All United States Maine

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Maine

108 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Maine

Updated May 22, 2023

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Cities

Top Cities
All Cities
  1. Bangor
  2. Bar Harbor
  3. Bethel
  4. Biddeford
  5. Bucksport
  6. Cushing
  7. Eastport
  8. Ellsworth
  9. Freeport
  10. Hancock
  11. Jonesport
  12. Lubec
  13. Millinocket
  14. Portland
  15. Rangeley
  16. Southwest Harbor
  17. Union
  18. York

Unusual Attractions in Maine

See All 108 Things To Do in Maine

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Maine

See all 10 Places to Eat in Maine
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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Discover the Endless Beauty of the Pine Tree State

When people think of Maine, it’s often the rugged beauty of the coast that comes to mind: sunsets over craggy shorelines, lighthouses surrounded by towering pines, and lobster boats dotting the bay. But whether you’re angling for a hike, paddle, or simply a long drive through the backcountry, there’s no shortage of spectacular natural features throughout all of Maine’s 16 counties. This itinerary will take you from secluded coves along Maine’s coastline to the highest peaks in the state, alongside thundering waterfalls, mystifying geology, and myriad wildlife. Welcome to Maine—act natural.

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Explore Maine

History 18
Museums And Collections 14
Collections 9
Art 8
History & Culture 8
Memento Mori 7
Sculptures 6
Bridges 6

Maine Leaderboard

Recent Maine Activity

Stories About Maine

A Steller’s sea eagle near Sapporo, Japan.

What a Roving Steller's Sea Eagle May Tell Us About Ourselves

Thousands of miles from its native range, the raptor illustrates how attitudes toward nature vary.
by Adriana Craciun

Podcast: The Thompson Ice House

People gather every winter at this Maine museum to take part in the age-old process of harvesting ice from a frozen pond.
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Crushing cranberries to make wine.

Why Is Wine (Almost) Always Made From Grapes?

On the merits of blueberry, cherry, and pumpkin wine.
by Alex Mayyasi
Alewives swimming up the Damariscotta River in the springtime.

The Centuries-Old Fish Ladder That Feeds Maine's Lobster Industry

Each spring, more than one million alewives navigate to the fresh water of Damariscotta Lake—with a little help
by Annie Sherman
How much snow has fallen in your neighborhood? It always seems like more when you're shoveling it.

The Surprising Science of Measuring Snowfall

When a winter storm wallops a region, an army of volunteers springs into action—but exact totals can be tricky.
by Bill Syrett

Podcast: Maine’s Burning Blueberry Fields

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
Eastern white pines at sunset in Reed, Maine.

Where Are the Last of Maine's Historic King Pines?

Deep in the wilderness, some say, forest giants claimed by the British Crown still tower above lesser trees.
by Emily Cataneo
Gatewood near Lonesome Lake in New Hampshire in 1957, during her second thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

The First Woman to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail Alone Did It as a 'Lark'

Emma Gatewood set out wearing sneakers, with a duffel slung over one shoulder.
by Philip D'Anieri

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