Traveling is one of the top activities people think of doing during retirement, and rightfully so. It’s such a great thing to be able to travel without worrying about work. For retirees who feel this way, Maine offers some of the best travel destinations to visit and explore during those years. The state is renowned for its picturesque coastal scenery, bustling art scenes, delectable seafood, historic attractions, and several towns with a high population of seniors. Plus, the state has a low population, which is great if you want to escape the crowd. From charming coastal towns to beautiful parks full of unique fauna and flora, find the best destinations in the Pine Tree State to enjoy during retirement.
Rockland
People out on the streets of Rockland, Maine, for the annual Maine Lobster Festival. Image credit WoodysPhotos via Shutterstock
Rockland is an arts and cultural city, perfect for retirees who want to stay active with art events, cultural festivals, and entertainment. The small town is famed for hosting the Farnsworth Art Museum, one of the best art museums in New England. This museum contains flagship works of foremost American artists like Louise Nevelson, Rockwell Kent, and George Bellows. The Center for Maine Contemporary Arts is another arts hub in town with three exhibition galleries, and various art programs to enjoy.
Additionally, the town hosts festivals like the Maine Lobster Festival every August and the North Atlantic Blues Festival every July. For history buffs, Rockland is home to the Maine Lighthouse Museum, which houses the largest collection of lighthouse and lifesaving artifacts in the US.
Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach at sunset, Maine.
Old Orchard Beach is a perfect town for retirees looking for an experience near the water. The beach resort, nicknamed “Garden by the Sea,” is truly a gem by the Atlantic Ocean on Saco Bay. A 7-mile-long gorgeous sand beach is the highlight attraction of this premier beach resort town. Here, retirees can build sand castles, watch the sunset, stroll, relish picnics, play on the water, and just lose track of time.
Two miles away, Ferry Beach State Park is another incredible beach for swimming, picnicking, fishing, sunbathing, and paddling. In the meantime, retirees can always enjoy a touch of history at the Harmon Museum and the Old Orchard Beach Historical Society, which tells the story of the area’s aged past. Additionally, the Thursday Night Fireworks in the downtown area every summer are always great to look forward to.
Ogunquit
Colorful view of fall foliage and boats docked in Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, Maine.
Ogunquit is one of the most beautiful beach towns in Maine and a charming destination for retirees to enjoy beach and ocean life alongside a mix of history, culture, and entertainment. To begin, Ogunquit Beach, at the intersection of Ogunquit River and the Atlantic Ocean, is a top recreational spot for basking in ocean views, sunbathing, promenading, enjoying picnics, and watching the sunset. Seniors are also welcome to enjoy a relaxing walk on the 1.25-mile Marginal Way to catch dreamy views of the ocean, rocky beaches, and the Ogunquit lighthouse. For art-loving retirees, the Ogunquit Museum of American Arts is a great stop to see varying collections of American art from the 1800s. Also, the Ogunquit Playhouse is a summer destination for stage plays and entertainment events. Elsewhere, the Ogunquit Heritage Museum invites retirees to appreciate the town’s Native American heritage via various exhibits.
Meanwhile, after working for many years, the body sure needs some care and for retirees in Ogunquit, there are many wellness spots to choose from. Some top ones include the Oguinquit Spa at Beachmere Inn and the Sailaway Spa at Admiral’s Inn.
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Aerial view of marsh and Rachel Carson Wildlife Sanctuary in Maine.
The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is a natural paradise for retirees in Maine. The park encompasses 50 miles of Maine’s southern coast and spreads across 9,125 acres, featuring a vast diversity of wildlife, habitats, and birds. Seniors who are fascinated by nature can make this park their research site as it preserves habitats such as barrier beaches, tidal estuaries, salt marshes, and rocky coastlines.
Wildlife to see here includes white-tailed deer, raccoons, black bears, gray foxes, porcupines, moose, bobcats, and hares. The park is also a bird haven, featuring several species in categories such as land birds, migratory birds, waterfowls, shore birds, and water birds. Exploring the refuge is easier through its trails, like the Carson Interpretive Trail, a one-mile level gravel path with a boardwalk.
Moosehead Lake
Fall colors on a rocky shoreline along Moosehead Lake in Rockwood, Maine.
Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in Maine and the largest mountain lake in the Eastern United States. Located near Greenville, this proud reputation alone makes the lake one of the prime destinations in Maine for retirees who love the outdoors, especially around water bodies. Retirees can spend time enjoying nature around the lake by boating to see any of its over 80 islands and swimming in any of its small beaches. Fishing and paddling are also relaxing activities on the lake.
The region also has hiking trails winding through forests and leading to gorgeous waterfalls. Some top trails in the area to enjoy the views include the Mount Kineo trail (3.4 miles) and Big Spencer Mountain Trail (3.9 miles). Additionally, expert-guided moose safari tours are offered around the lake to watch these intimidating Maine animals in their natural habitats.
Baxter State Park
A moose wading in the lake at Baxter State Park, Maine.
Baxter State Park is for retirees looking for a wilderness to explore nature’s untamed beauty in solitude. The park hosts the state’s highest peak, Mount Katahdin, alongside a host of ponds and waterfalls such as High, Little Fish, Calvely, Round, Five Billfish, Long Ponds, and Little Abol Falls. Fortunately, there are over 200 hiking trails around the park to see these natural features.
Some of the easiest for seniors include Little Abol Falls Trail (1.7 miles), Sandy Stream Pond Trail (1.5 miles), and Cranberry Pond Trail (2.7 miles). The ponds are also recreational hot spots for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Wildlife sights in the park include White-tailed deer, black bears, moose, coyotes, bobcats, and red foxes.
Kennebunkport
Street view of Kennebunkport, Maine. Image credit EQRoy via Shutterstock
Kennebunkport is a gorgeous coastal town full of historic attractions, scenic beaches, an impressive population of seniors, and a thriving cultural scene. Retirees will love it here as the town has so many interesting activities for both the old and young. First off, the Seashore Trolley Museum is perfect for seniors who love vintage vehicles and historic trolleys, while St. Ann’s Episcopal Church captivates history lovers with its 1892-built rustic stone structure overlooking the sea. Away from the history, Kennebunkport hosts a couple of beaches where retirees will enjoy watching the sunsets, promenading, sightseeing, and picnicking. Some of these beaches include Parsons, Colony, and Goose Rock beaches. Meanwhile, Kennebunkport hosts Cape Porpoise, a small fishing village where retirees can shop, enjoy seafood, and watch fishermen.
For retirees looking for pampering, the Hidden Pond offers just that. This luxury resort features two outdoor swimming pools, a treehouse spa, an award winning restaurant, among other facilities. The resort is also surrounded by 60 acres of birch groves and balsam fir, making it the perfect spot for a pleasurable wellness retreat.
Sebago Lake
Fall colors along the shores of Sebago Lake.
Sebago Lake is an iconic destination representing the second-largest and deepest lake in the state. This lake is an idyllic and peaceful recreational destination for retirees who love water bodies. Here, one can relax on the beach to enjoy the views and watch the birds. Interestingly, the lake’s waters do not freeze completely in winter, making it a year-round recreational destination, although summer remains the best time to visit.
Retirees can also fish, boat, kayak, and canoe on the lake, while its sand beach is perfect for swimming, picnicking, strolling, and catching beautiful sunsets. Notably, the lake can be accessed from different towns in Maine, such as Sebago, Raymond, and Casco.
Camden
Overlooking Camden, Maine.
Camden is a quaint, charming town on Penobscot Bay, suitable for a peaceful retirement, with its low population, relaxing atmosphere, and slow-paced life. Plus, the city has a rich art and cultural scene, a historic district, and a scenic ambiance. Retirees enthusiastic about arts and culture can always relax at the Camden Opera House, a restored 1890s theatre, to enjoy music performances, shows, and movies.
In addition, Camden Falls Gallery spoils its guests with incredible artworks and paintings. For seniors who just want to stroll and enjoy scenic sights, Camden Harbor is a great stop to admire sailboats and ships floating on the water. Outdoors, Camden Hills State Park offers various hiking trails leading to the mountain’s summit, where one can relish jaw-dropping views of the bay, harbor, and surrounding islands.
Acadia National Park
A visitor admiring the beautiful Acadia National Park.
Maine’s highlight tourist attraction, Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, is always ready to provide unforgettable experiences to visitors, including retirees. This iconic park houses Cadillac Mountain, one of the state’s highest mountains, and stretches along a gorgeous coastline with rocky beaches. Away from the coast, several lakes, streams, wetlands, and woodlands form the park’s natural jewels and set the stage for a range of recreational activities, including kayaking and boating.
Laid-back retirees can drive on the 27-mile Park Loop Road that courses through the park to capture its scenic coastal and mountain views, including its lakes and streams. Also, the park’s accessible lakes, like Echo Lake, Sand Beach, and Jordan Pond, offer fishing, canoeing, and swimming adventures. Additionally, the park has more than 120 miles of trails and seniors have easy ones to choose from, like the 1.4-mile Wonderland Trail, the 1.2-mile Ship Harbor Trail, the one-mile Bar Island Trail, and the 3.3-mile loop Jordan Pond Trail.
Maine is a prime travel destination for retirees. Stunning natural scenery, slow-paced life, artsy vibes, beautiful New England cultures, historic allures, and low population are just some of the draws. Towns like Rockland and Camden embody some of the elements, and Acadia National Park is always a big attraction to explore. The state’s gorgeous beaches and lighthouses also contribute to its touristy allure for retirees, so don’t delay; head to the Pine Tree State today.
