Starks MaineATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Starks, Maine.
1. Marginal Way
HISTORIC COASTAL PATHWAY
Marginal Way is a scenic 1.25-mile walkway that winds along the rugged Maine coastline, offering spectacular ocean views. Visitors can enjoy watching waves break on the rocks while admiring beautiful coastal homes and natural landscapes. The paved path features benches for resting and connects Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Beach, making it perfect for leisurely strolls.
2. Portland Head Light
ICONIC MAINE LIGHTHOUSE
Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in Maine, commissioned by George Washington in 1791 and standing sentinel on the rugged coastline. The lighthouse is surrounded by the 90-acre Fort Williams Park, offering stunning ocean views and recreational opportunities. Visitors can explore the lighthouse museum to learn about maritime history while enjoying the picturesque rocky shores.
3. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
NATURE'S VIBRANT SHOWCASE
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens spans 295 acres of pristine coastal landscape featuring meticulously designed gardens, walking trails, and art installations. The gardens showcase native Maine flora alongside exotic plants in themed areas including the sensory garden, meditation garden, and children's garden. Visitors can enjoy seasonal displays including spectacular spring blooms and the winter Gardens Aglow light show.
4. Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse
PICTURESQUE OCEAN BEACON
Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse stands on a small rocky island just off the coast, creating one of Maine's most photographed scenes. The lighthouse has been guiding mariners since 1879 with its distinctive white tower and red roof against the blue Atlantic. Sohier Park provides excellent viewing opportunities of this classic New England maritime landmark.
5. Acadian Village
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Acadian Village preserves Maine's French heritage through a collection of authentic historic buildings dating from the 1790s to the early 1900s. The village is registered in the National Register of Historic Places and was named Maine's Best Bicentennial Project. Visitors can explore the buildings including homes, a schoolhouse, and a church to experience the daily life of early Acadian settlers.
6. Burnham Tavern Museum
REVOLUTIONARY WAR LANDMARK
Burnham Tavern Museum is the site of the first naval battle of the American Revolution, which took place on June 12, 1775. The tavern is one of just 21 homes in the United States designated as most significant to the American Revolution. History enthusiasts can explore this well-preserved 18th-century building to experience an authentic piece of America's revolutionary past.
7. Deer Isle Granite Museum
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITE
Deer Isle Granite Museum celebrates the skill and bravery of Stonington's quarrymen and the fascinating history of the local granite industry. The museum showcases how the distinctive pink granite was harvested and used in famous structures including New York's Rockefeller Center and the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Exhibits detail the dangerous but vital work that brought economic prosperity to the region while creating enduring American monuments.
8. Lost Fishermen's Memorial Park
MARITIME HERITAGE TRIBUTE
Lost Fishermen's Memorial Park honors the memory of those who lost their lives working in Maine's fishing industry. The waterfront park offers a peaceful place for reflection with views of the harbor and commemorative elements. Visitors can learn about the region's maritime heritage and the ongoing importance of fishing to Maine's coastal communities.
9. Swedish Colony Historic Sites
NORDIC HERITAGE TRAIL
The historic Swedish Colony sites preserve the heritage of Maine's Nordic settlers who established communities in the late 19th century. Visitors can explore multiple historic locations across New Sweden, Perham, Stockholm, and Woodland townships. These sites offer insight into the cultural traditions, agricultural practices, and daily life of Swedish immigrants who shaped this region of northern Maine.
10. Riverside Cemetery
HISTORIC BURIAL GROUND
Riverside Cemetery is a small historic cemetery in Pittston near the Old Colburn School preserving the area's early settlement history. The peaceful grounds contain gravestones dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, telling stories of the region's founding families. Visitors interested in genealogy and local history will appreciate the authentic glimpse into Maine's past through the well-preserved monuments.
11. Farmington Downtown Historic District
CHARMING MAIN STREET
Farmington's Downtown Historic District features well-preserved 19th century architecture and a vibrant small-town atmosphere just a short drive from Starks. The district offers a mix of local shops, cafes, and cultural attractions centered around its picturesque main street. Visitors can enjoy browsing unique boutiques, sampling local cuisine, and experiencing the authentic charm of western Maine.
12. Lakewood Theater
HISTORIC SUMMER PLAYHOUSE
Lakewood Theater is America's oldest continuously operating summer theater, entertaining audiences since 1901 in a charming lakeside setting near Starks. The historic venue has hosted numerous famous actors throughout its storied history and continues to present quality productions each season. Visitors can enjoy professional performances in an intimate, nostalgic atmosphere that captures the golden age of American summer stock theater.
13. Sandy River Farmers' Market
LOCAL FOODS SHOWCASE
Sandy River Farmers' Market brings together local farmers and artisans offering fresh produce, handcrafted items, and specialty foods in a community gathering space near Starks. The market provides direct access to seasonal Maine-grown fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products from small-scale producers. Visitors can connect with local food culture while supporting sustainable agriculture in the region.
14. Maine Wood Concepts
WOODEN CRAFTS FACTORY
Maine Wood Concepts is a renowned woodworking facility producing high-quality wooden products and offering factory tours by appointment. The company has been crafting wooden household items, toys, and specialty pieces since 1971 using Maine's abundant forest resources. Visitors can observe skilled craftspeople at work and purchase unique wooden souvenirs directly from the source.
15. Norridgewock Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
Norridgewock Historical Society Museum preserves and displays artifacts chronicling the rich history of the Kennebec River Valley near Starks. The collection includes Native American relics, early settler memorabilia, and items representing centuries of rural Maine life. Visitors can gain insight into the region's development through photographs, documents, and carefully curated exhibits that tell the story of this historic area.