These 11 Things to do in Maine in the Spring will have you getting the most out of an off-season visit to the Pine Tree State!
One of the best things about living in Maine is that we truly get all four seasons. Some last a bit longer than we’d like, (eh hem, winter), but there’s something unique and special about all of them. Spring is probably the hardest season, though. We come out of long cold winters and straight into mud and allergy season. It’s AWESOME! Honestly, though, sometimes we wish we could jump straight to summer, but there’re so many great things to do in Maine in the spring that we don’t want to miss out on.
Whether you’re a native Mainah or just visiting, I want to make sure you have the best Maine spring experience possible. That’s why I’ve gathered up a list of Maine traditions, festivals, and sights for you to check out and explore while you’re here!
1. Maine Maple Sunday: This very well may be the official first sign of spring. On the first Sunday of spring in Maine, all the sugar houses celebrate Maine Maple Sunday! That means you can watch syrup get made while stuffing your face with a maple whoopie pie, sounds pretty awesome right? Take the whole family and drive around to all the different farms and shacks, each is a little different!
2. Reggae Festival at Sugarloaf: This festival pretty much symbolizes the end of winter on the mountain and what better way to wrap up a season of snowboarding and skiing than a reggae festival! This festival is celebrating its 28th year, so come play in the snow and party like you’re in the islands.
3. Kenduskeag Canoe Race: A long standing tradition where people race their canoes and kayaks in the freezing cold water and occasionally dress up in crazy costumes on the third weekend in April each year. All in the name of spring and the hopes of securing bragging rights. Did I mention it’s 16+ miles long, and you have to be slightly crazy to do it? If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is for you!
4. Cornville 10-Mile Yard Sale: Yes, I’m for real here. As far back as I can remember my mom drug me to the Annual Cornville Yard Sale that stretched over TEN miles! It’s like a junkers dream! You haggle over 50 cents and feel like you win the lottery when you get the whole box for $5.00 (of which you want none of it and it will end up in your yard sale on Labor Day weekend). It’s pretty much a staple in Maine tradition, if you’ve never been, you’re not really a Mainah! If you’re not from here, you should go, even if it’s just for the people watching 😉
5. Owl’s Head Spring Auto Show: If your family is anything like mine, then the last weekend in May is an annual affair at the Owl’s Head Transportation Museum. The Annual Spring Auto Show features cars from all over that are 20 years are older. It’s a great outing for the whole family or just the guys while the girls hit up the Breakwater Vineyard tasting room.
6. Maine’s Lighthouses: There’s never a wrong time of year to check out Maine’s 65 historic lighthouses. Some of my favorites are the Rockland Breakwater which we visited here, Isle Au Haut Lighthouse, Nubble Light, and, of course, the one everyone will recognize no matter where you’re from, The Portland Headlight.
7. Horseback Riding {ON THE BEACH}: You probably think this is something that should happen in the summer and fall, but you’d be wrong. Popham and Parson’s Beach only allow horseback riding October – March. So head to the farm, rent a horse for a few hours and soak in the view and serenity of those brisk coastal waters!
8. Acadia National Park: This is “almost” where America’s Day begins. It’s beautiful views, and quaint harbor towns attract people from all over the world. The park opens the loop road in mid-April and on opening weekend; it’s free! You can go hiking, biking, kayaking, picnicking or even head out on a whale watch. Take in the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard. Check out Thunder Hole and grab a slice of Banoffee Pie from Poor Boy’s Gourmet for me, will ya?
9. Eat: Okay, you could literally eat every meal at a different location in Maine for a month and not get bored. So many people think we’re all about the lobster, but we’re so much more than that. We’re farm to table, we’re hunters and fishers, and we’re comfort food with a twist. In the spring, the fishing seasons start, the beer and wine trails open back up, and the berries begin their bloom. We’re proud and passionate foodies, with Portland being named one of the top Destination Food Towns in the country. So yeah, grab a lobster roll, but don’t forget a slice of blueberry pie and a bottle of Moxie for the road. Have you seen this video about Maine food, I died!
10. Escape: When you just need to escape, there’s Monhegan Island. Less than a square mile in size and no cars or paved roads, it’s the perfect getaway from all the crazy. Not into the coast? Escape to the Northwoods for a quiet stay on Moosehead Lake. Enjoy the breathtaking views no matter the season on the coast or inland.
11. Muddin: When all else fails, just go Muddin. Don’t know what Muddin is? It’s all about driving through the backwoods mud in your old pickup truck with your buddies. When you don’t have a lot of money, and there’s plenty of mud on those back roads in the spring, this is cheap entertainment. Muddin is a Maine tradition and getting stuck is half the fun!
I love this state, and I’m proud to call it hoME, but now that I’ve finished writing this post, I realize we’re a little weird. We like it that way, though, and we hope you’ll join us for some good old fashioned spring fun.
[…] climbed Mount Katahdin yourself? Planning a trip to Maine, here are some ideas of things to do in Maine in the Spring and Tips for Visiting Acadia National […]