Maine – Blueberry Pie with the President

Visitors of Kennebunkport, the small yet world-famous village on the southernmost tip of Maine, which is the northernmost US state, can get a sense of where the commander in chief spends much of vacation each year; they can go where Mr. President might have his dinner or try to guess which of the yachts belongs to the White House. Maine, however, is not only very attractive for heads of state but is one of the most popular vacation destinations on the East Coast. Thousands of stressed-out city slickers, especially from the Boston area, opt for a relaxing trip to the North each year. Maine welcomes them all with a stunning natural beauty and great conditions for tourism.

The state of Maine became the 23rd state of America in 1820 as a result of a political affair, which would go down into history books as the “Missouri Compromise”, one of the many attempts to reconcile the interests of the Northern and Southern states leading up to the Civil War. Although Maine had not reached the necessary population to be admitted to the Union, it became a slave-free state to counter the slave power in Congress. In the Civil War, the small state of Maine would then earn his place among the American states when the tenacious 20th Maine held on to Little Round Top against the charging Confederate troops during the Battle of Gettysburg.

The climate in Maine is humid and continental with warm, humid summers and cold and snowy winters. The temperatures on the coast are generally more moderate, both in winter and summer. Daily highs in summer rarely rise above the high 70s, while in the winter months of December through January temperatures do not often get higher than the low 30s. Especially in the higher regions of the state, the cold and snowy winters provide excellent skiing conditions. Maine today has a population of slightly over 1.3 million people. The state of Maine is the only US state that has borders with one other state only (New Hampshire).

Portland

The largest city and the capital of Maine is the home of approximately 64,000 people. It was first settled by the British in 1632, mainly as a fishing and trading outpost. During the Revolutionary War, Portland was destroyed by the British Navy’s artillery fire. After the Great Fire of 1866, Portland was rebuilt according to Victorian style.

Portland hosts some fine architectural beauties. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Portland Custom House, the “Time & Temperature Building”, a commercially used high-rise from the 1920s, and its modern-day equivalent, the 17-storey Franklin Towers, are only a few examples. The Portland Museum of Art hosts some 15,000 decoration and fine arts objects ranging in time from the colonial to the present era.

The picturesque Old Port district in the harbor is a popular tourist destination. Trodding the old cobblestone streets, visitors can wander past 19th century brick architecture and fishing piers. Old Port also hosts a popular restaurant and nightlife scene. A little outside of town, the historical Portland Head Light Station watches over Cape Elizabeth since its inauguration in 1791. Back then, the guiding light came from whale oil lamps. Since 1989, the rotating light is fully automated. The old tower is one of the four 18th century lighthouses that are still standing in the US.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park boasts more than 30,000 acres of mountains, woodlands, lakes, and coastline. The park was inaugurated in 1919 as Lafayette National Park. Today it is the only national park in New England. Hikers find excellent circumstances in the Acadia National Park, just like mountain bikers. On the hilltops one has great views over the Maine forests, the Atlantic coast and the islands of the park.

The park is located off the Northeastern shore of Maine, mainly on Mount Desert Island and the adjacent smaller isles like the Isle au Haut. The beautiful woodlands and the idyllic scenery make the Acadia National Park an ideal destination for family vacations. In Bar Harbor on the mainland one finds all sorts of shops, restaurants as well as various kinds of accommodation: from cozy cottages over the mid-range bed & breakfasts, and inns to luxurious hotel rooms and vacation apartments. Bar Harbor is the ideal base to explore Acadia National Park.

Maine Antiquing Trails

The antiquing trails become more and more popular for Maine visitors. Along these designated antique trails, hundreds of antiquity dealers and shops offer great furniture or decoration from times long past. There are three trails, the Big Dipper Trail, the South Coast Trail, and the Downeast Trail. They make for a great drive with the chance of finding a good bargain on the way!

Lighthouses

One finds them all along Maine’s picturesque Atlantic coastline: Lighthouses from more than two centuries. On the southernmost tip, right past the New Hampshire-Maine border, the Whaleback and Cape Neddick lighthouses await curious travelers. The coast south of Portland sports some of the oldest lighthouse stations in New England. A road trip along the scenic coastline of Maine, from the South to the far North, is a spectacular journey, spiced by the many historical lighthouses on the way.

Maine Cuisine

The lobster from Maine ranks among the finest in the US if not the world. The tasty crustaceans are a necessary part of every culinary stay in Maine. But the other sea food from the Pine Tree State is equally recommendable. Clams, shrimp, scallops, and many other sea food dishes make for a delightful culinary experience. Once one of the main contributions to Maine’s economy, lobstermen and fishermen nowadays serve the tastes of visitors and locals alike. A great and in fact world-famous cuisine is offered in many bed & breakfast places like Freeport's Harraseeket Inn or the White Barn Inn Restaurant in Kennebunkport. Here, you can also taste the famous blueberry pie, one of the other culinary trademarks from Maine. And the chances are that you might indeed meet a casually-dressed head of state, asking for the same.