Living in or visiting Maine means you’re aware of just how quirky Vacationland can be. It’s not just the out-of-the-way towns and the unique restaurants run by wonderful, if not eccentric, locals. It’s also the fact that we’ve got a long history full of funny laws, strange stories and interesting people. Along with the wonderful outdoor things you can do here, the beautiful views, and the great seafood, there are lots of fun facts about Maine that prove why it’s so loveable, including, these quirky, weird facts about Maine. 

1. The closest state to Africa is Maine
yotut / Flickr
Here's a fun fact about Maine to impress your friends with. Maine is the most northeast state in the country, and the distance to Morocco is just 3,406. To put that into perspective, the distance between Florida and Morocco is 4,382 - nearly 1,000 miles more!
2. The giant boot outside L.L. Bean in Freeport has an actual size
jacksnipe1990 / Flickr
This huge bean boot is an iconic thing to see when in Freeport. While just about all of us have a photo of us in front of it, did you know L.L. Bean has actually determined what size it would be in real life? Find someone who wears a 410 shoe and they'll be in luck!
3. Maine was the first state to ban alcohol during Prohibition
Jeroen van Luin / Flickr
While the repeal came a mere five years later, Maine can safely say they were at the forefront of this now historic period of time. Even more interesting? The Portland mayor at the time eventually ran for president on the Prohibition Ticket.
4. It would take you over nine years to visit ALL of Maine's islands
suckamc / Flickr
That's not surprising when you consider that there are more than 3,166 islands in Maine. And, only 1,200 Maine islands have an acre or more, 600 of them comprise 95% of the island acreage.
5. Maine sees America's first sunrise, but it's NOT where you think
atutuanita / Flickr
This is a hotly contested issue. You really have three options for viewing the sunrise depending on the what time of year we're experiencing. Your options are Mars Hill, Cadillac Mountain or Lubec.

From late March to mid-September, you'll want to head to Mars Hill for first light. But, from mid-September through the first week of October you should head to Quoddy Head. If you want to work for your view and see it from Cadillac Mountain you have some more time. Be there between mid-October and early March and you'll be greeted by America's first light.

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6. Maine's coastline increases in size by 2,000 miles when you include all of the islands dotting the coastline
smithat / Flickr
One of the coolest facts about Maine is that our coast is longer than the coast of California. But, what's really cool is that out craggy, coastal islands make the mainland coast even more impressive.
7. Maine's coldest day meant temperatures of -50°F in January of 2009
pavdw / Flickr
It happened in Big Black River and it made the word "cold" take on a whole new meaning.
8. We all know it can get cold in the winter, but Maine is also the second coldest American state in the SPRING as well
captainkimo / Flickr
Alaska is the coldest state overall, but when considering just the lower 48 states, Maine is in the top ten coldest states during the winter and the absolute coldest during the spring.
9. Maine has the least expensive average car insurance premium in the country
.martin/Flickr
According to insure.com, the average premium here is about $800. To help you feel even more fortunate, the national average is about $1,300.
10. Before he was America's best-known horror writer, Stephen King was actually a teacher
theuso / Flickr
In fact, the Maine native was a teacher while he wrote his first novel, Carrie.
11. Maine has the highest moose population in the entire lower 48 states
jstephenconn / Flickr
Vacationland is home to about 78,000 moose. No wonder we hear so many scary stories about people running into them. Be careful out there, Mainers!

How many of these fun facts about Maine did you already know? Let us know in the comments below! While you’re in an especially I-Love-Maine mood, check out these 12 sentences that perfectly sum up what it’s like to live in America’s Vacationland.

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Weird facts about Maine

Jackie Ann | July 28, 2022

What are the best things about living in Maine?

If you’ve lived in Maine for a while, then you know that some of the best things about living in Maine are the people, the food, and the scenery.

  • You’re never too far away from a homemade, delicious blueberry pie,
  • Wash it down at one of Maine’s breweries crafting delicious beers,
  • And then take your new-found energy to Maine’s hiking trails to see Maine’s beautiful coastline or ascend up to the mountains to get a bird’s eye view of America’s Vacationland.

What are the weirdest things about Maine?

Every state has a quirky side, and Maine is no different! If you want to explore the weirder side of Maine, you can always visit one of Maine’s roadside attractions like:

While you’re checking out these strange places in Maine, don’t forget to brush up on some of the weirdest laws in Maine, especially if you own an armadillo!

What are the most beautiful places in Maine?

We’ve covered the best and the weirdest things about Maine, now it’s on to the beauty! There’s a reason Maine is known as America’s Vacationland, Maine’s landscape is one of the most beautiful in the whole world, and you can spend a lifetime trying to see it all:

  • Acadia National Park is a great place to start, and it’s easily one of the most scenic national parks in the country, with plenty of hiking trails to explore.
  • Thomson Lake is an incredibly peaceful spot to sit with your thoughts and gaze out onto the water and here’s a fun fact about this Maine lake: it’s in the top 5% of cleanest and clearest lakes in Maine!

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