In addition to beautiful landscapes and lovely people, Maine is home to some of the strangest attractions in New England. From deserts in the middle of nowhere to more than one larger-than-life monument, the state will give you a dose of strangeness you didn’t know you needed. Once you’ve checked off the ones on this list, you can return to your regularly scheduled appreciation of our state’s coastal and inland beauty. Here are some of the most unique places to visit in Maine.

1. Battery Steele, Peaks Island
Battery Steele, Peaks Island, ME 04108, USA
Bryan Bruchman / Flickr
Battery Steele is a military fort located on the oceanside area of Peaks Island in Casco Bay. The Fort was built in 1942 as part of efforts to support World War II. The military site is a mix of two worlds. From the outside, the area appears to be completely left to nature. Overgrown trees and branches crowd what appears to be a crumbling facade. However, the real magic of Battery Steele lies underground. The bulk of the fort is made up of an underground area. These tunnels have been overtaken by artists and the mark of local Maine residents and friends covers the walls. Visiting this historic fort is one of the most unique things to do in Maine.
2. Wild Blueberry Land, Columbia Falls
unique places to visit in maine
Wild Blueberry Land, 1067 US-1, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, USA
larry cooper/Google
Built in 2001, this giant blueberry is actually a gift and coffee shop, as well as an outlet for the owners' homemade blueberry jams, sauces, and baked goods. Sounds delicious enough to warrant a stop! Their hours are mainly focused on the summer, so check the Wild Blueberry Land website before you go. In the meantime, you can read more about one of the strangest Maine attractions in our previous article.
3. Old Sow Whirlpool, Eastport Area
Eastport, ME, USA
Ketan Sai/Google
Tidal currents meet between Eastport and Deer Island forming the "Old Sow" whirlpool, which is one of the largest and most dangerous on the planet. The whirling power of this natural phenomenon will remind you that nature is always the one in charge. It's one of the most phenomenal must-see things in Maine. Visit the Old Sow Whirlpool website for more information.
4. The Summit Sundae Challenge at The Appalachian Trail Cafe, Millinocket
unique places to visit in maine
Moses Baik/Google
210 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA
Appalachian Trail Cafe / Facebook
Okay, so maybe this doesn't seem like an actual "attraction," but if you're there to watch someone polish this thing off it will be. If you can finish the Summit Sundae Challenge, you'll get to add your name to the list of champs and go home with a t-shirt, bumper sticker, and the bowl! Visit the Appalachian Trail Cafe at 210 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket / 207-723-6720
5. The World Traveler Signpost, Bethel
1439 ME-35, Bethel, ME 04217, USA
Michael Femia / Flickr
A must-see if you love to travel! While all these places are actually just towns in Maine, a photo in front of the sign will confuse your friends and make you seem very worldly! It's one of the most unique places to visit in Maine. Head to the Visit Maine website to learn more.
6. The Fairy Village, Mackworth Island
Sam T / Flickr
Mackworth Island, Falmouth, ME, USA
Sam T/Flickr
This one is great for families and kids! Nestled within the wooded area of Mackworth Island, about ten minutes from the parking lot is a fairy village. Fairies are given access to tiny homes built by the local communities out of natural elements. Bring kids and spend an afternoon constructing a home out of leaves, sticks, and rocks. A fairy will thank you. Visit the fairy houses of Mackworth Island is one of the most unique things to do in Maine. Continue the day with a walk around the island which will afford views of Falmouth, Portland, and other islands surrounding the bay.
7. Bubble Rock, Acadia National Park
Bubble Rock, Park Loop Rd, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA
David Fulmer / Flickr
Perched precipitously on the edge of South Bubble Mountain, one of the most famous rocks in all of Maine looks like it could tumble at any moment. But it's actually, ahem, a rock solid example of a glacial erratic - a boulder deposited by the powerful action of ancient glaciers. Bubble Rock is certainly one of those must-see things in Maine.
8. The Umbrella Cover Museum, Peaks Island
62 Island Ave, Portland, ME 04108, USA
Dyana / Flickr
Nancy Hoffman's museum began when she realized that so many umbrella covers get tossed aside, but kept for no real reason. The museum is "dedicated to the appreciation of the mundane in everyday life. It is about finding wonder and beauty in the simplest of things, and about knowing that there is always a story behind the cover." Take the ferry from Portland to Peaks Island to check out one of the most unique places to visit in Maine.
9. The Downed B-52C, Elephant Mountain
Elephant Mountain, Northeast Piscataquis, ME 04464, USA
Gerald Azenaro / Flickr
On January 24, 1963, a United States Air Force Boeing B-52C Stratofortress went down over Maine while flying a training mission. Of the nine crew members, only the pilot and navigator survived. Elephant Mountain, near Moosehead Lake about six miles from Greenville, is the final resting place of its shredded fuselage. A half-mile hike will get you to the wreckage, where a stone memorial commemorates the seven fallen soldiers. It's one of the most extraordinary Maine attractions.
10. The Shoe Tree, Hodgdon
Shoe Tree, 1046 US-1, Littleton, ME 04730, USA
Nik Carlson/Google
This is a shoe tree in the most literal sense - as in a tree strung up with hundreds of shoes. What are they doing there? Nobody knows. Look for it along US 1, about 7 miles south of where it intersects with US 2 in Houlton. It's one of the oddest Maine attractions.
11. The Desert of Maine, Freeport
95 Desert Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, USA
David Fulmer / Flickr
I know, I know. This guy ends up in a lot of our articles, but I don't feel bad. There are so many states that don't have an oddly placed desert so it's our duty to appreciate the one we DO have. This attraction is 40 acres of exposed glacial silt, the result of soil erosion from mismanaged farmland. Whether you think it's a tourist trap or not, it's still a fun place to know we have. As far as must-see things in Maine go, this desert is at the top of everyone's list.
12. Piazza Rock, near Sandy River
Piazza Rock, Sandy River, ME 04970, USA
Julie Hilliard/AllTrails
Located along the Appalachian Trail near Rangeley, this teetering rock appears to have been placed against a tree by a very strong giant. Check it out while hiking about four miles, round trip on this section of the Appalachian Trail. While the area is demanding, the hike to and from the rock is actually pretty family-friendly. It's one of the most fascinating and unique places to visit in Maine.
13. The Reversing Falls, Pembroke
Cobscook Falls, East Central Washington, ME 04628, USA
Jennifer Snow/Google
The Reversing Falls (also called "Cobscook Falls") is formed as a result of a large rock ledge that makes it impossible for the water to move smoothly. During the incoming tide, this underwater activity creates a crazy waterfall, along with whirlpools and surprisingly high swells. But the real phenomenon is during the outgoing tide. When the tide heads in the opposite direction, the movement of the water goes over the treacherous area in the reverse direction, creating what appears to be a waterfall that moves opposite of the current. It's one of the most amazing must-see things in Maine.

Watch this cool YouTube video by Sky Travel highlighting some of the best places to visit in Maine. 

What are your favorite unique places to visit in Maine? Share it with us in the comments section below. Also, be sure to check out some of these unique things to do in Maine. 

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More to Explore

Unique Places To Visit In Maine

Melissa M. | July 14, 2022

What are some must-see attractions in Maine?

Aside from the unusual attractions mentioned above, there are numerous natural attractions in Maine that are worth seeing in person. Take in the views of the Bay of Fundy with its towering cliffs. And then there’s Vaughan Woods which is like a fairy tale forest complete with waterfalls and a stone bridge. There are so many magnificent places to see in Maine, and here are some more that we recommend:

  • The Wiggly Bridge, York
  • World's Largest Chocolate Moose, Scarborough
  • Kenneth E. Stoddard Shell Museum, Boothbay
  • Maine State Prison Showroom, Thomaston
  • The Norumbega Inn, Camden
  • Nervous Nellie's Jams & Jellies, Deer Isle
  • The World's Largest Paul Bunyan Statue, Bangor


Check out this previous article to read more about these must-see attractions in Maine.

What are some of the most unique things to do in Maine?

Maine is a fairly large state best explored on a day trip. Maybe you’re in the market for some unique day trips in Maine and we have you covered! Spend some time on Peaks Island, explore the charming town of Bath, or take a drive to view some of the state’s most majestic lighthouses … the possibilities are endless! Want more? Here’s an article featuring some unusual things to do in Maine.

What are some of the most unique places to spend the night in Maine?

A unique state like Maine certainly has plenty of one-of-a-kind accommodations. Some of the most unique places to stay in Maine include a houseboat in Georgetown, a lighthouse in North Haven, and camping yurts in Millinocket.

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