Best Places to Visit in Maine for Travel Nurses
If you haven’t taken a healthcare travel assignment in the great state of Maine, you don’t know what you’re missing. The Pine Tree State has so much to offer travel nurses and allied healthcare travelers. From its beautiful coastlines and national parks to its many historical sites, you’ll love your time on assignment in Maine.
Here are some of the best places in Maine to visit (or take an assignment in!) on your healthcare travels.
Best Places to Visit in Maine
Acadia National Park
Aptly nicknamed the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,” Acadia National Park is one of the best things to do in Maine. Hiking is a popular activity in the park, with a variety of trails to choose from. There are plenty of leisurely strolls to enjoy the gorgeous views and foliage. Adventure-seekers can find trails with narrow ledges that need ladders or metal rungs to climb steep rock faces.
Other activities in Acadia include tidepooling, boating, swimming, bicycling, stargazing, and birdwatching – there is truly something for everyone! When you’re done adventuring, stop in Jordan Pond House for some yummy popovers.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a neighbor to Acadia National Park, easily added to any trip you take to the area on your healthcare travels. From outdoor recreation to exploring the vibrant art scene, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Bar Harbor. Take a guided boat or whale-watching tour on the water, or stroll along a beach and enjoy the picturesque views.
This Mount Desert Island town also boasts plenty of museums, like the George B Dorr Museum of Natural History and the Abbe Museum, showcasing artifacts and works of the Wabanaki Nations. In Downtown Bar Harbor, you’ll find great shopping and plenty of restaurants for some delicious Maine lobster dishes.
Bangor
If eclectic cities are your thing, look no further than Bangor, Maine. Known for being quiet, friendly, and community-oriented, it’s an ideal travel assignment location for travel nurses who take their families along on their travels or those who enjoy the arts in their downtime.
There are plenty of parks, museums, theaters, and local shops to peruse, and you’ll love Bangor’s Farmers’ Market for fresh local produce and goods. Maine is known for its blueberries, so prepare for lots of blueberry-flavored food, including the Sea Dog Brewing Co.’s Blue Paw Wild Blueberry Ale.
Don’t forget to take a selfie with the giant Paul Bunyan statue on Main Street (this is the legendary lumberjack’s hometown, after all!). And if you’re a horror fan, don’t miss stopping by Stephen King’s house for a photo op.
Rockland
It’s hard to think of visiting Maine without eating your share of lobster, but Rockland might be the best place to visit in Maine for your favorite crustacean-centered dishes. As one of the biggest lobster shipping centers in the world, it probably comes as no surprise that the Maine Lobster Festival takes place here every August. More than 20,000 pounds of local lobster is ready for your enjoyment in this five-day fishy festival.
Beyond feasting on lobster, you’ll have a fantastic time exploring the rest of this coastal town, like exploring the Farnsworth Art Museum or walking a mile along granite blocks to reach the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.
Portland
Another great coastal community on the list is Portland, a city loved by many travel nurses who have taken assignments there. This proud little city boasts activities steeped in its maritime culture and history, like sailing with the Portland Schooner Co. to explore Casco Bay or a lighthouse cruise. These popular sailing excursions are one of the best things to do in Camden.
The cobblestone streets of the Old Port neighborhood are a favorite of travelers and locals alike, with plenty of restaurants and boutiques to explore. The year-round Portland Farmers’ Market, founded in 1768, is also a great place to pick up local produce and meander through Deering Oaks Park. Portland also has a thriving Arts District, and in the summertime, you don’t want to miss the entertainment at Thompson’s Point.
Baxter State Park
A visit to Baxter State Park may take you away from Maine’s epic coastlines, but venturing into the middle of the state for this Magnificent Obsession will not disappoint. This 209,644-acre park provides healthcare travelers ample opportunities to get off the beaten track and up close with Maine nature.
Explore the park on one of its many hikes to enjoy solitude and spot the moose, black bears, deer, and lynx who call this beautiful, rustic sanctuary home. You’ll also find kayaking, canoeing, camping, fishing, and rock-climbing opportunities. Breathtaking views of Mount Katahdin await, so be sure to bring your camera for gorgeous snapshots.
Camden
Camden is also known as the Jewel of the Maine Coast, and it won’t take long for travel nurses to see why. This town offers everything you need for adventure, plus spectacular ocean views you’ll enjoy throughout your entire assignment.
In addition to its natural beauty and charm, Camden has opportunities for sailing on Penobscot Bay, exploring Camden Hills State Park, trekking up Mount Battie, or relaxing on Laite Memorial Beach. You can also take a ferry across the bay to Vinalhaven and North Haven, known as the Fox Islands, for a relaxing, fun-filled day trip. Plus, the 1995 movie Casper was filmed here, so visit all the film’s production spots for some childhood nostalgia.
Brunswick
If your travel assignment takes you to Brunswick, you will have a fantastic time. This Maine town is full of history and culture, offering plenty of things to do during your travels. Walk over the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge and along the Androscoggin River for scenic views and relaxing fun near downtown.
At Crystal Spring Farms, you can enjoy yummy blueberries that promise to change the taste of blueberries for you forever. Brunswick also has so many museums, theatres, restaurants, and community events that you’ll always find something new to get up to.
Fans of American literature will enjoy walking in the footsteps of writers like Nathanial Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, including visiting the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, where the famed author lived for a few years.
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“I certainly never would have chosen Maine, but my recruiter knew what she was doing.” – Miranda, RN MedSurg – TNAA
Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain may be Maine’s biggest ski resort, but there is plenty to do year-round for adventure-seeking travelers. This mountain resort is one of the best places to visit in Maine. Warmer weather calls for biking and hiking on the many trails, and golfers will find the Sugarloaf Golf Club on par from tee-off to final putt. The resort boasts dining, shopping, multiple activity centers, and scenic lift rides.
If you’re there in the winter, you’ll enjoy the slopes skiing or snowboarding, getting a workout on the Nordic ski or snowshoeing trails, or ice skating on their NHL-sized rink. You can even go fat biking on select trails!
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New England, and it won’t take long to see why. This small, friendly community is well-loved by locals and visitors for its unique charm and gorgeous scenery. There are several beaches to enjoy a sunny day, including Gooch’s, Colon, and Goose Rocks, all offering beautiful views, tide pools, and a place to relax during your downtime. Blowing Cave Park is a nearby nature preserve where you can see stunning waves crash into the craggy shore.
Kennebunkport also has several museums and galleries showcasing the rich art scene and local history. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love going on a food tour through the many restaurants to sample the delicious variety. No coastal town would be complete without boat tours and whale-watching excursions, and Kennebunkport offers both. Head to the Nonantum Resort and board a boat to catch your own lobster!
York
York may be one of the oldest settlements in America, but it has a lot to offer travel nurses on their travel assignments. Take a hike or a horseback ride on Mount Agamenticus for amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t miss the Nubble Lighthouse in Shoier Park, where you might spot harbor seals and a variety of gulls hanging around. Long Sands Beach is famous for its gorgeous white sand, tidal pools, and rock formations.
For some old-fashioned fun, head to The Shops at Cape Neddick, a barn-style center offering a variety of shops to peruse. If you’re craving something sweet, a trip to The Goldenrod will do the trick. Learn how saltwater taffy is made and pick up some in the shop, but be warned: they also offer over 130 flavors of ice cream, so you may have a hard time choosing which ones to enjoy.
Take Your Next Travel Assignment in Maine
These are only 11 of the best places in Maine that healthcare travelers and travel nurses will enjoy on their Maine assignments. There are plenty more gems in this fantastic New England State, ready for your next adventure!
Plus, when you travel with TNAA, you’re traveling with an agency that has your back every step of the way. Housing, credentialing, benefits, sick leave…we’ve got you covered. All you have to do is pack your bags and decide where you’re going.
Ready to embark on a travel nurse assignment in Maine? Check out our available jobs and apply today.
