# MaineGuide.com

> Independent guide to Maine travel, living and moving, online since 1995. Statewide coverage of destinations, events, relocation guides and housing data.

Content is written and maintained by the site owner. Dates for events link to the official organizer pages. Housing figures come from the Maine Realtors monthly report and are labeled with the report month.

## Moving to and living in Maine

- [Moving to Maine](https://maineguide.com/moving-to-maine/): Relocation guide: costs, regions, pros and cons, and practical steps.
- [Pros and cons of living in Maine](https://maineguide.com/pros-and-cons-of-moving-to-maine/): Honest look at the tradeoffs of living in Maine.
- [Cost of living in Maine](https://maineguide.com/maine-cost-of-living-by-city/): What it costs to live in Maine.
- [Cheapest places to live in Maine](https://maineguide.com/cheapest-places-to-live-in-maine/): Lower-cost Maine towns and regions.
- [Maine property tax](https://maineguide.com/maine-property-tax-rates/): How property tax works in Maine.
- [Maine income tax](https://maineguide.com/maine-income-tax/): How state income tax works in Maine.
- [Maine housing market by county](https://maineguide.com/maine-housing-market/): County-level home prices and sales, updated monthly from the Maine Realtors report.
- [Best places to retire in Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-places-to-retire-in-maine/): Retirement-focused town guide.
- [Is Maine a climate haven?](https://maineguide.com/is-maine-a-climate-haven/): Weather and climate-risk overview for Maine.
- [Living in Portland, Maine](https://maineguide.com/living-in-portland-maine/): Neighborhoods, costs and lifestyle.
- [Living in Bangor, Maine](https://maineguide.com/living-in-bangor-maine/): Neighborhoods, costs and lifestyle.
- [Living in Brunswick, Maine](https://maineguide.com/living-in-brunswick-maine/): Neighborhoods, costs and lifestyle.

## Destinations (town guides)

- [Things to do in Bangor, Maine](https://maineguide.com/things-to-do-bangor-maine/): Sights, museums, food and day trips in Bangor.
- [Things to do in Presque Isle, Maine](https://maineguide.com/things-to-do-presque-isle-maine/): Parks, festivals and outdoor recreation in Presque Isle and Aroostook County.
- [Things to do in Freeport, Maine](https://maineguide.com/things-to-do-freeport-maine/): What to do in Freeport beyond the outlets.
- [Things to do in Waterville, Maine](https://maineguide.com/things-to-do-waterville-maine/): Art, riverfront and day trips in Waterville.
- [Things to do on Deer Isle, Maine](https://maineguide.com/things-to-do-deer-isle-maine/): Villages, crafts and coast on Deer Isle and Stonington.
- [Things to do in Calais, Maine](https://maineguide.com/things-to-do-calais-maine/): St. Croix Island, wildlife and border day trips from Calais.
- [Things to Do in Millinocket](https://maineguide.com/things-to-do-millinocket-maine/): Katahdin, Baxter State Park, the national monument, Penobscot rafting and winter trails around Millinocket
- [Ogunquit Beach](https://maineguide.com/ogunquit-beach-maine/): Parking, dog rules, hours and the three entrances at Ogunquit Beach
- [Wells Beach](https://maineguide.com/wells-beach-maine/): Parking, dog rules, lifeguards and the beaches of Wells, Maine
- [Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Beaches](https://maineguide.com/kennebunk-beaches-maine/): Parking passes, dog rules and a guide to Gooch's, Mother's, Goose Rocks and Colony Beach
- [Old Orchard Beach Guide](https://maineguide.com/old-orchard-beach-beach-guide/): Summer dog hours, parking and planning a beach day at Old Orchard Beach
- [Dog-Friendly Beaches in Maine](https://maineguide.com/dog-friendly-beaches-in-maine/): Dog rules beach by beach: summer hours, leash rules and state park bans
- [Day Trips from Portland, Maine](https://maineguide.com/day-trips-from-portland-maine/): Day trips from Portland sorted by drive time: beaches, lighthouses and harbor towns
- [Maine Road Trip from Boston](https://maineguide.com/maine-road-trip-from-boston/): Boston to Maine road trip by stop and drive time, from Ogunquit to Acadia
- [How to Eat a Lobster](https://maineguide.com/how-to-eat-a-lobster/): Step-by-step guide to eating a whole Maine lobster, including what to skip and soft-shell vs hard-shell
- [What Is Maine Known For?](https://maineguide.com/what-is-maine-known-for/): What Maine is famous for, from lobster and lighthouses to Acadia, foliage, moose and wild blueberries, with guides to each
- [Romantic Getaways in Maine](https://maineguide.com/romantic-getaways-in-maine/): Best towns for a couples trip in Maine by style: Kennebunkport, Camden, Ogunquit, Bar Harbor, Portland and quiet lakes
- [Best Places to Live in Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-places-to-live-in-maine/): Best towns to live in Maine by need: families, jobs, affordability, remote work and coastal living, with links to full town guides
- [Maine Fairs](https://maineguide.com/maine-fairs/): Upcoming dates for Maine agricultural fairs and festivals, with what to expect and how to plan a visit
- [Living in Maine](https://maineguide.com/living-in-maine/): What daily life in Maine is really like: pros and cons, the seasons, jobs and cost, and where people live
- [Glamping in Maine](https://maineguide.com/glamping-in-maine/): Where to go glamping in Maine, from Acadia to Portland and Sebago Lake, with tips on seasons and what to ask before booking
- [Whale Watching in Maine](https://maineguide.com/whale-watching-in-maine/): Where to go whale watching in Maine, when the season runs, how long tours last, and whether it is worth it
- [Stephen King's Bangor](https://maineguide.com/stephen-king-bangor-maine/): Stephen King tours and landmarks in Bangor, Maine, the real-life inspiration for Derry, with how to visit respectfully
- [Portland](https://maineguide.com/destinations/portland/): City guide.
- [Camden](https://maineguide.com/destinations/camden/): Town guide.
- [Bar Harbor and Acadia](https://maineguide.com/destinations/bar-harbor/): Town and park guide.
- [Belfast](https://maineguide.com/destinations/belfast/): Town guide.
- [Bangor](https://maineguide.com/destinations/bangor/): City guide.
- [Boothbay Harbor](https://maineguide.com/destinations/boothbay-harbor/): Town guide.
- [Rockland](https://maineguide.com/destinations/rockland/): Town guide.
- [Freeport](https://maineguide.com/destinations/freeport/): Town guide.
- [Rangeley](https://maineguide.com/destinations/rangeley/): Lakes region guide.
- [Moosehead Lake](https://maineguide.com/destinations/moosehead-lake/): North Woods lake guide.
- [Bethel](https://maineguide.com/destinations/bethel/): Western Maine town guide.
- [Kennebunk and Kennebunkport](https://maineguide.com/destinations/kennebunk/): Town guide.
- [Ogunquit](https://maineguide.com/destinations/ogunquit/): Town guide.
- [Presque Isle](https://maineguide.com/destinations/presque-isle/): Aroostook County town guide.
- [Brunswick](https://maineguide.com/destinations/brunswick/): Town guide.

## Visiting Maine

- [Best time to visit Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-time-to-visit-maine/): Season-by-season advice.
- [Most beautiful towns in Maine](https://maineguide.com/most-beautiful-towns-in-maine/): Town picks.
- [Best coastal towns in Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-coastal-towns-in-maine/): Coastal town picks.
- [Best beaches in Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-beaches-in-maine/): Beach guide.
- [Best lakes in Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-lakes-in-maine/): Moosehead, Sebago, the Rangeley Lakes, Belgrade Lakes and Echo Lake, plus the best swimming lakes and state park beaches.
- [Best kayaking in Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-kayaking-in-maine/): Acadia, Camden, Portland, the Kennebunk and Ogunquit rivers and the north woods, with outfitters and safety tips.
- [Best cabins in Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-cabins-in-maine/): Sporting camps, lakeside lodges near Moosehead and Rangeley, Baxter-area cabins and coastal cottages.
- [Hidden gems in Maine](https://maineguide.com/hidden-gems-in-maine/): Monhegan, Vinalhaven, Campobello, the Bold Coast, Katahdin Woods and Waters and quiet waterfalls, with links to full guides.
- [Best places to visit in Maine](https://maineguide.com/best-places-to-visit-in-maine/): 27 top spots by region: Acadia, Portland, Camden, Kennebunkport, Moosehead Lake, Baxter and more, with links to full guides.
- [Maine driving distances](https://maineguide.com/maine-driving-distances/): Drive times between Maine destinations.
- [Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory](https://maineguide.com/listings/fort-knox-state-historic-site/): Visitor guide to Fort Knox State Historic Site and the observatory.
- [Maine events calendar](https://maineguide.com/events/): Upcoming festivals, fairs and seasonal events with dates and official links.
- [Explore Maine](https://maineguide.com/explore/): Outdoor and activity hub.

## Licenses, permits and practical guides

- [Maine fishing license](https://maineguide.com/maine-fishing-license-guide/): Fees, license types, free fishing days and where to buy.
- [Maine saltwater fishing registry](https://maineguide.com/maine-saltwater-fishing-registry/): Who must register for saltwater fishing, who is exempt and how to sign up.
- [Maine state park camping reservations](https://maineguide.com/maine-state-park-camping-reservations/): How to reserve campsites at Maine state parks: when reservations open, fees, and cancellation rules.
- [Baxter State Park Katahdin trailhead pass](https://maineguide.com/baxter-state-park-katahdin-trailhead-pass/): How the Katahdin Trailhead Pass works at Baxter State Park and what to know before hiking Katahdin.
- [Maine in October](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-october/): Weather, fall foliage, fairs, and what is open in Maine in October.
- [Maine in summer](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-summer/): Weather, crowds, beaches, festivals and tips for visiting Maine in June, July and August.
- [Maine in spring](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-spring/): Weather, mud season, what is open, and things to do in Maine in March, April and May.
- [Maine in June](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-june/): Weather, black fly season by region, lupines and things to do in Maine in June
- [Maine in July](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-july/): Weather, July 4 planning, beaches and camping in Maine in July
- [Maine in August](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-august/): Weather, the Lobster Festival, Wild Blueberry Weekend, beaches and tips for Maine in August
- [Maine in November](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-november/): Weather, hunting season safety and what to expect in Maine in November
- [Maine in December](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-december/): Weather, snow, Christmas Prelude and what to expect in Maine in December
- [Maine in September](https://maineguide.com/maine-in-september/): Weather, crowds, fairs, and the start of fall color in Maine in September.
- [Belfast vs Rockland, Maine](https://maineguide.com/belfast-versus-rockland/): Comparison of two midcoast harbor towns: things to do, food, lodging, and crowds.
- [Things to do in Camden, Maine](https://maineguide.com/things-to-do-camden-maine/): Hiking, harbor cruises, and seasonal activities in Camden and Camden Hills State Park.
- [Maine hunting license](https://maineguide.com/maine-hunting-license-guide/): License types, fees, permits and where to buy.
- [Maine ATV registration and trails](https://maineguide.com/maine-atv-trails-guide/): ATV and UTV registration rules, fees and where to ride.
- [Maine fall foliage](https://maineguide.com/explore/fall-foliage/): Peak timing by region, best drives and an interactive tracker.

## About

- [Contact](https://maineguide.com/contact/): Questions, corrections and listing requests.
- Job listings for Maine employers are on the sister site https://jobsinmaine.com