Touring Opportunities and Events Highlight Maine's Foliage Season

From blazing crimson, gold and tangerine leaves, to blushing Macintosh apples and bulbous pumpkins, Maine glows from top to bottom in autumn. Coming alive in crisp, clear days, all of Maine is vibrant, and many visitors come to enjoy special events while taking in the brilliant scenery. 'Tis the season for leaf peepers, and it's no wonder: Maine boasts some of the most dramatic leaf colors in New England, their fiery hues contrasting brilliantly with the cobalt blue backdrop of the state's many lakes and miles of rugged coastline.

For an especially lovely glimpse of Maine's foliage, begin in historic Bath with a visit to the Maine Maritime Museum, then head north on Route 1 to Wiscasset, a charming village featuring streets lined with shops, galleries and restaurants. From there, head south on Route 27 to Boothbay Harbor. Take in the Boothbay Railway Village and if you time it right, attend the 30th annual Fall Foliage Festival on Oct. 12 -13. There you can enjoy music and entertainment as you stroll through the antique auto museum or take a ride on a steam train.

From Boothbay, take Route 27 back to Route 1 and head north to Damariscotta. The main street there is lined with 19th-century storefronts, housing shops, pubs, restaurants, galleries and an old-fashioned drugstore complete with a '50s-style soda fountain.

Continuing north on Route 1, plan a stop in Rockland where scarecrows go on display on the lawn of the Farnsworth Art Museum from Oct. 12-19 during the Festival of Scarecrows and Harvest Day Celebration. For those who love art, there is the Andrew Wyeth "Maine Paintings" exhibit on view through Oct. 27.

After a stay in Rockland, continue to Camden via Route 1 north. You can drive to the 800-foot summit of Mount Battie to take in a grand view of the Camden Hills and Penobscot Bay. Stroll through Camden's picturesque downtown to enjoy shops, harborside restaurants and pubs.

For the adventurous at heart, rent a kayak and enjoy the magnificent autumn colors from the nooks and crannies along the waters of Maine's mid coast.

Plan the next stop in Belfast, where a Victorian downtown boasts fine old houses and great shops. From there, take Route 137 to Route 220 north to the town of Unity. This little diversion brings you to the 130-year-old Belfast & Moosehead Railroad, which offers day trips as well as overnight packages. The foliage-rich route takes you past streams and lakes, highlighting the natural beauty of Maine.

As you experience the rich and varied autumn colors of inland Maine, continue on to Bangor. Just north of Bangor is the Maine Forest & Logging Museum in Bradley. On October 5 through 6 the museum celebrates Autumn Living History Days featuring traditional family fun exploring Maine's pioneer past.

Bangor is also considered the gateway to the Bar Harbor region. Travel south toward the coast along Route 1A to Ellsworth, where you can see the spectacular Stanwood Homestead Sanctuary, a 130-acre preserve that shouldn't be missed. Ellsworth offers a lovely downtown area with several quaint hotels and inns.

From Ellsworth, head south on Route 3 to reach the legendary vacation destination of Bar Harbor and beautiful Acadia National Park, where you can check out this year's splendor from Cadillac Mountain, reputed to be one of the very best places to catch the colors of Maine's foliage season. Bar Harbor offers opportunities for fabulous shopping, sightseeing and dining, in addition to a wonderful range of accommodations and eateries. If you would like to do some exploring on the water, Bar Harbor offers access to kayaking, windjammer day-sails, and whale and puffin-watching cruises. You could peep at the leaves while driving along the Acadia Byway, recently named an All-American Road by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In Acadia National Park, rent a bike and enjoy the fall colors from the scenic bridges and well-traveled paths of the many carriage roads, which were designed and built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Acadia, one of the Northeast's most enchanting fall destinations, is truly breathtaking. Locals will advise you to watch a sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, which is easily accessible by car.

Autumn is often said to be the most glorious of the four seasons in Maine. Memories born in the crisp, dry air amid the canopies of splendidly colored leaves will not soon be forgotten. From outdoor adventures to festivals to family fun, Maine in autumn has it all, made even more glorious with that artistic backdrop of the brightest red maples and the boldest white ash.

For more information on fall foliage touring opportunities and events, visit the Maine Office of Tourism's Web site at www.visitmaine.com or call (888) 95-MAINE. For foliage updates, visit www.mainefoliage.com.