There’s something about August in Maine that makes you want to hit pause. The days are still warm, the water is finally comfortable enough for a swim, farmers’ markets are overflowing with summer produce, and there are still plenty of long evenings left to enjoy outside. But somehow, summer also starts disappearing a little faster with every passing week. As a teacher this hits even harder for me.
If you haven’t checked everything off your Maine summer list yet, don’t worry. There’s still time! Whether you’re a Mainer looking for a few more summer adventures or you’re visiting Maine for one last getaway before fall arrives, here are 10 things to do in Maine before summer ends.
1. Spend a Day at a Maine Beach
Before we start talking about sweaters, foliage, and pumpkin everything, make time for one more beach day. Maine’s coastline has no shortage of beautiful beaches, from sandy stretches perfect for a classic beach day to rocky coves that feel a little more rugged and quintessentially Maine. Pack a cooler, grab a good book, and spend a few hours doing absolutely nothing.
If you’re near Southern Maine, beaches like Ogunquit Beach, Ferry Beach, and Crescent Beach make easy summer outings. For something quieter, look for one of Maine’s smaller coastal beaches and plan to arrive earlier in the day.
And yes, the water will probably still be cold. You’re in Maine, after all.
2. Go for One More Ocean Swim
Speaking of cold water…you have to do it at least once! Although there have been a lot of shark sightings so pay close attention to beach signs and lifeguards.
There’s something uniquely Maine about standing at the edge of the Atlantic, convincing yourself that the water isn’t that cold before finally running in. Spoiler alert, it is always that cold. If the ocean isn’t your thing, head to one of Maine’s many lakes, ponds, or swimming holes instead. Late summer is actually one of the best times for swimming because the water has had all season to warm up.
Make a whole day of it: swim, picnic, read, nap, repeat.
3. Take a Maine Day Trip
You don’t need a full vacation to feel like you’ve gotten away. Pick a Maine town you’ve been meaning to visit and make a day of it. Walk around downtown, find a local coffee shop, browse a few shops, visit a museum or historical site, and find somewhere delicious to eat.
A few ideas for a late summer Maine day trip include:
- Brunswick for bookstores, restaurants, coffee, and a stroll through downtown
- Kennebunkport for shopping, coastal views, and seafood
- Rockland for art, harbor views, and a visit to the Farnsworth Art Museum
- Camden for harbor views, shopping, and Camden Hills
- Freeport for shopping, food, and an easy outdoor escape
- Ogunquit for the Marginal Way, Perkins Cove, and a classic beach town atmosphere
Sometimes the best Maine adventures are only an hour or two from home.
4. Eat as Much Maine Seafood as Possible
I’m not a huge lobster fan but for those who love it, summer isn’t officially over until you’ve had at least one more lobster roll. And maybe fried clams. And a plate of haddock with crispy fries. And definitely some Maine oysters if that’s your thing.
Late summer is prime time to embrace Maine’s seafood culture. Find a casual seafood shack, order something you wouldn’t normally get, and eat outside if you can. Don’t forget the sides, either. Maine summer food is about more than seafood. Think corn on the cob, blueberry pie, fresh tomatoes, local potatoes, and all those wonderful vegetables showing up at farmers’ markets.
Basically, eat like summer is ending.
Because it is.
5. Visit a Maine Farmers’ Market
Late summer might be one of the best times to visit a Maine farmers’ market. You’ll find baskets of blueberries, tomatoes, corn, peaches, summer squash, fresh herbs, flowers, local cheeses, baked goods, and plenty of things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them.
Pick up ingredients for dinner or create your own little Maine picnic. One of my favorite things about farmers’ markets is that they make you slow down for a while. Grab a coffee, wander around, talk to a vendor, and see what’s looking especially good that week. Then take your haul home and make dinner with it!
6. Take a Boat Ride
There’s really no better way to experience Maine’s coastline than from the water. You don’t need your own boat to make it happen. Look for harbor cruises, sightseeing cruises, lobster boat tours, sailing excursions, or ferry rides. Even a simple ride across the harbor can feel like a mini vacation. My favorite ferry to take on a warm day on Casco Bay is the mail run. It’s a 2.5 to 3.5 hour scenic round trip cruise departing from the Maine State Pier and bopping to various islands to deliver mail and freight. Bring a book, a camera, your lunch, some knitting, and enjoy the salty air.
And if you’ve never taken a sunset cruise in Maine, put that on your list before summer ends. Watching the sun drop over the water while you’re surrounded by the Maine coast is one of those experiences that never gets old.
7. Get Outside for One More Big Hike
Fall gets most of the attention when it comes to Maine hiking, but late summer is a beautiful time to hit the trails. Choose something that matches your ability and make a morning or an entire day out of it.
For a bigger adventure, head toward places like Acadia National Park or the western mountains. For something closer to Southern Maine, look for trails around Portland, the Lakes Region, or the coast. Pack plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks, and bug spray. And remember that Maine’s trails can be more challenging than they look, so check conditions before heading out.
The reward? That feeling of standing somewhere beautiful and realizing you’ve got a whole lot more Maine to explore.
8. Have a Maine Summer Picnic
This might be one of the easiest things on this list and one of the most enjoyable. Put together a basket with local bread, cheese, fruit, sandwiches, Maine blueberries, something sweet, and your favorite drinks. There’s nothing like eating an Italian sandwich outside with some salt and vinegar chips on a warm day (IYKYK). Then find a pretty spot. It could be a beach, a park, a lakeside picnic table, or even your own backyard. Bring out the frisbee or bocce balls and make a day of it!
You don’t need an elaborate itinerary. Sometimes the best summer plans are simply finding a shady spot, spreading out a blanket, and staying there for a few hours.
9. Spend a Night in a Maine Coastal Town
If you have time for a quick overnight getaway, pick a coastal town and book a room for one night. You don’t have to go far. Spend the afternoon exploring, have dinner somewhere you’ve been wanting to try, grab a drink, watch the sunset, and wake up the next morning somewhere that isn’t home.
A one night getaway can be surprisingly refreshing and considerably easier to fit into a busy schedule than a weeklong vacation. If you’re looking for inspiration, consider places like Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, Boothbay Harbor, Rockland, Camden, or Bar Harbor.
10. Go Berry Picking
Late summer is the perfect time to get out to one of Maine’s pick-your-own farms and bring home a basket of something delicious.
Depending on the time of year and the farm, you might find blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or other summer berries ready for picking. There’s something wonderfully old fashioned about spending a morning wandering through the fields, filling a basket with berries, and inevitably eating a few along the way.
Maine blueberries deserve a special mention. Our tiny wild blueberries are one of the state’s signature foods, and late summer is the perfect time to enjoy them at their peak. Take your berries home and turn them into something delicious. I love whipping up a blueberry crisp, a coffee cake or even a batch of homemade blueberry jam. Or honestly, just rinse them off and eat them by the handful.
Pro tip: Check with the farm before you go. Picking conditions can change quickly depending on the weather and what’s ripe, and some farms require reservations or have specific picking hours. Here is a list of U- Pick farms.
Make the Most of the Rest of Summer
You don’t need to squeeze every possible activity into the next few weeks. Pick a few things that sound fun and make them happen. Go swimming. Eat the lobster roll. Take the day trip. Buy the blueberries. Sit by the water until sunset.
Because that’s the thing about Maine summers, they always seem to go by way too quickly.
What’s on your end of summer bucket list?
