Autumn in Maine is practically made for cozy, budget-friendly fun. From apple picking to corn mazes to fall hikes, there are tons of affordable and local ways to enjoy the season.

Take a Scenic Fall Foliage Hike

Maine is world-famous for its fall colors. You don’t need to drive far or pay a high entry fee to experience the best of it.

Check out our amazing state park system! Whether you want to keep it close and soak in the color from the top of Bradbury Mountain in Pownal, take a road trip to Mount Blue in western Maine, or head north for some trails on Moosehead Lake at Lily Bay State Park. Fall is the time to head outside and enjoy our public lands!  Search for your next trip by location, how far you want to drive, or desired activity here:  https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/index.pl

Southern Maine is a great place to check out some birdwatching, nature trails, and kayaking or canoeing along our beautiful salt marshes – and fall is the perfect season for it! With low suggested entry fees, you’ll have access to educational nature walks with great vistas and fun facts about the marsh and trails.  Check out event calendars for fun activities, from guided tours and tree walks to fun family days.

• Wells Reserve at Laudholm   
• Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
• Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
  

Walk it out!  The Greater Portland Trail system has over 100 miles of trails, many of them right in your backyard – and all free to enjoy!  Whether you’re looking for a waterfall, an easy walk through the woods, or an oceanfront stroll, Portland Trails has the right spot for you to unwind.  Find your new favorite spot in Portland here: https://www.trails.org/

It’s the season for fairs, harvests, and festivals!

While most of the bigger agricultural fairs are winding down, smaller fall festivals are a Maine staple — many are free to attend or optional donation-based, with food merchants and activities like corn mazes, hayrides, and more.  You can also check out makers markets or craft fairs, both of which are ramping up now – get a jump on your holiday shopping while supporting local artisans!  And of course, it’s the season for picking apples, pumpkins and celebrating our local farms. 

Here are some great sites to check out to see what to do in your area:

• https://www.pressherald.com/2025/09/29/12-maine-fall-events-to-help-you-enjoy-the-best-of-the-season/
• https://www.mainemade.com/events/
• https://www.fairsandfestivals.net/states/ME
• https://www.mainepublic.org/community-calendar
• https://www.newscentermaine.com/maine-things-to-do?_evDiscoveryPath=/&evPage=2
• https://wjbq.com/best-corn-mazes-maine-2025/
• https://maineapples.org/

Cook up some memories! 

With the temps dropping and the night coming sooner, fall is a perfect time to try some new recipes with autumn crops! Here’s some simple ideas to make fall taste amazing:

• Invite over some friends and try a few new recipes.  Have everyone bring a dish for a potluck or ask everyone to bring some ingredients for a fun fall food festival of your own!  Start a new weekly tradition or sit down together for Friendsgiving.
• Involve the kids! Sure, cooking with little ones might take longer and make more of a mess, but the memories are worth it. Try picking apples and then making applesauce from scratch! Or work together to bake the Maine classic Whoopie Pie or some molasses cookies. Feeling nostalgic for some brown bread and beans?  Try making them from scratch on a rainy weekend!
•  Looking for some Maine focused recipe ideas? Check out these sites:
  • https://maineapples.org/recipes/
  • https://www.realmaine.com/category/recipes/
  • https://www.mofga.org/learn/organic-how-tos/organic-recipes/
  • https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/recipes/

   

Don’t forget to check out your local library for fun events and activities!

Your local public library isn’t just for books; many libraries offer seasonal activities for both adults and kids.  Find your local library: https://www.maine.gov/msl/mainelibs/pubtown.shtml

Fall in Maine is as classic as it gets, and it’s a wonderful time to touch some grass before the cold sets in.  Grab your besties, your kids, or just head out for some solo leaf peeping, and enjoy these low-cost ways to celebrate Maine foliage!