The Best Time To Visit Maine

Thinking about visiting Maine, summer is magical with pleasantly warm days for outdoor activities and cool evenings for a good night’s sleep. Or consider early fall when the air is cooler, sunny days are still plentiful and fewer crowds make it easier to enjoy local restaurants, state parks and other attractions.

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Maine is a great place for a holiday where you can escape from your everyday life and have fun. It’s known for its wild and beautiful coastline with cozy harbors and historic lighthouses, big lakes, thick forests and the tallest mountains in the Northeast. Summer is absolutely unparalleled, with its bright and sunny days with cool breezes and chilly nights and a festive atmosphere like no other. Early fall is delightful for those who what to visit without the hassle of crowds.

Ogunquit. Maine Beach

Maine Lobster Roll With A View

While Maine’s peak tourist season is from July 4th to Labor Day, I personally feel that the best time to visit Maine is from the middle of June through September and here is why…it’s from personal experience.

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Each year, my husband and I would drive two hours north from our apple farm in New Hampshire at the end of May to spend 3 or 4 months at our summer cottage on the shore of Long Lake in Naples in the heart of Maine’s Lakes and Mountains region. While only 100 miles away, our cottage, or camp as Mainers call it, felt totally different. The days were cooler, the crisp evening air had the scent of pine needles and woodsmoke and you could hear the lapping of waves and the call of the loons swimming off in the distance.

A Loon, A Magnificent Bird On Long Lake In Naples Maine

Here is a breakdown of what you might expect if you decide to visit. At the end of May and the first half of June, the weather sees temperatures around 73℉ along with plenty of daily sunshine but there can still be a chance of frost until the end of May. The flowers have started to bloom, it’s strawberry season and the height of tourist season hasn’t started. It must be noted, however, that this is also a buggy time with biting black flies and horseflies in some areas of the state.

July is usually the warmest month with average highs between 78°F in the day and 66°F in evening but can occasionally be hot and humid. All areas of Maine should have pleasant weather but even during the hottest months, a sweatshirt may be needed in the mornings and evenings. Hiking, biking or sailing is great this time of the year. Other fun activities such as fishing for bass, trout, and salmon, exploring a lake by seaplane or boat or relaxing on a sandy beach are very popular. There are plenty of old fashioned parades, festivals, antique car and boat shows and homemade ice cream to be had.

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It is raspberry and blackberry season in July. This is also one of the best whale watching months with a good chance of spotting Humpback, Minke, or perhaps even Blue Whales. Yarmouth’s Clam Festival in mid July is one of the most popular in the state and at the end of the month there is the Boothbay Harbor Antique Show.

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The weather in August is in the mid 70’s with nights in the mid 50’s. Early August is the start of wild blueberry season. The annual 5 day Lobster Festival in Rockland in Midcoast Maine is the first weekend of August. The Great Falls Balloon Festival is one of the largest hot air balloon festivals in northern New England, with 30 to 40 balloons. August is also a great time to visit farm stands for just picked corn, vine ripe tomatoes and other fresh vegetables. However, be prepared for traffic during the busy summer season and expect beaches, attractions and restaurants to be crowded.

If you want to avoid the crowds, September is a great month to visit Maine. As soon as the school year starts, the number of tourists drops dramatically. Temperature highs are around 68℉ with cooler evenings, and rainfall is relatively low. Wild blueberries are still in season and the local farmers’ markets have a bounty of fresh produce. It is also apple season, fall foliage is starting to turn colors and the weather is perfect for hiking. In the evenings you can enjoy sitting around a fire pit roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate before ending the night snuggled under a down comforter.

Fall Apple Season In Maine

Fall Is A Wonderful Time To Visit Maine

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Whether you are staying at a hotel, inn, or small BnB, a car is the best way to explore this rural state. If you are planning on a week or more you might consider renting a “camp”, a term Mainers use for a lake house, cottage, or cabin. If so, my personal preference would be one with a fireplace and a porch or deck overlooking the water somewhere in Maine where you can relax. recharge and enjoy the simple rural lifestyle.

Sunset On Long Lake In Naples, Maine

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If you are thinking of visiting Maine in the future, I believe the middle of June through September is the best time to visit. With some of the best seafood in the nation, charming little towns and unspoiled nature, Maine really has it all.