Highest-rated free things to do in Maine by visitors

Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Maine.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Maine using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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#30. Freeport Shopping Outlets

- Rating: 4.2/5 (538 reviews)
- City: Freeport
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#29. Short Sands Beach

- Rating: 4.4/5 (503 reviews)
- City: not available
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#28. Goose Rocks Beach

- Rating: 4.3/5 (255 reviews)
- City: Kennebunkport Kennebunks
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#27. St. Ann's Episcopal Church

- Rating: 4.7/5 (701 reviews)
- City: Kennebunkport Kennebunks
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#26. Jasper Beach

- Rating: 4.6/5 (82 reviews)
- City: Machiasport
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#25. West Quoddy Head Light

- Rating: 4.7/5 (761 reviews)
- City: Lubec
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#24. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

- Rating: 4.1/5 (740 reviews)
- City: Bass Harbor Tremont Mount Desert Island
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#23. Commercial Street

- Rating: 4.3/5 (699 reviews)
- City: Portland
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#22. Coastal Highway U.S. 1

- Rating: 4.4/5 (348 reviews)
- City: not available
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#21. Footbridge Beach

- Rating: 4.7/5 (448 reviews)
- City: Ogunquit
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#20. Long Sands Beach

- Rating: 4.6/5 (690 reviews)
- City: not available
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#19. Rockland Breakwater Light

- Rating: 4.6/5 (996 reviews)
- City: Rockland
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#18. Fort Williams Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (708 reviews)
- City: Cape Elizabeth
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#17. Eastern Promenade Trail

- Rating: 4.6/5 (751 reviews)
- City: Portland
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#16. Schoodic Point

- Rating: 4.9/5 (522 reviews)
- City: Winter Harbor
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#15. Ocean Avenue

- Rating: 4.7/5 (677 reviews)
- City: Kennebunkport Kennebunks
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#14. Carriage Roads

- Rating: 4.7/5 (576 reviews)
- City: Acadia National Park Mount Desert Island
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#13. Shore Path

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,021 reviews)
- City: Bar Harbor Mount Desert Island
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#12. Walker's Point

- Rating: 4.4/5 (817 reviews)
- City: Kennebunkport Kennebunks
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#11. Ocean Trail

- Rating: 4.7/5 (988 reviews)
- City: Bar Harbor Mount Desert Island
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#10. Wells Beach

- Rating: 4.5/5 (970 reviews)
- City: Wells
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#9. Land Bridge to Bar Island

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,402 reviews)
- City: Bar Harbor Mount Desert Island
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#8. Old Orchard Beach

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1,584 reviews)
- City: Old Orchard Beach
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#7. Allagash Brewing Company

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,199 reviews)
- City: Portland
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#6. Perkins Cove

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,510 reviews)
- City: Ogunquit
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#5. Old Port

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,312 reviews)
- City: Portland
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#4. Ogunquit Beach

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,265 reviews)
- City: Ogunquit
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#3. Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,784 reviews)
- City: not available
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#2. Portland Head Light

- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,493 reviews)
- City: Cape Elizabeth
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#1. Marginal Way

- Rating: 4.9/5 (5,483 reviews)
- City: Ogunquit
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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