Mainepedia
Planning Guide

Romantic Getaways in Maine

From luxury inns to secluded islands, Maine offers couples countless ways to reconnect. Your guide to romantic destinations and experiences.

Maine is an inherently romantic place. Fog drifts across harbors. Lighthouses stand against stormy skies. Village streets glow with lamplight. The pace slows, and couples find themselves with time to simply be together. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a honeymoon, or escaping for a long weekend, Maine delivers settings that inspire connection.

This guide covers Maine’s most romantic destinations—from luxury retreats to secluded islands, from intimate restaurants to quiet walks along the shore.

Romantic Towns

Kennebunkport

The quintessential romantic Maine escape. Historic captain’s houses line tree-shaded streets. Boutiques and galleries fill Dock Square. The shore offers dramatic walks and tucked-away coves.

Why couples love it:

  • Walkable village center
  • Excellent dining scene
  • Beautiful beaches nearby
  • Classic New England charm

Romantic experiences:

  • Sunset at Goose Rocks Beach
  • Dinner at The White Barn Inn
  • Strolling Dock Square at dusk
  • Couples’ spa treatments

Best time: September-October for fewer crowds and beautiful weather

Camden

A harbor town where mountains meet the sea. Windjammers anchor in the harbor. Hiking trails lead to panoramic views. The village feels like a movie set for romantic New England.

Why couples love it:

  • Harbor views everywhere
  • Mountain hiking nearby
  • Charming downtown
  • Sailing options

Romantic experiences:

  • Sunset from Mount Battie
  • Windjammer day sail
  • Dinner overlooking the harbor
  • Browsing independent bookshops

Blue Hill

Quiet sophistication on a beautiful peninsula. Artists and writers have long found inspiration here. The pace is slower, the crowds smaller, the atmosphere perfect for reconnection.

Why couples love it:

  • Authentic small-town feel
  • Art galleries and pottery studios
  • Excellent restaurants
  • Water views throughout

Castine

Historic village on a peninsula overlooking Penobscot Bay. Colonial architecture, maritime history, and an atmosphere of timeless elegance.

Why couples love it:

  • Historic walking tours
  • Quiet sophistication
  • Beautiful water views
  • Maine Maritime Academy campus

Romantic Lodging

Luxury Inns

The White Barn Inn (Kennebunkport) Maine’s most celebrated luxury inn. The restaurant holds a Forbes Five-Star rating. Rooms blend historic character with modern luxury.

Hidden Pond (Kennebunkport) Secluded bungalows in the woods, connected to Earth at Hidden Pond restaurant. Treehouse accommodations available.

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge (Lincolnville) Oceanfront rooms with private balconies overlooking Penobscot Bay.

Cliffside at Camden Harbour Inn (Camden) Boutique luxury with harbor views. Natalie’s Restaurant offers exceptional dining.

The Hawthorn Inn (Camden) Victorian elegance with modern amenities. Walking distance to everything.

Secluded Retreats

Goose Cove Lodge (Deer Isle) Waterfront cottages on a private cove. No TVs, no phones—just nature and each other.

The Inn on Peaks Island (Peaks Island) Island escape with ferry ride to and from Portland.

Nebo Lodge (North Haven) Island inn accessible only by ferry or private plane.

The Keeper’s House (Isle au Haut) Former lighthouse keeper’s quarters on a remote island.

Coastal Cottages

Many couples prefer private cottage rentals:

  • Oceanfront privacy
  • Full kitchens for cooking together
  • Fireplaces for evening warmth
  • Flexibility of schedule

Look on VRBO and Airbnb for options along the coast, especially in the Midcoast region.

Romantic Dining

Fine Dining

Natalie’s at Camden Harbour Inn (Camden) Nationally recognized cuisine in an intimate setting.

Fore Street (Portland) Wood-fired cooking that defines Maine’s farm-to-table movement.

The White Barn Inn (Kennebunkport) Formal dining in a restored barn. Jacket required.

Earth at Hidden Pond (Kennebunkport) Farm-to-table in a stunning setting.

Primo (Rockland) Chef-owned with gardens on-site. Worth the reservation effort.

Intimate Restaurants

Francine (Camden) French-inspired bistro with local ingredients.

Aragosta (Deer Isle) Waterfront dining in a village setting.

Eventide Oyster Co. (Portland) Small plates and oysters in a buzzy atmosphere.

The Lost Kitchen (Freedom) America’s hardest reservation—but unforgettable if you get one.

Waterfront Lobster

Romance doesn’t require white tablecloths:

Thurston’s Lobster Pound (Bernard) Deck over the water, sunset views, fresh lobster.

Five Islands Lobster (Georgetown) Island setting with spectacular water views.

Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier (Kittery) BYOB picnic atmosphere on the tidal creek.

Romantic Experiences

On the Water

Sunset Sailing Numerous windjammer day sails and charter options:

  • Camden harbor schooners
  • Portland sailing charters
  • Private yacht charters available

Kayaking for Two Tandem kayaking along the coast:

  • Castine Kayak Adventures
  • Tidal Transit (Boothbay)
  • Many rental locations statewide

Whale Watching Magical when you spot whales together:

  • Bar Harbor Whale Watch
  • Boothbay Whale Watch

Scenic Experiences

Lighthouse Picnics Pack a picnic and watch the sunset:

  • Portland Head Light (Cape Elizabeth)
  • Pemaquid Point
  • Bass Harbor Head Light

Mountain Sunsets Hike to a summit for sunset views:

  • Mount Battie (Camden)
  • Cadillac Mountain (Acadia)
  • Bradbury Mountain (Pownal)

Scenic Drives Coastal routes with pull-offs for photos:

  • Route 1 through Midcoast
  • Schoodic Scenic Byway
  • Park Loop Road (Acadia)

Wellness and Spa

Hidden Pond Tree Spa (Kennebunkport) Treatments in treehouses overlooking the forest.

Cliff House Spa (Cape Neddick) Oceanfront wellness with comprehensive treatment menu.

Portland Harbor Hotel (Portland) Day spa in the heart of the Old Port.

Many inns offer in-room couples’ massage arrangements.

Cultural Experiences

Concerts and Theater

  • Portland Symphony Orchestra
  • Merrill Auditorium performances
  • Ogunquit Playhouse (summer)

Art Galleries Stroll galleries together:

  • Portland Arts District
  • Rockland’s gallery scene
  • Blue Hill artisans

Bookstore Browsing Browse together:

  • Longfellow Books (Portland)
  • Sherman’s (Bar Harbor, Camden)
  • Left Bank Books (Belfast)

Seasonal Romance

Spring

  • Fewer crowds, lower prices
  • Lupine fields in bloom (June)
  • Whale watching season begins
  • Migratory birds returning

Summer

  • Long days, warm evenings
  • Beach time
  • Outdoor dining everywhere
  • Windjammer sailing

Fall

  • Spectacular foliage
  • Harvest season dining
  • Cozy atmospheres
  • Fewer tourists

Winter

  • Lowest prices
  • Intimate atmosphere
  • Skiing and winter sports
  • Fireside evenings

Island Escapes

Monhegan Island

Artists’ colony 12 miles offshore. No cars, dramatic cliffs, lighthouse, and simple island life. The ferry ride builds anticipation. The island delivers romance through isolation and natural beauty.

Stay at:

  • The Island Inn
  • Trailing Yew

Experience:

  • Cliffside walks at sunset
  • Artist studio visits
  • Lighthouse watching
  • Unplugged evenings

Isle au Haut

Remote island partly within Acadia National Park. Quiet, wild, beautiful. For couples who find romance in wilderness.

Stay at:

  • The Keeper’s House

Experience:

  • Hiking empty trails
  • Watching wildlife
  • Complete disconnect
  • Simple pleasures

Peaks Island

Portland’s close-in island offers escape without isolation. Ferries run regularly. Restaurants and rentals available. Car-free exploring.

Experience:

  • Bike the island loop
  • Sunset from the back shore
  • Dinner at The Inn
  • Easy Portland access

Planning a Romantic Trip

Best Time to Visit

  • September: Perfect weather, fewer crowds, fall beginning
  • October: Peak foliage, cooler evenings, harvest dining
  • June: Lupines, longer days, pre-summer crowds
  • Winter weekends: Lowest rates, intimate atmosphere

Budget Considerations

Maine romantic getaways range widely:

  • Luxury inns: $400-800+ per night
  • Boutique B&Bs: $200-400 per night
  • Cottage rentals: Variable, often good value
  • Off-season: 30-50% lower than peak summer

Reservation Notes

  • Book popular restaurants weeks ahead
  • Secure lodging early for peak season
  • Some experiences (windjammer cruises, spa treatments) require advance planning

Weather Reality

Maine weather is unpredictable. Pack for:

  • Fog (common on coast)
  • Cool evenings (even in summer)
  • Possible rain (have indoor plans ready)

The moodiness of Maine weather can enhance romance—fog softening a lighthouse, rain on a cottage roof, mist rising from a harbor at dawn.

Proposal Spots

Looking to pop the question? These Maine locations are perfect:

  1. Cadillac Mountain Summit - Sunrise proposal with panoramic views
  2. Jordan Pond Beach - Acadia backdrop, intimate setting
  3. Portland Head Light - Classic Maine lighthouse moment
  4. Private schooner sail - Ultimate romantic gesture
  5. Marginal Way (Ogunquit) - Clifftop ocean views
  6. Bubble Rock (Acadia) - Unique glacial erratic
  7. Any Maine beach at sunset - Timeless and beautiful
  8. Inn room with fireplace - Private and cozy

Budget-Friendly Romance

Romance doesn’t require unlimited funds:

  • Beach picnics - Pack gourmet cheese and wine
  • Sunrise hikes - Free and unforgettable
  • State park camping - $30-40/night under the stars
  • Happy hour dates - Upscale restaurants, smaller bill
  • Lighthouse road trip - Free to visit most lighthouses
  • Cooking together - Rent a cabin with kitchen, shop at farmers markets

The Romance of Maine

Maine doesn’t manufacture romance. It provides the setting—the quiet harbors, the forested trails, the weathered villages, the enduring lighthouse—and lets couples write their own stories. The pace slows. The distractions fade. What remains is each other and the timeless beauty of a remarkable place.

Whether you’re splurging on a luxury inn or cooking lobster in a rented cottage, watching sunset from a mountaintop or sharing silence on an empty beach, Maine offers what romance requires: beauty, privacy, and time.

From the luxury of Kennebunkport to the simplicity of island life, Maine provides endless settings for romantic connection. The key is matching the experience to what romance means to you—whether that’s fine dining and spa treatments or hiking boots and picnic lunches. Maine accommodates all definitions of romance, asking only that you slow down and pay attention to each other and the extraordinary place you’ve chosen to share.

Plan your romantic escape with these additional resources: