Calais, Maine

Calais (pronounced “Call-us”) occupies the banks of the tidal St. Croix River directly opposite St. Stephen, New Brunswick, this Washington County city of about 3,000 residents maintaining the international friendship that border communities have cultivated for generations. The International Bridge connects the two communities, the crossing requiring passport or passport card while demonstrating the “two nations, one community” spirit that the International Homecoming Festival celebrates each summer.

St. Croix Island International Historic Site marks where French explorers including Champlain attempted settlement in 1604, predating both Jamestown and Plymouth. The harsh winter and scurvy devastated the colony, but the site remains historically significant as one of North America’s earliest European settlement attempts. Interpretive trails and exhibits document this early chapter in the continent’s colonial history.

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge spreads across vast territory where American Woodcock, eagles, and diverse wildlife populations thrive in protected habitat. The refuge demonstrates that conservation can protect the ecosystems that make Washington County ecologically distinctive while providing recreational access for hiking and birdwatching.

The Calais Waterfront Walkway provides strolling along the St. Croix River with views across to Canada, the accessible pathway connecting residents and visitors to the waterfront that shaped the city’s development.

Calais serves as the gateway to the Downeast lakes and coastal wilderness, the position making it practical base for exploring the region’s vast outdoor territory. Route 9 “The Airline” connects to Bangor about two hours west, while Route 1 provides coastal access south toward Eastport and the Bold Coast.

Very affordable housing and quiet atmosphere attract those seeking small-city living far from crowded regions.

For those seeking international border atmosphere, early colonial history, wildlife refuge access, and Downeast gateway positioning, Calais offers the Washington County service center character that St. Croix River heritage and cross-border friendship define.