As a native Mainer I have to say this is an accurate take on being a tourist in Maine. If you are trying to stay within a budget the locals always know where to get it or do it cheaper if you ask around. Awesome video!
Being from Southern Maine, this was awesome to watch! I'm glad that you and your family had a great time. Thank you for shining some light on many of the beautiful parts of Maine life and culture! I watched many of your videos to prepare for my few week trip to Italy this summer and they were such a huge help! THANK YOU for what you do!!
Love Maine! We have family in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and we love spending time in Maine before heading North. The primitive campgrounds are beautiful. Bar Harbor is "fun" for a day, but any town along the coast will have amazing stops and food. There are farms that offer blueberry picking in season as well. The energy there is so relaxed and genuine.
Where are you going? The southern coast, York up through Biddeford, is gorgeous, but can be quite busy. But with some patience it'll be great. Stop at Flo's Hot Dogs, 1359 US-1, Cape Neddick, ME 03902, for a quick lunch.
Hey, Mark! Love your videos! I'm a 65 year-old Mainah, and you nailed everything. There are also many agricultural fairs, festivals and concerts of all kinds to enjoy in the summer. We also make a big deal out of the winter months, too. Many celebrities have summer homes on the coast...some inland. That tells you something. Keep up the great work. Blessings to you and your lovely family. My wife and I are planning a trip to Ireland next year. Loved your video on that beautiful country, as well.
Went on a road trip to Maine with a few buddies seven years ago. Was one of the best trips I've ever been on. Really want to go back. Such a beautiful state.
Watched all your videos on New England to prep for our 1st trip to Maine and we’re currently staying in Lamoine so this was perfect!🤩 The hiking in Acadia is stunning, the Duckfat Frites in Portland are insanely good, as well as the Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese from Aviation Brewing in Ellsworth, Zeppa’s Pizza in Acadia, the list goes on and on not to mention how friendly everyone is. So glad we decided to visit Maine, the long flight from 🇿🇦 was worth it, thanks for all the inside info!
Live a 3 hour drive from southern Maine and try to get there every few years. His enthusiasm is not fake. Maine really is wonderful, beautiful, charming, etc. The Maine coast, in my opinion, is far more beautiful than California (take THAT west coast snobs, from this New England snob). I recommend getting away from southern Maine. Sure, stop by Ogunquit for a day or two, it's nice, but crowded. Crawl your way up the coast toward Acadia. Stay in any small town along the way. You go to Maine, you do absolutely NOTHING and you can't believe how much you enjoy doing NOTHING. The people are quite funny and quirky and have a unique sense of humor. Very down to earth. He's right about the food. First of all, if you can believe, I do not really like lobster or any seafood. But love the food in Maine, fresh, filling, creative. And he is SOO right about the blueberries. The blue berry pancakes at our rustic inn were unforgettable. Forgot to mention. Take a sunset cruise on a sailboat (we did ours in the lovely town of Camden). We've done 20 national parks, mostly out west, and Acadia is as lovely as any of them. We are New Englanders so the look of Acada is not new to us, and I wonder if people outside of New England are even more impressed. Bar Harbor is a lovely town, but it does get crowded. Consider staying 30 minute away elsewhere on the island (Acada is on Mount Desert Island) at any one of the lovely villages. You can just as easily get in and out of Acadia from the little villages (easier in fact, than coming in through Bar Harbor) and can always drive to Bar Harbor for dinner and night life. While in Bar Harbor, take a cruise to the nearby islands that are just offshore. The whale watch was also wonderful, but if you get seasick, be forwarned. You are so far out that your phone service switches to Canada! Yes, I am gushing about Maine. It is one of my favorite places in the US and I feel lucky we are so close. But we only go in the summer, so can't comment about how it is when it is cold.
Forgot to add. Never spent a moment in Portland. I hear it is a great food city, but I don't go to Maine for the urban experience, I go to Maine for the nature. Also, I am NOT a shopped, but boy of boy, I really enjoy the LL Bean store mainly because they sell so many useful practical items. Winter coats, hiking poles. Just an awesome place. Even the sandwich shop inside the store was nice. And it is open 24 7, 365 days a year.
I hope you enjoy Portland and the other areas around it. We live 20 minutes away and enjoy the GREAT restaurants and breweries (home to Allagash brewery). There is actually a street with 4-5 breweries on it! The Old Port is very walkable with tons of shops, cafes and restaurants. Eastern Prom is beautiful to just sit on the huge grassy hill on a blanket and look out over the ocean with boats going by (this is the location that Mark is narrating from in this video).
It's so great to see my home state in one of your videos. I live in NYC now and this video made me a bit homesick. I try to go home every fall since it's the most beautiful time of year to go.
I live in Maine. Helpful hint. Schodic point is part of Acadia National Park but is less crowded and wildly beautiful. I always advise people to come in September.
I am moving away from Maine for school💔 I’m really going to miss this place and I hope to be able to come back. Maine is an amazing place with kind people
Life long Maina' here....everything is your video of Maine is pretty accurate. I would add that the "bug/black fly" problem is more in heavily wooded areas, esp. northern Maine. Ticks can be an issue but only if you are walking in tall grasses and hiking in dense areas. Most of us know to wear long pants, use bug spray and walk cleared trails. As for being pricey, I think Maine falls along with other tourist states during peak season, it happens everywhere. Seafood in Maine is outstanding, as are other cuisines through out the state. Thanks for doing the review....we're a friendly bunch and welcome others to visit and enjoy our state any time of year.
Regarding winter: please make sure your vehicle is ready to tackle ice and snow. At the very least you need to have all-season tires (with plenty of tread), antifreeze in your wiper fluid and sturdy car batteries that will start your car no matter what. There's a lot more you can do to prep your car, so you might want to look it up in detail. Part of your car is you, the driver. At the very least, inform yourself on the do's and don'ts of winter driving. Always remember that winter starts early in this part of the world, so you never know when you might run into slick roads. My husband is a truck driver and every year, he sees tourists pulling death-defying stunts. They don't always end happy. You do *not* want to be in an accident at below zero temps, not even a small one.l I want everybody to be safe and well, so take care and prepare.
@@pinetree5489 It depends. If you have regular wiper fluid in your system and don't want to have to replace the whole batch, I've been told it's perfectly fine to add anti freeze. You can measure it with a glycol refractometer, that will tell you how much cold it can take. If you're already running low or want to replace what's in the system anyways, sure you can buy a pre-mixed wiper fluid. Personally, I've done both and had good results with both. Not all anti-freeze wiper fluids are made equal, though. You need to check for what range they're good. ... just in case I'd get that refractometer no matter which way you want to go. Especially if you do have to deal with extreme temps; kinda sucks to have the wiper fluid freeze when you thought you were good to go. I'd be interested to hear your reasons, though, why you don't want to add anti freeze?
I’m originally from CT (go UConn & Whalers!), but I’m living in Dallas, TX now. Growing up, my family spent every summer on Cape Cod, and my kids did that as well. But one summer we went up to Maine and my kids loved it. Stop at the lighthouse in York and then take in the rest of the state. It’s definitely a different vibe than the Cape and Islands.
A couple more things from a local perspective: 1: there’s a strong anti tourist mentality. You may see it on some t-shirts or hear locals commiserating loudly/publicly about tourist season. This contempt is for tourists as a collective entity. The same person complaining about not being able to park in Belfast once May rolls around will happily give you directions on where to go for lunch (it’s Wasses Hot Dogs in the Reny’s Plaza parking lot). 2: Don’t plan on public transportation or ride share apps to get around. Sure if you’re in Portland you can probably get an Uber but if you’re looking to explore the state you’re probably gonna be driving yourself wherever you go. 3: Leaf peeping season is shorter and earlier than you might think, at least in the just off the coast inland areas. By late October most’ve the leafs are on the ground. Still pretty but not what you might expect.
Great video! Thanks so much! Very glad to see you mentioned some inland destinations. Maine’s coast tends to get all the attention --- not without reason. But Moosehead Lake may be one of the prettiest places I have ever been in my life. I have never seen a freshwater lake that clear. A few very minor corrections and further tips --- ABOUT THE BUGS. Yes, it can be bad, but it really does depend on the time of year. Bug season is at its worst from the spring thaw (roughly Aprilish) through June. That’s when the mosquitoes in particular are at their worst. But by the 4th of July…? Yeah, it depends on where you are, but in general, if you’re near the coast the worst of bug season is over by the 4th of July. Yes, the mosquitoes are still around, but they aren’t quite so thick. And ticks …? Yeah. Be careful. They are a year-round problem. I have even seen them active during a mild winter. ABOUT BROWNTAIL MOTHS. Yeah, they are a nightmare. But just to clarify: The real danger isn’t with the moths themselves so much as the caterpillars. Those are the little monsters with the barbed hairs that can cause REAL problems to some people. The moths themselves are generally fairly harmless unless you’re allergic. ABOUT DONUTS. Avoid Dunkin. Seriously. Dunkin Donuts is the McDonald’s of donuts. If you want a great donut, check out the mom an’ pop shops. You might pay a bit more, but the difference is worth it. My particular recommendations: FROSTY’S DONUTS in Brunswick, Maine. ROCKY RIDGE ORCHARD in Bowdoin, ME. Baked goods made from the apples and pumpkins grown on the farm. WHEN TO VISIT? It depends on what you want. If you’d like to avoid the worst of the crowds, the worst of tourist season is generally over by Labor Day, but the weather remains nice through September, and most seasonal businesses are still open. The height of “leaf peeping” season is October. Early October in the north. Later in October near the coast. Once you get into November, you might have to plan for snow. Some years winter holds off till almost Christmas. But we have had years where the kids were trick or treating in the snow. Rare, but it happens.
I wish you would focus on interior Maine more. We have beautiful waterfalls, olde tyme swimming holes, covered bridges, and lighthouses....yes, I said lighthouses. Canton Lake has one and there is one along the Androscoggin Rver in Rumford. Also, we have beautiful lakes. It is easy to find forests in Maine as it is the most forested state in the nation. However, hikers and others experiencing the beauty of nature need to be aware of the wild dogs, cats, and bear that call nature their home. Also, look up the numerous fairs and festivals held throughout the state in the warmer months. Some of the smallest towns have great events drawing people from miles away.
34 years ago, at age 15, I took a long, long student-bicycling trip up the Maine seacoast, and I still remember it well. For that reason, you don't need to warn ME about the lobster T-shirts: I picked up a blue cotton-poly tee like that in Bar Harbor, and I wore it for *years* until it gave out! But as for seafood, what I remember are MUSSELS: just before we kicked off our trip from Popham Beach, one of the counselor brought out an enormous bag of steamed mussels to eat on the beach (along with some melted butter). We just sat there at low tide that night, and chucked the shells below the waterline when we were done with each one. Recycling in action, and the best seafood meal ever.
Culture chock: When I came to Maine 17 y.o. as an exchange student from Europe I had to stay at a different family for a few days before connecting my American family. I was starving, having not eaten much during the trip, but I was seated at a table in the evening and served corn on a cob, something I never had enjoyed before this. Immediately I grabbed and started gnawing away at it, when the father in that family said behind my back: -"We say grace in this house before dinner!" Shameful, I of course lowered my food and looked down on to it. I was in a new country now!
In the winter I snowblow wearing hiking boots, shorts, and a hoodie. If it gets really cold I add some gardening gloves and a winter hat, but it has to be really cold. I overheat easily.
The lobster being everywhere is 100% for the tourists, not because our lives are lobster everything. Unfortunately most of the stuff tourists come here for is specifically cultivated for them and closes down as soon as they leave. Places like OOB, Camden, Boothbay, and Bar Harbor become ghost towns after September/October. As a lifelong native, I get frustrated because the only time we get the state to ourselves is during the worst months of the year, when everything is shuttered.
Casco Bay Lines in Portland has a mail boat that delivers to each of the islands in Casco Bay - it’s a nice way inexpensive way to spend the day even if you’re a tourist In fact, the islands themselves can be interesting
Baxter State Park, Katahdin, Rockwood, Jackman, the Golden Road. When I lived in Maine, they didn't like the French-Canadians. Oh, I forgot, lobster stew in the winter!
Visited Portland, ME this past weekend! We go there a couple of times a year. Fantastic site seeing, great disc golf courses within a reasonable drive - I can highly recommend Bittersweet Disc Golf Course - great music scene, Thompson's Point is a great place for local live music on a Friday night. Baseball with the SeaDogs. The list goes on and on. Portland is a great foodie town - it's not just about the lobster - they've got a wide variety of restaurants and different food options. They have a lot of vegan options, so don't think it's just all about the meat. But they also have great BBQ if you're a meat lover. My biggest surprise this past weekend: Went to Rising Tide Brewery in the industrial park and ate an Oklahoma Onion Burger! As someone who is originally from Oklahoma, gotta say it was great and authentic and I complemented them on that wonderful new addition to their menu.
We have a summer house in a small fishing village on the coast of Maine. I can walk to the town dock in the afternoon and buy lobsters from the boats as they come in. This year I paid $20 for 5 lobsters. Bargain all day long. In 35 years of driving through Maine I've never seen a moose. I think they hang out with bigfoot deep in the woods...
We don't have lobster much up here because people can't afford it and that's the truth. People should visit inland Maine, especially Kennebec and Waldo County and see how real Mainers live.
Hannaford grocery stores (at least the ones in the Portland/Scarborough area) used to steam lobsters for you while you wait - if they still do that it's a great way to get fresh lobster and not have to pay restaurant prices.
I had some wonderful lobster at a place then called Rinehart's Wonderview in Bar Harbor., named for author Mary Roberts Rinehart who allegedly invdnted the term "the butler did it" in one of her novels. In Calais on the Canadian border we were told that if we wanted to see moosd, we should go to Millinockett. So we did, and the shock was, that se didn't come across single one 😛. But the are vwas beautiful.
I was in Maine for the first time this spring. Expected to be able to eat lobster until I didn’t want to look at another lobster. Maybe I was there when it wasn’t “lobster season”, I don’t know. But prices where I was traveling to weren’t any different than anywhere else. Quality was superb, but prices not-so-much.
I just watched your NH video and noticed that there was no complaint of insects in their video. Strange how the insects know where the state line is. LOL
I spent 4 summers working on Summer camps in Maine. Nothing can prepare you for just how big an adult bull-moose is. I was expecting a large deer. At most something the size of a horse. Nope. They’re the size of an elephant, but with longer legs and wearing 20ft antlers. You don’t mess with these fcukers.
Just watched your video. I sort of had to watch it, being from Southern Maine and all. Good job! I have to ask, though, and don't mean to be impertinent or insulting, but how many cups of coffee did you have before you made this video???
I live in western Maine. We are very fortunate to live where we have sooo many animals wandering through🤗. New York tourists are very rude, disrespectful😡
Locals don’t eat lobster. lol. We eat it once or twice a summer when other people visit. And only from a local lobsterman caught the same day. Lobster, ticks and mosquitoes. Three Maine bugs of Maine.
#9 Is wildly, wildly untrue. I live in Maine and the only time NY or NJ tourists are brought up is because of their particularly bad driving. Far and away the #1 focus of scorn for tourists and flatlanders are massholes. It isn't even remotely close either. Everyone here hates them except for mass refugees who've moved up. Literally everyone else though. And when the flatlanders aren't nearby they will talk about that subject all the time. Mainers are invariably polite so they must have pegged this guy as a masshole and just avoided the subject. New Yorkers? hahah nobody even thinks about them until they spot one driving like a dubbah.
Uh, compared to what prices are in the restaurants where they're from, it's quite "cheap". And if you're willing/able to cook it yourselves, you pay even less at any of the co-ops.
As a native Mainer I have to say this is an accurate take on being a tourist in Maine. If you are trying to stay within a budget the locals always know where to get it or do it cheaper if you ask around. Awesome video!
Being from Southern Maine, this was awesome to watch! I'm glad that you and your family had a great time. Thank you for shining some light on many of the beautiful parts of Maine life and culture! I watched many of your videos to prepare for my few week trip to Italy this summer and they were such a huge help! THANK YOU for what you do!!
Love Maine! We have family in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and we love spending time in Maine before heading North. The primitive campgrounds are beautiful. Bar Harbor is "fun" for a day, but any town along the coast will have amazing stops and food. There are farms that offer blueberry picking in season as well. The energy there is so relaxed and genuine.
Woohoo going to Maine next week, can't wait.
Where are you going? The southern coast, York up through Biddeford, is gorgeous, but can be quite busy. But with some patience it'll be great. Stop at Flo's Hot Dogs, 1359 US-1, Cape Neddick, ME 03902, for a quick lunch.
have a great trip! we have a eats of maine video on our wolters world eats channel. came out a few weeks ago
Thank you for coming to Maine! We love sharing our culture with people. Don’t forget our wonderful outdoor sporting!
Hey, Mark! Love your videos! I'm a 65 year-old Mainah, and you nailed everything. There are also many agricultural fairs, festivals and concerts of all kinds to enjoy in the summer. We also make a big deal out of the winter months, too. Many celebrities have summer homes on the coast...some inland. That tells you something. Keep up the great work. Blessings to you and your lovely family. My wife and I are planning a trip to Ireland next year. Loved your video on that beautiful country, as well.
Mainers here! Welcome to our lovely state
Red Lobster just closed in my city - it had been there a long time... guess I'll just have to go to Maine now lol
Went on a road trip to Maine with a few buddies seven years ago. Was one of the best trips I've ever been on. Really want to go back. Such a beautiful state.
We are going back to Maine in September. I am ready to go NOW! Maine is my happy place! Thank you Mark for giving me a quick Maine fix!
Watched all your videos on New England to prep for our 1st trip to Maine and we’re currently staying in Lamoine so this was perfect!🤩
The hiking in Acadia is stunning, the Duckfat Frites in Portland are insanely good, as well as the Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese from Aviation Brewing in Ellsworth, Zeppa’s Pizza in Acadia, the list goes on and on not to mention how friendly everyone is. So glad we decided to visit Maine, the long flight from 🇿🇦 was worth it, thanks for all the inside info!
Glad you enjoyed Portland and Duckfat....we live close by and enjoy most Portland restaurants, of which there are many!
Baxter State Park is great!
Controversy time: Cold and warm lobster rolls are both good!
This is a hot take - but I agree. Both delicious!
Warm lobster w/butter!
For real! They are both awesome, just different. Why can people not admit that 😂
Both are great but I do lean towards a cold roll with mayo. I do love fresh lobster with butter though!
Live a 3 hour drive from southern Maine and try to get there every few years. His enthusiasm is not fake. Maine really is wonderful, beautiful, charming, etc. The Maine coast, in my opinion, is far more beautiful than California (take THAT west coast snobs, from this New England snob). I recommend getting away from southern Maine. Sure, stop by Ogunquit for a day or two, it's nice, but crowded. Crawl your way up the coast toward Acadia. Stay in any small town along the way. You go to Maine, you do absolutely NOTHING and you can't believe how much you enjoy doing NOTHING. The people are quite funny and quirky and have a unique sense of humor. Very down to earth. He's right about the food. First of all, if you can believe, I do not really like lobster or any seafood. But love the food in Maine, fresh, filling, creative. And he is SOO right about the blueberries. The blue berry pancakes at our rustic inn were unforgettable. Forgot to mention. Take a sunset cruise on a sailboat (we did ours in the lovely town of Camden). We've done 20 national parks, mostly out west, and Acadia is as lovely as any of them. We are New Englanders so the look of Acada is not new to us, and I wonder if people outside of New England are even more impressed. Bar Harbor is a lovely town, but it does get crowded. Consider staying 30 minute away elsewhere on the island (Acada is on Mount Desert Island) at any one of the lovely villages. You can just as easily get in and out of Acadia from the little villages (easier in fact, than coming in through Bar Harbor) and can always drive to Bar Harbor for dinner and night life. While in Bar Harbor, take a cruise to the nearby islands that are just offshore. The whale watch was also wonderful, but if you get seasick, be forwarned. You are so far out that your phone service switches to Canada! Yes, I am gushing about Maine. It is one of my favorite places in the US and I feel lucky we are so close. But we only go in the summer, so can't comment about how it is when it is cold.
Forgot to add. Never spent a moment in Portland. I hear it is a great food city, but I don't go to Maine for the urban experience, I go to Maine for the nature. Also, I am NOT a shopped, but boy of boy, I really enjoy the LL Bean store mainly because they sell so many useful practical items. Winter coats, hiking poles. Just an awesome place. Even the sandwich shop inside the store was nice. And it is open 24 7, 365 days a year.
A commenter below said interior Maine is also wonderful. I agree, but boy it is hard to beat that coastline.
@@edsteadham4085 Portland is a larger town, but it still has a certain charm to it. The cobblestone streets of the Old Port are lovely.
In Canada you’d need to put your roaming on for your phone to work
Maine is on my bucket list. Thanks for the tips!
Booked our trip to Portland just a few days ago - great to see this!
I hope you enjoy Portland and the other areas around it. We live 20 minutes away and enjoy the GREAT restaurants and breweries (home to Allagash brewery). There is actually a street with 4-5 breweries on it! The Old Port is very walkable with tons of shops, cafes and restaurants. Eastern Prom is beautiful to just sit on the huge grassy hill on a blanket and look out over the ocean with boats going by (this is the location that Mark is narrating from in this video).
No offence intended, but some of us Mainers don't really consider Portland to be a part of Maine.
It's so great to see my home state in one of your videos. I live in NYC now and this video made me a bit homesick. I try to go home every fall since it's the most beautiful time of year to go.
I live in Maine. Helpful hint. Schodic point is part of Acadia National Park but is less crowded and wildly beautiful. I always advise people to come in September.
I am moving away from Maine for school💔 I’m really going to miss this place and I hope to be able to come back. Maine is an amazing place with kind people
I've lived in Maine all of my life and I can't imagine living anywhere else.
I recommend a stay inland in a country town that has a lake or pond. And... bring or rent a bicycle. Great way to enjoy Maine's small towns.
Went to Maine many years ago. Beautiful place. Had a blueberry muffin the size of a softball. It was amazing!
Currently in Ellsworth ME visiting in-laws! Love that they’re in close proximity to Acadia 🫶🏽
@@skrink1981 go to Momo’s Cheesecakes!! Best cheesecakes ever. A surprising find in Ellsworth.
such a great spot! have a great visit!
Life long Maina' here....everything is your video of Maine is pretty accurate. I would add that the "bug/black fly" problem is more in heavily wooded areas, esp. northern Maine. Ticks can be an issue but only if you are walking in tall grasses and hiking in dense areas. Most of us know to wear long pants, use bug spray and walk cleared trails. As for being pricey, I think Maine falls along with other tourist states during peak season, it happens everywhere. Seafood in Maine is outstanding, as are other cuisines through out the state. Thanks for doing the review....we're a friendly bunch and welcome others to visit and enjoy our state any time of year.
Regarding winter: please make sure your vehicle is ready to tackle ice and snow.
At the very least you need to have all-season tires (with plenty of tread), antifreeze in your wiper fluid and sturdy car batteries that will start your car no matter what.
There's a lot more you can do to prep your car, so you might want to look it up in detail.
Part of your car is you, the driver. At the very least, inform yourself on the do's and don'ts of winter driving. Always remember that winter starts early in this part of the world, so you never know when you might run into slick roads.
My husband is a truck driver and every year, he sees tourists pulling death-defying stunts. They don't always end happy. You do *not* want to be in an accident at below zero temps, not even a small one.l
I want everybody to be safe and well, so take care and prepare.
Don't put antifreeze in your wiper fluid. Use a wiper fluid made for cold weather.
@@pinetree5489 It depends.
If you have regular wiper fluid in your system and don't want to have to replace the whole batch, I've been told it's perfectly fine to add anti freeze. You can measure it with a glycol refractometer, that will tell you how much cold it can take.
If you're already running low or want to replace what's in the system anyways, sure you can buy a pre-mixed wiper fluid.
Personally, I've done both and had good results with both.
Not all anti-freeze wiper fluids are made equal, though. You need to check for what range they're good.
... just in case I'd get that refractometer no matter which way you want to go. Especially if you do have to deal with extreme temps; kinda sucks to have the wiper fluid freeze when you thought you were good to go.
I'd be interested to hear your reasons, though, why you don't want to add anti freeze?
I’m originally from CT (go UConn & Whalers!), but I’m living in Dallas, TX now. Growing up, my family spent every summer on Cape Cod, and my kids did that as well. But one summer we went up to Maine and my kids loved it. Stop at the lighthouse in York and then take in the rest of the state. It’s definitely a different vibe than the Cape and Islands.
Great job. I’ve been a Wolter’s fan for quite a while and a Mainer my whole life
A couple more things from a local perspective:
1: there’s a strong anti tourist mentality. You may see it on some t-shirts or hear locals commiserating loudly/publicly about tourist season. This contempt is for tourists as a collective entity. The same person complaining about not being able to park in Belfast once May rolls around will happily give you directions on where to go for lunch (it’s Wasses Hot Dogs in the Reny’s Plaza parking lot).
2: Don’t plan on public transportation or ride share apps to get around. Sure if you’re in Portland you can probably get an Uber but if you’re looking to explore the state you’re probably gonna be driving yourself wherever you go.
3: Leaf peeping season is shorter and earlier than you might think, at least in the just off the coast inland areas. By late October most’ve the leafs are on the ground. Still pretty but not what you might expect.
Great video! Thanks so much! Very glad to see you mentioned some inland destinations. Maine’s coast tends to get all the attention --- not without reason. But Moosehead Lake may be one of the prettiest places I have ever been in my life. I have never seen a freshwater lake that clear.
A few very minor corrections and further tips ---
ABOUT THE BUGS. Yes, it can be bad, but it really does depend on the time of year. Bug season is at its worst from the spring thaw (roughly Aprilish) through June. That’s when the mosquitoes in particular are at their worst. But by the 4th of July…? Yeah, it depends on where you are, but in general, if you’re near the coast the worst of bug season is over by the 4th of July. Yes, the mosquitoes are still around, but they aren’t quite so thick. And ticks …? Yeah. Be careful. They are a year-round problem. I have even seen them active during a mild winter.
ABOUT BROWNTAIL MOTHS. Yeah, they are a nightmare. But just to clarify: The real danger isn’t with the moths themselves so much as the caterpillars. Those are the little monsters with the barbed hairs that can cause REAL problems to some people. The moths themselves are generally fairly harmless unless you’re allergic.
ABOUT DONUTS. Avoid Dunkin. Seriously. Dunkin Donuts is the McDonald’s of donuts. If you want a great donut, check out the mom an’ pop shops. You might pay a bit more, but the difference is worth it. My particular recommendations: FROSTY’S DONUTS in Brunswick, Maine. ROCKY RIDGE ORCHARD in Bowdoin, ME. Baked goods made from the apples and pumpkins grown on the farm.
WHEN TO VISIT? It depends on what you want. If you’d like to avoid the worst of the crowds, the worst of tourist season is generally over by Labor Day, but the weather remains nice through September, and most seasonal businesses are still open. The height of “leaf peeping” season is October. Early October in the north. Later in October near the coast. Once you get into November, you might have to plan for snow. Some years winter holds off till almost Christmas. But we have had years where the kids were trick or treating in the snow. Rare, but it happens.
I wish you would focus on interior Maine more. We have beautiful waterfalls, olde tyme swimming holes, covered bridges, and lighthouses....yes, I said lighthouses. Canton Lake has one and there is one along the Androscoggin Rver in Rumford. Also, we have beautiful lakes. It is easy to find forests in Maine as it is the most forested state in the nation. However, hikers and others experiencing the beauty of nature need to be aware of the wild dogs, cats, and bear that call nature their home. Also, look up the numerous fairs and festivals held throughout the state in the warmer months. Some of the smallest towns have great events drawing people from miles away.
Nice video! I've been wanting to visit Maine for a long time.
Great timing!! Ive been thinking about Maine this whole month 😆
Me too!!
34 years ago, at age 15, I took a long, long student-bicycling trip up the Maine seacoast, and I still remember it well. For that reason, you don't need to warn ME about the lobster T-shirts: I picked up a blue cotton-poly tee like that in Bar Harbor, and I wore it for *years* until it gave out!
But as for seafood, what I remember are MUSSELS: just before we kicked off our trip from Popham Beach, one of the counselor brought out an enormous bag of steamed mussels to eat on the beach (along with some melted butter). We just sat there at low tide that night, and chucked the shells below the waterline when we were done with each one. Recycling in action, and the best seafood meal ever.
Hello from a Mainer!
I was in Maine for 3 months in 1976 and left at the beginning of September. We were inland at a lake. The first light frost was in early September.
Culture chock:
When I came to Maine 17 y.o. as an exchange student from Europe I had to stay at a different family for a few days before connecting my American family.
I was starving, having not eaten much during the trip, but I was seated at a table in the evening and served corn on a cob, something I never had enjoyed before this.
Immediately I grabbed and started gnawing away at it, when the father in that family said behind my back:
-"We say grace in this house before dinner!"
Shameful, I of course lowered my food and looked down on to it.
I was in a new country now!
I would love to go to Maine for lobster. Yum! I enjoyed this video. 😊❤
Both my grandparents hail from Maine
No way! I live in Lewiston, Maine, about 30 miles from Portland.
We were just here over the summer, still love it and Bar Harbor.
In the winter I snowblow wearing hiking boots, shorts, and a hoodie. If it gets really cold I add some gardening gloves and a winter hat, but it has to be really cold. I overheat easily.
Ayuh, summah people boun ta be shocked.
Lobster was cheap back on '92 . My hubby & I ate it at most meals. Love Bar Harbor!
Hey Mark, awesome video
The lobster being everywhere is 100% for the tourists, not because our lives are lobster everything.
Unfortunately most of the stuff tourists come here for is specifically cultivated for them and closes down as soon as they leave. Places like OOB, Camden, Boothbay, and Bar Harbor become ghost towns after September/October.
As a lifelong native, I get frustrated because the only time we get the state to ourselves is during the worst months of the year, when everything is shuttered.
Casco Bay Lines in Portland has a mail boat that delivers to each of the islands in Casco Bay - it’s a nice way inexpensive way to spend the day even if you’re a tourist In fact, the islands themselves can be interesting
Baxter State Park, Katahdin, Rockwood, Jackman, the Golden Road.
When I lived in Maine, they didn't like the French-Canadians.
Oh, I forgot, lobster stew in the winter!
The driving times always come as a shock to me in Maine.
Visited Portland, ME this past weekend! We go there a couple of times a year. Fantastic site seeing, great disc golf courses within a reasonable drive - I can highly recommend Bittersweet Disc Golf Course - great music scene, Thompson's Point is a great place for local live music on a Friday night. Baseball with the SeaDogs. The list goes on and on. Portland is a great foodie town - it's not just about the lobster - they've got a wide variety of restaurants and different food options. They have a lot of vegan options, so don't think it's just all about the meat. But they also have great BBQ if you're a meat lover. My biggest surprise this past weekend: Went to Rising Tide Brewery in the industrial park and ate an Oklahoma Onion Burger! As someone who is originally from Oklahoma, gotta say it was great and authentic and I complemented them on that wonderful new addition to their menu.
We have a summer house in a small fishing village on the coast of Maine. I can walk to the town dock in the afternoon and buy lobsters from the boats as they come in. This year I paid $20 for 5 lobsters. Bargain all day long.
In 35 years of driving through Maine I've never seen a moose. I think they hang out with bigfoot deep in the woods...
Stayed at a nice b&b in a town called Blue Hill in Maine.
My home state!
You actually stayed in my hometown of Belfast. Cool. Did you attend the Celtic Festival?
We don't have lobster much up here because people can't afford it and that's the truth. People should visit inland Maine, especially Kennebec and Waldo County and see how real Mainers live.
Portland is North Boston. Has nothing to do with living in Maine
WoW, you really get around. I was born and raised in Rhode Island and never been to Maine.😎
I’ve been to Maine a couple of times! My husband and family are Mainiacs. 😂 Ellsworth and Levant.
You sound very happy!
Yuh! Ya nailed it, deeyah!
Hannaford grocery stores (at least the ones in the Portland/Scarborough area) used to steam lobsters for you while you wait - if they still do that it's a great way to get fresh lobster and not have to pay restaurant prices.
still do, and this was going to be my suggestion too! add some steamers (clams) and have a great feast!
I had some wonderful lobster at a place then called Rinehart's Wonderview in Bar Harbor., named for author Mary Roberts Rinehart who allegedly invdnted the term "the butler did it" in one of her novels. In Calais on the Canadian border we were told that if we wanted to see moosd, we should go to Millinockett. So we did, and the shock was, that se didn't come across single one 😛. But the are vwas beautiful.
I can't think of Maine and not think of that SNL skit with Jamie Foxx and Jason Sudeikis.
This is 'Maine Justice', lol. 🤣
As long as Jocelyn & the boys enjoying themselves that what counts.
exactly :)
Love the shot @8:00 of your son scoping out the blonde;-) thanks for the videos.
I was in Maine for the first time this spring. Expected to be able to eat lobster until I didn’t want to look at another lobster. Maybe I was there when it wasn’t “lobster season”, I don’t know. But prices where I was traveling to weren’t any different than anywhere else.
Quality was superb, but prices not-so-much.
It's very seasonal. Currently you can get it for $8.99/lb at a supermarket.
🤯@@bostonphotographer20
Maine has over 6000 miles of ATV trails.... should try that next time!
We Mainers have an expression, "Welcome to Maine, please don't stay."
Yeah, I mean, who would want a better economy and jobs up here, especially in inland where everyone's poor?
ticks are all over the Northeast. so NJ, CT etc.
HUMPTY DUMPTY CHIPS ARE GOATED
I am a local please enjoy our state.(Unless from Mass then GTFO)
I'd like to go see Jacob Knowles, the lobster fisherman I have learnt so much about lobster fishing on top of everything else!
Great oysters in Portland
My hot take: Holy Donut is a bit overrated. I found them a little dry and it was in the morning. They're good but I wouldn't wait in line.
I just watched your NH video and noticed that there was no complaint of insects in their video. Strange how the insects know where the state line is. LOL
my mum loves lobster and I have to take her to Maine! :D
How people manage to recover from the countless severe shocks they experience while on vacation is beyond my fathom.
I spent 4 summers working on Summer camps in Maine. Nothing can prepare you for just how big an adult bull-moose is. I was expecting a large deer. At most something the size of a horse. Nope. They’re the size of an elephant, but with longer legs and wearing 20ft antlers. You don’t mess with these fcukers.
I , somehow came into contact with a brown tail moth ( it’s the caterpillar stage) that makes you itch like crazy! It’s like having poison ivy.😒
Yep, locals don’t really eat lobster much even though it’s very good. Kinda strange how that operates. 🤷🏻♂️
Lobster amazing 🤤
Mainer here, running into a moose is not going to be likely. Be more careful of the deer, they are everywhere.
B&B - Bedbugs & Breakfast 😂😅
hoping to visit Maine soon
I will try to not be rude
❤❤❤❤
I’ve gotten Moxie soda at BevMo before and tried it.
Just watched your video. I sort of had to watch it, being from Southern Maine and all. Good job! I have to ask, though, and don't mean to be impertinent or insulting, but how many cups of coffee did you have before you made this video???
I really want to try an authentic lobster roll. We don’t have them in SoCal
Ca a l'air sympa.
I live in western Maine. We are very fortunate to live where we have sooo many animals wandering through🤗. New York tourists are very rude, disrespectful😡
Now, I know why one of my favorite novelist Stephen king lives in the beautiful state of Maine.
He lives in Florida to escape the high taxes, but advocates for them for the rest of us. The house in Bangor is a writer's retreat.
Locals don’t eat lobster. lol. We eat it once or twice a summer when other people visit. And only from a local lobsterman caught the same day. Lobster, ticks and mosquitoes. Three Maine bugs of Maine.
Plus, if you're from Maine you can't afford Lobster, but have 2 ;)
Raw oysters, like a slimmy snott😄 but delicious
You can have clam chowder in Maine. 00:38
Just add peppermint oil in your skin cream, " and bugs stay away 😀
#9 Is wildly, wildly untrue. I live in Maine and the only time NY or NJ tourists are brought up is because of their particularly bad driving. Far and away the #1 focus of scorn for tourists and flatlanders are massholes. It isn't even remotely close either. Everyone here hates them except for mass refugees who've moved up. Literally everyone else though. And when the flatlanders aren't nearby they will talk about that subject all the time. Mainers are invariably polite so they must have pegged this guy as a masshole and just avoided the subject. New Yorkers? hahah nobody even thinks about them until they spot one driving like a dubbah.
Be careful during tourist season, Maine fish and wildlife increased the daily bag limit. Just be warned.
Shock of Visiting Maine #11: All the g*ddamned vampires and inter-dimensional killer clowns.
I thought those were just Juggalos
I have never tried fresh lobster.
Prices are very high.
5:07 That's a church, not a b&b
Don't think you will get cheap lobster just because you are in Maine.
You can find it but definitely not in any of the tourist areas.
$8.99/lb is a pretty good price.
@@bostonphotographer20 Where? I'm heading to Camden next week.
@@bostonphotographer20 Agreed! That's close to what I am paying at the market to bring them home lately
Uh, compared to what prices are in the restaurants where they're from, it's quite "cheap".
And if you're willing/able to cook it yourselves, you pay even less at any of the co-ops.
Lots of locals actually don't like lobster. They're cockroaches of the sea.
The doctor at the ER in Bar Harbor told me that Maine has 50 different black flies, and they all bite.
ouch