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Poland, ME
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Illustration of Wolf Cove Inn in Poland, Maine, featuring a rustic building and trees.
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  • A white lighthouse next to a red-roofed house overlooks rocky shores and a blue ocean.

Best Day Trips in Maine

Waterfalls, Scenic Drives, Local Eats & More

Poland is a great jumping off point for a wide range of day trips in Maine. Explore the mountains, the coast and the big city with these fun ideas starting from Wolf Cove Inn, our romantic lakeside bed and breakfast in the Maine Lakes Region. Rugged beauty abounds in all four seasons here in Maine. Each area, explored during a different time of year, offers a unique experience.

A vibrant rainbow arches over a colorful autumn landscape.

North To The Carrabassett Valley

Take a scenic drive up to the Carrabassett Valley in the northwestern mountains of Maine. Then head over to Rangeley Lake region. You’ll explore two of Maine’s scenic byways on this trip. In addition, you’ll find many waterfalls along the way. Spring has the best waterfall activity due to the winter snow melt run off. It’s especially beautiful in September and October during foliage season. This scenic trip is about a 200-mile loop.

A winding stream flows between rocky formations surrounded by vibrant green foliage.

Northwest To The Falls

There are some wonderful waterfalls to explore on this northwesterly loop through the scenic beauty of western Maine. This trip takes you through Norway Maine, up into Grafton Notch and into Coos County. April is one of the best times to see roaring falls because of the mountain snow melt runoff. The partially or fully frozen waterfalls are wicked cool in the winter.

If you have the time, be sure to check out some of the fun things to do in Oxford Maine. You pass right through Oxford on this trip. You can also explore the beauty of McLaughlin Garden while on this trip. It’s right along the way in South Paris.

This tour is a 170-mile round trip.

Aerial view of a winding road through lush green mountains and forests under a cloudy sky.

Go West Young Man

Explore the small towns and mountain passes on this loop through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Pass through Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch and the world-famous Kancamagus Highway on this trip. This drive is beautiful year-round, but especially so during September and October foliage season. Doing the full loop is about 230 miles of driving. I highly recommend the full loop, but you can save 70 miles by not doing the Crawford Notch loop.

Boats docked at a harbor during sunset, with restaurants lining the waterfront.

Southeast To Portland

There is so much to do in Portland, once named “America’s Foodiest Small Town.” You can explore the islands of Casco Bay. There’s also some great shopping in the Commercial Street area. Or you can catch your own dinner on a real working lobster boat. Of course, any trip to Portland must include a visit to Maine’s most famous lighthouse, the Portland Head Lighthouse.

From Wolf Cove Inn, it is about a one-hour drive to downtown Portland. Continue your journey south and check out the town of Wells and its fabulous beaches.

Aerial view of a serene harbor surrounded by colorful autumn foliage and small boats.

East To The Rugged Maine Mid-Coast

Spend the day exploring Camden, one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Maine. There are great shops and restaurants in Camden. Rather than dining in Camden, you can grab a lobster roll at the world-famous Red’s Eats in Wiscasset on your way. Bring it for lunch on your hike to the top of Mt Battie for 360-degree views of Penobscot Bay, Mount Megunticook and Camden. Alternatively you can drive the Mount Battie Auto Road for those same views. This is easily one of our favorite day trips in Maine and is surely a “bucket list” item.

If you still have energy and time on your way back, do some shopping at the outlets in Freeport, home to LL Bean. Shopping not your thing? Another “to do” along the way is to learn about Maine’s maritime past at the Maine Maritime Museum right off of US Route 1 between Wolf Cove Inn and Camden. Another option could take you to the beautiful Coastal Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay. Finally, you could take some time to explore historic Brunswick Maine, also located between the inn and Camden.

Any of these options is about 180 miles round trip via the recommended US Route 1.