When the birds start chirping louder, the sun starts shining brighter, and the roads get busier, you know summer in Maine has arrived. People flood over state lines to visit their favorite places in Vacationland like Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport, and Old Orchard Beach.

But every good Mainer knows that there are a ton of under-the-radar spots all along Maine's coastline that remain the right level of busy. And the lifestyle blog Timeout believes one of those spots is among the 10 most underrated summer destinations in all of America for 2024.

peteyp8
peteyp8
loading...

That would be Boothbay Harbor. Timeout found Boothbay Harbor to be less busy and far more enjoyable than Bar Harbor, with much of the same charm available. Boothbay Harbor does offer that same quintessential downtown filled with shops and restaurants that you can find in a couple of other more popular areas in Maine.

Boats in early morning-Boothbay Harbor, Maine
William Reagan
loading...

But Timeout was more focused on the experiences that were readily available. They were struck at how easy a kayak rental was for a quick paddle to nearby Burnt Island. They enjoyed a tour of a lighthouse, a picnic with lobster rolls, and even got a chance to spot a few spying seals interested in what they were doing.

vermontalm
vermontalm
loading...

Despite the overwhelming popularity of nearby Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor continues to play second fiddle to places like Bar Harbor and Camden. Boothbay Harbor is home to a world-class resort, many other charming inns, and several seasonal restaurants and bars that have drawn people back for years.

Boothbay, Maine
j76n
loading...

Maybe it won't be underrated for much longer.


 

Look: 28 Popular Maine Mountain Hikes

Maine is a tremendous hiking state. Here are (nearly) 28 of Mainers' favorite mountain hikes. Some are well-known, while others are hidden gems.

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

Best scenic drives in Maine

It's time to hit the road—Stacker compiled a list of the best scenic drives in Maine using data from Tripadvisor as of March 2024.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

More From Q97.9