Talented craftspeople also abound in this area as they do in the quintessential New England villages of the Monadnock region. New Hampshire's seacoast is but a few miles long, but the city of Portsmouth is a small historic gem sure to enchant you with its beautifully preserved 18th century homes and restored waterfront. Although outdoor adventures lure many visitors to New Hampshire, others enjoy the hunt for bargains at the tax-free shopping outlets or hope to uncover a hidden treasure in one of the many inviting antique shops. By contrast, in sparkling sunshine graceful windjammers, sails unfurled, leave sheltered harbors and head for open water reminding us of the days when Maine ships and captains ruled these seas. Less elegant, but just as much a part of the Maine character, are the hardworking lobster boats chugging home with their daily catch of Maine's most prized delicacy.
Maine offers an intriguing blend of past and present.
Wonderful little museums and galleries along with fine music and theater are here to be discovered, and, of course, no visit would be complete without a stop to peruse the merchandise at L.L. Bean. Lavish 'cottages' built by 'rusticators' are much in evidence along the coast, while down some of the many peninsulas and beyond Bar Harbor life goes on quietly as it has for centuries. Inland Maine presents an entirely different landscape virtually unknown to visitors from outside New England. Sightings of moose, bald eagles and other wildlife are common yet always thrilling. The northern section of the Appalachian Trail terminates here atop Mount Kathadin.