Welcome to MAINE!
Capital City: Augusta
One Morning in Maine
by Robert McCloskey (ages 3-7)
World Classroom: Maine
Visit the eastern most state of the U.S.A. and its four locations that are managed by the National Parks Services.
National Park
Acadia National Park – Bar Harbor, ME
Acadia National Park has over 50 miles of rugged coastline. In the right places and tide time you can see colorful starfish, crustaceans and sponges in tide pools. The cliff coastline is home to many nesting peregrine falcons, the fastest animal on the planet, and you can find them here nesting in the springtime. This national park also manages three of the states eighty plus light houses. You can see the lighthouses in Baker Island, Bass Harbor and Bear Island Light Stations. After all Maine is known as the “Lighthouse State” even though it doesn’t boast the most lighthouses of any state – Michigan holds that record.
Whale watching is available in the summer and fall. You can hire a boat from the town of Bar Harbor and if you’re lucky see minke, fin and even humpback whales.
Or if mountains are more your thing, hike or drive the three and a half miles to the top of Cadillac Mountain. It’s windy up top, so dress warm.
For a unique national park experience take a horse-drawn carriage ride along the 45-miles of carriage friendly roads and see a bit of history as this area was once inhabited by some of the richest people in America. You’ll see fancy cottages and cozy inns.
Winter is a great time for cross country skiing in this national park, so come any time of year depending on what interests you most. Check out the link for the latest information and details.
National Monument, National Scenic Trail and an International Historical Site
Appalachian National Scenic Trail – ME to GA
Visit Appalachian Scenic Trail NPS.gov
The Appalachian Scenic Trail is a continuous walking trail over 2,000 miles long through the Appalachian Mountains and crossing 14 states from Georgia to Maine or Maine to Georgia depending on where you start. 😉 This trail boasts the longest in the world for walking only! Imagine what you could do and see here! Visit any of the 14 states for a piece of this trail: CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT and WV.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument – Patten, ME
Visit Katahdin Woods & Waters NPS.gov
Saint Croix Island International Historical Site – St Croix Island, ME
Come and see the story of the early French explorers in this area as Pierre Dugua’s French expedition faced freezing temperatures and lack of food and water in the winter of 1604-1605. These harsh conditions caused half his members to die. This was the beginning of French presence in America.
