Whether you follow us on social media or are just stumbling around our website, you know that we love winter in Maine and that we’re 100% willing to brave the cold for the beautiful snow-covered landscapes and winter sports. It’s not just that we know we can get a little snow in our lives by visiting Maine when it’s so cold, but it’s that we can really enjoy snowy activities and all the cozy elements of being in New England during these months. If you’re thinking about planning a trip to do winter in Maine, we’ve got the full scoop and lots of recommendations for things to do and being properly prepared as you visit destinations like MidCoast Maine, Millinocket, the ski slopes, Portland, Augusta and more..
I know that there’s a certain romanticism to visiting the extreme cold of the winter in Maine, but there’s also a harsh reality to it that you need to be ready for and take into consideration. Spending a weekend or a week playing winter tourist really is fun and you’ll love the memories, so read on and accept some of our advice to make your trip great. If you have any questions about visiting Maine in winter or if you need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a wonderful trip.
Winter in Maine – Everything You Need to Know
Before you say “I’m not going to visit Maine in the winter because of the roads” just know that ice and snow aren’t new and the roads are cleared and maintained rather swiftly, making driving in the winter in Maine pretty easy. True, when you go off the beaten path you may find some ice or potholes, but in general, there’s nothing to worry about with driving in winter here if you’re on the primary roadways. You should always exercise caution, but also know that the driving situation isn’t as bad as you might think. It’s the same with visiting Alaska in winter. They know what they’re doing.
When you’re considering where to go on your Maine winter trip, you have to think about what’s most important to you: snow, scenery, outdoor adventure, or indoor interests. That’ll determine where you should actually visit. If you’re not seeking out winter sports in Maine, then you’ll likely want to hang around Portland, Augusta and MidCoast Maine, but if you want to be out in the snow, exploring in the cold, then you should head to the Highlands (like Millinocket, Greenville or Carrabassett Valley), or at least away from the Atlantic Ocean. Not all activities and experiences are available everywhere.
Is Maine Worth Visiting in Winter?
I always love chatting with people who ask whether or not a place is worth visiting, and that happens with places in the Northeast in any season. Yes, Maine is worth visiting in winter for many reasons, the least of which is the simple beauty of the iconic snow-covered landscapes. Maine in particular is really cool in winter because there are so few tourists in comparison to the summer months. Seeing lighthouses in the ice and snow is so unique, and getting out into farm country with its red barns and rolling hills, is quintessential New England. And then the many wintery things to do in Maine… Yes, Maine is very much worth visiting in the winter months, as long as you’re prepared and plan appropriately.
When Does Winter Start In Maine?
While winter officially starts at the end of December, winter weather and dropping temperatures tend to begin in mid-November, with ski slopes up in the Highlands opening to skiing by the end of the month. December tends to be very cold with snows beginning in the coastal areas at the start of the month and then by the end of December it’s fully icy cold and snowy most places. The rivers and lakes don’t tend to be solidly frozen until January and February, but visiting Maine in winter usually won’t be impacted by things not being completely frozen.
As winter starts to wind down and warm up, Maine is tricky. Spring doesn’t always mean flowers when March hit, but there might still be random snow days. Spring skiing is a big thing though if you want to visit Sugarloaf Mountain as the rest of the state is starting to thaw. The high elevation and snow accumulation means that you can extend a a “winter” trip into early April even, if you want.
Is Maine Cold In Winter? In short: YES
Maine in winter is very cold. True, you may get some gorgeous days where a warm breeze comes from somewhere and you forget that you’re in the Northeast surrounded by snow and ice, but in general when you’re in the dead of winter in January and February, the cold is the dominant weather you’ll experience. As long as you’re packing properly and dressing for the weather, you should be able to enjoy being here. Being up in the mountains tends to mean a greater windchill factor, so if you’re buying any new winter gear for your trip, be sure it can offer excellent protection from the wind in addition to the cold.
How Cold Does Maine Get In Winter
You should expect temperatures to range from 10-30 degrees F in the coastal areas of Maine, and then -10 to 30 degrees F in the Highlands. You’ve got to go into each day with a mindset that you can always warm up when you’re done with whatever activities you have planned, and then go have fun in the cold. Even just walking around downtown Portland you’ll be glad to duck into the bookstores or the Portland Museum of Art when it’s a chilly day. Downtown Portland can be very shady in the winter (meaning the buildings cast shadows) so it doesn’t get too warm, even in the middle of the afternoon in winter.
What To Do In Maine In The Winter
This is why you’re here! Maine in winter is so much fun and you’re going to fall in love with it. We’ve poked and pondered through our winter visits and come up with what we think are the best things to do in the winter months as a visitor.
Things to do in Portland, Maine in Winter
We enjoy hanging out in Portland, ME and there’s always something to do, including in the winter months. Downtown is kind of fun to walk around and there are great restaurants and some fun shops and bookstores (I love Longfellow Books), but then there are also some cool museums in Portland. The Portland Museum of Art is exceptional with lots of works by both famous artists and local Mainers. The Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House are downtown, and both are pretty cool if you’re into quirky stories and getting some insight into life in New England in the 1800s and after.
Also, Portland has some pretty cool cemeteries. I know that may not sound like something you want to spend your time visiting, but snow covered cemeteries are actually pretty cool, and uniquely pretty. If you’re not up for visiting any graveyards (I get it) there is plenty of public art to see as you walk through downtown.
And you cannot pass up the lighthouses of Portland!! I know that visiting lighthouses is one of the big attractions of doing a road trip in Maine in the summer, but they don’t disappear in the winter months. In fact, they can be pretty cool. The Portland Head Lighthouse is the most popular one to visit, and really, it is beautiful in a gorgeous nautical setting, but there are two more lighthouses in Portland that are even easier to visit. The Portland Breakwater Light, aka Bug Light, and the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse are very near each other and are very unique. If it’s windy and icy, maybe don’t walk the breakwater out to Spring Point Ledge, but be sure to visit Bug Light in any weather.
Things to do in Augusta. Maine in the Winter
Augusta is the capital of Maine, and with that comes the capitol building and lots of history. When you’re here, you can either do a guided tour of the building or a self-guided one. In the winter, hours both at the Maine State House and the Maine State Museum are more limited, but you can still plan to visit. Also, if you walk along Canal Street (bundle up!) there are small exhibits all about the history of Augusta. It’s called the Museum in the Streets, and if you want to learn a little something during your visit, check it out.
Very near Augusta is the town of Waterville, which I love. It’s artsy and fun, it has a good downtown strip to walk and enjoy, and this is where you’ll also find Colby College. The Colby Museum of Art is open to the public and is worth visiting. It’s only about 20 north of Augusta, so visiting Waterville is an easy afternoon plan. When you’re done in Waterville, take the long way back to Augusta and enjoy the snow-covered farmlands and cool old houses as you make your way to Absolem Cider Co in Winthrop (a suburb of Augusta kind of). They make some really cool ciders from heritage apples and have a great space to hang out and warm up.
Tip: another fun town if you have an extra half day or evening is Hallowell, Maine. In the winter it’s still hopping and is a wonderfully inclusive place. Breweries, nice restaurants, lounges and cozy shops make it a great town to visit in the winter.
The real attraction to visiting Augusta is actually staying at the Senator Inn & Spa. It’s a great place to be based for exploring Augusta, Waterville and Hallowell. Cozy rooms with fireplaces, saunas and spa treatments… staying at the Senator for a few nights is a really great addition to enjoying winter in Maine.
Things to do in MidCoast Maine in Winter
The iconic sights of MidCoast Maine are extra cool in the winter. We are always visiting lighthouses and going on hikes, and that doesn’t stop in the winter. MidCoast starts either down in Freeport or Bath, depending on who you ask. And that’s where the lighthouses really start to get cool for winter visits. When you’re exploring Maine in winter, the Doubling Point and Squirrel Point Lighthouses are two of the coolest ones to visit. They’re both on the Kennebec River which tends to freeze and break up, so there are ice flows and cool views.
As you continue up the coast, The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse and then Owls Head Light are two more great ones to visit. In any season, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is neat to trek out to, and in winter it’s just as cool. For a fun way to enjoy MidCoast Maine AND be close to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, stay at the Samoset Resort and then you can do the long walk out into the bay. Dress warmly, because this mile long rock wall is cold and windy in the winter, but really memorable.
In Rockland and Camden you have some fun museums to check out, including the Maine Lighthouse Museum and the Farnsworth Art Museum, and then the towns themselves are just fun to stroll. On your way to Camden, stop at Maine Sport Outfitters to rent snowshoes or cross country skis to enjoy the many trails in the area, including Camden Hills State Park. And heck, for some mild downhill skiing, visit the Camden Snowbowl for and then you can get some speed on the (small) slopes without having to drive all the way to Sunday River or Saddleback.
Winter Activities in DownEast Maine
Acadia National Park in the winter is quiet and a completely different experience than what you’ll find in the summer. You can head DownEast to Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island and enjoy the sleepiness of the winter months. While here, be sure to visit the Abbe Museum to learn all about the Wabanaki people of Maine and see some beautiful art and artifacts representative of Maine’s indigenous cultures. A lot of the summertime businesses in Bar Harbor are closed, but many of the inns and restaurants are open for the visitors that want to explore Acadia National Park in the snow.
That’s right, Acadia National Park in winter is a whole other world. We love spending time here and riding bikes on the amazing Carriage Trails all through the park, and of course hiking too, but in the winter it turns into a cross country skiing dream. The Carriage Trails are groomed for Nordic skiing, so starting from a place like Jordan Pond is a great way to get out and do one of the rarest activities that few people can say they’ve done: skiing in a National Park.
The Park Loop Road that circumnavigates a good portion of the park is beautiful to drive (yes, it’s cleared), but the summertime stops along the cliffs may not be what you expect. The winter storms that hit Acadia National Park are epic and if the weather is just a bit more than breezy, freezing, crashing waves near the road can make things extra icy.
If you want to explore more of DownEast Maine beyond Acadia National Park, make the drive over to Lubec and check out the West Quoddy Lighthouse. The easternmost point in the USA, this is a winter sight very few people get to see. The red and white striped lighthouse in the snow is beautiful and is on a lot of people’s Maine bucket list.
Things to do in the Highlands of Maine in Winter
Now, we really enjoy visiting the Highlands of Maine for the fall colors. It’s an epic experience with so many beautiful trees you won’t believe it, but in the winter it’s a whole new world, and equally beautiful. The Highlands start around Bangor or Augusta and continue up the hills into the “mountains.” I say “mountains’ because if you have ever been to the West Coast, Colorado or Alaska then you know what mountains are. In Maine, these beautiful hills are the end of the Appalachians and, yes, there are some high points and beautiful formations, but they’re not jagged peaks like you may be picturing.
The gem of the Highlands in Katahdin, the great mountain. It looms over the surrounding Baxter State Park, Millinocket Lake, and the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. This area is beautiful any time of year, and in the winter it’s the land of snowmobiling, snowshoeing and wildlife watching. Whether you’re planning to visit the Katahdin area or head towards Rangely Lakes, you’ll find similar activities for enjoying the snow and icy landscapes. Now that the poetry of the moment is down, here’s where you need to visit for the best experiences for winter in Maine in the Highlands
Millinocket and the New England Outdoor Center
My favorite place in all of Maine is the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) in Millinocket. I love it for the cabins, the outdoor activities, the epic views, the Aurora Borealis. All of it. In winter, visiting NEOC is extra special. Stay for a few days and simply enjoy the cabin life between snowshoe treks on the frozen lake. Spend the morning cross country skiing on the groomed Nordic routes of the Katahdin Area Trails System, and then spend the afternoon hanging out in the cozy Knife Edge Brewing building enjoying lunch, beer and board games. NEOC is the perfect place to experience what Maine in winter can be.
Things to do in Carrabassett Valley, Maine in Winter
A few hours away and almost to the border or Quebec is the beautiful Carrabassett Valley. In winter, your drive takes you through small, colorful towns as you climb in elevation, following the mostly frozen Carrabassett River until you get to Sugarloaf. You can either stay down in the Valley and enjoy hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, or you can head up the hill to the largest ski area in Maine, Sugarloaf Mountain. This ski area is awesome and you can stay right at the base in the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel. Whether you’re a long time skier or you’re brand new, you can come to Sugarloaf and have an unforgettable winter adventure.
There are a few other ski areas in Maine, but Sugarloaf has the best options for skiing, other winter sports, and the most accommodation options in the area. I think it’s a great addition to a trip to Maine in winter.
Well now I think you’ve got all the information you need to plan an awesome, fun, unforgettable trip to enjoy winter in Maine. If you have any additional questions or need some more recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great visit to explore and play in the snows of Maine!
