Maine is an incredible place to visit during any season, but the best time of the year in our state may just be the month of May. The weather has warmed, the flowers are in bloom, and the height of tourist season has yet to come.

If you’re planning a trip to the area around this time, you should start filling up your itinerary now. To help you with that, take a look at these eight things to do in Maine in May.

Hit the Beach
Visit a Lighthouse
Take a Road Trip
Visit Acadia National Park
Take a Boat Tour
Go to an Art Museum
Take a Walking Tour
Try the Local Cuisine

Hit the Beach

Get an early start on your summer by visiting one of Maine’s many breathtaking beaches. If you’re looking for the most popular spots, then Old Orchard Beach and Kennebunkport may be your best bets, but there are many more amazing options all along the more than 3500 miles of Maine shore. Long Sands Beach in York and Ogunquit Beach in Ogunquit are another two to consider in addition to our own York Harbor Beach adjacent to the Inn. Check out these helpful resources:

Visit a Lighthouse

Historic lighthouses are one of our state’s calling cards, and a lighthouse tour is among the best things to do in Maine in May — or any other month. You’ve got 65 to choose from, some of which can be explored and others that you can view during a scenic boat tour.

Among the most notable are Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde, the Portland Head Light and the Cape Elizabeth Light in Cape Elizabeth, and the Nubble Light in York. Check out these resources:

Take a Road Trip

The best way to see Maine’s natural beauty in full bloom is to hit the road. A scenic drive will help you get acquainted with our beautiful state as you stop off in some hidden-gem towns.

For the best road trip routes featuring unique things to do in Maine in May, consider the Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway, the Bold Coast National Scenic Byway, or the Acadia All-American Road. See: 5 Scenic Drives in Maine To Take In The Pine Tree State

Visit Acadia National Park

When you think of America’s national parks, your mind might go out west to places like Yellowstone and Yosemite. However, the East Coast does lay claim to a few national parks, and Acadia National Park is the most beautiful of them all. Our natural crown jewel is teeming with hiking trails, camping opportunities, unforgettable views, and majestic wildlife.

On your way to Acadia National Park, stop by Bar Harbor, a gorgeous coastal town where you can enjoy world-class seafood, incredible boat tours, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Looking for start parks closer to the Stage Neck Inn? Check out these state parks near York, Maine.

Take a Boat Tour

Speaking of boat tours, you’ll find them in many more places than Bar Harbor. In fact, these serene aquatic trips are some of the most popular things to do in Maine in May. You can enjoy whale watching, puffin tours, wildlife cruises, lobster tours, sunset cruises, lighthouse tours, and more.

Even if you’re staying inland, you’ll be able to set out on the water with scenic lake cruises, as well as river and wildlife tours.

Go to an Art Museum

If one of the days of your trip is hindered by rain, or if you simply want to enjoy something indoors, Maine has even more to offer, including our many amazing art museums.

You’ll take in the work of some of Maine’s most notable artists, as well as that of famed artists from around the world, in places like the Bates College Museum of Art in Brunswick, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art in Ogunquit, the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, and much more.

If art is your passion, consider the Maine Art Museum Trail, a collection of nine of Maine’s best art museums connected by a 200-mile scenic drive between Ogunquit and Bangor. Check out:

Take a Walking Tour

The weather should be absolutely perfect for stretching your legs and taking in some of Maine’s amazing history during your stay in May. Portland is home to many walking tours, but you’ll find them in any historic area of our state.

Some tours center around sharing the area’s history with visitors, but you can also find plenty of culinary tours, where you’ll get to sample an array of the finest foods Maine has to offer.

Try the Local Cuisine

Tasting local cuisine isn’t just one of the best things to do in Maine in May; it’s one of the best things to do on any trip anywhere. Lobster (and seafood in general) is the most popular and acclaimed fare, but it’s far from all we have to offer. If you love a certain style of food more than any other, we have a restaurant that will serve you some of the best you’ve ever had. Staying in York? Check out Great Restaurants on the Water in York, Maine.

Your Dream Vacation to Maine Awaits

Use these tips for your trip to Maine this May, and you’re guaranteed to have a great time — but make sure to leave some room for spontaneity because there’s so much more to our beautiful state for you to explore. Safe travels! We hope you enjoy your stay.

Stage Neck Inn is an iconic destination where families and friends share delightful experiences that evolve into lifetime memories. Offering spacious accommodations with modern amenities and classic décor, breathtaking ocean and harbor views and the ocean’s relaxing sounds make for the perfect stay at our oceanfront resort in York Harbor, ME. Book your stay online now.

Maine in May: 8 Things to Do in Maine in May