The 10 Towns You Absolutely Need To Visit In Maine In 2017

Prospect was featured in our article titled, "This Spooky Small Town In Maine Could Be Right Out Of A Horror Movie." Doesn't that make you want to get right out and see it?! While Prospect has a rich history in its own right, the town is best known as the home of Fort Knox. The fort was originally built to defend the Penobscot River and Bangor during the Aroostook War. Without the presence of Fort Knox, some might drive right past Prospect. But, it's the fort itself that gives the town its haunted appeal.

Visitors have reported seeing, hearing, and even feeling ghostly presences when they explore the fort’s cavernous inner-workings. The fort has been featured on the paranormal investigation show Ghost Hunters, as well as this independent documentary by a team of ghostbusters. The fort was never used in battle during the Revolutionary War, so no notable deaths have taken place there. But plenty of soldiers still manned it when it was operational. Some of them may simply be going back to work.

Searsport made our list of "Perfectly Picturesque Small Towns In Maine Are Delightful." Searsport is Maine's second largest deep water port and is ideally located from the point of view of railroad, wood products and other development interests. Searsport has a rich maritime history. During the 19th-century the port had 17 shipyards and built 200 ships. It is the second largest deep water port in Maine and is ideally located at the confluence of the Penobscot River estuary and the Penobscot Bay. The rich heritage of the town can be seen at the Penobscot Marine Museum in town.

Vinalhaven was the subject of our article titled, "You Haven’t Lived Until You’ve Experienced This One Incredible Island In Maine." If you've been a longtime reader, you know how much we absolutely love and adore Vinalhaven. It's included in any article I can manage to sneak it in, this one being no exception.

Vinalhaven is a town on the Fox Islands accessible by ferry from Rockland. Oftentimes used to refer to the entire island, Vinalhaven is one of the smallest towns on this list and offers visitors a handful of locally owned bars and restaurants, many of which shutter for the winter. Come for lovely walks in the Lane's Island Preserve, a look at the Robert Indiana pieces scattered throughout, and for at least one night at the beautiful Tidewater Motel.

With 239 residents, Allagash was the smallest town on our list of "Small Towns In Maine Where Everyone Knows Your Name." To be fair, the people here will only know your name if you can find them. Allagash is truly tiny! But, it's on the list because the folks are some of the nicest and the town is beautiful. Perhaps best known for the brewery of the same name, it's great for so much more than just that. The confluence of the Allagash and St. John Rivers are located in the northern town of Allagash, making it a nice place for some outdoor activities. Wish you could call it home? Come for Moosetowner Day and be dunked in the Allagash River, earning yourself a certificate and Moosetowner hat making you an honorary Moosetowner.

Cumberland Foreside took the #1 spot on our list of "The 10 Richest Cities In Maine." Cumberland Foreside is a small portion of Cumberland. It bears the distinction of being the most wealthy town in Maine with a median household income of about $100,000 among its 1,200 residents. The "foreside" in its name indicates its proximity to the Fore River. It is ranked #184 of the richest towns in America. PS - Like this home? It's for sale for a $2.49 Million. If that seems high, consider the fact that it was $2.75 Million when the original article was written! Now it's a bargain. Click here to find out how it can be yours!

Port Clyde made our list of "Small Towns in Rural Maine That Are Downright Delightful." It is the southernmost settlement on the St. George peninsula in central Maine. In the 19th century, Port Clyde became a busy port with granite quarries, tide mills for sawing timber, and shipbuilding and fish canning businesses. Today, the area's quiet location attracts artists and writers.

One of its most notable attractions is the Marshall Point Lighthouse. You may remember it as one of the most beautiful scenes during Forrest Gump's cross-country run in the movie, "Forrest Gump.

Rockport made our list of "Perfectly Picturesque Small Towns In Maine Are Delightful." The town of Rockport is close to Camden, but many believe it has far more unspoiled character. Forbes Magazine even named it one of America's prettiest towns! Rockport is named for its rocky land and its lime stone industry. The town supplied most of the stone used in the US Capitol Building in Washington DC after it was damaged during the War of 1812. Rockport is also the home of Andre the Seal, the childhood book that was made into a movie. Andre is a true story, written by local Harry Goodridge, whose family adopted the seal in the 1970s

While Portland didn't necessarily take the number one spot, Cumberland County did earn itself the #1 place on our list of "The 10 Drunkest Counties In Maine." Here, 21% of respondents reported engaging in excessive drinking. Its #1 position is not especially surprising given that Cumberland County includes cities such as Portland, Freeport and some of our most tourist-frequented towns.

Greenville made our list of "Slow-Paced Small Towns In Maine Where Life Is Still Simple." Located on the lower end of Moosehead Lake and with a population of about 1,600, Greenville is both beautiful and stress free. If that's not evident when you're there, try to make a trip to the Stress Free Moose Cafe, one of the best in the area. Fun Fact: Greenville High School was ranked third best in the state and in the top 1,000 in all of America. Guess those kids aren't exactly stress free.