Maine: where the lobsters are fresh, the lighthouses are plentiful, and the roadside attractions are… well, let’s just say they’re uniquely “Maine-tastic.”
Buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to embark on a journey that’s weirder than a moose in a tuxedo.
1. Wild Blueberry Land (Columbia Falls)
Imagine if the Smurfs decided to open a theme park dedicated to blueberries.
That’s pretty much what you get at Wild Blueberry Land.
This blue-tiful (sorry, couldn’t resist) dome-shaped building looks like it was plucked straight out of a cartoon.
It’s a shrine to all things blueberry, and let me tell you, these folks take their berries seriously.
Inside, you’ll find an explosion of blue – from blueberry pies to blueberry jam to blueberry-themed knick-knacks.
It’s like Willy Wonka’s factory, but instead of chocolate, everything’s blueberry.
And yes, before you ask, they do have blueberry ice cream.
It’s so good, it might just make you blue (okay, I’ll stop with the puns… maybe).
2. World’s Largest Telephone (Bryant Pond)
Remember phones?
Those things we used to actually talk into before texting became the norm?
Well, Bryant Pond has a monument to the good ol’ days of telecommunication, and it’s not exactly subtle.
Picture a phone the size of a small car, and you’re getting close.
This giant black rotary phone stands proudly in the center of town, a testament to Bryant Pond’s claim to fame as the last place in the U.S. to give up hand-crank telephones.
It’s like stepping into a time warp, except instead of going back in time, you’ve just super-sized the present.
And no, you can’t actually make a call on it – though imagine the long-distance bills if you could!
3. Eartha, The World’s Largest Rotating Globe (Yarmouth)
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a giant looking down at Earth, Eartha is your chance.
This massive globe, housed at the DeLorme headquarters in Yarmouth, is a sight to behold.
It’s so big, you half expect to see tiny airplanes circling it.
Eartha rotates and tilts just like our actual planet, which is pretty cool if you’re into that whole science thing.
It’s like Google Earth came to life, minus the ability to zoom in on your ex’s new house.
And the best part?
You can visit for free.
It’s probably the only time you’ll be able to say you saw the whole world in one day without sounding like a complete lunatic.
4. The Desert of Maine (Freeport)
Maine, land of lush forests and rocky coastlines, is probably the last place you’d expect to find a desert.
But lo and behold, Freeport says, “Hold my lobster roll.”
The Desert of Maine is 40 acres of sand dunes smack dab in the middle of pine trees and blueberry bushes.
It’s not a real desert, mind you – more like a geological oopsie-daisy that happened after years of poor farming practices.
But that doesn’t make it any less weird or wonderful.
You can take guided tours, go “gemstone hunting,” or just marvel at the absurdity of building sandcastles in Maine without being anywhere near a beach.
5. Lenny the Chocolate Moose (Scarborough)
If you’ve ever thought, “Gee, I wish there was a life-sized moose made entirely of chocolate,” then boy, do I have news for you!
Meet Lenny, the 1,700-pound chocolate moose residing in Len Libby Chocolates in Scarborough.
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Lenny stands in a diorama complete with chocolate trees and a chocolate bear, because why stop at just one chocolate animal?
It’s like Willy Wonka went on a hunting trip in Maine.
And while you can’t eat Lenny (please don’t try), the shop does sell plenty of other chocolate treats that won’t stare back at you.
6. International Cryptozoology Museum (Portland)
Ever wondered where Bigfoot enthusiasts and Loch Ness Monster truthers go to geek out?
Wonder no more!
The International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland is a haven for all things mysterious and potentially mythical.
From Bigfoot hair samples to a life-sized model of the Feejee Mermaid, this place is packed with the weird and the wonderful.
It’s like stepping into the fever dream of every conspiracy theorist you’ve ever met.
Whether you’re a true believer or just enjoy a good chuckle at the expense of cryptid hunters, this museum is sure to leave you scratching your head – and possibly checking over your shoulder for Chupacabras.
7. Umbrella Cover Museum (Peaks Island)
You know those little sleeves that come with umbrellas that you immediately lose?
Well, someone’s been collecting them.
The Umbrella Cover Museum on Peaks Island is exactly what it sounds like – a museum dedicated to those forgotten fabric tubes.
It’s quirky, it’s pointless, and it’s absolutely delightful.
The museum’s motto is “Celebrate the Mundane,” and boy, do they ever.
It’s the kind of place that makes you question everything you thought you knew about museums, umbrellas, and how to spend a Saturday afternoon.
8. Paul Bunyan Statue (Bangor)
Bangor likes to claim it’s the birthplace of the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan.
Whether that’s true or not, they’ve certainly committed to the bit with this 31-foot-tall statue of the man himself.
It’s like the Statue of Liberty, if Lady Liberty traded her torch for an axe and her robes for a flannel shirt.
The statue has stood guard over Bangor since 1959, and rumor has it he only comes to life when someone pronounces “Bangor” wrong (it’s BANG-gor, not BANG-er, for the record).
Okay, I made that last part up, but with Maine’s reputation for the weird and wonderful, would you really be surprised?
There you have it, folks – a whirlwind tour of Maine’s wackiest wonders.
Let the journey unfold!
This map is your guide to every twist, turn, and unforgettable stop ahead.
Who needs normal tourist attractions when you can gawk at chocolate moose and debate the existence of Bigfoot?
Maine: come for the lobster, stay for the giant rotating globe.