You Can See The Entire Solar System In An Unexpected Place In Maine
Mainers have long believed that the world revolves around Vacationland. At least it does for us! If the rest of the world doesn’t agree, we recommend they take a visit to The County where they might find proof that we’re right. Tucked up in Houlton, visitors will find a unique attraction that is largely missing from the guidebooks. For a unique experience that most visitors to Maine don’t see, check out the solar system model which can be driven in about one hour! Click here for the directions, but keep in mind that some of the planets sit in fields rather than businesses with addresses. Regardless, this should give you a good send of where to drive.
We have the University of Maine at Presque Isle to thank for this unique attaction in The County!
The planetary model was created by local high school and technical school students directed by The University to bring more attention to their area of Maine.
The 1 to 93,000,000 scale means the model exists over about 40 miles. It was constructed of sculpted and painted planets on top of tall poles in a scaled distance from each other.
To see the model solar system, you'll first want to head to Northern Maine Museum of Science.
From here the model travels across the willywags, highways and byways of Maine in exactly the right representative distances.
After seeing the sun in the museum, head to nearby Burrelle's Garden for a glimpse of Mercury, followed closely by Venus outside the Budget Traveler Motor Inn
Click here for the official website of the project, which includes information about the construction of each planet. And, for 10 other cool, hidden attractions check out this article!
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Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.