Maine Flights

In contrast to New Hampshire's measly 18-mile coastline Maine can boast over 3,000 rocky miles interspersed with countless lighthouses but unless you take to the water you're unlikely to see much of it. The further north it gets the more rugged and impassable the headlands and roads tend to steer you inland. You'll see the best of the beaches and seafront restaurants in the Kennebunks, a collection of villages in the southern tip of the state to the south of Portland.

Maine is home to New England's only national park, Acadia National Park. Much of the park is centred on Mount Desert Island including Cadillac Mountain at 1,530ft and 'Thunder Hole' which magnifies the roar of the waves as they crash into it. You can enjoy a whole host of seriously energetic outdoor pursuits such as canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and sea-kayaking. There's also a good selection of wildlife to spot: bald eagles, puffins, beavers and seals are all to be found. For as little as $13 you can even take a carriage trip around the park.

As you head up state you can check out the home of horror author Stephen King and the largest statue of Paul Bunyan in the world both of which can be found in Bangor. Once you get further north however travel becomes that little more difficult unless you stay on a fixed route following I-95 to where it joins Canada. Elsewhere timber roads are all that will navigate you through the backwoods of the State and on some of these you may be asked to pay tolls to the lumber companies.

Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland, Maine

Address: 245 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine, 04101

Phone: 1 207 772 5800