Maine Antiquing Trail

Over 400 treasure-filled antique shops dot Maine’s scenic highways and byways, making Maine a favorite destination for antique-seekers from all over the Northeast. The trails are called the Big Dipper Trail, the Down East Trail, and the South Coast Trail and are loose centers or “loops” which feature a bounty of antique shops and dealers. Try more than one trail, combine parts of each, or explore beyond them — you never know what unexpected gem lies around the next bend in the road.

For more information, visit the Maine Antique Dealers Association (maineantiques.org) or the Maine Antique Dealer Directory (metiques.com) for an online directory of Maine antique stores and dealers and the merchandise they carry. In addition, the Maine Antique Digest (maineantiquedigest.com) has a large feature on Maine antique dealers, shows and auctions.

The Maine Art Museum Trail

The seven museums that comprise The Maine Art Museum Trail include Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland), and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor). Museum communities present enticing opportunities to explore Maine’s spectacular coastline, countryside, and urban landscapes. Each community offers unique opportunities to discover shops, cafés, galleries, historic architecture, theatre, music, and other cultural attractions that make each destination a special pleasure. Explore the colorful seaside town of Rockland with its lively shops and galleries, or visit Portland with its panoramic waterfront. Journey to Ogunquit and watch the tide crashing on Narrow Cove. Stroll through the Bowdoin College quadrangle, surrounded by historic red brick buildings, or experience the tranquil lakeside setting of the Bates College Museum of Art. Venture to the scenic hilltop campus where the Colby College Museum of Art is located, or enjoy historic downtown Bangor with its array of galleries and shops. For more information, visit maineartmuseums.org.

Hiking & Biking Trails

Visit the Appalachian Mountain Club website to find out where the next hike or bike trip will take place. Coming up is the Country to the Sea bike tour on May 31. It’s a 20-mile loop from the country to the sea. Join club members and experience biking the new Eastern Trail Bridge on the Dunstan River in the Scarborough Marsh. Visit www.amcmaine.org/calendar for the club’s calendar of events.

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