Maine bed and breakfast inns are some of the nation's most picturesque. Maine, the northernmost New England state, is also the most sparsely populated state each of the Mississippi River. Fully 90 percent of the "Pine Tree" state is covered in forests. In fact the Appalachian Trail ends in Maine, at Acadia National Park. Maine is noted for its rugged (and scenic) coastline, its independent people, and its "fresh-from-the-sea" lobsters and other seafood. The state abounds in independently run bed and breakfast inns. Below is a sample of some of the best:
South Coast
The south coast of Maine is home to a dozen or more small coastal resorts as well as picturesque lighthouses and the rugged Maine surf.
- Captain Lord Mansion - 6 Pleasant Street; P.O. Box 800; Kennebunkport, ME 04046;(207) 967-3141 - This 20-bedroom inn was built during the War of 1812. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, it features antique furnishings and sweeping views of the Kennebunkport River. Some rooms offer double Jacuzzi tubs and heated marble bathroom floors.
Acadia
Acadia, along the north-central coast of Maine, was originally a French settlement, and French phrases, cuisine, and culture still pervade the area. Arcadia was a battleground during the French and Indian War and many of the locals ("Cajuns") fled to then-French Louisiana, where they established the Cajun culture there.
- DragonFlye Inn -Naskeag Point Road; PO Box 220;Brooklin, ME 04616;(207) 359-8080 - This six-bedroom 1874 Victorian manor house is a great base for exploring Acadia National Park or the antique stores and art galleries dotted throughout the towns along the Maine coastline. The Inn offers a library with Internet access and a fleet of bicycles for guests' use in addition to the romantic and well-appointed sleeping rooms.
Mid-Coast
Further along the Maine coast, up from Kennebunkport and Portland lies a series of coastal towns, known for their quaint seaside buildings and yacht and fishing harbors. The mid-coast region has been home to authors Richard Russo and Edna St. Vincent Millay as well as Ethernet inventor, Bob Metcalfe. It is also home to a collection of unique and charming Maine bed and breakfast inns. Among them is:
- Swan House Bed and Breakfast - 49 Mountain Street; Camden, ME 04843;(207) 236-8275 - This 1870 Victorian inn is just a short walk from downtown Camden, one of New England's most picturesque seaside villages. The guest rooms are decorated in period antiques and each are named for a species of swan. Some rooms boast a sweeping view of the town and the sea beyond.
Inland Maine Bed and Breakfast Inns
Inland Maine is all about the outdoors. The acres and acres of forest as well as dozens of lakes offer sports lovers ample opportunites for hiking, climbing, kayaking, and simply enjoying nature.
- The Lodge at Moosehead Lake - This rustic, yet elegant lodge, located in the upper reaches of Maine adjacent to a clear, calm lake, was built in 1917. The inn features comfortable rooms with lake or woods views, whirlpool tubs, spacious decks and patios, a game room and library, and a fine-dining restaurant. The Lodge has been awarded the AAA three-diamond and the Mobil four-star awards.
