Fall: A Maine State of Mind
A new season is your invitation to visit the roads less traveled
Even more than the glorious season itself, fall in Maine is a blissful state of mind. As the weather turns cooler our thoughts turn from beaches to backroads, from blueberries to apple orchards and pumpkin fields, from cooling shade trees to colorful foliage and all of the rustic beauty this season offers.
Maine is the best place to get lost in the shades of a New England autumn, and we invite you to indulge your wanderlust here with us. Whether you are here on a day trip or an extended stay, there is so much to do before the colors begin to turn.
To explore the roads less traveled, we invite you to come midweek because fall weekends can be as bustling for its foliage as it is in the summer for its beaches. But there are still many nooks and communities to explore at any time. You can go on your own and see where the high roads bring you, or you can take our tried-and-true advice here that we’ve sourced from locals.
From the Maine border north, here are a few options to consider:
Ahhh, you’ve crossed the Piscataqua and landed in Kittery. Just north of the popular Kittery Outlets are locally owned and carefully curated stops, The Shops at Cape Neddick, Bell Farm Shops and Ocean Fire Pottery. (Mental note: come back another time to shop all the name-brand outlets!) Poke in and out of these charming shops and bring home a token of your travels or get a jump on your holiday shopping. There are roadside farm stands galore, each selling their bountiful harvest of local color, or if you come on a Saturday, check out the York Farmer’s Market for a taste of Maine produce; it’s held Saturdays through Oct. 5 at 1 Stonewall Lane.
Tucked in and among the charming village of York are more mom-and-pop shops, plus the historic buildings of Old York Historical Society on Route 1A. You can take a step back in time here on a tour and/or at special events, and we recommend you stop for a picture in the pillory at America’s first prison, built in 1719, now known as the Old Gaol!
On a clear fall day you’ll want to stop by Mt. Agamenticus for some sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean to Mt. Washington from the lookout deck. Whether you hike or drive to the top, Mt. A offers incredible views of colorful Maine maples, oaks and landmarks. There are many trails of varying levels from which to choose, or you could pack a picnic lunch and drive to the mountaintop and enjoy.
On your way north, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art is a must-stop if you enjoy invigorating visuals, such as drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and even film. Open daily, the museum is located just past Perkins Cove and features meticulous grounds with secret gardens that you can freely wander and even catch a breath-taking view of the mighty Atlantic! The museum is open until Nov. 17 and offers Free First Fridays (free admission from 5-8 PM!)
If you just can’t help yourself, and you must see a beach on this backroads trip, we recommend visiting Footbridge Beach, which is just north of Ogunquit Beach and much quieter this time of year. If you enjoy hunting for sand dollars and a crisp beautiful day, Fortunes Rock Beach in Biddeford is known for its natural treasures.
We especially love getting into the woods during the fall, when we need to reclaim our inner peace. Just a bit north in Wells, there are plenty of wooded trails to enjoy as the weather gets cooler, particularly those of the Wells Conservation Commission. The Tilton Homestead Wildlife Commons along the Merriland River is popular with anglers.
If you like a little history while getting your heart pumping, in Springvale you can bike or hike from the Mousam Way Park at the corner of Bridge and Water streets, following mostly village sidewalks with signs noting landmark sites along the way. In Sanford, you can start at Central Park and follow city sidewalks, reading signs marking historic sites along the way.
Looking for a picture-perfect spot? They’re everywhere, and Spiller Farm in Wells has acres of u-pick apple orchards set among cow pastures, plus a small country store to find pumpkins, cornstalks, apple cider and more. In Kennebunk, visit Wallingford Farm for your pick of the pumpkins AND the perfect photo op. Once you snap a few selfies, head inside the farm store for a slice of hot apple pie.
Heading east to Kennebunkport, we especially love walking through Emmons Preserve to enjoy the changing leaves. The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust property includes a series of hiking and biking trails, including a Learning Trail, a Storybook Trail, a majestic rock labyrinth and the trust headquarters.
If you’d like to cheer on the boys of fall, how about attending a University of New England football game? Or enjoy harvest time and say hello to the cows at Harris Farm in Dayton. All fall you can catch the Pumpkin Patch Trolley at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport.
Daylight fades faster into darkness in the fall, and our thoughts turn quickly toward things that go bump in the dark. If you enjoy ghost stories, you will love a spooky tour through Kennebunkport with Maine Ghost Tours. And if you enjoy history AND ghost stories? The Brick Store Museum’s All Souls Walk on Oct. 26 is all that and more.
You can also, of course, just see where the autumn winds take you. There’s rarely a wrong turn in Southern Maine when you’re exploring the fall roads less traveled. But if we can help you find more traditional, restaurants and eateries, family fun, trails for walking, hiking, biking, theater, galleries, and so much more, visit TheMaineBeaches.com. Enjoy your fall!
“I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” ~ Robert Frost