Remote Maine boasts some 5,500 miles of coastline and 3,000 coastal islands, so it's no surprise that the seafaring culture here is strong. Rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, lighthouses and lobsters are never far away, but there's more to this state; Portland ranks among the nation's hippest small cities, and inland – particularly in the Western Lakes and North Woods – lies an outdoor enthusiast's playground.
We asked a panel of Maine travel writers to nominate their favorite state attractions, and for the past four weeks, our readers have been voting for their favorites. The results are in!
The top 10 winners in the category Best Maine Attraction are as follows:
- Maine Windjammers - Rockland & Camden
- Pemaquid Point Light - Bristol
- Maine Maritime Museum - Bath
- Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - Boothbay
- Moosehead Lake
- Acadia National Park
- Owls Head Transportation Museum - Owls Head
- Maine Huts & Trails
- Portland Head Light - Cape Elizabeth
- The Marginal Way - Ogunquit
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Eric D. Lehman and Hilary Nangle (MaineTravelMaven.com) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of travel in Maine.
Congratulations to all these winning attractions.
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The Experts
Eric D. Lehman
Eric D. Lehman teaches literature and creative... Read More
Eric D. Lehman teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Bridgeport and his essays, reviews, and stories have been published in dozens of journals and magazines, from Edible Nutmeg toThe Wayfarer. He is the author of a dozen books, including Afoot in Connecticut, A History of Connecticut Food, Shadows of Paris, Becoming Tom Thumb, History of Connecticut Wine, and the Insiders' Guide to Connecticut. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram.
Eric D. Lehman
Eric D. Lehman teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Bridgeport and his essays, reviews, and stories have been published in dozens of journals and magazines, from Edible Nutmeg toThe Wayfarer. He is the author of a dozen books, including Afoot in Connecticut, A History of Connecticut Food, Shadows of Paris, Becoming Tom Thumb, History of Connecticut Wine, and the Insiders' Guide to Connecticut. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram.
Hilary Nangle
Freelance writer and Maine expert Hilary... Read More
Freelance writer and Maine expert Hilary Nangle shares her love for her home state in her three Moon-series guidebooks: Maine, Coastal Maine, and Acadia National Park and offers insider’s tips for exploring Maine and beyond at MaineTravelMaven.com. Follow her adventures on Facebook and Twitter.
Hilary Nangle

Freelance writer and Maine expert Hilary Nangle shares her love for her home state in her three Moon-series guidebooks: Maine, Coastal Maine, and Acadia National Park and offers insider’s tips for exploring Maine and beyond at MaineTravelMaven.com. Follow her adventures on Facebook and Twitter.