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 the 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.
Best Day Trips in Maine
Waterfalls, Scenic Drives, Local Eats & More
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.
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 170 miles round trip.
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.
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 the 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.
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.