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This Wacky Road Trip Will Take You To 8 Of Maine’s Most Unique Roadside Attractions


Who says road trips have to be ordinary?

Embark on this wacky adventure through Maine and discover unique attractions that redefine roadside charm.

1. Wild Blueberry Land (Columbia Falls)

Step into a world where blueberries reign supreme. It's as if Willy Wonka decided to go on a health kick and opened a fruit-themed wonderland.Step into a world where blueberries reign supreme. It's as if Willy Wonka decided to go on a health kick and opened a fruit-themed wonderland.
Step into a world where blueberries reign supreme. It’s as if Willy Wonka decided to go on a health kick and opened a fruit-themed wonderland. Photo Credit: Marcelle M

Imagine if the Smurfs decided to open a theme park dedicated to Maine’s favorite fruit.

That’s pretty much what you get at Wild Blueberry Land.

This blue-tiful (see what I did there?) dome-shaped building looks like it was plucked straight out of a cartoon.

It’s as if Papa Smurf said, “You know what? Let’s make this place so blue, even the sky will be jealous.”

Blueberry heaven or Smurf village? This dome-shaped delight looks like it popped right out of a children's storybook. Berry good architecture, if you ask me!Blueberry heaven or Smurf village? This dome-shaped delight looks like it popped right out of a children's storybook. Berry good architecture, if you ask me!
Blueberry heaven or Smurf village? This dome-shaped delight looks like it popped right out of a children’s storybook. Berry good architecture, if you ask me! Photo Credit: The Stork Got Lost

Inside, you’ll find all things blueberry – from jams and jellies to pies that could make your grandma weep with envy.

And let’s not forget the blueberry-themed miniature golf course.

Because nothing says “I’m a serious golfer” like putting around giant blueberries.

2. World’s Largest Telephone (Bryant Pond)

Autumn leaves frame this telephonic titan. It's like Alexander Graham Bell met Paul Bunyan and said, "Let's supersize this invention!"Autumn leaves frame this telephonic titan. It's like Alexander Graham Bell met Paul Bunyan and said, "Let's supersize this invention!"
Autumn leaves frame this telephonic titan. It’s like Alexander Graham Bell met Paul Bunyan and said, “Let’s supersize this invention!” Photo Credit: Mike Gratis

In Bryant Pond, they’ve taken the phrase “Can you hear me now?” to a whole new level.

Standing proud and tall is the World’s Largest Telephone, a monument to the town’s claim to fame as the last place in America to give up hand-crank telephones.

It’s like they looked at progress and said, “Nah, we’re good.”

This giant black phone looks like it could’ve been used by King Kong to order a pizza.

Hello, is it me you're looking for? This colossal phone brings new meaning to "long-distance calling." Forget pocket-sized—you'll need a crane to answer this bad boy!Hello, is it me you're looking for? This colossal phone brings new meaning to "long-distance calling." Forget pocket-sized—you'll need a crane to answer this bad boy!
Hello, is it me you’re looking for? This colossal phone brings new meaning to “long-distance calling.” Forget pocket-sized—you’ll need a crane to answer this bad boy! Photo Credit: Kyle Rawlinson

It’s so big, you half expect to see a “You must be this tall to make a call” sign next to it.

And here’s a fun fact: the handle actually moves!

So go ahead, give it a crank.

Just don’t expect anyone to answer – unless you believe in really, really big ghosts.

3. Eartha, The World’s Largest Rotating Globe (Yarmouth)

Hold the world in your gaze! This mammoth globe puts a new spin on Hold the world in your gaze! This mammoth globe puts a new spin on
Hold the world in your gaze! This mammoth globe puts a new spin on “having the world at your fingertips.” Atlas would be jealous. Photo credit: Kate Jasper

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a god gazing down at Earth, Eartha is your chance.

This massive globe, housed at the DeLorme headquarters in Yarmouth, is the world’s largest rotating and revolving globe.

It’s like someone took a regular classroom globe and said, “Make it bigger. No, bigger. Keep going. Perfect!”

Eartha is so detailed, you can probably spot your house if you squint hard enough.

Window to the world or giant marble? Eartha offers a chance to travel the globe without leaving Maine. Talk about an out-of-this-world experience!Window to the world or giant marble? Eartha offers a chance to travel the globe without leaving Maine. Talk about an out-of-this-world experience!
Window to the world or giant marble? Eartha offers a chance to travel the globe without leaving Maine. Talk about an out-of-this-world experience! Photo credit: Mohan S

And it rotates!

It’s like watching the world spin without the pesky side effect of dizziness.

Just don’t try to give it a spin yourself – unless you’ve been working out with Atlas.

4. The Desert of Maine (Freeport)

Welcome to Maine's sandy surprise! This desert oasis amidst pine trees is nature's way of saying, "Expect the unexpected." Lawrence of Arabia, eat your heart out!Welcome to Maine's sandy surprise! This desert oasis amidst pine trees is nature's way of saying, "Expect the unexpected." Lawrence of Arabia, eat your heart out!
Welcome to Maine’s sandy surprise! This desert oasis amidst pine trees is nature’s way of saying, “Expect the unexpected.” Lawrence of Arabia, eat your heart out! Photo credit: Desert of Maine

You read that right.

A desert.

In Maine.

It’s like Mother Nature decided to play a practical joke on geography.

This 40-acre patch of sand dunes sticks out in the Pine Tree State like a camel at a lobster bake.

Who needs camels when you've got this colorful creature? Maine's desert proves that sometimes, the best mirages are the ones you can actually touch.Who needs camels when you've got this colorful creature? Maine's desert proves that sometimes, the best mirages are the ones you can actually touch.
Who needs camels when you’ve got this colorful creature? Maine’s desert proves that sometimes, the best mirages are the ones you can actually touch. Photo credit: Dayne Dennett

The Desert of Maine is what happens when glacial silt meets poor farming practices.

It’s a testament to human stubbornness – or maybe just a really elaborate sandcastle gone wrong.

Either way, it’s a surreal experience to be trudging through sand dunes one minute and then diving into a pine forest the next.

Don’t forget your sunscreen and your sense of humor!

5. Lenny the Chocolate Moose (Scarborough)

Meet Lenny, the moose you can admire but can't devour. This chocolate behemoth gives new meaning to "don't play with your food."Meet Lenny, the moose you can admire but can't devour. This chocolate behemoth gives new meaning to "don't play with your food."
Meet Lenny, the moose you can admire but can’t devour. This chocolate behemoth gives new meaning to “don’t play with your food.” Photo credit: Leslie Law

Ever had a craving for chocolate so big you could ride it?

Well, saddle up, partner, because Lenny the Chocolate Moose is here to satisfy that urge – visually, at least.

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Standing proud in Len Libby’s Candies, this life-size moose is made from 1,700 pounds of milk chocolate.

Lenny is accompanied by his pals: a black bear and two cubs, also made of chocolate.

A woodland scene sweeter than maple syrup. Lenny and friends showcase confectionery craftsmanship that's almost too good to eat. Almost.A woodland scene sweeter than maple syrup. Lenny and friends showcase confectionery craftsmanship that's almost too good to eat. Almost.
A woodland scene sweeter than maple syrup. Lenny and friends showcase confectionery craftsmanship that’s almost too good to eat. Almost. Photo credit: Patrick Ross

It’s like a woodland scene, if the woodland was Willy Wonka’s backyard.

And while you can’t take a bite out of Lenny (please don’t try), you can certainly feast your eyes on this chocolatey masterpiece.

It’s the ultimate “look but don’t eat” challenge!

6. International Cryptozoology Museum (Portland)

Bigfoot's vacation home? This museum proves that sometimes, the most fascinating creatures are the ones we can't find. X-Files, eat your heart out!Bigfoot's vacation home? This museum proves that sometimes, the most fascinating creatures are the ones we can't find. X-Files, eat your heart out!
Bigfoot’s vacation home? This museum proves that sometimes, the most fascinating creatures are the ones we can’t find. X-Files, eat your heart out! Photo credit: Christopher O’Brien

Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Yeti walk into a bar… or in this case, a museum in Portland.

The International Cryptozoology Museum is dedicated to the study of hidden or unknown animals.

It’s like a zoo for things that probably don’t exist, but hey, who are we to judge?

From Sasquatch to sea monsters, this treasure trove of cryptids will have you believing in the unbelievable. Who knew myth-busting could be so much fun?From Sasquatch to sea monsters, this treasure trove of cryptids will have you believing in the unbelievable. Who knew myth-busting could be so much fun?
From Sasquatch to sea monsters, this treasure trove of cryptids will have you believing in the unbelievable. Who knew myth-busting could be so much fun? Photo credit: daniel deutsch

From Bigfoot hair samples to a life-size coelacanth model, this place is a treasure trove of the weird and wonderful.

It’s the perfect spot for those who want to believe – or those who just enjoy a good chuckle at humanity’s endless quest to prove the improbable.

7. Umbrella Cover Museum (Peaks Island)

Raining cats and dogs? No problem! This quirky museum celebrates the unsung hero of wet weather. Mary Poppins would approve!Raining cats and dogs? No problem! This quirky museum celebrates the unsung hero of wet weather. Mary Poppins would approve!
Raining cats and dogs? No problem! This quirky museum celebrates the unsung hero of wet weather. Mary Poppins would approve! Photo credit: Michael George

You know those little sleeves that come with umbrellas?

The ones you lose approximately 2.5 seconds after buying a new umbrella?

Well, someone decided those unsung heroes deserved their own museum.

Welcome to the Umbrella Cover Museum on Peaks Island, the world’s only museum dedicated to the art and appreciation of umbrella covers.

This quirky collection boasts over 2,000 umbrella covers from over 70 countries.

A colorful collection that proves one person's trash is another's treasure. Who knew umbrella covers could be so fascinating? Nancy 3. Hoffman, that's who!A colorful collection that proves one person's trash is another's treasure. Who knew umbrella covers could be so fascinating? Nancy 3. Hoffman, that's who!
A colorful collection that proves one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Who knew umbrella covers could be so fascinating? Nancy 3. Hoffman, that’s who! Photo credit: Tonia Taylor

It’s like a United Nations of rainy day accessories.

The museum’s motto?

“Celebrate the mundane!”

It’s a reminder that even the most overlooked items can have their moment in the spotlight – or should we say, their moment under the umbrella?

8. Paul Bunyan Statue (Bangor)

Paul Bunyan: Maine's original big man on campus. This towering lumberjack stands tall, reminding us that in Maine, even the statues have great stature.Paul Bunyan: Maine's original big man on campus. This towering lumberjack stands tall, reminding us that in Maine, even the statues have great stature.
Paul Bunyan: Maine’s original big man on campus. This towering lumberjack stands tall, reminding us that in Maine, even the statues have great stature. Photo credit: Stephen Harrell

Bangor is home to a 31-foot-tall statue of Paul Bunyan, because apparently regular-sized lumberjacks just weren’t cutting it.

This giant Paul stands proud, axe in hand, ready to chop down imaginary trees or possibly swat away any low-flying planes.

The statue was erected in 1959 to celebrate Bangor’s lumber heritage, and it’s been a beloved (if slightly intimidating) landmark ever since.

Axe-cellent photo op! Paul's been watching over Bangor since '59, proving that some fashion trends (hello, plaid!) never go out of style in the woods.Axe-cellent photo op! Paul's been watching over Bangor since '59, proving that some fashion trends (hello, plaid!) never go out of style in the woods.
Axe-cellent photo op! Paul’s been watching over Bangor since ’59, proving that some fashion trends (hello, plaid!) never go out of style in the woods. Photo credit: Kristina Ernais-Eskorsa

It’s like the city decided, “You know what we need? A lumberjack so big he could use the Penobscot River as a log flume.”

And honestly, they weren’t wrong.

There you have it, folks – a road trip through Maine’s quirkiest attractions.

From chocolate beasts to rotating globes, it’s a journey that’ll leave you wondering if someone spiked the lobster rolls.

Let the journey unfold!

This map is your guide to every twist, turn, and unforgettable stop ahead.

maine unique roadside attractions mapmaine unique roadside attractions map

So gas up the car, pack your sense of wonder, and get ready to see Maine’s wacky side.

Just remember: in this state, normal is just a setting on the dryer.





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