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Meet the Maine Travel Maven

Professional writer/editor Hilary Nangle, a.k.a. Maine Travel Maven, has been writing about her home state for more than 30 years. She shares her finds and faves in national, regional, and online publications as well as in her four Moon-series Maine guidebooks.

Click here to learn more about Maine Travel Maven Hilary Nangle, or connect with her by choosing one of the following options:

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realmainetravelmaven

Mainer. Lobster fiend. Journalist. Author. Editor. World traveler. Blogger. Dog lover. Sharing the joy of traveling & discovering in Maine & beyond.

Mmmmm! Southern looks good on ya, Camden. My first

Mmmmm! Southern looks good on ya, Camden. My first visit to Buttermilk Kitchen at Marriner’s won’t be my last. I’ll come back again and again for those insanely heavenly buttermilk biscuits. Must now try the buttermilk doughnuts, the chicken biscuit, the biscuit and gravy, the breakfast biscuit, and of course the buttermilk pancakes, and the chicken and grits. My friend will like return every Monday for the chilaquiles verdes. @buttermilkcamden @visitmaine #mainething #whatsforbreakfast

Home! Groggy,sore, and tired, but new hip isn’t gi

Home! Groggy,sore, and tired, but new hip isn’t giving me any problems. Walking with a walker for 1-2 weeks for stability. And found this card, signed by my team at Mercy. Nice!

In the state of “the way life should be,” Maine si

In the state of “the way life should be,” Maine signs tell it like it is #maine #mainething #visitmaine #sign

And the 2026edition of Moon Best of Acadia Nationa

And the 2026edition of Moon Best of Acadia National Park is off my desk onto my editor’s. Not that it’s done; I still have work to do that requires speaking with park officials, but that must wait until, well, sigh.

Maine road signs can be a wee bit confusing. You c

Maine road signs can be a wee bit confusing. You can go north, south, and west simultaneously and travel around the globe without leaving the state. #maine #mainething #visitmaine #getlost #signs #payattentiontothesigns #gottalovemaine

Although peak color has passed, there’s still plen

Although peak color has passed, there’s still plenty of of gorgeous color on Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine. And remember: As the leaves fall, so do the prices and the crowds.

#acadia #acadianationalpark #acadianationalpark #acadianps #mainething #maine #downeastacadia #mainelife #mainecoast #maine #visitmaine #barharbor#barharbormaine #autumnvibes #autumnleaves @acadianps

Another postcard-perfect day in Maine. I’m in Bar

Another postcard-perfect day in Maine. I’m in Bar Harbor onMount Desert Island, home to the largest section of Acadia National Park. Crowds have quieted, so it’s easier to get around town and snag a dinner reservation. Foliage is still nice, with a few splashes of peak color still visible. @barharborinn1887 @rockandartshop @bayviewbarharbor @visitbarharbor @acadianps #maine #mainething #visitmaine

Start planning your next trip to Coastal Maine wit

Start planning your next trip to Coastal Maine with the latest edition of my Moon-series Coastal Maine with Acadia National Park guidebook, now available.

https://www.moontravelguides.com/titles/hilary-nangle/moon-coastal-maine-with-acadia-national-park/9798886471168/

#Maine #Mainething #CoastalMaine #visitMaine @moonguides Moon Travel Guides

Just checked into the aptly named Bayview Hotel in

Just checked into the aptly named Bayview Hotel in Bar Harbor. Beautiful property with breakfast and afternoon cheese and charcuterie included. Even better: while you could walk to downtown, a shuttle is available (avoiding the hassle of parking and fees). It’s clearing, so hoping to snap some foliage in Acadia National Park pics. @bayviewbarharbor @visitbarharbor @acadianps #maine #mainething #visitmaine #oceanviews #oceanviewhotel @mountdesertislandmaine @downeastacadia

Heaven in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Breakfast cr

Heaven in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Breakfast crepes and Benedict, 3hours at Balnea Nordic Spa, lunch and shopping in Old Bromint, and Gregorian chant and cheese at St. Benoit du Lac Monastery. And a blue sky day with brilliant foliage. @tourismequebec @cantonsdelest @fromageriesaintbenoitdulac @eggsquis @balneaspa #easterntownships #autumn #autumnvibes🍁 #leafpeeping

It’s easy to spend a few hours, the better part of

It’s easy to spend a few hours, the better part of a day, or an overnight with Quebec’s Indigeneous Wendat Nation, located in Wendake, just northwest of Quebec City. Go in the evening for Onhwa’lumina, the cultural lightshow in the forest. Dine at one of two excellent Indigeneous restaurants, Sagamité or La Traite Previously, I’ve stayed in the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations, which includes a museum and La Traite restaurant, and offers a workshop in crafting a talking stick and Long House programs. It’s truly a memorable and enjoyable experience.

@HOTEL MUSÉE PREMIÈRES NATIONS @bonjour quebec @quebeccite bonjourquebec @hotelpremieresnations @tourismquebec #travelclassics
#quebec #quebeccity #quebecfood

It’s easy to spend a delicious day sipping and nib

It’s easy to spend a delicious day sipping and nibbling one’s way around Ile d’Orleans, just 20 minutes from downtown Quebec City. We visited wineries, orchards, jam makers, I’ve cream, and chocolates. We toured with Frantz Noel, Conciergie du Terroir, who made it easy, but you can do it on your own. Most places are open mid May through mid October. #quebeccity @quebeccite @tourismequebec @conciergerieduterroir @cassismona @domainestefamille @confiturerie_tigidou @chocolaterieorleans @saintpierre_levignoble #iledorleans

If you enjoy fat-tire biking, you’ll love Empire 4

If you enjoy fat-tire biking, you’ll love Empire 47 mountain bike center in Lac-Delage, Quebec, about 25 minutes north of Quebec City. It has options for all abilities, from lessons for first-timers to double-black diamond trails for experts. Have a listen. @empire_47_ @quebeccite @tourismequebec #quebeccite #quebeccity

Breakfast pizza Maine Grains’ The Miller’s Table i

Breakfast pizza Maine Grains’ The Miller’s Table in Skowhegan followed by a leisurely leaf-peeping drive up Route 201 along the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway, with stops at a rest area and Bishop’s Store in Jackman. @themillerstablemg @bishopsstore @visitmaine #oldcanadaroadscenicbyway #leafpeeping #fallfolliage

Here’s a peek at the Atlantean Cottage, a handsome

Here’s a peek at the Atlantean Cottage, a handsome, meticulously updated, upscale bed-and-breakfast tucked on a quiet side street in Bar Harbor. The breakfasts are drool worthy, and the rooms honor the historical architecture while offering contemporary style. Best of all worlds. And did I mention the breakfasts? #maine #mainething #visitmaine #atlanteancottage @atlanteancottage @Atlantean Cottage #barharbor #downeastacadia @downeastacadia

I loved my recent stay at The Atlantean Cottage In

I loved my recent stay at The Atlantean Cottage Inn, located on a quiet side street in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine. Brad Ipsan owns and operates this fabulous B&B with his wife, Nadine. I asked Brad to share the inn’s story along with what makes it special. #maine #mainething #visitmaine @atlanteancottage #barharbor #acadianationalpark

G’nite Deer Isle. Until next time. Homeward bound

G’nite Deer Isle. Until next time. Homeward bound tomorrow.

Last full day, and it’s another corker, here in St

Last full day, and it’s another corker, here in Stonington, Maine. #maine #mainething #visitmaine #downeastacadia @downeastacadia

Not much finer than an autumn ramble through Sarge

Not much finer than an autumn ramble through Sargentville, Brooklin, and Blue Hill, with stops at @Makers' Market Shop and studio (food you'll want to buy, local craftwork, tee-shirts, wine, beer, and so much more--and if it's lunch time, head next door to El El Frijoles; Leaf and Anna (books, gifts, kids' stuff, cards, etc.--yup, more stuff you'll want to buy); Brooklin General Store (go hungry); Mainescape Garden Shop (plants! tress! shrubs! cheese! Ice Cream Lady Ice Cream!!!, books, rugs! etc.); and our lunch stop at @Humblebee Cafe (delicious breakfast biscuit with cheese and avocado).
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Visit Maine #visitMaine DownEast Acadia Blue Hill, Maine @makersmarketshopstudio @el_el_frijoles @leafandanna @brooklingeneralstore Humblebee Cafe

October brought a chill to the air, along with ano

October brought a chill to the air, along with another day of brilliant sunshine dabbed with a few wispy clouds. Here's a peek around downtown Deer Isle. Started with cups of pour-over Sumatra coffee and a fruity hot chocolate at 44 North Coffee (there's good reason why this place rocks). Next, browsed around Deer Isle Artists Association (I bought earrings), The Periwinkle (going strong for more than 50 years), and Devta Doolan Studio (I wandered out on the back deck to take in the views and found a gorgeous tea pot on the sale rack, score!). So many artist and artistan studios and galleries on Deer Isle thanks to the inspiring scenery and the creative vibe here; love it! You can stay smack downtown at the Pilgrim's Inn, where the restaurant recently made the New York Times Top 50 Restaurants list.
PS The Blue Hill Peninsula Potters annual fall Open Studio Weekend is October 11-12, 2026.

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@44northcoffee @diaaartists @devtadoolanstudio Deer Isle-Stonington Chamber of Commerce @visitdeerisle @visitmaine DownEast Acadia @downeastacadia #visitmaine @pilgrims_inn @bluehillpeninsulapotters

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What to see and do in Quebec City – Maine Travel Maven on Where to stay and eat in Quebec City
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Maine's best outdoor pools with ocean views – Maine Travel Maven on Checking-in: Dunes on the Waterfront, Ogunquit
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