Here’s Our Best & Worst Things From Maine

After finishing up in New Hampshire, Shae and I spent a couple of weeks in Massachusetts before my parents came from the UK to join us on the road trip for a month. We spent three weeks in Maine and then a week in Vermont before Shae and I headed back to Massachusetts for another three weeks.

Seeing as we finished up in Maine before Massachusetts, we decided to publish all our Maine posts first. Whenever we’ve published all posts from a state, we share our best and worst things from that state. As a result, here’s our favorite – and not-so-favorite – things from Maine.

Favorite Accommodation We Stayed At

Stephen – All three places we stayed in Maine were lovely. In most ways the Airbnb we stayed at just outside of Portland was the best – it was twice the size of the other two cabins we stayed in, the internet was much better, the hosts were very nice and the kitchen had a dishwasher (something we missed the previous two weeks).

However, my heart goes with this cabin we stayed at in Kokadjo. It was really cute, quiet, on a lake and had kayaks and canoes for us to use. It was one that we were able to book with Wyndham Rewards points too and so was great value.

Shae – I knew he’d pick the Kokadjo cabin as his favorite! Mine was definitely Ten Apple Farm in Gray, ME near Portland but was followed closely by the Kokadjo cabin.

Favorite Meal

Stephen – Seeing as it was Maine, I feel like I’m obligated to choose lobster rolls, but I can’t as I don’t feel like they really live up to the hype. They’re nice enough, but they’re so expensive.

Instead, I’ll go for the apple cider donuts from Thompson’s Orchards or the gelato from Gelato Fiasco in Portland. Actually, scratch that – the homemade apple scones our Airbnb hosts made were delicious.

Shae – I agree with hubs’ thoughts on all the things. Thompson’s donuts were probably my favorite followed closely by the scones, only because I like donuts more than scones.

Wait, wait! The lobster stew in Bar Harbor was pretty incredible.

Most Disappointing Meal

Stephen – Probably the potato donuts from The Holy Donut in Portland. They weren’t terrible, but they weren’t worth the price, the hype or the line out the door.

Shae – Oh yeah, I didn’t care for the Holy Donut’s at all.

Favorite Free Activity

Stephen – Most of the activities we did in Maine had some kind of cost as we went to so many state parks, so for this I’ll pick the Portland Head Light as that was free to visit.

Shae – Moose hunting (and by hunting, we mean seeing/photographing). I didn’t find any, but I went out a few times by myself with my camera and really enjoyed trying to find moose. Oh, and kayaking across the lake in Kokadjo.

And milking the goats at Ten Apple Farm in Gray, ME.

Favorite Paid Activity

Stephen – Oh man, so many to mention here. Baxter State Park was very pretty, as was Mount Kineo State Park. Fort Knox & Penobscot Narrows Observatory were much more interesting than I was expecting, but the winner here is Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens thanks to the five trolls built by Thomas Dambo you can find there.

Shae – Oh man, how do you pick!? I think my favorite was Lily Bay State Park. The whole day was just really nice. Followed closely by the Thomas Dambo trolls.

Favorite Pet-Friendly Activity

Stephen – I’m going to go for Acadia National Park here. Although it wasn’t my favorite thing we did in Maine, I loved how pet-friendly it was because most National Parks aren’t very pet-friendly at all.

Shae – I think Truffles most enjoyed the day at Mount Kineo State Park.

Least Favorite Activity

Stephen – Sebago Lake State Park as we couldn’t find the trailhead we wanted to go hiking on.

Shae – Walking around Portland. I thought it was going to be cuter than it really was.

Favorite Hike

Stephen – We did some great hikes in Maine, with my favorite of all being our hike at Mount Kineo State Park. It was strenuous, but the beautiful views made all the effort worthwhile.

Shae – I think my favorite hike was Mount Kineo too.

Favorite Quirky Thing We Did

Stephen – Officially, finding the trolls at the botanical gardens. Most quirky of all though was eating lobster ice cream.

Shae – I was going to say lobster ice cream too but NO, it was going to Hussey’s General Store where they sell wedding dresses and shotguns and a lot of other stuff!

Favorite Memory

Stephen – I think our hike up Mount Kineo.

Shae – That’s a tough choice, but I think our day finding mushrooms at Lily Bay State Park.

Funniest Moment

Stephen – Watching my parents eating s’mores for the first time and seeing the marshmallow going everywhere.

Shae – Hands down this is the funniest memory from Maine, and my in-laws’ whole visit.

We’re driving through Maine and we pass a sign outside Wiscasset – “Prettiest Village (or town, I can’t remember) in Maine.” So we look at it as we drive through and my father-in-law says, “So did anyone else vote for them or was it only them!?” It was so spur of the moment and was just hilarious. Especially as Wiscasset wasn’t that cute at all even by Maine standards and overall, in my opinion, Maine is Vermont’s ugly stepsister. (I said what I said, sorry, not sorry.)

Thing We Most Regretted

Stephen – Not seeing more moose in the wild.

Shae – Not seeing any moose and I’d have wanted better leaf peeping.

Something We Missed And Want To See

Stephen – Easy – moose!

Shae – Hahah! Yes. I’d also like to see more of the coast of Maine.

Our Biggest Surprise

Stephen – How bad the road to Baxter State Park was along the route we took.

Shae – How not cute Maine ended up being overall to me.

My Maine Drinking Game Would Be…

Stephen – Take a drink every time you see a sign warning about moose in the area. It’s a lie!

Shae – Take a drink every time you see something with lobster in it – whether it’s a food, drink or just the boats and water!

Summary Of Maine In 10 Words Or Less

Stephen – Pretty hiking, lots of lakes, but where are the moose?!

Shae – Eh, nice enough but it’s no Vermont.

Maine Cities We Visited In Order From Favorite To Least Favorite

Stephen – Kokadjo, Eddington (Bar Harbor/Bangor area), Gray (Portland area).

Shae – Kokadjo, Gray and Eddington.