13 things you must do in Maine

You can catch the earliest sunrise in America (between October and March) from the top of Cadillac Mountain, which is accessible via hiking and driving. You can also ride your bike through the carriage trails, do some rock climbing, see the Thunder Hole, and drive along the Park Loop road. And don't forget to stop and explore the adorable towns, such as Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor.

Portland is chock-full of amazing breweries, like Allagash, and you take a spin on the Maine Brew Bus to tour local craft breweries, including Rising Tide. But Portland's not the the only place to visit. Among others are the Sea Dog Brewing Co. in Bangor and the Baxter Brewing Co. in Lewiston/Auburn. And since the wild blueberry is the official fruit of Maine, I recommend trying some of the blueberry beers offered at the breweries.

It's not a trip to Maine without a stop in Freeport, home of L.L. Bean's flagship store. The sprawling campus also includes the Bike, Boat, and Ski Store, the Hunting and Fish store, and the Home store. You can also participate in one of the store's Discovery Schools for some outdoor adventures, and see bands perform on a stage right outside the store in the summer. Freeport itself is also home to a ton of outlet shops for every shopper's needs.

Sugarloaf is home to the largest ski resort east of the Rockies. It has the steepest trails in the east and features massive glades. But if you aren't looking for a winter vacation, Sugarloaf also offers zip lines, mountain biking, kayaking, a golf course that's consistently rated one of the best in New England, and more.

With so many lakes and coastal towns to visit, take advantage of all of the fresh seafood available at your fingertips. From salmon to lobster, you can have it all.

The 100-Mile Wilderness is considered one of the wildest and most remote sections of the Appalachian Trail. It extends from Abol Bridge, near Baxter State Park, to Monson, Maine. One section includes the Gulf Hagas trail, which is nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the East.”

Mount Katahdin is Maine's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Some parts to check out include Knife's Edge, a narrow trail with incredibly steep drops on either side, and Chimney Pond, which leads to a campground thatprovides access to all Katahdin peaks. The very adventurous can even hike in the winter.

President Obama also just designated more than 87,500 acres of forestland in Maine's North Woods, right outside of Baxter State Park, as a national monument on Wednesday, August 24.

Maine Huts & Trails is a nonprofit organization that offers a full-service program to help you explore and enjoy everything Maine has to offer. The trip can be tailored to your interests and the network hauls your gear for you, provides food during most of the seasons (see here for when it's self-service), and features four eco lodges for accommodation, complete with showers, toilets, and heated rooms. You can be remote and still get pampered.

Maine's biggest lake, Moosehead, is over 40 miles long. In the summer months, you can fish on your own or with a guide. In the winter, you can try your luck ice fishing, or hit up the many miles of well-maintained snowmobiling trails.

Vinalhaven is a small town located on a small island. Fox Island is only accessible via an hour and a half ferry ride from Rockland, or by air taxi from the Knox County Regional Airport. There are old hidden granite quarries that are great for swimming, but you have to ask the locals if you want in on the secret.

Portland has great breweries, but the coastal town has many other sights to explore. Old Port, right along the water, is often overrun with tourists, so venture to Munjoy Hill, the West End, and East Bayside to see more of the city. As for restaurants, INSIDER supervising video producer and Maine local Stephen Parkhurst recommends: Duckfat, Eventide Oyster Co., the Holy Donut, Fore Street, Five Fifty-Five, J’s Oysters, and Top of the East.

Up and down the Maine coast, you will find more than 60 lighthouses to explore. Some are privately owned, some are inactive, but others are museums that allow visitors. Do some research and plan a day trip for a beautiful drive along the coast and some lighthouse tours. Pemaquid Point (seen above) is featured on the Maine state quarter.