Maine Eastern Railroad

One of the most enjoyable—and traffic-free—ways of taking in Maine’s mid-coast is by train. After 50 years, passenger rail service resumed in 2006, to the delight of locals and tourists, who board restored vintage cars from the 1940s and 1950s to trundle along the 57-mile route between Brunswick and Rockland (also making stops in Bath, Boothbay, and Wiscasset), meandering along the water’s edge through marsh and historic villages, and by expanses of ocean and many a clapboard home. All coaches are “parlor-class,” meaning big picture windows and plenty of legroom (and modern conveniences like air-conditioning). This is not a narrated tour, but the knowledgeable attendants and conductors are happy to answer any questions about the sights and the area in general. The trip is particularly spectacular when trees are ablaze in fall colors.

One-way $25; round-trip $40
Open Wed.–Sun., late-May through October, with special holiday runs