… but you’re sadly mistaken. The top of the rock scramble is just a false peak! You will still have yet another ~1.5 miles to get to the summit following the rock scramble. This final ascent is a bit less strenuous and steep, but after what you just completed, it may just be the longest 1.5 miles of your life.
THE NORTHERN TERMINUS
When you finally get to the summit, you will see a giant rock pile at the top. Since Mt. Katahdin rises 5,267 feet above sea level, just 13 feet shy of a mile, early hikers made a 13 ft giant pile of rocks at the top, so the summit reaches exactly one mile above sea level! The 360-degree views from a mile high in the heart of Maine will be a memory I will cherish for a lifetime. One that was worth the grueling climb up (and back down) the Great Mountain.
FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
If we were to go back, we would likely attempt this route, which seems to be the most well-rounded: Park at the Roaring Brook campground and hike to Chimney Pond. From here hike up the Cathedral Trail to the summit of Baxter Peak (top of Mt. Katahdin). Then you can hike across the infamous Knife Edge to Pamola Peak and then hike back down the Helon Taylor Trail to the Roaring Brook Campground.
I should emphasize that summiting Mt. Katahdin, particularly if you plan to traverse the Knife Edge is not for beginning hikers! This peak has claimed over 60 lives since they began keeping record in 1933, one of which occurred the weekend after we summited. My best advice is to just be prepared! Bring gloves and layers for changes in weather, know your route, and ALWAYS have a turnaround time. This means that no matter how far you are on the trail, if it hits your turnaround time, it’s time to head back. This keeps you from getting stuck in the dark on one of America’s most dangerous mountains.
EXPLORING BAXTER STATE PARK
Although Mount Katahdin is the main attraction of Baxter State Park, there are many other worthy hiking trails to explore. I would suggest these:
If you’re lucky maybe you’ll see a moose or two on your hike!
If you’re not into hiking, don’t worry! There are plenty of other ways to explore Baxter State Park. Whether you want to swim, canoe, fish, hunt, rock climb, or search for wildlife this park has it all! Check out their website for more information. After a full day of exploring or hiking stop at Loose Moose Bar & Grille or Fredricka’s Restaurant for some great comfort food. It was much needed after conquering The Great Mountain.
CAMDEN, MAINE
Out of all the coastal towns in Maine, Camden was our favorite. It was the perfect combination of quaint, yet touristy. Camden, Maine is nestled in the hills along the coast of West Penobscot Bay and just shy of 2 hours North of Portland, Maine. It’s a great location for a weekend getaway because you have the options of taking it easy and relaxing, being active and exploring, or maybe the perfect combination of both. The latter is just how we like it!
MOUNT BATTIE TOWER
We started our weekend off with a hike, of course. We chose Mount Battie Trail which is located in Camden Hill State Park. To enter the park, you will have to pay an entrance fee, $4 for Maine residents or $6 for non-residents. Parking at the trailhead is a little confusing because it looks like you’re entering a private driveway, but you’re not. Click here for specific directions to the trailhead. The trail itself is only 1.1 miles long with an elevation gain of 590 feet. It is a steep scramble up to Mount Battie but offers incredible views at the top (or so I’m told). Unfortunately for us, we hiked on a VERY foggy morning so we didn’t get to witness the incredible view, but I promise it’s there. You can also drive up to the top to check out Mount Battie Tower if you don’t wish to hike.
TOURIST DESTINATIONS
After hiking, grab some coffee and breakfast at Zoot Coffee, head over to Camden Harbor Park to get an up-close look at Megunticook Falls, a waterfall that runs right through the middle of town. From there you can check out the waterfront and walk up and down Main and other connecting streets to shop for souvenirs, trinkets, and more! When you’ve shopped-til-you-dropped grab lunch at Camden Deli, Sea Dog Brewing Co., Mosaic Restaurant, or Blaze. Get it to go and head to Laite Memorial Public Beach where there are picnic tables and beach access for a more private luncheon.
EXCURSIONS
If you’re looking for a more fun activity to do you could ski at the Camden Snow Bowl in the winter, book a morning lighthouse cruise or lobster haul with Camden Harbor Cruise, or book a ghost tour and learn the scary and historical tales of Camden.
DINNER & A VIEW
After a long day of exploring, an oceanfront dinner and drink is on the menu. There are so many great restaurants located on the waterfront that offer a view of the harbor, which happens to be one of my favorite views in Maine! Check out Waterfront Restaurant, Peter Ott’s on the Water, Barren’s Distillery & Restaurant, or Salt Wharf. You can’t go wrong with any of these options!
CUTLER COAST
Out of the three months we spent in Maine, visiting the Cutler Coast is one of my most fond memories. We had such a great day driving the coast, visiting a lighthouse, hiking, dining at local restaurants and bars, and checking out the Canadian border. Maine is such a beautiful state and by driving, exploring, and being curious you may just find the perfect hidden gems.
WEST QUODDY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE
We left early in the morning from our Airbnb and headed to Lubec to visit the northeastern most point in the United States. Here you will find West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. Built in 1808, this is the ONLY red and white striped lighthouse in the United States. The fact that it also is the most northeastern most point makes it all the more special!
Visiting the lighthouse can be done at any time throughout the year, but the Museum is only open from Memorial Day through the middle of October. If you wish to visit outside of that time frame, check road conditions, and be sure to leave a donation in the box at the parking lot. West Quoddy Head Lighthouse does offer tours during their open season, which typically run every Saturday in July and August. Check their website or call the information desk to verify. Even if the museum is closed during your visit, checking out the grounds and admiring the lighthouse and its views are still worth the visit!
LUBEC, MAINE
After visiting the lighthouse be sure to stop in downtown Lubec, what used to be the “sardine canning capital of the world”. Now, home to only a little over 1,200 people Lubec is a drive through town that many people will pass right on through. But you shouldn’t! The town has adorable inns, restaurants, and breweries and makes everyone feel welcome! Be sure to stop at Lubec Brewing CO or Water Street Tavern for a brew and Dockside Treasures for lunch. These are perfect for an afternoon pick me up with a great view!
And now that the border is reopened, you can cross over into Canada from here if you have your passport! Check out Mullholland Point Lighthouse which sits directly across from Lubec.
CUTLER COAST PUBLIC RESERVED LAND
Visiting the northeastern most point in the U.S. was definitely on our list, but one of the main reasons we wanted to visit Cutler Coast was to hike Black Point Brook Loop. A moderate loop hike, 5.5 miles with an elevation gain of 457 ft. What makes this trail so unique is the combination of the views of the rocky Northeast coast of the Atlantic Ocean perfectly blended with the dense forest that Maine provides. You’ll walk through this enchanted forest for a little while and then you’ll reach the coast and be awe struck at how beautiful and diverse this area is. If you get a wild itch during the hike, there is one particular spot on the trail that allows you to maneuver down to a hidden beach. An epic experience with epic views!
**Just be careful scrambling down, Paige now has a scar on her hand from fully trusting the weathered rope which had been there for who knows how long!
PORTLAND, MAINE
If you’re visiting Maine, then Portland is probably already on your radar. If it’s not, it should be. Portland has something for everyone! You can take it slow and enjoy nice walks in the park, visit a museum, or go thrift shopping. Or you can hop around to all the great bars and restaurants and have yourself a hell of a good day. Or maybe you’re looking to learn more about the city and want to book a lighthouse and land tour. No matter which direction you choose, maybe you choose them all, you’re bound to have a great time in Portland! Here’s a few things you shouldn’t pass up!
RESTAURANTS/BREWERIES
PLACES TO VISIT
TOURS
OTHER NOTEWORTHY DESTINATIONS
Maine is a DREAM! And if you have the chance to visit, I highly recommend it, especially in the Fall for the bright and vibrant colors. If you’re taking a travel therapy contract in Maine, make sure you know exactly what kind of job you are getting yourself into, check out my blog post BEST INTERVIEW TIPS FOR TRAVEL THERAPISTS to help set yourself up for success. However, good job, bad job, or no job, Maine is a state filled with lots of beauty and I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself no matter what! Feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding travel therapy, Maine excursions, and more! Have fun, good luck, and be safe!