Spend a glorious day with your pup surrounded by the beauty of Acadia National Park . Take the free, pet-friendly Island Explorer shuttle into Acadia and wander the trails, hike the granite peaks, and savor the natural beauty of the flora and fauna. Visit the Jordan Pond House for famous popovers, lobster stew, or a refreshing glass of hand-squeezed lemonade on the lawn. See Acadia’s wonders from the water with a scenic nature cruise aboard the Sea Princess. Narrated by an Acadia Park Ranger, the pet-friendly cruise will take you to the Great Harbor of Mount Desert and Somes Sound Fjord.

With many rooms offering views of the island or Frenchman Bay, Harborside Hotel Marina and Spa refelcts the beauty and tranquility of Coastal Maine. The hotel is within walking distance to downtown shops and the harbor, as well as a short drive from the hiking trails in Acadia National Park.

Chug over to the world’s largest and oldest electric railway museum with your canine conductor and hop on board a restored street car at the Seashore Trolley Museum. Stroll with Fido through the visitor center, three public exhibit buildings and the observation gallery, where you can see restoration work taking place. Take your pup for a ride on one of several restored street cars that travel a 1.5-mile private railway. You can hop off and hike a nearby trail system and then complete the loop with a return ride to the visitor center. After your visit, make your way to the Cape Porpoise Pier for a fresh seafood or Maine lobster dinner with your pup at the Cape Pier Chowder House.

Extend your dog-friendly Maine getaway with a night at The Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport. You’ll relish the spectacular ocean views from this historic coastal resort. Take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean or the hotel’s heated saltwater pool. Fido is free to play on the hotel’s private beach and explore the famous Maine tidal pools.

Explore the islands of Casco Bay with Fido aboard one of the daily cruises offered by Casco Bay Lines in Portland. Start your morning with a beautiful ‘Sunrise on the Bay’ cruise, a two-hour tour that starts at the peak of dawn, giving you opportunities for great early morning photographs. If island hopping is more your style, check out the ‘Mailboat Run’ instead. As the name implies, the Mailboat navigates the many small islands of Casco Bay, delivering mail and freight, as well as hauling passengers and their furry friends. Roundtrip cruises take approximately three hours and depart twice daily. Dogs must remain leashed at all times. After you’ve worked up an appetite helping to deliver mail, stop by the Portland Lobster Company to enjoy a classic Maine lobster roll. The restaurant welcomes your pooch with ample outdoor seating.

Located a short drive from Portland, Inn by the Sea is a true doggy delight on Crescent Beach. The hotel offers an ‘Inncredible Pets’ package, which includes a two-night stay in a one-bedroom suite, personalized L.L. Bean dog bed and toy, Inn by the Sea dog bowl, nightly dining from the gourmet pet menu, and evening turndown service (complete with a locally made seasonal dog treat). The property’s human perks are great too, and dogs of any size stay for no additional fee.

Ready for a Road Trip?

If this Ruff Guide to Maine preview left your dog drooling for more, we hope you check out our new book - Ruff Guide to the United States. Remember to use discount code ACADIA to save 50% on your copy. Happy Travels!