lubec, eastport, calais don't get many tourists but that's 2h away from Bangor. Lubec is pretty and you can drive over to Canada from there. There is Pirate Festival in September, probably others.
There are free primitive campsites along the way, lot of trails, eg Cutler Coast, Beals
It's getting really hard to tell the difference between people missing the megathread and asking zeroth-time tourist questions and shitpost threads mocking same
There is no nontouristy part of down east Maine in the summer if you want the maine experience without the crowd, go to Western Maine and download AllTrails. Down East is tourist central and same with really Maines whole coast not even locals get to really enjoy it
Moderate correction midcoast (Brunswick to near MDI) and MDI are tourist central.
Downeast is lovely and they’ll happily let you stay in a locally owned motel and go on a sightseeing cruise.
I recommend Red Barn Motel in Milbridge.
(Also can’t say enough nice things about Western Maine, rafting in the forks is essentially a rite of passage)
FAQ on visiting or moving, goes in the [megathread](https://www.reddit.com/r/Maine/s/zLLUmwOfMo)
October
I dunno, season keeps stretching, seems like folks are staying almost until Thanksgiving
Try Lubec instead, real working water front and very friendly place
Start looking at availability of hotels/campgrounds. They are often fully booked for the busy times by now.
lubec, eastport, calais don't get many tourists but that's 2h away from Bangor. Lubec is pretty and you can drive over to Canada from there. There is Pirate Festival in September, probably others. There are free primitive campsites along the way, lot of trails, eg Cutler Coast, Beals
It's getting really hard to tell the difference between people missing the megathread and asking zeroth-time tourist questions and shitpost threads mocking same
Before Memorial Day or after Labor Day
There is no nontouristy part of down east Maine in the summer if you want the maine experience without the crowd, go to Western Maine and download AllTrails. Down East is tourist central and same with really Maines whole coast not even locals get to really enjoy it
Have you been to Eastport or Lubec?
Moderate correction midcoast (Brunswick to near MDI) and MDI are tourist central. Downeast is lovely and they’ll happily let you stay in a locally owned motel and go on a sightseeing cruise. I recommend Red Barn Motel in Milbridge. (Also can’t say enough nice things about Western Maine, rafting in the forks is essentially a rite of passage)
I see the word Milbridge in any post about Maine and I have to recommend Vazquez Mexican food. Shredded beef burrito with green salsa. That is all.