Forget the diet, folks!

We’re about to embark on a sugar-coated adventure through Maine’s most delightful candy havens.

These sweet spots will make your taste buds dance and your dentist weep.

1. Island Candy Company (Orr’s Island)

Nestled on Orr’s Island, the Island Candy Company is a quaint little slice of sugar heaven.

This charming gray-shingled building with bright blue trim looks like it was plucked straight out of a New England postcard.

As you approach, you’ll notice the inviting bench out front, perfect for savoring your treats while soaking in the coastal air.

Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where calories don’t count and happiness is measured in ounces of fudge.

The shop’s rustic charm is as sweet as its confections, with wooden shelves lined with jars of colorful candies that would make Willy Wonka jealous.

But let’s talk about the real star of the show – the candy!

From hand-dipped chocolates to saltwater taffy that’ll make you question why you ever ate anything else, this place is a sugar rush waiting to happen.

And if you’re feeling particularly daring, try their “Lobster Tail” – a chocolate-covered potato chip that’s as uniquely Maine as a moose wearing L.L. Bean boots.

2. Len Libby Chocolates (Scarborough)

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step into a chocolate lover’s fever dream, look no further than Len Libby Chocolates in Scarborough.

This place is so committed to chocolate, they’ve created a life-sized moose made entirely of the stuff.

That’s right, folks – 1,700 pounds of pure, chocolatey moose majesty named “Lenny.”

As you enter, you’re greeted by a whimsical scene that looks like Maine’s wilderness got a sweet makeover.

The chocolate moose stands proudly in a diorama complete with a log cabin and painted landscape.

It’s like stepping into a Roald Dahl book, minus the Oompa Loompas (though I wouldn’t be surprised if they were hiding behind the counter).

But Len Libby isn’t just about gawking at chocolate sculptures.

Their truffles are so good, you might consider trading your firstborn for a lifetime supply.

And their sea salt caramels?

Let’s just say they could make even the grumpiest lobsterman crack a smile.

3. Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections (Freeport)

Wilbur’s of Maine in Freeport is like the Ivy League of candy shops – prestigious, a bit preppy, and guaranteed to make you feel smarter just by walking through the door.

Housed in a charming yellow building that screams “New England charm,” this place is where chocolate goes to get its Ph.D. in deliciousness.

Inside, it’s a chocolate lover’s paradise.

The air is thick with the scent of cocoa, and the displays are so artfully arranged, you’ll feel guilty disturbing them.

But disturb them you must, because life’s too short not to try their famous chocolate-covered blueberries.

It’s like Maine decided to give its state fruit a fancy makeover, and the results are spectacular.

But the real showstopper at Wilbur’s is their chocolate lighthouse.

It’s a beacon of hope for all those lost souls wandering the seas of mediocre candy.

One bite of their sea salt caramel, and you’ll be ready to abandon ship and live out your days as a happy castaway in this sweet oasis.

4. Monica’s Chocolates (Lubec)

Tucked away in Lubec, the easternmost town in the U.S., Monica’s Chocolates is proof that good things come in unexpected packages.

This unassuming white house might not look like much from the outside, but step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a chocolate wonderland that would make even the most jaded candy connoisseur weak at the knees.

Monica, the mastermind behind this sweet operation, brings a touch of her Peruvian heritage to every truffle and bonbon.

It’s like a delicious cultural exchange program, where Maine meets the Andes in the most mouthwatering way possible.

Her chocolate-covered cranberries are so good, they should be considered a national treasure.

But the real magic happens when you try her sea salt caramels.

One bite, and you’ll swear you can hear the Atlantic Ocean whispering sweet nothings in your ear.

It’s the kind of candy that makes you contemplate quitting your job and becoming a professional chocolate taster.

(Note: This is not a real job. I checked. Repeatedly.)

5. The Candy Shoppe (Boothbay Harbor)

Strolling down the charming streets of Boothbay Harbor, you might stumble upon a little slice of childhood nostalgia masquerading as a store.

Welcome to Orne’s Candy Store, where time seems to stand still, and your dentist’s warnings fade into a distant memory.

This place is like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting, if Norman Rockwell had a serious sweet tooth.

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The red and white striped awning is more inviting than a grandma’s hug, and the window display is a kaleidoscope of colors that would make a rainbow jealous.

Inside, it’s a candy lover’s fever dream.

Jars upon jars of colorful confections line the walls, each one promising a different adventure for your taste buds.

Their handmade fudge is so creamy, it should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous happiness and uncontrollable smiling.”

But the real showstopper?

Their old-fashioned candy counter.

It’s like a time machine that transports you back to a simpler time when calories didn’t exist and sugar was considered a food group.

One look at their selection of penny candies, and you’ll be fishing for quarters faster than you can say “sugar rush.”

6. Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. (Boothbay Harbor)

Just when you thought Boothbay Harbor couldn’t get any sweeter, along comes the Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. to prove you deliciously wrong.

This place is to popcorn what Picasso was to painting – wildly creative and slightly mad, in the best possible way.

From the moment you spot the cheery green awning, you know you’re in for a treat.

Step inside, and you’re hit with a popcorn perfume so enticing, you’ll wonder why they don’t bottle it as a fragrance.

(Note to self: Patent “Eau de Popcorn” ASAP.)

But this isn’t your average movie theater popcorn.

Oh no, my friends.

We’re talking flavors that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

Blueberry?

Check.

Lobster?

You betcha.

Maple bacon?

It’s like they read your dream journal.

They’ve got more flavors than Maine has lighthouses, and each one is a little bite of adventure.

The real kicker?

Their sampler packs.

It’s like a flavor roulette, except every chamber is loaded with deliciousness.

You might go in thinking you’re a caramel corn purist and leave as a devoted disciple of dill pickle popcorn.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

7. Dean’s Sweets (Portland)

Last but certainly not least, we have Dean’s Sweets in Portland, the sophisticated older sibling of the candy world.

This place is where chocolate goes to get its MBA in deliciousness.

The sleek green awning and elegant storefront might fool you into thinking you’re entering a high-end boutique, and in a way, you are – it’s just that the merchandise here is edible.

Step inside, and you’re greeted by a display case that looks like it should be in a museum of modern art.

Each truffle is a tiny masterpiece, hand-crafted with the kind of attention to detail that would make a Swiss watchmaker nod in approval.

But don’t let the fancy appearance fool you – Dean’s has a playful side too.

Their Maine Sea Salt Caramels are like a love letter to the state’s coastline, and their Needhams (a traditional Maine potato candy) are so good, they might make you reconsider your stance on vegetables in dessert.

The real showstopper, though?

Their chocolate-dipped bacon.

It’s the kind of treat that makes you question everything you thought you knew about food pairings.

One bite, and you’ll be writing sonnets about the perfect marriage of sweet and savory.

There you have it, folks – a tour of Maine’s sweetest spots that’ll leave you with a sugar high and a newfound appreciation for elastic waistbands.

Remember, calories consumed on vacation don’t count, so indulge away!