There’s something special about Maine in the fall. The beach crowds start to dissipate, the air turns crisp, and the trees transform the landscape as they change colors. The fall foliage is a magical experience for Maine visitors. But beyond the colors, there are plenty of reasons to sneak away this fall for a Maine vacation, from themed weekends at Point Sebago Resort to incredible leaf peeping near Bar Harbor.
Fall in Maine is like entering a Hallmark Channel movie. There’s dazzling, colorful foliage. The cool weather makes sitting around a campfire extra cozy. And family vacations mean trading swimsuits for comfortable flannels.
So book your cabin or Maine vacation rental and discover five family-friendly getaways that won’t disappoint.
1. Maine Lakefront Camping in September
The lakes of southern Maine are still favorites for weekend getaways in September.
Labor Day might mark the unofficial end of summer, but there’s still plenty of fun at Long Lake and Sebago Lake. Both are about one hour north of Portland, Maine, and popular weekend destinations for out-of-state visitors.
Consider booking your Maine vacation for early September.
That’s when the Sebago Lake Anglers Association hosts an annual fishing derby at Point Sebago Resort in Casco, Maine. Fall is one of the best times to fish for trout near the State Park on Sebago Lake as the fish move to deeper water.
The waterfront resort also features a marina, boat rentals, beach games, and canoe races. There’s even a Music Tribute Festival. The lakeside concerts are exclusively for resort guests and feature bands Friday and Saturday night.
The Maine campground posts all upcoming themed weekends online by March of each year.
2. Maine Leaf Peeping Tours in October
Catch the picturesque views of the leaves turning colors on Sebago Lake, too. You’ll find peak fall foliage in mid-October in the Sebago Lake region and coastal Maine towns like Kennebunkport and Bar Harbor.
Plan carefully. Leaf peeping in Maine is so popular that there’s an official fall foliage report. It tracks when and where the leaves will change throughout the season.
Bar Harbor Leaf Peeping
Tourists flock to charming Bar Harbor, Maine, and nearby Acadia National Park to check out the leaves. Colors start to change in late September. Plot your trip for mid-October and visit these must-see locations for the best views:
- Cadillac Mountain
- Park Loop Road
- Carriage Road
- Jordan Pond
- Wild Gardens of Arcadia
Or pack the hiking boots for a different type of adventure.
You’ll find unmatched scenic views at the top of Beehive Loop Trail. The difficult, 1.4-mile loop climbs 450 feet. However, the haul is worth it. At the top, you’ll see incredible views of Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, and the Gulf of Maine.
End your leaf peeping adventure relaxing in Bar Harbor. Tourists recommend wandering into town for fresh seafood chowder or pie at a local bakery. This is the perfect balance of nature and small-town comfort.
Sebago Lake Region / Portland Leaf Peeping
Early to mid-October is also the best time to catch leaves in full bloom in southern Maine.
The leaves change right as Maine campgrounds wind down for the season. Pack your flannel and comfy pants if you’re heading to Point Sebago Resort in October. The lakeside resort rents cabins, glamping tents, tiny homes, and even a massive Island Lodge that sleeps 22 people.
Take in the changing colors from the resort’s iconic beach, explore the 775 acres of campground, or book a tee time as the leaves turn to orange at the top-rated Point Sebago Resort Golf Course.
The Sebago Lake region offers unique ways to see the fall foliage change color.
You can paddle through the scenic New England colors in Windham, Maine. Sebago Trails Paddling Co. leads guests on a Fall Foliage Covered Bridge Tour. The two-hour excursion lets you kayak through the autumn hues for the ultimate photo opportunity.
3. Uniquely Maine Fall Festivals
Turn your weekend getaway into a uniquely Maine experience. You can find apple cider, hayrides, and pumpkin carving all over New England, but the following fall festivals offer a bit of a twist.
Secrets & Shenanigans Weekend
September 19 – 21, 2025 | Casco, ME
Follow the clues to unlock a classic game of whodunit with one of the biggest murder mystery events in Maine. The Point Sebago Resort event includes a live-action murder mystery and a three-course dinner. Murder Mystery dinner show tickets are available online.
Watch the mystery unfold around you, gather clues, and try to identify the culprit before the final reveal.
Don’t Miss: Feel free to channel your inner Colonel Mustard or Miss Scarlet! Costumes set the tone for this mysterious lakefront event.
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta
October 10 – 13, 2025 | Damariscotta, ME
Follow the trail of decrotated hay bales to a Maine town that takes pumpkins very seriously. There you’ll find the largest pumpkins in New England at the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta. These aren’t just any pumpkins. Artists transform these gourds into works of art and even boats.
It’s a must see event which celebrates all things pumpkin from a dessert contest, to a parade, and even a soapbox-style derby featuring pumpkin race cars.
Don’t Miss: The Pumpkinboat Regatta is described as “an extreme sport of gardening.” It’s a lineup of brave folks floating down the Damariscotta River in some of the most impressive pumpkin boats you’ll ever see.
Swine & Stein Brewfest
October 11, 2025 | Gardiner, ME
Not your average brewfest. Swine & Stein Brewfest combines the charm of a historic downtown with the best breweries, wineries, cideries, succulent pork, and quirky games. Stop for the beer samples. Stay for the frozen t-shirt race and a game of Pass the Pigs.
Don’t Miss: The unofficially official state championships for Rock, Paper, Scissors.
4. Maine Ghost Tours
Explore the spookier side of Maine in Bar Harbor as Halloween approaches. Beneath the postcard-perfect beauty of this seaside town lies a rich history filled with tales of shipwrecks, mysterious disappearances, and spirits that refuse to leave.
Add a ghost tour to your next Maine vacation.
TripAdvisor and USA Today recommend Bar Harbor Ghost Tours, which offers several seasonal options:
- Haunted Mansion – A 60-minute after-hours tour of all four levels of the historic La Rochelle mansion.
- Bar Harbor Ghost Tour – A 90-minute tour including a stop at Old Burial Ground and tales from Wabanaki people.
- Monsters by Moonlight – A 90-minute night tour featuring stories of ghosts, monsters, and superstitions.
5. Halloween Celebrations
Trick-or-treat beyond your neighborhood with an October vacation to Maine.
Look for uniquely Maine experiences like the Halloween events at Point Sebago Resort. The Maine campground ends each season with back-to-back Halloween events.
Guests dress up for the Halloween parades and costume contests. There’s a haunted house, a pumpkin carving contest, campsite decorating, and even an end-of-season dance party.
Seasonal Maine Vacations Worth Booking
So pack your sweater, camera, and maybe a pair of hiking boots to explore in the fall. Book your hotel or vacation rental early. Or watch for vacation rental discounts at campgrounds like Point Sebago.
See the best of Maine from waterfront ghost tours to the fall foliage.
The colors won’t last forever, but the memories you make will stay bright long after the leaves have fallen.