One sign that the spring semester is quickly coming to a close is the growing number of students gathering on Miller Lawn on warm, sunny days. With the increasingly nice weather and sunshine, many students are beginning to look ahead to summer and finalize their plans. For those staying in or visiting Maine, the state has no shortage of ways to spend a summer day.
While spring is still in full swing, Maine is home to an abundance of beaches, trails, lakes, and more that make Maine a fun state to be in during the summer. Some Colby College students live in Maine during the summer, some visit, and some only experience the nice weather in Maine during late spring and early fall. However, no matter how long you stay, you have plenty of attractions to explore.
Maine’s coastline offers a variety of beaches that are perfect for long summer walks or a cool dip in the ocean. Some popular Maine beaches include Ogunquit Beach, Old Orchard Beach, Popham Beach State Park, Reid State Park, and Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. However, each beach has its own unique appeal. Old Orchard Beach features a boardwalk and beachside amusement park, Popham Beach State Park has a long stretch of sandy beach perfect for walks, and Sand Beach is close to many hiking trails. No matter where you go, you are likely to find stunning views, cool waters, and sandy shorelines.
If beaches are not your thing, or you prefer a more challenging hike, Maine is also home to many trails that offer scenic climbs perfect for summer. Many of the most popular trails in Maine can be found in Acadia National Park, such as the Beehive Loop Trail, Jordan Pond Path, Gorham Mountain Trail, Ocean Path Trail, the Bubbles, and Cadillac Mountain North Ridge. These trails range in difficulty, but offer stunning views and fun hikes for many different experience levels. Beyond Acadia, additional trails can be found in Camden Hills State Park and Baxter State Park, along with countless other locations across the state.
In addition to outdoor recreation, Maine’s coastal towns offer scenery, shopping, and dining. Kennebunkport and Ogunquit offer beaches alongside small shops in Southern Maine, while Portland’s Old Port is perfect for trying out different restaurants and exploring a fun waterfront atmosphere. Boothbay Harbor features scenic harbor boat tours, a botanical garden, and a downtown area full of coffee shops, shopping, and restaurants. Farther north, Bar Harbor (near Acadia National Park) and Camden are charming towns to check out in proximity to many hiking trials.
Whether you find yourself in Maine for the entirety of the summer or even just a few days, Maine offers a wide range of activities you may have on your summer bucket list, from relaxing on the beach to exploring scenic trails and coastal towns. As students wrap up the semester and begin planning for the months ahead, Maine provides plenty of opportunities to make the most of the summer season.
~ Haley Hegarty `28
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