Maine during the Autumn season is my favorite. The summer crowds have started to thin out, the air gets crisp, the leaves begin to turn, and suddenly a scenic drive sounds like the perfect way to spend a Saturday. Add a cider donut, a cozy restaurant, and maybe a local beer or two, and you’ve got yourself a pretty perfect Maine fall day! Whether you’re a Maine local or planning an autumn getaway, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season beyond simply chasing the best foliage.
So grab your flannel, fill up the coffee thermos, and start checking things off this Maine fall bucket list.
1. Go Leaf Peeping
Of course, no Maine fall bucket list would be complete without getting out to see the foliage. You don’t necessarily need to plan an elaborate road trip, either. Some of the best fall drives can be as simple as heading out of town and taking the scenic route.
Make a day of it and explore the Lakes Region, western Maine, the mountains, or one of Maine’s charming small towns. And don’t forget to pull over occasionally. Some of the best views aren’t necessarily marked on a map.
Bucket list goal: Take at least one scenic drive with absolutely nowhere you need to be.
2. Go Apple Picking
Fall and apple picking just belong together. Spend an afternoon wandering through an orchard, fill a bag with apples, and inevitably come home with more than you intended to buy. Even better if the orchard has fresh cider, baked goods, or cider donuts waiting for you afterward.
And if you end up with a kitchen full of apples, that’s just an excuse to make an apple crisp, pie, or cake.
3. Eat a Fresh Cider Donut
I’m making this a separate bucket list item because it deserves its own category. Find an orchard, farm stand, or bakery serving warm cider donuts and get one while they’re fresh. Pair it with hot coffee or a cup of apple cider and enjoy it outside while the leaves are changing.
Some fall traditions are just too good to skip.
4. Visit a Maine Farm Stand
Fall is one of the best times to stop at a Maine farm stand. You’ll find pumpkins, apples, squash, potatoes, corn stalks, mums, baked goods, cider, and plenty of other seasonal goodies. Even if you don’t have a specific recipe in mind, it’s worth stopping just to see what’s available. You may leave with dinner ingredients, something sweet, and a pumpkin you absolutely did not plan on buying.
5. Pick Out the Perfect Pumpkin
Whether you’re decorating your front porch, carving jack-o’-lanterns, or simply want an excuse to visit a farm, pumpkin picking is a classic Maine fall activity. Make an afternoon of it and look for a farm that also has cider, donuts, corn mazes, farm animals, or other seasonal activities. Check out Pineland Farms, Treworgy Family Orchards, Ricker Hill Orchards, and Alewives Brook Farm.
And yes, choosing a pumpkin based entirely on its shape and personality is completely acceptable.
6. Take a Fall Day Trip
One of my favorite ways to experience Maine in the fall is to take a day trip without trying to pack too much into it. Pick a town you’ve never explored or revisit an old favorite and spend the day wandering around, grabbing lunch, browsing local shops, and enjoying the scenery. Bethel, Camden, Damariscotta, Brunswick, and Kennebunkport are just a few places that can make for a great fall day trip.
The goal isn’t to see everything. It’s just to enjoy the day.
7. Take a Fall Hike
There’s no better time for a hike than when the temperatures are cooler and the trees are putting on a show. You don’t have to climb Maine’s tallest mountain to enjoy it, either. Choose an easy or moderate trail, pack some water and snacks, and take your time. Look for trails with mountain views, lakes, rivers, or overlooks where you can really appreciate the foliage. Some easy, yet pretty hikes to check out are Bradbury Mountain State Park, Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, or Fore River Sanctuary & Jewell Falls
And remember: the best fall hike doesn’t have to be the hardest one.
8. Take a Coastal Drive
Maine’s coast isn’t just for summer. In fact, there’s something especially beautiful about driving along the coast on a crisp October day when the summer crowds have disappeared. Stop at a lighthouse, grab lunch in a coastal town, walk along the water, and take your time getting home.
The combination of colorful foliage and the rocky Maine coast is hard to beat.
9. Visit a Maine Lighthouse
Pick a lighthouse you’ve never visited and make a day of it. You could pair it with a coastal drive, a hike, a picnic, or lunch at a nearby restaurant. And don’t worry if the weather isn’t perfectly sunny. A little fall fog or dramatic cloud cover can make a Maine lighthouse feel even more atmospheric. We are entering spooky season afterall!
10. Drink a Local Fall Beer
Sum mer isn’t the only season for Maine beer. Fall brings Oktoberfest style beers, amber ales, seasonal releases, and plenty of opportunities to settle into a cozy brewery or taproom. Find a local brewery, order something seasonal, and enjoy an afternoon or evening without feeling like you need to rush off to the next stop. My go-to places are Oxbow, Allagash, and Austin Street. Apres is a great place for seasonal hard seltzers and ciders.
Bonus points for finding a brewery with outdoor seating and a fire pit!
11. Visit a Maine Farmers’ Market
Before the outdoor farmers’ market season winds down, make a point of visiting one. Fall markets are full of seasonal produce, baked goods, flowers, cider, maple products, preserves, and plenty of things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them.
It’s also a great way to pick up ingredients for your own cozy fall dinner.
12. Have a Bowl of New England Chowder
Fall is when I’m ready to start swapping some of those lighter summer meals for something warm and comforting. Find a restaurant serving a bowl of creamy New England clam chowder, grab some crusty bread, and settle in. If you are up for making your own, I have a great recipe here.
Because honestly, there are worse ways to spend a chilly Maine afternoon.
13. Book a Cozy Maine Getaway
You don’t have to wait for a long weekend to enjoy a little fall escape. Book a night or two at a cozy Maine inn, hotel, or bed and breakfast. Look for a fireplace, soaking tub, scenic views, or a walkable downtown nearby.
Sometimes the best fall getaway is simply checking into a cozy room and giving yourself permission to do absolutely nothing for a while.
14. Bake Something With Maine Apples
If you’ve gone apple picking, you’re going to need something to do with all those apples. Make an apple crisp, apple cake, pie, muffins, or another favorite fall dessert. Or skip the baking entirely and slice one up for an afternoon snack.
There’s no wrong way to enjoy Maine apples in the fall.
15. End the Day With a Cozy Dinner
After a full day of foliage drives, hiking, apple picking, or exploring a Maine town, finish the day with a cozy dinner. Look for a restaurant featuring seasonal ingredients and order something hearty. Maybe it’s a bowl of soup, a plate of pasta, roast chicken, or a Maine seafood dish.
Add a local beer, glass of wine, or warm drink, and you’ve officially had a Maine fall day worth remembering.
More Maine Fall Ideas
Still looking for ways to enjoy the season?
- Visit a corn maze
- Go on a scenic train ride
- Photograph a Maine covered bridge
- Visit a local museum or historic site
- Take a fall picnic
- Go on a scenic boat ride
- Visit a pumpkin festival
- Shop for locally made gifts
- Take a weekend trip to a Maine mountain town
- Spend an afternoon browsing a bookstore
- Find a cozy coffee shop
- Watch the sunset over the coast
- Make a fall cocktail or mocktail with Maine ingredients
- Have a phone free night at home with a cozy dinner and a movie
Your Maine Fall Bucket List
You don’t need to do all the things to have a great fall in Maine. Pick a few that sound like fun, grab someone you love, and get out and enjoy the season. Take the scenic route. Stop for the cider donut. Pull over when you see a particularly beautiful view.
Because before we know it, the leaves will be gone, the days will be shorter, and we’ll be wondering where October went.
What would you add to your Maine fall bucket list?