Rockland

Your ideal peaceful coastal town is Rockland. Rockland, which is about 80 miles northeast of Portland, has lighthouses, lovely boats rocking in the harbor, and narrow streets dotted with classic brick and shingled homes. Visit inject some culture into your trip, go to the Farnsworth Art Museum and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Alternatively, if you want something more strenuous, climb through the blueberry fields of Beech Hill Preserve to Beech Nut for breathtaking views of the ocean. The short ascent to Owls Head Lighthouse is also worthwhile for the vista.

Rockland is a typical coastal town in Maine. The next time you are eating a delicious Maine lobster, just imagine it may have originated from Rockland, the lobster capital of the world, as it is also one of the largest shipping centers for lobster in the globe. According to Budget Travel, Rockland is the "Coolest Small Town in the US," National Geographic Travel named it the "Top Adventure Town in Maine," and Budget Travel listed it among the "Top 9 Small Foodie Towns" in Maine.

Rankings:

• #6 in Best Places to Visit in Maine

Location:Maine