The Coastal Maine Town Locals Hope Stays Off Tourists’ Radar

Far, far to the east lies a small town with a bigger shadow than one might expect. Not familiar with Lubec? It’s not surprising, as this hidden, charming town in Maine isn’t exactly at the top of tourists’ lists when visiting the already-popular state. Below, you’ll find out just how silly this exclusion really is—but you'll also understand why locals are so happy it remains a secret.

Why This Hidden, Charming Town in Maine Flies Under the Radar

Sometimes a town’s tourism rate has very little to do with whether it’s a beautiful place to visit, an interesting one with a long historical background, a famous place to visit, or an exciting one, rife with things to do and see. Sometimes it is entirely due to access, or the lack thereof. 

Interestingly enough, Lubec isn’t even hard to access in a technical sense, requiring a plane to reach it like some island towns or lacking solid roads to use. The town itself is a working fishing village, so the boat routes and roads are trustworthy and numerous. The problem this town has is also what makes it so unique; it is the easternmost town in the entire United States. 

This means that the drive to the primary airport in Maine (Portland) is almost four hours one way. In between, there are miles and miles of other similarly gorgeous and small New England towns to visit. As a result, tourists typically pick one of those more accessible options for their Maine vacation. But locals aren’t too pressed about this, as they’re able to keep Lubec and its quaint charm and close access to Canada as a secret for themselves. 

Best Things to Do in Lubec

As is the case for many towns in Maine, particularly coastal ones, the best things to do in Lubec involve nature in some way, shape, or form. With over ninety miles of coastline, huge cliffs that overlook shingle beaches, close access to the beautiful Quoddy Head State Park, and absolutely stunning sunrises, it’s hard not to fall in love with Lubec. The area is rife with hiking trails and is a top spot for birdwatching, whale watching, and beachcombing (mainly sea glass). You can visit Canada and the neighboring Roosevelt Campobello International Park (the old residence for the Roosevelt family), visit the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse for an iconic shot of an old-fashioned red and white striped lighthouse, and take a boat to visit the Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere.

But, besides activities in nature, there’s also the town itself to explore! This quiet, nostalgic town feels like a blast from the past with its quaint architecture and slow lifestyle. As a fishing village, it offers some truly superb seafood options, and the dining scene in general is known to be exceptional (with many locals taking advantage). 

Where to Stay and Eat in Lubec

Accommodations

• Eastern Beacon Inn
• The Inn on the Wharf
• Peacock House Bed & Breakfast
• Eastland Motel
• Cohills Inn

Food/Drink

• Inn on the Wharf Restaurant 
• Water Street Tavern & Inn
• Lubec Brewing Co.
• Morano’s Authentic Pizza
• Cohill’s Pub
• HD & Sons Seafood

Ready to travel to the eastern United States (the farthest east you can)? Want to taste some of the freshest seafood, while also spending the day beachcombing and exploring the cliffs, or hiking nearby state park trails? Just looking for a small piece of uncrowded New England? Plan your trip to Lubec using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner!