Maine, known as “The Pine Tree State”, is an adventure-seeker’s wonderland. You have miles of forests, tons of mountains, and a rugged coastline all together, just waiting to be discovered.
It could be considered a tree-huggers paradise, with 80% of the state still covered in forest (the highest percentage of any state in the USA). With Maine’s 73 rivers, 32 state parks, and 14 mountains over 4,000 feet tall, you’ll never lack for outdoor adventures.
Below is a list of 10 adventurous activities to do in Maine, but once you’re out there, exploring Maine in person, I’m sure you’ll discover many more.
1. Skydiving in Maine
What better way to see the breathtaking coastline, forests, and mountains of Maine than from the sky?
Here are a few of the best skydiving outfits in Maine. Prices average about $250 for a tandem jump.
Skydive Coastal Maine
Biddeford, ME
Website: https://skydivecoastalmaine.com
Location: 88 Landry St, Biddeford, ME 04005
Cost:
- Tandem Skydive (gear included) – $255 (Pay with cash and save $10 per-person!)
- Video and Still Photo package – $115
- Still Photo only package – $90
Jump from an altitude of 10,000 feet with a freefall of 30-50 seconds.
Skydive New England
Lebanon, ME
Website: https://www.skydivenewengland.com/
Location: 40 Skydive Ln, Lebanon, ME 04027
Cost:
- Tandem Skydive – $270
- Group Skydive – $235 per person (groups of 10 or more)
- High Altitude Tandem Skydive (18,000 feet, Fridays only) – $469
- Pro Media Package – professional videographer films you in action. $150
- Rockstar Video Package – captures both selfie-style + outside perspective. $195
- Extreme Hand Cam – selfie-style footage taken by your instructor. $115
- Raw Footage Data – unedited footage of your tandem skydive provided on SNE USB. $15
This is a skydiving resort featuring a restaurant and accommodations on-site (bunkhouse and campground), a “swoop” pond, a 20-foot fire pit, and indoor basketball.
Jump and Raft
This is a very cool concept! Jump and Raft offers 2 different adventures that you can combine in one package.
- Skydiving over Maine’s mountains and lakes
- White-water rafting on the Penobscot River.
2 locations: Waterville and Millinocket, ME
Website: https://jumpandraft.com/
Location 1: 2 Lafleur Rd, Waterville, ME 04901
Location 2: 1 Hasbro Dr, Millinocket, ME 04462
Cost:
- Skydiving starts at $240
- Photos of your jump will be available for purchase online
- Rafting – $109 for ages 14 and up, 4-hour adventure with BBQ lunch
- Lodging starts at $36/night
They have multiple options for lodging on site, plus a restaurant.
Like skydiving? See 25 Activities Like Skydiving for Adrenaline Junkies here!
2. Zipline and Ropes Courses
Ziplining above the treetops is a great way to take in the beautiful scenery of the Pine Tree State. Take a look at some of our choices for the best ziplining experience in Maine.
Sugarloaf Zipline
Website: https://www.sugarloaf.com/summer-activities/ziplines
Location: 5092 Sugarloaf Access Rd. Carrabassett Valley, Maine 04947
Cost: $59 per person
Sixty-minute adventure at 25 – 30 feet high. You’ll reach speeds of up to 25 mph as you zip down the old gondola line over Gondi Brook.
Monkey C Monkey Do
Website: https://www.monkeycmonkeydo.com/
Location: 698 Bath Rd, Wiscasset, ME 04578
Cost: Several packages to choose from, average is $20 for 1.5 hours (website recommends setting aside 3 hours for your full adventure)
This is an aerial adventure park, with 7 zip lines, a ropes course, and a giant swing. It offers adventures suitable for small children, as well as adults. Zip lines travel up to 70 feet above the ground.
Take Flight Aerial Adventure Course + Zipline
Website: https://takeflightadv.com/what-we-offer/
Location: 506 US Route 1 Kittery, ME 03904
Cost: Zipline adventure is $84 for a 2-hour experience. Other activities have a range of prices.
Take Flight is an aerial adventure course, with over 65 different climbing activities and 6 ziplines. They also host a Zombie Zipline at night the last two weekends in October, where you zip through the dark “with zombies” for 30 minutes.
If ziplining is your kind of thing see 19 Activities Like Ziplining here!
3. Boat Cruises (Whale Watching)
Whale watching can be a humbling experience, reminding us how tiny and insignificant we humans really are. Whale watching season in Maine runs from mid-April through October. Expect to see humpback whales, pilot whales, minke whales, and finback whale (which can grow up to 80 feet long). Other types of whales, such as orcas, are occasionally spotted.
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company
Website: https://www.barharborwhales.com/
Location: 1 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Cost: $75 for adults (age 15+) $59 for juniors (age 6-14), and $27 for children (up to age 5)
Enjoy a 3.5 – 5-hour voyage on a high-tech catamaran. Boats range from 90 to 130 feet. If no whales are spotted, save your ticket! It will be a free pass for another whale watching voyage of your choosing, but it expires in 3 years.
First Chance Whale Watch
Website: https://firstchancewhalewatch.com/
Location: 2 Harbor Lane (Rte. 9) Kennebunk, Maine 04043
Cost: $59 for adults (age 15 and up), $39 for those 14 and under, including infants
Voyage takes place on an 87-foot vessel and lasts approximately 4.75 hours. If no whales are spotted, customers will receive a free, non-expiring pass to try another time.
Odyssey Whale Watch
Website: https://www.odysseywhalewatch.com/
Location: 170 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Cost: $65 for main deck, $25 for children under 4 years old. $85 for upper deck (limited seating)
Cruise for 3.5 – 4 hours in search of Humpbacks, Finbacks, Minkes, North Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins, Basking sharks, Ocean Sunfish, and Sea Turtles. The website does list boat length or guarantee/refund info, but there are pictures of the vessel and a customer service number to call if you have questions.
4. Acadia National Park
Website: https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
Location: (Hulls Cove Visitor Center) 25 Visitor Center Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Cost: Non-commercial Car: $30
Non-commercial Recreational Vehicle: $30
Non-commercial Motorcycle: $25
Hiker, Biker, or Pedestrian: $15 per person
Acadia National Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s huge – over 49,000 acres! There are a wide range of activities to choose from for of all fitness levels and ages.
You can hike up Cadillac Mountain in the wee hours and be rewarded by panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean at sunrise. For a more challenging hike, climb the Precipice Trail’s steep cliffs with the aid of iron rungs and ladders.
There’s also kayaking opportunities along the park’s coastline, as well as cycling on the scenic carriage roads. Fill your day with a few different activities to fully appreciate Acadia’s natural beauty.
5. Visit Stephen King’s Spooky House
More information: https://unusualplaces.org/stephen-king-house/
Location: 47 W. Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
Are you a horror fan? If so, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to view Stephen King’s former home in Bangor, Maine. This spooky Victorian mansion is located in the heart of the Whitney Park Historic District.
It’s exactly what you would picture Stephen King’s house to look like: a blood-red Victorian home surrounded by a black iron fence, which, itself is adorned with gargoyles and bats. Visitors are welcome to admire the house and photograph it from a respectful distance.
Although you can’t explore the interiors of the house anymore, (it’s now a nonprofit and archive of King’s work), there are tours available that will take you to spots in Derry that inspired his famous novels.
SK Tours of Maine will hook you up with a 2.5 – 3-hour tour that visits all of Stephen King’s favorite haunts in Bangor.
Website: https://sk-tours.com/
SK Tours location: 872 Hammond St, Bangor, ME, 04401
Cost: $60
6. Stay in The Canopy Treehouse Airbnb
Website: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/41341525
Location: Sanford, Maine (exact location disclosed after booking to ensure privacy of guests)
Cost: $450/night
The Canopy Treehouse is an “eco-luxury” rental – this 350-square foot elevated cabin has everything you need for an amazing stay yet has a carbon-neutral footprint. Powered by wind and solar energy, this incredible home away from home includes a full kitchen, queen beds, a woodstove, balcony, jacuzzi, firepit and a super-efficient heating and cooling system. And the best part? It’s a waterfront property, with lake access. What more could you ask for?
7. Visit Amusement & Water Parks
If you’re visiting Maine in the summer months, don’t miss a trip to one of their amazing water parks. The listings below offer a variety of experiences, from thrilling to lazy afternoon floating, with appealing options for everyone, regardless of age.
Palace Playland
Website: https://www.palaceplayland.com/
Location: 1 Old Orchard Street, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
Cost: Ticket book of 24 – $40.
Ticket book of 50 – $78
Each ride costs 2 – 5 tickets
Located in Old Orchard Beach, Palace Playland is a classic beachfront amusement park. Its attractions include a gigantic Ferris wheel, a whimsical carousel, fun rides for the little ones, as well as pulse-pounding attractions for the daring souls in your group. You’ll find so many choices, it’s sure to be a great trip for the whole family.
Seacoast Adventure
Website: https://www.seacoastadventure.com/
Location: 930 Roosevelt Trail, Windham, ME 04062
Cost: Prices vary for each activity, but their most thrilling ride, the Sky Swing, costs $20.
Seacoast Adventure in Windham is famous for its year-round activities. Here, there are many options for outdoor adventures such as zip-lining, go-karts, and mini-golf, as well as a water playground for kids. One of their most popular attractions is the Sky Swing, which combines the thrill of skydiving and hang gliding into one experience, 100 feet in the air. During the winter months, the park even offers snow tubing.
Funtown Splashtown
Website: https://funtownsplashtownusa.com/
Location: Route 1, 774 Portland Road, Saco, Maine 04072
Cost: For adults – Waterpark is $46, Amusement park is $49, Duo- park access is $57
Discounted tickets for children and seniors (see details on the website)
Located in Saco, Funtown Splashtown USA is Maine’s largest water and amusement park. It offers more than 50 thrilling rides and attractions including Excalibur, which is Maine’s only wooden roller coaster. There are two waterslides to choose from – the Mammoth and the Tornado – and both promise a big adrenaline rush.
Aquaboggan Water Park
Website: https://aquaboggan.com/
Location: 980 Portland Rd, Saco, ME 04072
Cost: Adult – $30, Child – $23, Toddler – $6, Senior – $20
Aqua Boggan, located in Saco, Maine, is more of a classic water park. Its attractions include high-speed waterslides, the Wave Pool (which simulates ocean waves and allows you to swim or float on tubes), a bumper boat ride, and two kiddy pools with interactive play areas. There’s also a 500-foot-long Lazy River.
Wild Acadia Fun Park
Website: WILD ACADIA (FUNZONE ACTIVITIES)
Location: Wild Acadia Fun Park, 233 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, Maine 04605
Cost: $29 (reduced price of $13 for adult chaperones not going on rides)
If you want a drier activity, Wild Acadia Fun Park is a cool adventure park in Bar Harbor. It features zip lining, ropes courses, mini golf, a climbing wall, and a trampoline. You can explore the aerial obstacle course high up in the trees (with experienced guides) or test your balance on mid-air bridges and tightropes while enjoying views of Mount Desert Island.
8. Deep Sea Fishing Charters
“We’re gonna need a bigger boat.” – (Jaws 1975) If salt-life is your thing, consider booking a deep-sea fishing charter. You could wind up with anything from mackerel to bluefin tuna on the other end of the line. Even if it’s a slow day on bites, a day spent on the ocean is always a good day.
Downeast Charter Boat Tours
Website: https://downeastcharterboattours.com/
Location: 31 Johnson Street Lubec, Maine 04652
Cost: Adults – $85, Children under 12 -$55
Offering half-day fishing trips (2.5 hours), this charter specializes in catching cod, haddock, and halibut.
Teazer Charters Fishing Charters
Website: http://www.teazercharters.com/
Location: 14 Ocean St, South Portland, ME 04106
Cost: A variety of packages are offered on the website. Expect to spend around $200 for a 4-hour trip.
Situated in picturesque Boothbay Harbor, this charter offers flexible options (half-day, full-day, or multi-day trips) whether you’re after giant bluefin tuna, sharks, or just want a relaxing day on the water catching mackerel.
LiveLiner Deep Sea Charters
Website: http://www.mainedeepseafishingcharters.com/
Location: 257 Front St, South Portland, ME 04106
Cost: Priced by the excursion, not per person. An 8-hour fishing trip with up to 5 anglers is $1250
LiveLiner offers three different 8-hour excursions in deep water. Tuna, shark, and ground fish (fishing in 200-400 ft depths for cod, haddock, pollack, cusk, hake, etc.)
9. Baxter State Park
Website: https://baxterstatepark.org/
Location: Park Headquarters – 64 Balsam Dr, Millinocket, ME 04462
Cost: $16 per car
A trip to Maine would not be complete without a visit to Baxter State Park. Of course, there’s Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine at over 5,000 feet, which attracts hikers from all over the world. But there are many other attractions, too.
- Knife Edge Trail – a three-foot-wide path with sheer drops on either side
- Chimney Pond at the base of Mount Katahdin
- Waterfalls of the North Basin
- Avalanche Field of the South Basin
- 200 miles of hiking and biking trails
- Wildlife: moose, deer, black bears, foxes, snowshoe hares, and bald eagles
10. Maine Lobster Festival
Website: https://mainelobsterfestival.com/
Location: 1 Park Dr, Rockland, ME 04841
Cost: Free to attend!
When: Five-day festival is held during the first weekend of August, from Wednesday through Sunday.
Maine is synonymous with lobster, so here’s a festival to celebrate that connection. Every summer, the town of Rockland, Maine holds a five-day festival full of fun stuff to do, see, and eat.
There is live music, entertainment, and fun games like the annual lobster crate race and a lobster roll eating contest.
And of course, the most delicious activity – sampling fresh lobster dishes from vendors representing the best seafood in the area.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip to the Pine Tree State, you’ll be prepared. Make the most of your experience by using this handy guide to Maine’s adventurous activities.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!