Yankee Magazine Names Local Maine Areas & Events To 2013 “Editor’s Choice”

Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England, that hits newsstands on April 23rd, has announced this year’s “Best of New England — Editors’ Choice” winners. This designation is awarded by Yankee’s editors and contributors, who name select restaurants, lodgings, and attractions in New England to the exclusive list. 317 awards were given this year. This special issue also names 20 top events in Maine, for a total of 120 events across New England. For 37 years, Yankee’s Travel Guide has been the most widely distributed and best-selling guide to the six-state region, providing readers with a comprehensive vacation-planning tool and daily reference.

Yankee Magazine's local "Editor's Choice" include:

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden—Best Semiprivate Garden, Seal Harbor

Acadia National Park—Best Outdoor Playground, Bar Harbor

Bioluminescent Night Paddle—Best Night Paddle, Castine

Bold Coast Charter Company—Best Puffin Tour, Cutler

Charlotte Rhoades Park & Butterfly Garden—Best Pocket Garden, Southwest Harbor

Cherryfield General Store—Best General Store, Cherryfield

Down East Sunrise Trail—Best Multipurpose Trail, Cherryfield

Eden—Best Vegan Restaurant, Bar Harbor

Kilby House Inn—Best Way Down East B&B, Eastport

Naturalist's Notebook—Best Interactive Store, Seal Harbor

Nervous Nellie's—Best Fantasyland, Deer Isle

Quoddy Bay Lobster—Best Lobster Roll, Eastport

The Blue Hill Inn—Best Traditional Maine Inn, Blue Hill

Wave Walker B&B—Best Acadia Views, Surry

Maine Beaches

Beachmere Inn—Best Something-for-Everyone Lodging, Ogunquit

Caffé Prego—Best Italian Café, Ogunquit

Frankie & Johnny's—Best Salads, Cape Neddick

Palace Diner—Best City Diner, Biddeford

The Nonantum—Best Family Inn, Kennebunkport

Moose Country Safaris & Eco Tours—Best Moose Guide, Sangerville

Some of the top "events" include:

MAY 17–19: DEER ISLE, Wings, Waves & Wood. The island’s annual bird-migration festival calls to those who love nature and art with gallery openings, guided walks, lectures, boat and kayak tours, painting classes, suppers, and more. 207-348-6124; deerisle.com

MAY 30–JUNE 2: MOUNT DESERT ISLAND, Acadia Birding Festival. Celebrate the ecological wonders of the various birds—puffins, warblers, falcons, and more—inhabiting the Gulf of Maine. Talks, walks, and adventures at varying locations will connect you with the area’s many species and diverse habitats. 207-233-3694; acadiabirdingfestival.com 

JUNE 22: DOVER–FOXCROFT, Whoopie Pie Festival. Yes, the state’s most popular treat has its very own festival. Come out for a day of fun, music, and sweet snacking as dozens of bakers present thousands of whoopie pies to sample and purchase; vote for your favorite. Cool festival merchandise available, a fun run, activities, and more. mainewhoopiepiefestival.com

JULY 26–AUGUST 4: BANGOR, Bangor State Fair.  The fairgrounds plays host to one of the state’s largest events, featuring 4-H competitions. Don’t miss the dog show, sheep show, and horse judging, plus a midway, crafts, commercial exhibits, a flower show, and more. bangorfair.com

AUGUST 16–18: MACHIAS, Wild Blueberry Festival. Centre Street Congregational Church invites you to get in on the wild family fun at its 38th annual festival: contests, a quilt raffle, live music, performances, a parade, and kids’ activities, plus an array of crafters, artisans, food vendors, and much more. 207-255-6665; machiasblueberry.com