Maine
Maine is famous for its lighthouses and spring is the perfect time to check out the more than 60 that dot the coast. In fact, the state boasts Quoddy Lighthouse, the eastern most lighthouse in the country—this is where the sun first rises each day in the United States. Cape Neddick Lighthouse, better known as Nubble Light, and Portland Head Lighthouse are two of the nation’s most beloved and visited lighthouses. Spend your trip to Maine traveling along the coast, stopping, touring and, photographing these beautiful structures at various times of the day—the spring light is great for photography. Make sure to stop at the Maine Lighthouse Museum and Discovery Center in Rockland, where you can see pictures of the ones you didn’t get to. Kids will love the stories and history behind these beautiful structures.
For nature lovers who have felt cooped up all winter, spring is the perfect chance to check out why Maine is known for its wilderness. The largest of Maine’s state parks is Baxter State Park just north of Millinocket. It encompasses approximately 375 square miles and is home to Maine’s highest peak, Mt. Katahdin. Another 32 parks range in size and topography across the state.
One visitor favorite is Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island; it’s the state’s sole national park. This 35,000-acre park is graced with natural scenic beauty. Within its boundaries you will find 120 miles of hiking trails and 27 miles of carriage trails. Acadia National Park is best known for its pine-covered forests and rugged coastline, not to mention Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States Eastern Seaboard. Start your tour at the Hull’s Cove Visitor’s Center where you can watch a video explaining the wonders of the park, then board a trolley for a guided tour.
Spring brings about colorful flowers, animal’s giving birth to offspring and an awakening of the spirit that was sleeping during the winter. New England is the perfect place to see this come to life.
For more information on Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.
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