When you think of Maine, what are the top 3 things that come to mind?
Now Maine is known for numerous things such as Lobsters, Lighthouses, Coastlines and amazing beaches. Though this is all true, we have many more hidden gems that you may or may not be aware of.
Lobster
First, I’ll discuss the obvious. Lobster. Yes, we have lobster and a lot of it. Currently Maine ranks as the largest lobster producing state in the nation, shelling out 40 million pounds, nearly 90 percent of the nation’s lobster supply. Why you ask? Maybe because of our cold temps and vast coastlines.
Coastline
Maine ranks fourth in most coastline in the United States with 3,478 miles of it. With that brings ocean lovers of all kinds, of every season. Maine Coastline: Coastline Maine has 3,478 miles of coastline – more than California (3,427), and over 5,000 miles of coast if you include all of the islands as well. Only Florida and Louisiana (mostly bayou) have more miles of coastline.
Lighthouses
With so much coastline is there any surprise we have so many lighthouses? We have 65 lighthouses along Maine’s coast, inlets, and islands. Historically, the lighthouses helped guide ships into safe harbors. Today these lighthouses have become tourist hotspots attracting visitors from all over the world. The Portland Head Light is the most photographed lighthouse in America, and also the oldest in Maine (1791). Curious about these lighthouses? Check out Maine’s annual Open Lighthouse Day in September http://lighthousefoundation.org/maine-open-lighthouse-day/
Moose
Maine is home to the highest moose population in the lower 48 states, estimating around 70,000. These fascinating mammals are the tallest of mammals within North America growing up to seven feet tall, nine feet in length and 1700 pounds. We also have (in our nearby neighborhood of Scarborough at Len Libby Candies) the world’s only life size chocolate moose!
Blueberries
Blueberry is the state of Maine berry and for good reason. More blueberries grow in Maine than any other state, over 90% of the country’s blueberry crop. Maine was the leading producer of lowbush, or “wild” blueberries, producing and utilizing 101.6 million pounds. Fresh blueberries accounted for 380,000 pounds, and 101.2 million pounds were processed. In total, fresh and processed wild blueberries were valued at $27.7 million (NASS 2020)
Breweries
Maine has a hopping Maine beer brewing business and 24 Maine wineries. As of early 2022, Maine is home to 165 active, licensed breweries, representing over 100 unique brands. After many years of lagging behind Vermont, Maine now officially has the highest number of breweries per capita in the country. As of 2021, Maine has one brewery for every 8,654 people according to the Maine Brewers Guild and the U.S. Census Bureau.
24 Hour Clothing & Sporting Goods
Freeport is the home to the L.L. Bean Company, the first retail clothier to be open 24/7/365, founded in 1912.
Desert
The Desert of Maine is a tourist attraction whose main feature is a 40-acre expanse of glacial sand dunes, surrounded by a coastal forest, in the town of Freeport, Maine, in the United States. The Desert of Maine is not a true desert, as it receives an abundance of precipitation. It is a natural wonder, a historic landmark, and a beloved tourist attraction.
National Parks
Acadia National Park is one of the most visited U.S. National Parks, with over 2 million annual visitors. The Park was first established and opened in 1916. Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Its landscape is marked by woodland, rocky beaches and glacier-scoured granite peaks such as Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States’ East Coast. Among the wildlife are moose, bear, whales and seabirds. Acadia National Park falls in the top ten list of most visited parks in the United States, welcoming more than three million travelers every year. Established by Woodrow Wilson in 1916 with 6,000 acres, Acadia now covers more than 49,000 acres thanks to the remarkable dedication and philanthropy of wealthy private citizens such as Charles W. Eliot, George B. Dorr, and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The park encompasses nearly half of Mount Desert Island, a scattering of smaller islands, and the Schoodic Peninsula.
Cosmetics
Burt’s Bees, the popular skincare brand, was founded in Maine by photojournalist Burt Schavitz in 1984.
Needhams
The Maine potato (Maine is in the top ten of producers of the potato as well) candy known as the Needham has always stood in the shadow of the whoopie pie, but generations of Mainers have nonetheless revered the sweet confection. Orinated around 1872.
Whoopie Pies
Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts, Virginia and New Hampshire all claim to be the birthplace of the whoopie pie. The world’s largest whoopie pie was created in South Portland, Maine, on March 26, 2011, weighing in at 1,062 lb (481.7 kg). In 2011, the Maine State Legislature considered naming the whoopie pie the official state pie. The town of Dover-Foxcroft, in Piscataquis County, Maine, has hosted the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival since 2009. In 2014, more than 7,500 people attended the festival.[7] The 2013 festival had eight different whoopie pie vendors in attendance. Bakers from across Maine compete for top whoopie pie in a number of categories.
Maple Syrup
At number 3, Maine produces an average of 495,000 gallons per year. Ever heard of Maine Maple Sunday? It’s a thing. https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/agricultural-attractions/maine-maple-sunday
Donut Holes
In 1847, a Maine ship captain invented the donut as we know it today – with a hole. On the day Lewis Hine took the photo of a waitress next to a plate of donuts (with holes), Capt. Hansen Gregory lived in the next town. He was telling his cronies how he’d gotten the great inspiration to cut a hole in a donut
Toothpicks
And lastly when we think of Maine… why think of toothpicks? Because Maine is the top producer of US toothpicks- over 90%. Who would’ve known?
Also be sure to check out our A La Carte offerings when you make your Alouette reservation! Woopie Pies, IPA Brews and more!
