Maine, a diverse state located at the northeastern tip of the USA, is the only state to share its borders with only one other state— New Hampshire. It includes over 4600 coastal islands within its ambit and shares an international border with Canada to the north.
Given the state's abundant forest cover (approx. 90%), the cities in Maine are very sparsely populated. As of 2024, the population of Maine's largest city, Portland, was less than 70,000. As you explore the region, you may come across fascinating museums dedicated to history and quirky subjects like umbrella covers and cryptozoology.
Want to know more about Maine's top cities? Here's a list.
List of cities in Maine for travellers
Maine is a largely rural state, with most cities in its southern half. In the 17th century, Portland was an important trading centre established by the British settlers. When Maine became a state in 1820, Portland became its first capital. Today, Maine’s capital city is Augusta due to its more central location.
Here are some key attractions of Maine’s cities and the airports connecting them to the rest of the country:
|
City
|
Area
|
Must visit
|
Nearest airport
|
|
Portland
|
55.78 sq. km
|
● Fort Preble
● Fort Scammel
● Portland Observatory Museum
● Deering Oaks Park
● Maine Irish Heritage Center
|
Portland International Jetport (PWM)
|
|
Lewiston
|
92.05 sq. km
|
● Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
● Schaeffer Theatre (Bates College)
● Maine MILL
● Simard-Payne Park
● Veterans Memorial Park
|
Augusta Airport (AGS)
(distance: 41.4 km)
|
|
Bangor
|
89.6 sq. km
|
● Cole Land Transportation Museum
● Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation
● Bangor City Forest
● Maine Discovery Museum
● Paul Bunyan statue
|
Bangor Airport (BGR)
|
|
Kittery
|
194.25 sq. km
|
● Kittery Foreside
● Fort Foster
● Fort McClary
● Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge
● First Congregational Church
|
Portsmouth Pease Airport (PSM)
(distance: 7.1 km)
|
|
Auburn
|
154.85 sq. km
|
● Storywalk (Riverwalk)
● Anniversary Park
● Moulton Park
● Bonney Park
|
Augusta Airport (AGS)
(distance: 4.7 km)
|
|
Scarborough
|
123.31 sq. km
|
● Higgins Beach
● Pine Point Beach
● O’Reilly’s Cure
● Eastern Trail
● Scarborough Marsh
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 6.7km)
|
|
Brunswick
|
140.37 sq. km
|
● Maquoit Bay Conservation Lands
● Androscoggin Swinging Bridge
● Maine State Music Theatre
● Spindleworks Arts Center
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 40.6 km)
|
|
Biddeford
|
153.02 sq. km
|
● Biddeford RiverWalk
● Fortunes Rock Beach
● Biddeford Mills Museum
● East Point Audubon Sanctuary
● Biddeford Vintage Market
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 20.7km)
|
|
Sanford
|
126 sq. km
|
● Sanford-Springvale Historical Society Museum
● Gateway Park
● Number One Pond
● Mousam Way Park
|
Portsmouth Pease Airport (PSM)
(distance: 40.4 km)
|
|
Saco
|
99.7 sq. km
|
● Saco Museum
● Ferry Beach State Park
● Camp Ellis Beach
● Saco Heath Preserve
● Aquaboggan Water Park
● Funtown Splashtown
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 19.5 km)
|
|
Westbrook
|
44.34 sq. km
|
● Westbrook Historical Society
● Mill Brook Preserve
● Dana Warp Mill
● Westbrook River Walk
● Smiling Hill Farm
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 5.9 km)
|
|
Windham
|
120.6 sq. km
|
● Donnabeth Lippman Park
● Dundee Park
● Windham Community Park
● Sebago Brewing Company
● Seacoast Adventure
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 27 km)
|
|
Augusta
|
150.31 sq. km
|
● Maine State Museum
● Old Fort Western
● Old Post Office and Court House
● Capitol Park
● Viles Arboretum
|
Augusta Airport (AGS)
|
|
Gorham
|
132.84 sq. km
|
● Baxter Memorial Library
● Robie Park
● Sebago Brewing Company
● Babbs Covered Bridge
● USM Ice Arena
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 11.2 km)
|
|
Waterville
|
36.39 sq. km
|
● Waterville Opera House
● Maine Birding Trail
● Two Cent Bridge
● Paul J. Schupf Art Center
● Maine International Film Festival
|
Augusta Airport (AGS) (distance: 29 km)
|
|
York
|
141.67 sq. km
|
● Long Sands Beach
● Hartley Mason Reserve
● Nubble Lighthouse
● Old Gaol
● Mount Agamenticus
|
Portsmouth Pease Airport (PSM)
(distance: 15.8 km)
|
|
Falmouth
|
82.87 sq. km
|
● Falmouth Heritage Museum
● Mackworth Island
● Gilsland Farm Audubon Center
● Episcopal Church of St Mary
● Maine State Ballet
● Maine Audubon
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 10.6 km)
|
|
Orono
|
50.76 sq. km
|
● Hudson Museum
● Fay Hyland Botanical Plantation
● Collins Center for the Arts
● Orono Bog Boardwalk
● Downtown Orono
|
Bangor Airport (BGR)
(distance: 14.1 km)
|
|
Kennebunk
|
113.62 sq. km
|
● Wedding Cake House
● Maine Art Hill
● Gooch's Beach
● St. Anthony’s Monastery
● Walker's Point
● Brick Store Museum
|
Portland Airport (PDX)
(distance: 34.5 km)
|
|
Wells
|
190.65 sq. km
|
● Wells Beach
● Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
● Wells Reserve at Laudholm
● Spiller Farm
|
Portsmouth Pease Airport (distance: 33.5 km)
|
Interesting facts about the top cities in Maine
Before you begin exploring Maine, here are a few fun facts you should know.
- Maine is the largest lobster harvester in the world. The University of Maine in Orono has a Lobster Institute, and the Maine Lobster Festival takes place in Rockland.
- You can see over 60 lighthouses in cities along Maine’s coastline. The oldest among them is the 18th-century Portland Head Light, located in Cape Elizabeth.
- York in Maine was the first chartered town in the USA. The first sawmill in the USA was set up near York.
- Maine has 100+ breweries. You can take a planned beer trail through various towns and cities.
- Saco is home to the only wooden roller coaster in Maine. It was built in recent years, but to evoke the nostalgia of the region’s history.
Conclusion
The best time to visit Maine is between June and September. It's when the blueberry season is at its peak, and fishermen see a rich lobster catch.
Maine has three international airports with connectivity through non-stop and connecting flights from India. That said, flights are sometimes cancelled at the last minute or delayed. Worse, your baggage may be lost en route. Such events can spoil your holiday unless you have the right travel insurance.
This kind of insurance covers travel-related emergencies, including expenses related to accidents, hospitalisation, and more. It's important to remember that medical aid in the USA is significantly expensive. But, with insurance, you'll have nothing to worry about.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the Insurance industry and products. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.