The US state of Maine is famous for its rocky coastline, quaint fishing ports, deep forests, and the long, cold New England winters. Discover all the secrets of the mystical Pine Tree State in the Northeast of the USA!
| Capital: | Augusta |
| Area: | 91,646 km² |
| Population: | about 1.4 million |
| Location: | Northeast of the USA |
| Hotspots: | Portland, Acadia National Park |
| Nickname: | The Pine Tree State |
| Time zone: | UTC−5/−4 |
The US state of Maine is located in the Northeast of the USA on the border to Canada. It belongs to the US region of New England and is the only North American state to border only one other US state, namely New Hampshire.
At the northeasternmost tip of the United States, the landscape is considerably less populated than in the rest of the Northeast. In addition, Maine residents are much older than people in the rest of the US, with an average age of 45.
The most common immigrant groups in Maine include Canadians, Vietnamese, and Africans. Counting all "Mainers" together, the most common ancestry groups are French-Canadian, English, Irish, German, and Italian.
The US state of Maine is divided into 16 counties and includes 488 cities, towns, and plantations. While Maine's capital city of Augusta has a population of only about 18,600, the largest towns in Maine in terms of population are:
| City | population |
|---|---|
| Portland | 66,400 |
| Lewiston | 36,300 |
| Bangor | 32,300 |
| South Portland | 25,500 |
| Auburn | 23,400 |
Maine has a humid continental climate and is especially known for its long, freezing winters. These begin as early as mid-November and don't end until late March. Prepare for snow in abundance!
Summers in Maine are mild. It rarely gets really hot - you can rather expect a summer vacation at just above 20° C.
Being the most forested place in the USA, Maine has earned its nickname "Pine Tree State." You will almost certainly encounter moose here because Maine has the highest moose population per square kilometer together with Alaska.
Due to the weather, the best time to travel to Maine is between May and September. If you'd rather avoid the tourist crowds in summer and early fall, you can easily reschedule your Maine vacation for the cool spring: Mid-April is a great time for whale watching!
Are you a tough cookie and want to experience a legendary Maine winter? Then you can go skiing from December through February. The Christmas lights in and around Portland are also a real feast for the eyes.
Summer in Maine means kayaking, swimming in cool mountain lakes, hiking at breathtaking heights, and long evenings in romantic fishing villages. Don't miss the great Maine Lobster Festival when you spend a summer in Maine! Long walks in the majestic forests and along the beaches and cliffs are especially enjoyable during the mild summers.
In the second half of September, temperatures in Maine already drop significantly. Nevertheless, with a little luck, you can still enjoy warm days in golden October. In any case, the autumn leaves are glowing all over the state from September on. You will never forget an Indian summer in Maine! However, you have to put up with the hordes of tourists who come to Maine, especially because of the golden autumn.
Flights to Maine are significantly more expensive than flights to surrounding cities such as Boston in Massachusetts or Montreal in Canada. We, therefore, recommend a relaxing road trip to Maine.
The largest airports in Maine are:
As a rule, you can assume that flights to Portland are the cheapest from all airports in Maine. On your flight with American, KLM, Delta, SWISS, United, or Lufthansa, you'll make at least one stop and be on the road for at least 14 hours.
You are coming to Maine without a Green Card, and you are not an American citizen either? Then make sure to get an ESTA travel authorization or a US visa for your trip.
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!
Once you land at Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Maine, you'll need a transfer to your first Maine accommodation. These are your options:
Cabs are available from the first flights in the morning to the last flights in the evening at Portland Airport. The airport surcharge in Maine is $1.50 on all cab fares.
You won't find an official airport shuttle in Portland. However, there are a number of private companies that will pick you up from the airport in large and small vehicles. Check out ifly.com for information on providers and reservations.
In Portland, you can take the Greater Portland Transit District METRO. Line 5 connects you to other METRO lines, buses, the intercity ZOOM, and the legendary Amtrak trains.
In Portland, you can take advantage of Amtrak and Greyhound inter-regional bus and rail services to travel to other US states. Be aware, however, that your leisurely train or bus ride will require you to first travel from the airport to the Amtrak or Greyhound station. It takes almost an hour to get to the East Bayside bus stop on Metro Line 5 and about 30 minutes to get to the Amtrak station at Congress Station.
The US state of Maine has over 5,000 km² of national parks and state parks. Here are the most beautiful places in Maine:
Acadia National Park consists of a rugged coastline, beautiful waters, and magnificent forests. The scenic Park Loop Road winds through the middle, inviting you to take a scenic road trip through the wilderness. Acadia National Park is also perfect for hiking, with over 160 km of trails waiting for you. Can you make it to the top of Cadillac Mountain? You might also want to take an Island Explorer bus through the park to visit Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Thunder Hole, Schoodic Peninsula, or Eagle Lake.
Rustic hiking trails, sparkling waterfalls, and swimming sites at crystal clear lakes await you in the White Mountain National Forest. Enjoy the mysticism of the Indian summer, explore the beautiful mountains, rent a canoe, or watch the rainbow trout in the rivers! You can stay overnight in one of the beautiful hotels or in a tent at one of the campgrounds.
If you're looking for peace and seclusion, Baxter State Park is the place for you! The most beautiful natural wonders and animal encounters have to be achieved by hiking because you won't get far by car. You can also climb Mount Katahdin. The foot of this imposing and highest mountain in Maine is also the endpoint of the famous Appalachian Trail, which runs through 14 US states.
When you hike to Gulf Hagas, the "Grand Canyon of Maine," be prepared to get your feet wet because the enchanting hike through the rocky terrain includes wading through the shallow river. You'll be rewarded with a break at the rushing waterfall and breathtaking views. By the way, you don't need to book the moose safari offered at Gulf Hagas because even without a tour guide, you will meet moose at every corner.
The following places in Maine are must-sees and should definitely be on your travel list:
Maine's attractions are not limited to natural wonders and lighthouses. In the romantic towns, countless museums, gardens, and exquisite restaurants await you. Here are our city highlights in Maine:
Situated at the southern tip of Maine, Portland is the city with the highest density of restaurants in the US. With its cobblestone streets and quaint waterfront, Portland is also a feast for the eyes.
These are the places you should see in Portland:
Rushing waterfalls in the middle of town, a colorful array of stores, restaurants, and a burgeoning economy make Auburn a pleasant stop on your trip through Maine.
These are the things you don't want to miss in Auburn:
The quaint seaside town of Old Orchard will surprise you with a fair on the pier and a golden beach. It's the only beach in Maine you can reach by Amtrak, and the train station is right next to the amusement park!
These are the things you should see in Old Orchard:
The picturesque town of Brunswick woos visitors with a variety of galleries, stores, theaters, and parks. The annual Bowdoin International Music Festival is also a great reason to stop by Brunswick during the summer.
These are the things you don't want to miss in Brunswick:
Die legendäre Route 1 führt dich auf einem Roadtrip in Maine vorbei an malerischen Leuchttürmen, gemütlichen kleinen Fischerhäfen und entlang der kilometerlangen felsigen Küste. Diese Strecke ist sowohl im blühenden Frühling und Sommer als auch im Indian Summer ein echter Knaller!
Mache einen Zwischenstopp für maritimes Souvenirshopping, halte nach Walen Ausschau, gönne dir eine Portion Hummer in einem Fischerdorf oder setze mit der Fähre zu einer der bewaldeten Inseln über.
In den Geschäften und Restaurants auf deiner Route herrscht im Sommer und Frühherbst Hochbetrieb. Ein besonderes Highlight sind die außergewöhnlichen Museen wie z. B. das Maine Coast Sardine History Museum, das Umbrella Cover Museum oder auch das International Cryptozoology Museum.
Nur wenige Staaten können so viele prächtige Bilder für sich beanspruchen wie Maine. Diesen wunderschönen Bundesstaat musst du unbedingt auch deinen Freunden zeigen. Hier sind unsere Top 5 Instagram-Hotspots in Maine:
Wenn du auf deiner Reise durch Maine alle kulinarischen Highlights des US-Bundesstaates durchprobieren willst, dann bist du in Portland am besten aufgehoben, denn hier kochen die besten Köche der USA um die Wette.
Im Pine Tree State wirst du am Hummer nicht vorbei kommen. 90 % aller Hummer, die in den Vereinigten Staaten verzehrt werden, stammen von hier. Auch leckere Blaubeeren gehören zum Exportschlager und kommen gern auf den Tisch.
Probiere die folgenden Leckereien, wenn du in Maine bist:
Für zwanglose Snacks unterwegs gibt es in Maine überall kleine Imbissbuden. Diese sind vor allem in den Küstengemeinden zu finden, wo du die besten Hummerbrötchen der Welt kaufen kannst. Verpasse auf keinen Fall diesen wichtigen Teil der Esskultur von Maine!
Willst du deine Reisebegleitung mit unnützem Wissen unterhalten? Dann merke dir diese Fun Facts über Maine:
Es ist so schön hier in Maine! Vielleicht möchtest du gar nicht mehr zurück nach Hause? Kein Problem, schnapp dir die Green Card und bereite dich auf dein neues Leben in den USA vor:
Zu den größten Arbeitgebern in Maine gehören die Schulen, die meisten Krankenhäuser und das Bauwesen. Aber auch in der Armee oder in der Versicherungsbranche kannst du hier gut Karriere machen.
Willst du dich direkt bewerben? Dann versuche es doch beim Army National Guard, den medizinischen Dienstleistern bzw. Kliniken Hall Erika Pa, Northern Light Eastern ME Med, Maingeneral Medical Ctr und Mid Coast Group Physician oder dem Versicherer Unum.
Im Vergleich zu anderen US-Bundesstaaten arbeiten in Maine außerdem ungewöhnlich viele Menschen als Schiffsingenieure, Fischer, Jäger und Matrosen. Natürlich ist auch der Tourismus mit allen angrenzenden Dienstleistungen eine wichtige wirtschaftliche Säule in Maine.
Auf dem Arbeitsmarkt in Maine bist du mehr als willkommen, denn das Bevölkerungswachstum im Pine Tree State lässt zu wünschen übrig. Deshalb hat sich die US-Regierung sogar mit lokalen Arbeitgebern zusammengetan, um Arbeitskräfte nach Maine zu locken. Das Programm „Live and Work in Maine" ermutigt Talente aus anderen Bundesstaaten, sich in Maine niederzulassen.
Die Lebenshaltungskosten in Maine liegen im guten US-Durchschnitt, und du musst kein Millionär sein, um dir hier ein gutes Leben aufzubauen. Allerdings solltest du winterfest und geübt im Schneeschaufeln sein, wenn du im Pine Tree State bleiben willst.
Dein erster Herbst in Maine wird dich mit Sicherheit begeistern! Auch die überwältigenden Küstengebiete und die entspannten Leute sind ein guter Grund, für immer hier zu bleiben.
Übrigens: Fast jede Familie besitzt hier ein Boot und fährt damit regelmäßig zu den Inseln vor Maine oder zum Angeln raus. Es kann also nicht schaden, dir schon einmal ein paar Matrosen-Fähigkeiten anzueignen, bevor du im schönen Maine neu durchstartest.
A Green Card allows you to live and work in the USA permanently. However, getting the desired US immigrant visa is not that easy.
That's why we recommend you try your luck with the Green Card Lottery. Every year, the US government gives away 55,000 Green Cards. Sign up directly - it's just a few clicks!
Win one of 55,000 Green Cards in the official Green Card Lottery of the US authorities!
Image copyright: Stephanie Lawton, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons