13 Undeniable Reasons Why Maine Is The Best Place In America To Grow Up

Maine. It's beautiful, it's historic, it's home.

Growing up in Maine means long summer days hoping mom won't call us in too soon. It means short winter nights spent with fingers crossed for a snow day. It means friends and family and all the open, adventurous nature a kid could hope for. There are a lot of reasons why Maine is the best place in America to grow up, but here are a few of our favorites.

1. A Maine childhood means growing up in a state with a life-size chocolate moose!

2. We have access to great colleges without ever having to leave home.

3. In Maine, kids are encouraged to eat with their hands and we learn how to do it around a table full of grown-ups teaching us how.

4. Nobody does state pride like Mainers, which both embarrassed us and made us laugh when we were kids.

5. But the real pride came from our hometown parades on holidays and special occasions.

6. Our date nights looks like they came straight out of a movie.

7. Growing up in Maine means learning to always be prepared, which makes us the best friends to have on a camping trip!

8. Waking up in the morning to a Maine snowstorm looks like this.

9. And even when it doesn't, we've learned how to brave the elements!

10. Kids from other states have no idea what Pier Fries are and what the only appropriate condiment for them is.

11. Did any OTHER states jump up and clap in the theater when they saw that one scene in Forrest Gump?

12. The best long summer days are spent at the lake only in Maine.

13. A childhood in Maine means knowing that there's always room for one more.

For fun in Maine this winter, make sure you visit this fun mountain which is actually better in the winter than in the warmer months!