To fully take advantage of everything the state has to offer, travelers are advised to rent a car. Most hotels help with maps and directions. Bangor, in the Penobscot River Valley, was the world's largest and wealthiest lumbering port in the mid-19th century. The city is now home to a host of theater, dance, art and music facilities. Its biggest asset, however, is its location.
Visitors can find a new experience by traveling an hour in any direction.
A major draw just less than an hour away is Bar Harbor. Here tourists can sample savory lobster dishes after visiting antique and craft shops. Travelers often rent bikes and take tours around Acadia National Park, or partake in whale-watching cruises in the bay. An hour north of Bangor is Mount Katahdin. The mountain is ideal for hiking and camping, and it is also favored for its many rivers and lakes, perfect for fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting.