Maine

The Pine Tree State

As large as the other five New England states combined, Maine boasts a dramatic coastline of more than 5,500 miles, plus bold mountains, clear lakes, sandy beaches, fascinating wildlife and huge tracts of forested wilderness. It also offers bustling cities, quaint fishing villages, fantastic outlet shopping, unique accommodation and some of the finest restaurants in New England, where you can feast on lobster and other fresh local produce. Maine's rich history of shipbuilding, seafaring, fishing and lumbering is preserved today in the stately homes of former sea captains and lumber barons, and in cultural history and art museums.

Along the coast, Acadia National Park offers 45,000 acres of spectacular mountain and ocean panoramas. Thousands of islands, some inhabited, others not, are accessible by car ferry, pleasure boat, or sea kayak. Going to the beach, whale watching, and fishing are popular coastal activities. Inland, the Kennebec and Penebscot rivers feature some of the best whitewater rafting on the east coast, while over 200,000 acres in 'forever wild' Baxter State Park are home to Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest peak, and many species of wildlife. In winter, family resorts in the western part of the state, such as Sugarloaf and Sunday River, are meccas for downhill and Nordic skiers and snow boarders.