The Maine Event

The Maine event © Boston Whaler

For fishing, cruising, dining or sightseeing, you can't go wrong with a trip to the great Northeast.

Visit Maine once and it becomes clear why this northeasternmost U.S. state is often the setting for romantic novels and Stephen King thrillers. Rocky shorelines, candy-striped lighthouses and an abundance of moose make Maine a living postcard — and the perfect destination for your next escape.

Hike through Acadia National Park with a stop at historic Bar Harbor, hop from lobster shack to brewery in Portland, and be sure to carve out some time on the water at Sebago Lake. Pack your fishing poles, cameras and a hearty appetite, and hitch up your trailer and Whaler, for a tour through one of New England's oldest and most iconic vacation spots.

Explore Bar Harbor

Once the most coveted destination getaway for America's most powerful families — including the Rockefellers, the Fords and the Vanderbilts — Bar Harbor is now best known for its well-preserved beaches and hiking trails.

Venture through the Cadillac Mountains in Acadia National Park or enjoy a 27-mile drive along oceanside cli?s on Park Loop Road. Stroll down West Street to see some of the remaining homes from Millionaire's Row and make a pit stop in the Abbe Museum to learn all about Bar Harbor's rich history. Or launch your Whaler from Frenchman Bay and enjoy the coastline views from out at sea.

Whether you're hitting the beaches, boating or cruising through by car, Bar Harbor is sure to provide beautiful scenery you won't soon forget.

Dine in Portland

For a true Maine experience, spend a couple of nights in the state's largest city, Portland. Known as a cultural and culinary hub, Portland offers old-city charm with a lively arts district and endless seaside eats. Trade the standard pub crawl for a Lunchtime Lobster Crawl in Portland's Old Port, where you can learn about the local food scene and the state's iconic crustacean.

While in the area, be sure to make a stop at Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest operating lighthouse (and its most photographed), or cruise past it on your faithful Boston Whaler. Bend your ears on an overcast day and you may just catch the faint foghorn of the lighthouse, the same horn that has been sounding for more than 100 years.

From Portland Head Light, follow the jagged cli?side to Fort Williams Park, where kites ?y high in the summer and pieces of the original fort's edi?ce still remain. Pack a picnic and enjoy a slow afternoon among the spring ?owers.

Finish your time in Portland with a climb up the steps of the only remaining historic maritime signal station in the U.S., the Portland Observatory. Be sure to time your trip to the observatory at sunset for especially stunning views of Casco Bay.

Cruise Sebago Lake

After you've absorbed enough Maine culture and cuisine, escape to Sebago Lake. Found about an hour northwest of Portland, Sebago is Maine's deepest lake, with areas more than 300-feet deep. A favorite of locals, Sebago is also easily accessible and sparkling clean.

The lake's crystal-clear waters are chock-full of trout, smallmouth bass and salmon, making it the perfect place to ?sh. For a little exhilaration, try wakeboarding through Sebago's wooded bays. At the end of the afternoon, dock your Whaler at the marina and enjoy an evening under the stars at one of the 250 campsites around the park.