Maine Camp Experience’s Top Things to Do in Maine This Fall

As we move into fall, it’s hard to imagine how we’ll get through the many months until next summer at camp arrives again. Luckily, just because we have some time off from our Maine Camp Experience (MCE) camps, it doesn’t mean we’ll have to wait to experience Maine’s beauty again. Autumn is an incredible season to visit Maine, offering beautiful and brisk weather, colorful foliage, and an array of unique events and opportunities. Of course, there are many must-dos in Maine that aren’t limited to the fall season, but are made that much better by New England’s amazing autumn weather. Fall is a great time to visit Acadia National Park for a hike, or to spend some time in charming Bar Harbor. If you want to take a step back in time while enjoying Maine’s beautiful coast, take a cruise on a Windjammer, and old-school commercial sailing ship, where you can help with the rigging or sit back and read a book. That said, there are many amazing Maine experiences that are unique to autumn. One fall favorite in Maine has to be spending sunny days in one of Maine’s many beautiful orchards picking apples. You can spend a sunny day soaking in Maine’s great outdoors, and get a taste of fresh fruit right off the tree (or take your apples home to make a delicious pie or crumble). Of course, New England is also famous for the beautiful foliage that colors the state in hues of red, yellow, and orange. You can take advantage of a beautiful Maine fall by going on one of the amazing hikes around the state, or by taking in a unique outdoor event. The Boothbay Railway Village Fall Foliage Festival and Freeport Fall Festival are great ways is a great way to take in some of Maine’s culture – you can view the works of local artists, enjoy great Maine cuisine, listen to bands providing amazing entertainment, and get to experience the local communities that make Maine such a special place. One particularly unique festival that occurs in Maine each fall is the Fryeburg Fair. This annual agricultural fair offers a unique way to experience Maine’s rural roots. Farmers will show off their livestock and agriculture; you can see all kinds of vegetables and flowers, and a variety of animals from cows and sheep to llamas and oxen. There are lots of fun events within the fair – like a calf scramble (where teenagers will try to catch a young bull), a woodmen’s field day (with events like tree-felling and axe throwing), sheepdog trials (sheepdogs will try to herd as many sheep as possible, potentially qualifying for a national competition), and many more! With amazing food and many first-class musical acts, the Fryeburg Fair is not to be missed! Finally, if you’re planning on taking an adult autumn vacation to Maine, you should definitely check out the Maine Lakes Brewfest in Casco. Inspired by the tradition of Oktoberfest celebrations, this outdoor tent celebration at the end of September allows you to enjoy an incredible array of beers and ciders, along with delicious foods. A great way to spend an afternoon, we absolutely recommend you get a ticket and swing by! With so much to do in Maine, the question isn’t whether we’ll be back this fall – it’s how can we do everything once we get there! No matter what you’re looking for in an autumn vacation, we’re sure you can find it in Maine! — Maine Camp Experience Resources & Tools

You can share your own Maine camps memories & expressions of gratitude on our Memories of Camp section of our  website.

Looking for the perfect Maine camp for your child?  Try out our helpful tool where you can select a camp by choosing: type of camp (girls, boys or coed) and session length (1-8 weeks).  It helps to narrow down a few camps to a manageable list that includes rates.  Then you can research these camps in more depth.

Next, be sure to  to discuss these camps as well as for free, year-round advice and assistance on choosing a great Maine summer camp for your child.