Imagine a state where the air is sweet, the scenery is sweeter, and the candy shops are the sweetest of all.

Welcome to Maine, where sugar-coated dreams come true in the most unexpected places.

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

Nestled in the heart of Freeport, Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections is a golden-hued beacon of sugary delight.

This charming establishment, housed in a building that looks like it was plucked straight out of a New England postcard, is where chocolate dreams are born and dentists’ nightmares begin.

As you approach the Chocolate Factory (yes, that’s what it’s actually called), you’ll notice a quirky red lighthouse-shaped structure standing guard near the entrance.

It’s as if the building is saying, “Warning: Extreme deliciousness ahead!”

And boy, does it deliver on that promise.

Inside, the air is thick with the intoxicating aroma of cocoa, caramel, and pure, unadulterated joy.

The shop offers a wide array of handcrafted chocolates, from classic truffles to more adventurous concoctions that would make Willy Wonka himself raise an eyebrow in admiration.

But what really sets Wilbur’s apart is their commitment to using local ingredients whenever possible.

It’s like they’ve managed to distill the essence of Maine into each bite-sized piece of heaven.

Who knew that blueberries and chocolate were a match made in confectionery paradise?

2. Island Candy Company (Orr’s Island)

Tucked away on the picturesque Orr’s Island, the Island Candy Company is the kind of place that makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled into a fairy tale.

This quaint, gray-shingled shop with its cheery blue trim looks like it could be home to a family of particularly sweet-toothed elves.

As you step inside, you’re greeted by a cornucopia of colors and scents that would make a rainbow jealous.

The shop may be small, but it’s packed to the rafters with an impressive array of handmade candies, each one more tempting than the last.

What really sets Island Candy Company apart is their knack for capturing the essence of coastal Maine in their treats.

Salt water taffy that tastes like it was pulled from the very waves lapping at the island’s shores?

Check.

Chocolates infused with local herbs and berries?

Double check.

It’s like they’ve managed to bottle the spirit of a Maine summer and coat it in sugar.

And let’s not forget about the view.

With its prime location, you can enjoy your sweet treats while gazing out at the ocean.

It’s the perfect spot for indulging in some guilt-free gluttony – after all, the sea air is good for you, right?

3. Len Libby Chocolates (Scarborough)

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step into a whimsical woodland made entirely of chocolate, wonder no more.

Len Libby Chocolates in Scarborough is here to make your wildest confectionery fantasies come true.

The moment you walk in, you’re transported into a world where sugar plum fairies might actually exist.

The interior is a delightful mishmash of rustic charm and candy-coated wonder.

But the real showstopper?

A life-sized moose made entirely of chocolate.

Yes, you read that right.

His name is Lenny, and he’s 1,700 pounds of pure cocoa-based magnificence.

But Lenny isn’t the only attraction.

Len Libby’s offers an array of handcrafted chocolates that would make even the most discerning sweet tooth weak at the knees.

From their famous sea salt caramels to their Maine potato chips dipped in chocolate (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it), every treat is a testament to the magic that happens when quality ingredients meet skilled craftsmanship.

And let’s not forget about the ice cream.

Because apparently, being a chocolate paradise wasn’t enough – they had to go and add premium, homemade ice cream to the mix.

It’s like they’re trying to create a sugar-induced utopia, and honestly, I’m here for it.

4. Monica’s Chocolates (Lubec)

Perched on the easternmost edge of the United States, Monica’s Chocolates in Lubec is proof that sometimes, the best things in life are found at the end of the road.

Literally.

This unassuming white house with its welcoming porch might not scream “chocolate wonderland” at first glance, but don’t let appearances fool you.

Step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a world where Peruvian chocolate traditions meet Down East ingenuity.

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Monica, the shop’s owner and chocolate maestro, brings a touch of her native Peru to every creation.

The result?

Chocolates that are as unique as they are delicious.

We’re talking truffles infused with exotic flavors like lucuma and chicha morada, alongside Maine classics like wild blueberry and maple.

But what really sets Monica’s apart is the passion that goes into every piece.

Each chocolate is handcrafted with the kind of care and attention usually reserved for fine art or newborn babies.

It’s as if Monica has figured out how to infuse love itself into her creations.

And let me tell you, love tastes pretty darn good when it’s covered in chocolate.

5. The Candy Shoppe (Boothbay Harbor)

Nestled in the heart of picturesque Boothbay Harbor, The Candy Shoppe is like stepping into a time machine that’s been programmed for “peak nostalgia” and “maximum sugar rush.”

With its charming striped awning and quaint storefront, this little gem looks like it was plucked straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting – if Norman Rockwell had a serious sweet tooth, that is.

The moment you push open that blue door, you’re hit with a wave of sweetness so potent it could probably be classified as an airborne sugar delivery system.

Inside, it’s a veritable wonderland of confectionery delights.

From classic penny candies that’ll transport you straight back to your childhood, to handmade fudge that’s so creamy it should probably be illegal, The Candy Shoppe has it all.

And let’s not forget about their famous salt water taffy – it’s chewy, it’s flavorful, and it’s probably responsible for at least 50% of the local dentists’ business.

But what really sets this place apart is its commitment to keeping the art of traditional candy-making alive.

Watch in awe as they pull taffy right before your eyes, or marvel at the intricate designs of their hand-dipped chocolates.

It’s like Willy Wonka’s factory, but without the unsettling Oompa Loompas or the risk of turning into a giant blueberry.

6. Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. (Boothbay Harbor)

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

This place is to popcorn what Michelangelo was to ceiling painting – absolute masters of their craft.

From the outside, with its cheery green awning and inviting storefront, it looks like any other quaint Maine shop.

But step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a popcorn lover’s paradise.

The air is thick with the smell of freshly popped kernels and a dizzying array of flavors that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

Now, when I say they have flavors, I mean they have FLAVORS.

We’re not just talking about your run-of-the-mill butter and caramel here (although they do those exceptionally well).

No, we’re talking about flavors that sound like they were dreamed up by a mad scientist with a sweet tooth.

Dill Pickle popcorn?

Check.

Lobster popcorn?

You bet.

Blueberry Muffin popcorn?

Why not!

It’s like they’ve taken every flavor known to mankind and thought, “You know what would make this better? If it was popcorn.”

But the real magic happens when you start mixing flavors.

It’s like being a kid in a candy store, except you’re an adult in a popcorn store, which is arguably better because you don’t have to ask your parents for permission to buy everything.

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.

If the other shops on this list are the fun, quirky cousins who always bring the party, Dean’s Sweets is the cool aunt who’s traveled the world and always has the best stories (and in this case, the best chocolates).

Tucked away in downtown Portland, Dean’s Sweets looks more like a high-end boutique than a candy shop.

With its elegant green awning and sleek storefront, it’s the kind of place that makes you feel fancy just by walking in.

But don’t let the upscale appearance fool you – at its heart, Dean’s is all about good old-fashioned chocolate love.

Inside, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of handcrafted truffles and chocolates that look almost too pretty to eat.

Almost.

From classic flavors like dark chocolate and raspberry to more adventurous offerings like Needham (a traditional Maine treat made with potato, coconut, and chocolate) or their famous Maine Sea Salt Caramel, each piece is a little work of art.

But what really sets Dean’s apart is their commitment to using local, high-quality ingredients.

It’s like they’ve taken the best of Maine and wrapped it in chocolate.

And let’s be honest, is there any better way to experience a place than through its chocolate?

So there you have it, folks – seven sweet spots that prove Maine is more than just lobsters and lighthouses.

Chart your course to flavor!

This map is your key to smooth travels and tasty discoveries.

Maine’s a candy lover’s paradise, a sugar-coated wonderland, a… okay, I’ll stop now.

Just go eat some chocolate, will ya?