7 Most Overlooked Maine Towns For 2025

Maine, a charming New England state famous for fall foliage and natural landscapes, has long been a destination for travelers. There are several towns in Maine which are off the beaten path for the average traveler, but still worth a visit to enjoy history and local interest. Maine also has an abundance of wildlife including loons and moose. Whether you are in the coast or on the mountains, the state has plenty to offer in all of the regions and scenes to remember for a lifetime.

Maine was once a part of Massachusetts during the American Revolution until achieving statehood in 1820. Several Indigenous groups called Maine home such as the Mi'kmaq Nation and the Wabanaki. Today Maine is known for everything from lobsters and the rocky coast to stunning sights in the Appalachian Mountains during fall. Many tourists flock to Maine each year but there are several gems throughout Maine that are not yet explored.

Eustis

Known for stunning lakeside views and pristine air, Eustis is not too far from the Canadian border. Away from the coastal towns and within a secluded location, Eustis is ideal for visitors looking for an untouched place to enjoy natural beauty. Flagstaff Lake is an excellent place to spot loons. Eustis has a few tucked-away lodges for hikers and travelers and is known for mountain views amidst their lakes. Eustis has a public beach at Cathedral Pines Campground for those who want to soak in the natural views. It also has a trail that connects to the Appalachian Trail. The Dead River Historical Society is a local nonprofit available to all for visits documenting the history of the area.

Lisbon

You do not have to travel to Europe to visit Lisbon. Named after the Portuguese capital, Lisbon has been settled since the 18th century. Once home to a thriving textile industry, Lisbon today is known for the Moxie Festival, where one of the oldest American soft drinks local to the region is celebrated. The Maine Art Glass Studio is also in Lisbon, harkening back to the town’s industrial past. Lisbon also is known for recreational activities and outdoor sports.

Blue Hill

Blue Hill was granted to David Marsh due to his work in the French and Indian Wars in the 1760s. It is situated on the picturesque Blue Hill Bay. This important port found itself at the crossroads of trade and historical events — archaeologists even discovered a Viking Penny near Blue Hill during an exploration. Blue Hill is known for charm including many small, independently owned shops and family-owned businesses. The town is a coffee lover’s haven with many local stores to choose from while exploring the bay. In addition to the bay and shopping districts, Blue Hill has hiking trails for outdoors lovers to get a glimpse of nature.

Brownville Junction

Located in Central Maine, Brownville Junction is the site of the Canadian Pacific Railroad’s International Railway of Maine. This caused the town of Brownville to become a hub for travel connecting Canada to the United States in the early days of railroads. It had an ironworks site, now known as Katahdin Ironworks State Historic Site, where people can learn the area’s history. In addition, the historic railroads are another famous site and they still have functioning tracks today for easy access.

Bethel

Located in Western Maine near the New Hampshire border, Bethel is an ideal place for skiers. The town was granted to Josiah Richardson due to his services in the Battle of Quebec in 1690 but the ongoing American Revolution interrupted many of the grants and this area remained remote from the rest of the colonies. During the Civil War in the 1860s, Bethel became a destination for escaping the summer heat and relaxing in nature.

The Sunday River Ski Resort is a great location for visitors coming to unwind in the mountains. It also is home to the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum for those interested in the natural resources that Maine has to offer. The Middle Intervale Meeting House and Common in Bethel is a historic church and meeting house that served as the center for civic life.

Norway

The small town of Norway was settled by American Revolution veterans during the 1780s seeking a solace and rural location to settle. It was originally named Rustfield and had a sawmill and abundant wood in the region. It also was the origin of an important Union regiment during the American Civil War in the 1860s. This town grew into an economic hub for the region and the New Balance Shoe Company Manufacturing Branch was started here and can be visited today. It is the home of Handmade Maine, where one can score crafts created by local artists. It is also home to the Roberts Farm Preserve Trails, for those interested in hiking around the area.

Frenchville

Located in northern Maine, Frenchville is known to be quiet and located close to Fort Kent, Maine, which is more frequented by tourists. Sitting across the border from Canada, Frenchville is bilingual with a welcome sign in French and English for all Francophiles in the world. It was first an area mainly for nomadic Indigenous groups traveling back and forth and then became a settlement for the Acadians when they came to the Americas in 1785. Located along the St. John River and in the St. John Valley, Frenchville grew into a lively farming settlement. In town, the Frenchville Historic Society curates information and documents about the various settlements and the trading outposts in the regions. The Society owns a famous caboose for visitors to enjoy. The Green Water Tank dates from 1910 and is still loved by tourists today, along with the Station House.

These Maine Small Towns Deserve A Closer Look

A welcoming state with friendly inhabitants, Maine has something for everybody to enjoy, from majestic lakes and hiking trails to quaint shops and independent businesses. Many of Maine’s hidden gems are waiting for you to explore them and their rich histories whether they were trading posts or settlement towns. Maine’s smaller towns have useful websites and are always willing to engage with visitors, showing their local culture and history. If you get lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights in Maine. In sum the place has a rich history going back centuries and intertwined with Indigenous groups, and colonial Americans as well as Canadians. Maine is both a natural wonder and part of the crossroads of North American history.