Vacation in Maine? Water, woods, the arts and adventure

People walk on the Rockland Breakwater, a man-made granite jetty that stretches into Penobscot Bay from Rockland, Maine, a summer vacation destination in the United States. [Photo/Agencies]

For me, summer vacation means spending time in a Maine pond where the sound of loons calling is about the most exciting thing that happens all day.

But I do venture occasionally from my little paradise to experience other things the northernmost state in the northeastern United States has to offer, whether it's the coast, a mountain hike, a whitewater adventure or a museum. Here are a few options.

The shore

Maine's scenic coast has so many wonderful towns that you almost can't go wrong, but every spot has its own personality. Old Orchard Beach just outside Portland has a sandy beach, busy pier with food, drink and souvenirs, and an old-fashioned amusement park. You could also make a day of visiting Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg in the morning and nearby Reid State Park in Georgetown in the afternoon. In Rockland, the manmade Breakwater jetty lets you walk nearly a mile from the shore into Penobscot Bay, and a ferry runs across to Vinalhaven island, where it's worth spending the night. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park is another popular spot.

Hiking

Acadia National Park and the gateway town of Bar Harbor are beautiful but very busy in summer. About 1.5 million people visited the park in July and August of 2016, so be prepared for traffic and crowded trails. For a lovely, doable alternative, consider a day in Camden, with a hike up Mount Battie. A poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, Renascence, engraved on a plaque at the top, describes the stunning view, with references to "three long mountains and a wood" and "three islands in a bay".

For serious hikers, the Appalachian Trail runs through Maine, terminating atop Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park. Depending on your route and fitness level, a hike up and down Katahdin's steep, rocky trails could take 10 to 12 hours, which means you'll run out of daylight if you don't start early. Parking for Katahdin hikes is also limited and often gone by 8 am, so consider driving up the night before.

The new (and controversial) Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument doesn't offer many visitor services yet, but the National Park Service offers tips online for enjoying the area.