Maine is well known for its beautiful lakes, lush forests, and amazing wildlife, but there are many more fun things to do that are not as well known. To help fill your next trip with amazing, fun activities, we have compiled this list of the top five under the radar Maine attractions that are must-do activities during your vacation.
Acadian Seaplane
For one of a kind views of the Rangeley Lakes Region, book a charter on one of Acadian Seaplanes tours. You can choose to just do a fly over of the Rangeley Lakes area and see the lakes and mountains in the region from a unique vantage point, or add more to your adventure with a fly and dine package, or a raft and fly excursion. Acadian Seaplanes is located right on Main Street in Rangeley. The pilots are skilled and knowledgeable not only about their aircraft but about the western mountains of Maine. Plan your visit and tour today!
Maine Attractions at Quill Hill
Quill Hill has some of the best and most accessible views in all of Maine. Quill Hill is located on Oddy’s Road off Route 16 between Rangeley and Stratton. Quill Hill is known as a four mile stretch of the road that leads you to a 2,848-foot summit where you will find ample parking to see the views. Along with the amazing views from the summit you will also find a wood fired grill and picnic tables for your use and the wood is provided for you. You can walk from this rest area along the 3/4-mile trail or drive up to the summit. Guests are encouraged to see this view at night, but no overnight parking is allowed. Quill Hill is open 24 hours a day from May through October.
Outdoor Heritage Museum
If you are visiting the Rangeley area in the spring, summer or fall, plan to stop by the Outdoor Heritage Museum and learn more about the history of this gorgeous area of Maine. This museum has twice been recognized as the “Best Outdoor Museum in New England” by Yankee Magazine. Learn more about Fly Rod Crosby, Herb Welch and Carrie Stevens, as you wander through this gorgeous building filled with artifacts, film and art. There are rotating exhibits and various events throughout the year, so stay informed via their website and make this stop a must see when you visit Rangeley and the village of Oquossoc.
Maine Forestry Museum
Just two miles from the downtown area of Rangeley you will find the Maine Forestry Museum. Founded in 1979, this museum consists of hundreds of artifacts from reginal logging operations, traditional art by western Maine lumbermen and chain saw carvings. Every year the Museum sponsors the Logging Festival Days each July to celebrate the region’s timber heritage. Activities include a parade, music, woodsmen competition and a one of a kind baked bean meal on the Saturday of the weekend event.
Wilhelm Reich Museum
The Wilhelm Reich Museum is devoted to the life and work of Wilhelm Reich, a medical doctor and psychiatrist who studied under Sigmund Freud. The museum has factual information based on his books, manuscripts, and private archives. The goal of the museum is to preserve this information from their original sources so that future generations can continue his work. Reich made path-breaking contributions to the understanding of psychiatric disorders, as well as to the theory and technique of psychoanalysis. Pursuing Freud’s original energetic model of health and concept of libido, Reich came to see the libido as a form of life energy, and eventually coined a new term for this energy, orgone energy. He made the study of this energy his main focus for the last two decades of his life. These Maine tourist attractions are a truly unique look into the life of a man who called Rangeley, Maine home.
