Nothing ever changes much in the State of Maine. Forests and lakes still cover 90 per cent of the land, just as they did when Leif Ericson and his band of Viking explorers first set foot on the coast. The length of the Maine coast from Kittery to Lubec still testifies to two vigorous traditions: fishing and shipbuilding. Lobsters are plentiful here and lobster pounds dot the coastline. Visitors should bear in mind that lobster-poaching is a serious offence here. Portland, Maine’s largest city, features a Victorian reconstruction in what is now called the Old Port Exchange. Ferries run to the nearby Casco Bay Islands. Sebago Lake provides opportunities for water-skiing, while Freeport offers opportunities for budget shopping. A few miles south of Portland and a popular haunt for authors and artists is the town of Kennebunk, filled with bookshops and art galleries. To the east is the town’s coastal counterpart, Kennebunkport, the summer home of former US President George Bush and family.

The beautiful state of Maine is mostly rural and encompasses a great variety of landscapes. There are over 5,000 miles of gorgeous surf-crashing coastline, majestic mountains, cold rushing streams and rivers, crushed seashell beaches and picturesque island-dotted glistening lakes. Maine offers some of the most memorable and unique natural sights on the East Coast. In addition to the sights, sporting enthusiasts find year-round recreation includes fishing, large game hunting, swimming, kayaking, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, whitewater boating and much more. Visitors enjoy some of the most romantic bed and breakfasts the country has to offer located in quaint villages lined with rustic antique shops, elegant resorts and fabulous lobster restaurants.

Recreation opportunities in Maine are as diverse as the terrain. Inland lakes in this state number close to 2,500 and support a myriad of water-oriented activities. If sailing, swimming and fishing in coastal waters is your pleasure, this state can satiate your desires. Hiking, camping and biking are popular during the warmer months, as are cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing and skating in the winter.