How to Play
1. Plan of attack. If this scavenger hunt simply inspires you to check out a few new things here or there over the course of the next several months, you probably don’t need much of a strategy. But if you opt to go all-in on the hunt, you’ll be trekking all over the place. In that case, plotting out your travels is probably a good idea in order to avoid a bunch of backtracking. Plus, a number of tasks are date-specific, so you’ll want to give extra consideration to how those fit your schedule. For updates and helpful tips, join our Facebook group just for scavenger hunters.
2. Note to selfie. Throughout this list, you’ll find guidelines for selfies we want you to take, as documentation of accomplishing each task. It’s also quite acceptable to have somebody else take a photo of you instead. We just want to see you in the scene we’ve described. After completing a task, upload your selfie at hunt.downeast.com, and we’ll keep track of your progress. And mark this on your calendar: the last chance to submit selfies is Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
3. To the victors, the spoils. If you upload a selfie for every task in every category, we’ll salute your spectacular accomplishment by publishing one of those pics in an upcoming issue of the magazine, sending you a collage print of your selfies and an assortment of Down East goodies, and giving you a free year’s subscription to the magazine. If you complete every task in one or more — but not all — categories, we’ll list your name in an honor roll in that same issue. And if you don’t complete any of the categories but still have an awesome time exploring Maine this summer, you’re a winner in our book too.
Thank you to the sponsors of this year’s hunt
Outdoors
Sponsored by Renys
1. Catch a Cadillac Sunrise
Acadia’s highest peak is often proclaimed the first spot in the country to see the sunrise for much of the year. Alas, the federal government considers Point Udall, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to be America’s “easternmost point,” and therefore deserving of first-sunrise bragging rights. (At the site, an inscription on a massive stone sundial monument underscores the claim.) Still, the view from Cadillac is unmatched, and throughout the year crowds of folks hike or drive up in the dark to witness the dawn spill pastel colors over furrowed ledges and an island-studded bay. We’d take that sight over smooth Caribbean waters any day. Nab a park-entrance pass and car reservation (required for driving the three-mile summit road) at recreation.gov.
SELFIE: Show us how Mother Nature lights up those islands.
2. Reverse the Flow
As the tide comes and goes, 2 millions of gallons of water flow through a narrow channel between Mahar Point and Falls Island, near Pembroke, transforming flat, tranquil water into a frenzy of falls, whirlpools, and swells known as Cobscook Falls (from a Maliseet and Passamaquoddy word for “boiling tides”). As the tide changes directions, so do the rapids. Hence, the phenomenon of reversing falls. On an incoming tide, they look like they’re running upstream. To catch the direction change, consult tide charts and arrive at Reversing Falls Preserve about half an hour before high tide. From Pembroke, head south on Leighton Point Rd., then take a right on Clarkside Rd. and follow it to the end. Turn left on Youngs Cove Rd. After 1.3 miles, stay straight to enter the preserve.
SELFIE: Looking out at the falls. Tranquil or whirling, either way works.
3. Catch the Breeze
Let loose (some string) at the 25th Annual Capriccio Festival of Kites, hosted by Ogunquit Performing Arts, on Ogunquit Beach. There will be professional kite-flying demonstrations, live music, and food. Bring your own kite or buy one there. Kids can grab a free white kite, along with coloring supplies, to join in a kite-decorating contest. And you won’t want to miss the Grand Ascension, at noon, when the sky is filled with all the day’s kites. September 6.
SELFIE: Make our hearts soar with a view of the Grand Ascension.
4. Survey the Wreckage
A land trust cofounded in 1954 by Theodore Edison (son of famed inventor Thomas) permanently conserved nearly three quarters of Monhegan Island’s 513 acres and led to the creation of nine miles of hiking trails. Paths on the island’s eastern flank have the most dramatic views from lofty headlands. At the southern end, the short Lobster Cove Trail leads past the rusted hull of the D.T. Sheridan, a coal-toting tugboat that ran aground in 1948. It’s one of Monhegan’smostphotographed spots, and immortalized in paintings by Rockwell Kent and Jamie Wyeth, who each owned the adjacent gray-shingled cottage over the years. It’s also a reminder of the island’s rugged terrain. On its website, the land trust warns against swimming off much of the island, noting that “no one has been saved who has gone overboard from Green Point to Lobster Cove.” Pick up the trail at the end of Lobster Cove Rd.
SELFIE: Let’s see you mug with that old tug.
CATEGORY SPONSOR: RENYS
5. Gear Up at the Newest Renys
R.H. Reny opened his first 5 department store, in Damariscotta, over 75 years ago. From the beginning, he strove to purchase high-quality merchandise he could pass along to his customers at reasonable prices. Today, Renys stores carry gear for all sorts of outdoor recreation, from hiking to camping to fishing to gardening. This year, with the third generation of the family at the helm, Renys opened its 19th location, in Waterville. With brands like Carhartt, Columbia, North Face, Timberland, Keen, and Merrell, there’s plenty to get you ready for the great outdoors this summer. Not for nothing, the Renys tagline is “A Maine Adventure.” 60 Elm Plaza, Waterville. 207-203-9089.
SELFIE: Show us what’s happening in the new Waterville location.
6. Take a Dip at Frenchman’s Hole
A stone’s throw from Sunday River Resort, the crystalline Bull Branch Stream plunges into a deep pool known as Frenchman’s Hole. The 10-foot waterfall and an amphitheater of carved granite cliffs mark this popular swim (and cliff-jumping) spot. A shallower pool, above the plunge, makes for a mellower place to lounge. The water is always cold, so pick a sunny day for this one. From Rte. 2 in Newry, follow Sunday River Rd. 7 miles (staying right at every fork) to a pair of logging bridges. Take an immediate right after the bridges on Bull Bridge Rd. and look for a parking area on the right after less than a mile.
SELFIE: Let’s see that cascade in the background.
7. Get in Contact with KWW
The 7,900 square-foot Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is an architectural gem nestled into mountaintop forest at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, providing a new interpretive center where visitors can learn about the surrounding environment with a particular emphasis on Wabanaki perspectives. (In the Penobscot language, tekαkαpimək means “as far as one can see,” and huge windows let in sweeping vistas.) The National Park Service, the Elliotsville Foundation, and representatives from the Wabanaki nations, among other collaborators, worked together on the project, which opened for a short preview late last summer. The station will most likely open to the public this July. Check with the Park Service for up-to-date information. Heading toward the monument’s southern entrance, follow Swift Brook Rd. for about five miles to reach the access road to the contact station, on the right. If you hit the intersection with Seboeis Rd., you’ve gone too far. 207-456-6001.
SELFIE: Pick a view at the station, inside or out. Or, if the station is closed, take a shot of yourself by the sign at the start of the access road.
Food & Drink
Sponsored by Wyman’s
8. Picnic at the Bath Farmers’ Market
In 1965, Bath voters rejected a federal urban-renewal plan that would have replaced the city’s 19th-century downtown with an open-air shopping mall. The move sparked a decades-long revitalization effort that led to the restoration of Italianate and Greek and Gothic Revival buildings and, in 1976, the creation of a little park between Commercial Street and the Kennebec River. Today, Linwood E. Temple Waterfront Park hosts public boat docks, concerts, and the Bath Farmers’ Market, where you can shop for your lunch (perhaps cheese from Whitefield’s Fuzzy Udder Creamery and a baguette from Nobleboro’s Hootenanny Bread) and enjoy it on a river-facing bench. Or you might throw down a picnic blanket a few blocks away at the lovely Library Park, with its fountain, pond, and stone footbridge. All the while, be grateful that you’re not dining in the shadow of a big-box store. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.–noon, May–Oct. 61 Commercial St., Bath.
SELFIE: A water view, with the Sagadahoc Bridge or the Library Park fountain in the background.
9. Doughnut Miss Out
We’re a trustworthy bunch around here, it seems, since if you drive around rural stretches of the state awhile you’re bound to pass a farm stand or flower stand or pie stand that operates on the honor system. Now, as of last summer, there’s an honor-system doughnut stand, Clifford’s Donut Stop, in Phillips (accepting cash or Venmo). You can’t miss the bright- pink-and-turquoise paint job if you’re traveling to or from Rangeley on Route 4, and you definitely won’t want to miss the airy rings of fried dough that come in varieties such as chocolate frosted, strawberry frosted, glazed, maple glazed, and s’mores. The latter would taste right by the campfire later on, but good luck not finishing every last crumb on the drive. 2427 Rangeley Rd., Phillips.
SELFIE: In front of the stand, maybe while chomping down on a delicious doughnut.
10. Do Dinner and a Show
Frank and Annie Leavitt opened Leavitt Theatre in 1925 with a screening of the controversial silent film Dante’s Inferno. Over the years, the venue, distinguished by a high false-front facade and arched entryway, would also host concerts, vaudeville acts, dances, and movie parties for local boys (and girls when they were permitted to attend in the late ’20s). Since 2017, the theater has been owned by Max Clayton, who grew up tearing tickets and working the projectors when his dad owned the place and has continued its diverse programming. Last year’s lineup included free movie nights, jazz concerts, silent films with live music accompaniment, and comedy and drag shows. In a cozy mezzanine lounge and balcony restaurant, added in the last few years, patrons can sip craft cocktails and enjoy a smash burger or shrimp pad Thai while rediscovering Barbie or Jaws. 259 Main St., Ogunquit. 207-646-3123.
SELFIE: Snap a pic in front of the marquee.
11. Make a Poutine Pilgrimage
Sometimes also called mixed fry or fry mix around Maine, poutine is oh-so-decadent but also oh-so-easy to polish off. And sure, you’re as likely to find poutine in Portland as Madawaska these days, but dousing French fries and cheese curds with a generous pour of gravy has a distinctly Acadian flavor to it, a culinary tradition imported from francophone neighbors across the border. That’s why we’re setting geographic parameters: you have to do your poutine hunting in Aroostook County. A few suggestions from the St. John River valley: Two Rivers Lunch (75 Dickey Rd., Allagash; 207-398-3393), Dolly’s Restaurant (17 Rte. 1, Frenchville; 207-728-7050), and Tasty Food (232 Main St., Van Buren; 207-868-3011). Bonus calories, but no bonus points, if you taste-test your way across the top of the state.
SELFIE: In front of your favorite Aroostook County poutine joint.
CATEGORY SPONSOR: WYMAN’S
12. Cook Up Something New with Maine Wild Blueberries
Wild blueberries love the sandy, acidic soil found in Maine. And Mainers love wild blueberries, putting them in everything from pies to salads to sauces to drinks. Maine’s largest brand of wild blueberries is Wyman’s, which in addition to selling frozen berries at retailers across the country also offers a free collection of more than 250 recipes: open-face blueberry-and-basil grilled cheese, blueberry-jalapeño poppers, blueberry-tahini smoothies. The company celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, and now in its fourth generation of family ownership, has a mission to help people lead healthier lives by eating more fruit. This summer, try out one of their recipes or whip something up of your own.
SELFIE: You with your wild-blueberry culinary creation.
13. Savour the View (and the Menu)
Despite the Golden Road Yacht Club’s name, there’s no need to cram a sundress or a polo shirt into your hiking pack. The “yacht club” of it all is a cheeky touch, nodding to the low-key bar and restaurant’s fine location just south of Baxter State Park, on a narrow strip of land between Ambajejus and Millinocket lakes (a pontoon boat is probably the nearest thing to a yacht in these parts). Tom and Sandy Bell bought the adjacent gear and souvenir shop in 2012 and, a decade later, built a two-story deck for food-and-drink service and lovely views of the surrounding area. Last year, they added an indoor dining room too, putting the finishing touches on what now makes for a great stop after a paddle or a hike or simply for a destination in its own right. 1605 Baxter State Park Rd., Millinocket. 207-723-4326.
SELFIE: The view from atop the deck.
14. Pucker Up for Rhubarb!
Rhubarb found its way to Maine sometime toward the end of the 18th century, and since then, Mainers have been slipping the mouth-puckering vegetable into pies, tarts, and other delightful dishes. Nowadays, rhubarb enthusiasts can find each other at the Rhubarb Festival at Kendall Farm, in Perry, now in its fourth running. There are rhubarb tastings, gardening demos, live music, kids’ activities, and lots more (a Rhu Bar will offer rhubarb-inspired drinks, plus “rhubarbuterie” boards). June 7. 20 Kendall Ln., Perry. 207-214-1124.
SELFIE: Snap a photo with your favorite rhubarb creation.
Arts & Culture
Sponsored by the Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity
15. Make a Concerted Effort to Hear Classical Music
Every summer since 1964, the Bowdoin International Music Festival has invited students of classical music from across the globe to travel to Brunswick to study and perform with world-class artists. Last year’s students hailed from 17 countries and 34 states and ranged in age from 13 to 30. Paid performances in theaters on the Bowdoin College campus run for more than a month, and mixed into the schedule are a number of free shows, for what’s billed as the Community Concert Series. These performances last about an hour and take place in nontraditional venues like breweries, libraries, and community centers. Some of them might have limited capacity and require advance registration. 207-373-1400.
SELFIE: Snap a pic before, or after, the show — just not during!
16. Declare Your Support for Public Art
Seventy-five years ago, a vindictive right-wing demagogue set the federal government on a witch hunt for enemies of the state. That’s when a Republican senator from Maine, Margaret Chase Smith, decided enough was enough and delivered a speech with an enduring message. “The American people are sick and tired of seeing innocent people smeared and guilty people whitewashed,” Smith said on the Senate floor, in what’s remembered now as her “Declaration of Conscience” speech. Twelve years ago, Tim Rollins and the art collaborative K.O.S. borrowed that title for a six-by-sixteen-foot canvas that now hangs in the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building, in Bangor. Smith always had a red rose pinned to her lapel, so Rollins (a Pittsfield native who died in 2017) and his collaborators had local students paint watercolor roses, then they collaged them on the canvas, along with copies of Smith’s speech that feature her handwritten annotations. 202 Harlow St., Bangor. Open to the public Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–5:45 p.m.
SELFIE: In front of the canvas (be ready to briefly part with your phone at the building’s security screening — and, as of May 7, to present a Real ID driver’s license or a passport).
17. Stitch Together an Itinerary
In 2019, Phillips artist Saskia Reinholt set out to blanket Franklin and Somerset counties with painted quilts. Inspired by barn quilt trails across the country, in which murals resembling patchwork squares are installed on agricultural and public buildings along a route, Reinholt created 20 initial designs and enlisted local students to paint them. Today, 70 murals, rendered by more than 900 community volunteers, are stitched into the landscape of central and western Maine, across the Maine Barn Quilt Trail. Harkening to a 17th-century tradition of adorning barns with painted quilt blocks to distinguish a family’s land, the works include replicas of antique appliqué patterns on the Phillips Historical Society Museum and nearby North Franklin Agricultural Building and improvisational, 19th-century-style crazy quilts in Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, New Sharon, and Strong. Piece together a route using the interactive map at highpeaksmaine.org.
SELFIE: Get a shot with a favorite quilt squared away.
CATEGORY SPONSOR: RUFUS PORTER MUSEUM OF ART & INGENUITY
18. Seek the Skiff at the Rufus Porter Museum
Rufus Porter was a 19th-century visionary who excelled as both a folk artist and an inventor. He founded Scientific American magazine, and Time once declared him a “Yankee da Vinci.” The Rufus Porter Museum, in Bridgton, the town where Porter spent his formative years, showcases his diverse talents, with miniature portraits, models of ingenious inventions, early editions of his groundbreaking magazine, and much more. The museum’s new Graham Center is home to an impressive collection of landscape murals by Porter and his artistic circle, including his nephew Jonathan Poor. Many include a recurring motif, “The Man in the Skiff,” an iconic figure often depicted serenely navigating waterways. This simple, evocative image captures the artistic vision of Rufus Porter, and its enduring quality reflects his influence on American art. 121 Main St., Bridgton. 207-647-2828.
SELFIE: Catch “The Man in the Skiff” in the background (and don’t be shy about asking a staffer for help finding him).
19. Pick Out a Book at Mechanics’ Hall
Before the advent of free public libraries, in the 19th century, member-supported lending institutions gave working-class folks access to books. Benjamin Franklin founded the first such library with 50 shareholders in Philadelphia in 1731, and it’s one of just 19 institutions of its kind left in the United States. Another is the tin-ceilinged library at Portland’s Italianate Mechanics’ Hall, built in 1859 for the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association. The group had formed to support skilled craftsmen, then known as mechanics, and hosted classes, lectures, and trade fairs for its members. Today, anyone can attend events, including author talks, concerts, and dance recitals, at Mechanics’ Hall, plus peruse tomes on the skilled trades and other topics, though only members can check them out. 519 Congress St., Portland. Open 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Tues.–Thurs.
SELFIE: In front of the library’s ornate wood-and-wrought-iron stacks, perhaps holding a book on a new favorite hobby.
20. And . . . Action!
To MIFF, MOFF, VFF, or CIFF? If that doesn’t sound like a string of gibberish, you might already be a cinephile. Otherwise, this is your summer to become one. The Maine International Film Festival, in Waterville, takes place in July and screens 100 films that range from live-action features to documentary shorts. The Maine Outdoor Film Festival, in Portland, also runs in July, with flicks that everyone from outdoors-adventure enthusiasts to couch-potato appreciators of good storytelling can enjoy. In August, the Vacationland Film Festival, in Biddeford, rolls around with a variety of indie movies. Then, the Camden International Film Festival takes place in September, showcasing the art of the documentary. Check out one screening at one festival, or go full movie buff and catch a bunch at several.
SELFIE: Show us the scene at a screening.
21. Carve Out Time for Giant Sculptures
On a rolling plot surrounding a Cushing farmhouse, Richard Nixon emerges from a thicket with his arms raised and fingers flashing V signs. Nearby, Christina Olson crawls toward a stand of birches, while animals, including a 13-foot-tall horse and pack of conjoined bears, lord over grassy patches. The large wooden sculptures are among a dozen or so remaining members of a motley crew artist Bernard Langlais erected on his 70-acre property between 1966 and 1977, when he died. At one point, more than 100 works, ranging from a pair of nude bathers next to a pond to a colossal Noah’s Ark constructed with a yacht hull’s wooden mold, were scattered about. Now, the Georges River Land Trust, which opened the property to the public in 2017, is dedicated to preserving what’s left. 576 River Rd., Cushing.
SELFIE: Stand back and let one of the giants crowd your shot.
History & Landmarks
Sponsored by the Wells Reserve at Laudholm
22. Aim High
An oft-overlooked monument resides in a quiet Presque Isle field, marking the launch of the first transatlantic flight of a hot-air balloon. On an August day in 1978, that field wasn’t so quiet, with thousands of onlookers gathering to watch the Double Eagle II lift off on its voyage. The crew, three flyers from New Mexico, had rented the site from potato farmer Merle Sprague for $100, and the launch drew coverage from broadcasters, newspapers, and magazines around the country. In 1981, the local citizens and local government worked together to memorialize the event with a metal replica of the balloon, which you can still visit today. 140 Spragueville Rd., Presque Isle.
SELFIE: In front of the replica balloon, maybe from a low angle so we can imagine it up in the air.
23. Cross That Bridge When You Come to It
In 2021, a fire destroyed the Watson Settlement Bridge, in Littleton, leaving Maine with just eight remaining historic covered bridges, one of which is Babb’s Bridge, which spans the town line between Gorham and Windham. Last summer, a truck exceeding the three-ton weight limit fell through the floor of Babb’s Bridge and into the shallow Presumpscot River. Fortunately, Babb’s didn’t go the way of Watson Settlement — the bridge reopened earlier this year after undergoing major repairs. Go check out the handiwork, enjoy the tranquil setting, and maybe throw your swimsuit in the car, since there’s a popular swimming hole below the bridge. Hurricane Rd., between North Gorham Rd., in Gorham, and River Rd., in Windham.
SELFIE: Get that rebuilt bridge in the background, either from the road or from down on the riverbank.
24. Hop To It
Maine has no shortage of rocks strewn across its landscape, but how many of them are painted to look like a frog? Frog Rock, as it’s sensibly known, is a huge glacial erratic smack dab in the middle of Washington County blueberry fields, on the side of Baseline Road (which is itself an interesting feature — a long, straight cut through the barrens made by the U.S. Coastal and Geodetic Survey to help map the region in the 1800s). The paint job has evolved over the years and sometimes gets beaten up by the elements. It is, after all, not easy being green. But local volunteers always get it looking good again. Baseline Rd. in Columbia, 4.7 miles after turning off Rte. 193.
SELFIE: Hop in front of that big green rock.
25. Look to the (Inland) Light
Fifty-seven active lighthouses are scattered along the Maine coast. Only one active beacon, though, resides in Maine’s interior: the 25-foot-tall Ladies Delight Light, which has perched on a tiny island in Cobbosseecontee Lake since 1908. It was originally funded by and — even though it has outlived its original purpose of keeping a passenger shuttle clear of the shallows — is still maintained by members of the Cobbosseecontee Yacht Club, who added a solar-powered light in recent years. To get a proper look at the charming little tower, you’ll have to hit the water. A short paddle from a public boat ramp (which can also accommodate motorized boats) brings the beacon into view. Also, the nearby Lakeside Lodge and Marina rents out pontoon and fishing boats. No matter how you go about it, time on the water is always delightful. Public boat ramp at 37 Turtle Run Rd., Winthrop.
SELFIE: We want to see that lighthouse (but if you’re unable to get out on the water, we’ll accept a selfie from the boat launch, sans lighthouse).
26. Pet Togo in Poland Spring
It’s been a big year for Maine sled dog Togo. The lead dog of musher Leonhard Seppala, who, in 1925, guided a team 261 miles across Alaska’s Yukon River Valley to help deliver life-saving diphtheria medicine to the town of Nome, Togo retired as a hero in Poland two years later. To mark the 100th anniversary of the trek, Madawaska musher Jonathan Nathaniel Hayes recently retraced the entire 674-mile journey, initially undertaken by a relay of mushers. Now, there’s a bill before the state legislature to declare the Seppala Siberian sled dog, the breed descended from Togo and his teammates, the official state dog. Togo is already honored at the Poland Spring Resort, where he lived out his final days with Elizabeth Ricker, whose family owned the hotel. In 2022, a bronze statue of the frisky pup was erected on the property, and a half-mile wooded trail dotted with illustrated signage tells his story. 640 Maine St., Poland.
SELFIE: With the statue, giving that good boy a scratch.
CATEGORY SPONSOR: WELL RESERVE AT LAUDHOLM
27. Step Back in Time at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm
The Wells Reserve at Laudholm spans 2,250 acres of conserved coastal land that include a former farm and seven miles of trails open year-round. Before exploring the grounds, pop in to the visitor center, inside a three-story Greek Revival farmhouse built in sections between 1720 and the 1890s. A renovation in the 1980s restored the exterior to its appearance during the Lord family’s residence, when they operated the largest saltwater farm in York County, selling milk, cream, and butter from their Guernsey cattle, plus eggs, broilers, and roasting chickens. Their barn and water tower remain as additional reminders of agricultural heritage, and exhibitions in the visitor center delve into the site’s history. Today, the Wells Reserve at Laudholm is also a National Estuarine Research Reserve dedicated to coastal science, education, and conservation. Rare species of birds, like least terns and piping plovers, are a frequent sight. There’s plenty to learn about the past and the present in a place like this. 342 Laudholm Farm Rd., Wells. 207-646-1555.
SELFIE: Relaxing on the wraparound porch at the visitor center.
28. Fly High with OHTM
Thomas Watson, the CEO of IBM and a part-time midcoast resident, once scrawled a note on the back of a graduation program and sent it to fellow local aviation enthusiast James Rockefeller: “Wouldn’t it be nice to have some old airplanes flying around Owls Head?” Fast-forward through the decades and the Owls Head Transportation Museum is now brimming with aircraft, cars, and other pieces of transportation history. This summer, the museum is throwing a 4-day party for its 50th anniversary. On the agenda: vintage-vehicle and biplane rides, a show of rare automobiles and airplanes, and more. The museum will also be opening the doors to its new STEM-education wing, part of a major investment in the campus. And exhibitions and other events will be rolling all through the season. 117 Museum St., Owls Head. 207-594-4418.
SELFIE: Look for the museum’s copy of the Red Baron’s Fokker DR.1 triplane, find a personal favorite in the collection, or snap a shot out front.
Like the Maine Gazetteer, you’ll want our print issue handy while driving to far-flung tasks. Order this issue online here.