Maine is the northeasternmost state in the contiguous United States, celebrated for its rugged Atlantic coastline studded with lighthouses, lobster shacks perched over sheltered coves, the dramatic granite peaks of Acadia National Park, and vast northern forests roamed by moose. From the vibrant restaurant scene of Portland to the tranquil islands of Penobscot Bay, Maine offers a compelling blend of outdoor adventure and coastal charm.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Monhegan Island
Monhegan is a small, car-free island 12 miles off the mid-coast, reachable only by mail boat, with a year-round population of under 100. It has drawn painters for over a century, including Edward Hopper and Jamie Wyeth, because of the contrast between the calm harbor village and the wild, cliff-lined back side of the island facing the open Atlantic. A day trip means committing to the ferry schedule, since the boat only runs a few times a day and there is no bridge or shortcut back.
Highlights: Monhegan Museum of Art and History - housed in the old lighthouse keeper's quarters, tracing the island's painting colony · Cliff-top trails on the island's back shore - the eastern side drops straight into the ocean and is the reason to walk the perimeter · Monhegan Brewing Co. - a small brewery near the harbor, useful for timing your last hour before the return boat · Lobster co-op shack on the harbor - buy a lobster roll or steamed lobster right off the boats
Cadillac Mountain and Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain, inside Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, is the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast north of Rio de Janeiro's latitude band and is famous for being among the first places in the country to see sunrise for part of the year. The mountain itself is a granite dome you can drive to the summit of, but the park around it has miles of carriage roads and coastal trails built with Rockefeller family funding in the early 20th century. A day here works because the summit, the carriage roads, and the shoreline are all within a short drive of each other.
Highlights: Cadillac Mountain summit road - a paved road to the 1,530-foot summit with 360-degree views over Frenchman Bay · Park Loop Road - the scenic drive connecting the summit, Sand Beach, and Thunder Hole · Jordan Pond and the Jordan Pond House - a walkable loop trail with a view of the twin peaks known as The Bubbles · Carriage roads - the crushed-stone paths built for horse-drawn carriages, now open to walking and cycling · Thunder Hole - a narrow inlet where incoming waves compress and release with a loud report at the right tide
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
This is a cross-border day trip from Maine into New Hampshire's White Mountains, centered on North Conway, a gateway town for the Mount Washington Valley. The draw is the mountain scenery itself - notches, waterfalls, and the Kancamagus Highway - rather than any single attraction, so the day is built around driving a scenic route and stopping along it. It suits travelers who want alpine terrain without the multi-hour drive further north into Maine's own mountains.
Highlights: Kancamagus Highway - a 34-mile scenic byway through the White Mountain National Forest with pull-offs at waterfalls and overlooks · Mount Washington Auto Road or Cog Railway - routes to the summit of the highest peak in the northeastern U.S., weather permitting · Diana's Baths - a series of cascading pools and falls near North Conway reached by a short, flat walk · North Conway village - outlet shopping and a compact downtown for a lunch or coffee stop
Kennebunkport and Southern Maine Coast
Kennebunkport is a working harbor town turned summer resort area on Maine's southern coast, known for Dock Square's shops, the Bush family's Walker's Point estate nearby, and a coastline of beaches and rocky points within a short drive of each other. It's an easy, low-commitment day trip from Portland because everything of interest sits within a few miles of the town center. The appeal is coastal walking and seafood rather than any single landmark.
Highlights: Dock Square - the compact shopping and dining center of Kennebunkport, walkable in an hour or two · Walker's Point - the Bush family compound, visible from the Ocean Avenue shoreline walk (not open to the public) · St. Anthony's Franciscan Monastery - a riverside property with gardens open to visitors, a quieter stop off the main tourist track · Goose Rocks Beach or Kennebunk Beach - sandy beaches a short drive from downtown for an hour of walking or swimming
Baxter State Park (Mount Katahdin viewpoint day)
Baxter State Park is a large wilderness park in north-central Maine built around Mount Katahdin, the state's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Unlike Acadia, Baxter deliberately limits development - no cell service, strict vehicle caps at trailhead lots, and gravel park roads - so a day trip here is about a specific hike or drive rather than a casual stop. For visitors not attempting the Katahdin summit itself, the park still offers pond and river viewpoints with a clear line of sight to the mountain.
Highlights: Katahdin from the Togue Pond area - the classic reflection view of the mountain without needing to hike it · Sandy Stream Pond trail - a short, flat walk near Roaring Brook known for moose sightings in early morning or evening · South Branch Pond - a quieter section of the park with shoreline trails and mountain views · Appalachian Trail terminus area - the northern end of the trail, near Katahdin Stream Campground
Peaks Island (Casco Bay Ferry Day Trip from Portland)
Peaks Island sits three miles off Portland in Casco Bay and is reachable by a short commuter-style ferry, making it the easiest low-effort day trip from the city. It has a small year-round community, a loop road good for walking or biking, and remnants of WWII coastal defense structures on its back shore. The appeal is how little planning it takes: you can decide to go in the morning and be back in Portland by dinner.
Highlights: Battery Steele - a decommissioned WWII coastal artillery bunker on the island's back shore, now overgrown and open to explore · Peaks Island loop road - a roughly 4-mile road around the island's perimeter, popular for bike rentals from the ferry landing · Fifth Maine Regiment Museum - a small Civil War-era museum near the ferry dock in a former veterans' hall · Brad's Recycled Bike Shop - the island's bike rental spot right by the ferry landing, the easiest way to do the loop
Camden and Mid-Coast Maine
Camden is a harbor town on Penobscot Bay known for its windjammer schooner fleet and for Camden Hills State Park rising directly behind the town, letting you combine a working harbor with a short mountain hike in one visit. It's a longer drive from Portland than Kennebunkport but compact enough to cover well in a day. The mix of sailing history, a hilltop view over the bay, and a walkable downtown is what distinguishes it from other mid-coast stops.
Highlights: Camden Harbor and the windjammer fleet - historic schooners based here, some offering short sails · Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park - a short drive-up or hike-up summit with a view over Camden Harbor and the bay's islands · Camden Town Dock and Main Street - the walkable harborfront core of shops and restaurants · Curtis Island Light - visible from the harbor at the mouth of Camden's inner harbor, best seen from a harbor cruise or the shoreline
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Items
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
Multi-day tours from Maine
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from MaineWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.
Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.
Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.