Why OutTavelers are falling hard for Maine’s coastal, LGBTQ+ charms

The salt-sweet air. The wind-kissed harbors. The wildflower-lined trails that seem to whisper, “you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.”

Maine knows how to hold a moment.

But come June, the cobblestone streets of the Pine Tree State hum a little louder — with Pride. Somewhere between a butter-drenched lobster roll in Ogunquit and a delicious cocktail in Portland, I realize: Maine doesn’t just show up for Pride. She plans for it. And more importantly, she means it. The state is crafting a love letter to us OutTravelers.

Explore our curated Maine itinerary below and plan your escapade today at VisitMaine.com.

Ogunquit, MainePhoto Courtesy of Maine Office of Tourism

Ogunquit: Romance, cliff walks and lobster rolls that are worth the hype!

Start your adventure in Ogunquit, which fittingly translates from Abenaki as “beautiful place by the sea.” This coastal gem isn’t just picturesque — it’s powerfully LGBTQ+. For generations, Ogunquit has been a beacon for OutTravelers seeking saltwater therapy, seaside art, and that just-right mix of relaxation and flirtation.

Footbridge BeachPhoto Courtesy of Maine Office of Tourism

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Walk the Marginal Way, a 1.25-mile paved coastal footpath that hugs the Atlantic and feels more like a runway for the soul than a hiking trail. Benches appear exactly where you’d want to sit hand-in-hand, hair perfectly tousled by the ocean breeze. It’s one of New England’s few public paved cliff walks — and easily one of its most photogenic.

Footbridge Lobster at Perkins CovePhoto Courtesy of Maine Office of Tourism

At the trail’s end, Perkins Cove awaits — a storybook harbor where lobster boats gently rock beside boutiques and time feels beautifully suspended. Stop at Footbridge Lobster, a family-run shack opened in 2009, where lobster rolls are served fresh from daily catch — just butter, buns, and the kind of simplicity that feels decadent.

Perkins CovePhoto Courtesy of Maine Office of Tourism

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For a more elevated moment, head to MC Perkins Cove, where pan-seared scallops and sweeping ocean views set the scene. Named one of Food & Wine’s most romantic restaurants in Maine, it’s serving casual coastal chic — the kind of place where a toast at sunset could easily turn into a proposal.

Perkins CovePhoto Courtesy of Maine Office of Tourism

Before you leave, don’t skip Perkins Cove Pottery Shop. Once a studio for high-fired stoneware, it’s now a LGBTQ-owned treasure trove of ceramics, serveware, and garden décor that feels as artful and inviting as the town itself.

Brian Pu RuizPhoto Courtesy of Maine Office of Tourism

Portland: Coastal cool meets comfort.

About 45 minutes north via I-95, Portland welcomes you with rainbow crosswalks, cobblestone streets and a food scene that’s quietly world-class.

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Start your day at Rambler Café in Deering Center, where your latte comes with fresh flowers — literally. As Maine’s original flower café, Rambler combines espresso and blooms with ease. Order the pistachio rose latte, grab a seat by the window and pretend you’re living the first act of your very own rom-com. (And yes, the barista who makes your heart race will absolutely notice you.) While Rambler is currently under an exciting remodel, its grand reopening is scheduled for November this year.

Back on Congress Street, things heat up. Jewel Box crafts cocktails like love spells. The bar, a dimly lit treasure trove of vintage glamour and moody charm, was a James Beard semifinalist for a reason. Here, LGBTQ+ locals and curious travelers sip gin tonics garnished with rosemary smoke and trade stories in candlelight while the city buzzes just outside.

A few blocks away, Regards offers a new kind of coastal romance — one built on bold flavors and shared plates. This restaurant brings Los Angeles’s culinary playfulness to the Maine coast, and somehow, it works like a long-distance love finally coming together. The arroz negro crab rice is earthy and elegant, while the grilled caraflex cabbage is crunchy poetry. And the hamachi collar? Let’s just say: I caught feelings.

With that, it’s time to loosen the belt and unplug. Hop on the ferry — just 17 minutes from downtown — and set sail for Peaks Island. Once a Victorian vacation hideaway, today its unpaved roads, breezy bike rides and pastel porches feel like stepping onto the film set of “Mamma Mia!” — but with a more LGBTQ+ cast.

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Rent a cruiser or golf cart and take your time exploring the island loop. Discover hidden beaches, pop into local art galleries, or swing by the Umbrella Cover Museum, where humor and whimsy are always on display. You’ll leave sun-kissed, maybe a little in love, and definitely googling “How to move to an island?”

Beyond rainbow flags, Maine’s welcome is year-round — hand-stitched into its scenic hikes, chic restaurants, and thriving LGBTQ-owned businesses. With support from inclusive creators and strategic partnerships — including the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, travel influencer Brian Pu Ruiz, and viral travel couple Gabi and Shanna Meit-Sciarra of 27 Travels — Maine invites you on an escapade, with something rare: a place that’s both a getaway and a coming home.

Gabi and Shanna Meit-SciarraPhoto Courtesy of Maine Office of Tourism

Maybe the greatest luxury for OutTravelers sometimes isn’t five stars or champagne brunch (although they’re arguably just equally as important).

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Maybe it’s ease. Safety. A kind of quiet joy in Maine that says: You’re seen. You’re safe. You are home. YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!

Start planning your Maine journey any time of year at VisitMaine.com!

This article originally appeared on Out: Why OutTavelers are falling hard for Maine’s coastal, LGBTQ+ charms