Sightseeing and Touring along South Coast Maine
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People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history. Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Today visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery.

Maine has a wealth of natural sandy beaches as well as its famous rocky coast.

Crescent Beach State Park is a classic saltwater beach park with beach grass-studded sand dunes, ocean breezes, herring gulls, picnic areas and views of fishing boats and an offshore island.

A stand of tupelo (black gum) trees, rare at this latitude, can be seen in this 100-acre area, which offers a sweeping view of miles of white sand beaches between the Saco River and Pine Point.

For more than 275 years, Fort McClary stood to protect the approaches to the Piscataqua River at the southern gateway to Kittery, Maine. Named for New Hampshire native Major Andrew McClary who died at the Revolutionary War's Battle of Bunker Hill, Fort McClary stands today as one of the state's most important historic forts that dramatically preserves evidence of military history and changes in military architecture and technology.

Situated on Route 9 about halfway between Portland and Lewiston-Auburn, the park attracts visitors who enjoy picnicking, hiking and camping on its 590 acres of forested land. Bradbury Mountain is the only state park in southern Maine to offer shared-use trails for horseback riders, mountain bikers and snowmobilers.

It stands majestically on a hill by a river, one of New England's most picturesque homes. It is also a superb example of Colonial Revival restoration, thanks to work begun by a "rusticating" Boston family. Today Hamilton House evokes the charm of a Sarah Orne Jewetr story in scenic South Berwick.

The garden was reconstructed in 1977 by Dr. John M. Kingsbury, the founder and first director of the Shoals Marine Laboratory. The garden is just where it was during Celia's lifetime and the raised beds and flowers follow her plan.

Whaleback Lighthouse was built by order of President Andrew Jackson between 1829 and 1831.

The history of Wood Island Light at the mouth of the Saco River is replete with ghosts, murder, dramatic rescues and even a famous dog.

Picturesque Cape Neddick Light has probably appeared on more postcards, calendars and other souvenirs than any other New England lighthouse with the possible exception of Portland Head Light.

The isolated spot where Longfellow penned his famous lighthouse poem is one of Maine's most popular tourist attractions.

The museum lies within the granite walls of 19th century Fort Preble. Its exhibits, lectures and tours chronicle the history and present-day life of the port. Portland Harbor Museum is an educational resource for teachers and students. We welcome school groups of all ages to visit and take part in educational programming free of charge.

Displays items and artifacts that reflect Kittery's rich historical and maritime past.

When it was built in 1755, Tate House was considered a large and elegant home. The house was constructed for Captain George Tate (1700-1794) and his family who had arrived in the Colonies around 1750. After Captain George Tate's death in 1794 and following the Revolutionary War, Captain James Means (1753-1832) in 1797, built a splendid new home on a triangle of land overlooking the site of the mast yard.

Ride by rail through the Maine countryside aboard one of our restored early 1900's electric streetcars. Witness the sights and sounds of a very important bygone era in American transportation history.

Come and visit the largest museum of mass transit, where you get to relive history and follow the footsteps of generations past. Take a look through the Town House Restoration Shop and see our volunteers hard at work bringing old trolleys back to life. Take a walk around the museum grounds and through our exhibit barns where you can see samples of transit history from around the world on display.

The Brick Store Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Kennebunks. We invite you to visit our unique buildings in the heart of Kennebunk's National Register Historic District. The mission of The Brick Store Museum is to preserve the rich heritage of the Kennebunks for year-round residents, seasonal visitors and future generations through the collection, preservation, interpretation and exhibition of its material culture.

Within its walls lived three generations of one remarkable family that made significant contributions to the political, literary, and cultural life of New England and the United States. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882) grew up in the house and went on to become one of the most famous men of his time.

For just $5 visitors can wander endlessly among more than 80 classic old cars, crammed tightly into the unassuming space. It's cars everywhere you look, the collection of the Gould family who started in 1946 with a Stanley Steamer (7.5 horsepower built in 1904), and haven't stopped yet. There's a Pierce Arrow, a Stutz Bearcat, Model T, runabouts from 1900, a 1908 Baker Electric with the original working Edison batteries, a Chrysler Town & Country, a sleek 1935 Lagonda, a tiny 1908 Renault, and names like Rolls Royce, Avanti, Maxwell, Stutz, Metz, Cadillac, plus all the standards.