7 things to do in Maine over a foliage weekend

At 5,257 feet, Katahdin is Maine’s tallest peak and an epicenter of incredible autumn scenery. (Jamie Walter/Maine Office of Tourism)

Maine in fall is not only a spectacular display of color but also an invigorating time to be outdoors and surrounded by the state’s beauty.

Take a (not-so-strenuous) hike — For an easy, four- mile walk (mostly on paved surfaces), try the Eastern Promenade Trail in Portland. Relatively flat, it follows the water’s edge with benches and picnic tables located along the trail and gorgeous harbor and ocean views. East End Beach offers swimming if you can brave Maine’s ocean temperatures. 

Enjoy some island time –– Ten miles off the coast you’ll find Monhegan Island. Accessible only by boat, the one-hour trip can be made by ferry from New Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, or Port Clyde with the latter being the favorite of longtime visitors. The island is small — only one square mile — and no cars are permitted. Travel is on foot via numerous trails and dirt roads. Near the center of the island, at its highest point, sits the Monhegan Light overlooking the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean. The keeper’s house is home to the Monhegan Museum of Art and History. https://monheganmuseum.org/

Sample more oysters than you could ever imagine — Love oysters? The Maine Oyster Trail can be tailored to your needs and interests. Whether you seek a farm tour, kayak tour, a shuck truck, or a raw bar – or just want to buy oysters and take them home – you’ll find it here. Their website (maineoystertrail.com/maine-oyster-trip-planner) makes it easy to customize your trip by region and type of experience.

Sample Maine’s delicacy — It’s difficult to think of Maine without thinking of lobsters. The state’s cold, clear water and rocky ocean floor is the perfect habitat for these creatures. You can experience lobstering up close with a hands-on tour on a lobster boat from Boothbay, Kennebunkport, or many other fishing ports and villages. Or just stroll through the waterfront in almost any town and watch the lobstermen unloading their catch. Of course, there are all kinds of ways to enjoy eating lobster. From seaside lobster shacks to fine dining restaurants, lobster rolls to multi-course dinners, there’s a way for everyone in the group to enjoy these delectable treasures. 

Camp out in the Maine woods — Maine’s sporting camps are an ideal way to escape phones, screens, and the hustle and bustle of daily life. Many are tucked away in the woods, letting visitors disconnect and settle into the quiet peace of nature to enjoy paddling canoes, fly fishing, eating home-cooked food, or just settling down on the porch of your cabin to enjoy the quiet. Cabins vary from very bare bones – think no electricity – to those with more creature comforts. All are low-key, allowing for quiet enjoyment and reflection. They are located all over the state from far northern Maine to the western mountains to the Acadia and DownEast region. mainesportingcamps.com

Wish upon a shooting star — A large, rural, sparsely populated state, Maine offers wonderful opportunities for stargazing. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, already known for its hiking and paddling, has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. One of only 13 in the world, and the only one in the United States east of the Mississippi, these designated areas not only combat light pollution but provide viewers the opportunity to view the brightly glimmering night skies the same way indigenous people did many thousands of years ago. www.nps.gov/kaww/index.htm

Find new heights — Looking for thrills? Check out one of the state’s many aerial adventure parks. From multi-faceted zip line tours to high ropes courses, climbing walls, and water slides you’ll find these opportunities for adventure from Kittery in the south to Bar Harbor up north. Want the adventure but the weather isn’t cooperating? Head to Jordan’s Furniture at the Maine Mall in South Portland. Their indoor ropes course rises at heights of up to 56 feet and lets you move in whatever direction you like. For the kids under four feet tall, there’s a mini version, only three feet off the ground. www.jordans.com