Moose, lobsters, blueberries, and lighthouses are frequently used to paint Maine as an idyllic natural wonderland waiting for you to enjoy. The state’s postcard-perfect scenes are actually quite accurate. Moose are indeed a driving hazard, you can eat steamed lobsters for a few dollars, and no other state in America produces equally as juicy blueberries.

The sightseeing options are limited to an incredibly rugged, scenic coast and a wooded interior packed with more lakes than can be named. Outdoor activities like boating, fishing, hiking, and biking are enjoyed by locals as much as visitors. Maine’s national parks like Acadia and Desert Island are absolute gems of the American park system, blending the sea with the forest in perfect harmony.

But there is plenty of culture to go with these landscapes. The coast is where most of it resides, in the hamlets of Bar Harbor, the Kennebunks, Camden, and other quaint rocky harbor towns. The main city, Portland, is a pleasure to explore, particularly its charming, historic Old Port waterfront district. Tourism is a traditional mainstay of the economy here, so people are friendly and welcoming to visitors. You’ll pay a king’s ransom to stay in some of the coastal villages at the height of summer, but overall Maine offers great value for dining, drinks, and lodging.