Best Museums
From world-class art collections to maritime history, explore Maine's rich cultural heritage.
Portland Museum of Art
The state's oldest and largest public art institution, featuring works by Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, and European masters. The architecture itself is a work of art.
View Portland Museum of Art GuideMaine Maritime Museum
Located on the banks of the Kennebec, this massive campus preserves Maine's shipbuilding legacy. Tour the historic shipyard and see the full-scale sculpture of the schooner Wyoming.
View Maine Maritime Museum GuideFarnsworth Art Museum
Celebrating Maine's role in American art, with a special focus on the Wyeth family (N.C., Andrew, and Jamie) and Louise Nevelson.
View Farnsworth Art Museum GuideAbbe Museum
Dedicated to the history and culture of the Wabanaki nations, the first people of Maine. Powerful, decolonized exhibits, developed in partnership with Wabanaki communities. Note that the seasonal Sieur de Monts location inside Acadia is closed for maintenance; the downtown Bar Harbor museum is the one to visit.
View Abbe Museum GuideSeashore Trolley Museum
The world's oldest and largest mass transit museum. Ride restored vintage streetcars through the woods on their heritage railway.
View Seashore Trolley Museum GuideOwls Head Transportation Museum
A working museum of antique aircraft, automobiles, and engines. Famous for their summer air shows where century-old planes still fly.
View Town InfoMaine’s cultural heritage is as deep as its maritime roots. The state’s museums punch well above their weight, housing world-class collections of American art, maritime history, and unique local curiosities.
The Art Coast
Maine has drawn artists for centuries, from Winslow Homer to Andrew Wyeth. The Portland Museum of Art, Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), and Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville) form a “Maine Art Museum Trail” that showcases this rich legacy.
Maritime History
You can’t understand Maine without understanding the sea. The Maine Maritime Museum in Bath and the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport tell the story of the shipbuilders, captains, and fishermen who connected Maine to the world.
Quirky and Unique
Beyond the fine art, Maine is home to unique institutions like the International Cryptozoology Museum (Bigfoot!) and the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, which houses rocks from Mars and the Moon.
Explore More of Maine
Looking for more inspiration? Browse our full directory of towns or explore by region.