By guest photographer Joanne Kawamura and a friend
Nestled along the jagged coastline where the Atlantic whispers secrets to ancient pines, Maine beckons with its blend of rugged beauty and quirky charm. From Boothbay Harbor’s enchanted gardens to Kennebunkport’s presidential pews, this autumn drive reveals the state’s offbeat treasures. Pack your flannel and a sweet tooth—here’s a taste of Maine’s magic.
Start your adventure in Boothbay Harbor at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, a 323-acre wonderland of rhododendrons and fairy houses. But the real showstoppers? The Trolls of Coastal Maine, five colossal recycled-wood guardians crafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo in 2021. These 15-foot-tall mischief-makers—named like wise Birk, who whispers forest tales—hide along wooded trails, urging visitors to ponder conservation amid hemlock groves. It’s folklore meets eco-art, perfect for a family scavenger hunt.
Nearby in Kennebunkport, hop aboard history at the Seashore Trolley Museum, the world’s first electric railway museum since 1939. Ride vintage cars along a recreated 1920s line, then marvel at the Maine Central Model Railroad—the state’s largest miniature layout, a HO-scale epic of chugging engines and tiny towns, relocated here in 2022 thanks to a multimillion-dollar gift. It’s a nostalgic nod to Maine’s transit past, with over 350 vehicles from Japan to Scotland.
No Maine jaunt skips the kitsch. In neighboring Kennebunk, snap a pic at the Wedding Cake House, a Gothic Revival gem built in 1825 by shipbuilder George W. Bourne. Adorned with intricate pinnacles and buttresses—crafted with just one apprentice—its tiered, frosted facade earned its sugary moniker and the title of Maine’s most-photographed home. Once a private residence, it’s now a landmark begging for Instagram glory.
Sweeten the route with a detour to Scarborough’s Len Libby Candies for Lenny the Chocolate Moose, a 1,700-pound milk-chocolate behemoth unveiled in 1997. Eight feet tall and sculpted over a wire frame, Lenny lords over a blue-dyed white-chocolate pond, flanked by his “Bear Club” crew: 380-pound Mama Libby and cubs Cocoa and Chip, all dark chocolate. Watch the looping creation video while sampling butternut crunch—proof Maine’s wildlife comes in edible form.
Hunger strikes? Swing through Kennebunkport for its lobster legacy. At spots like Mabel’s Lobster Claw or Nunan’s Lobster Hut, crack into fresh-from-the-dock beauties—steamed, rolled, or in a classic shore dinner. Port Lobster Co. in Cape Porpoise sells live catches straight off the pier, embodying Maine’s 90% share of U.S. lobster hauls. Pair with a beachside picnic; the salty breeze makes every bite transcendent.
Maine’s lighthouses—over 60 strong—stand as timeless sentinels. Iconic Portland Head Light (1791) glows in Cape Elizabeth, while Goat Island Light off Kennebunkport’s Cape Porpoise pier cuts through fog like a maritime postcard. Join September’s Open Lighthouse Day for climbs and tales of Fresnel lenses; these beacons have guided sailors since the Revolution.
Retail therapy awaits in Freeport at L.L. Bean‘s flagship, open 24/7 since 1917. Beyond kayaks and flannel, gawk at the world’s largest hunting boot—a 16.5-foot, size-410 wooden icon outside, guarding 220,000 square feet of outdoor bliss. It’s Maine’s retail heart, with a trout-filled aquarium and boot-shaped cookies to boot.
Cap your trip in Kennebunkport at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, the Bush family’s summer sanctuary since 1892. Built from ocean-quarried stones overlooking crashing waves, this stone chapel hosted George H.W. and Barbara’s nuptials (his parents, that is) and saw skydiving presidents and Taylor Swift videos. A dedicated pew honors the clan; kneel where history prayed, feeling the pull of legacy and sea.
Maine isn’t just a destination—it’s a delightful detour into the whimsical. Whether chasing trolls or toasting with lobster, the Pine Tree State leaves you with salty air in your lungs and stories for the road home.
