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Shopping
Looking for a tangible keepsake of your Maine vacation? Take home a genuine piece of Maine.
No matter what your budget or preference, Maine's got you covered, from downtown boutiques to flea markets, shopping malls to factory outlets. Yes, you can find the big names here, but take a closer look at the shopping opportunities that set Maine apart.
The state's raw beauty has inspired generations of artists who sell works ranging from folk art to fine art. Thanks to its Native American and immigrant communities, you can find unique products that blend heritage with Maine resources; thanks to its rural lands, farmstands abound; and thanks to 19th-century sea captains, Maine is rich in bona-fide antiques from around the globe.
For serious shoppers, part of the adventure is the hunt, the Eureka! moment of finding just the right treasure, whether it's nautical antiques, hand-sculpted sea glass jewelry, designer clothing, Maine-made specialty foods, woven rugs, handcrafted Native American baskets, pottery crafted from Maine clay, or Shaker-inspired furniture.
The hunt can take you to fairs and festivals, city thrift shops and upscale galleries, along small-town streets or rural roads. One-time mills now house boutiques, studio-galleries, flea markets, and multi-dealer antiques shops. Former Grange halls, schoolhouses, and grand historical homes have been converted into shopping experiences. Backyard barns overflow with antique tools, used books, and other collectibles. Galleries and home-based studios dot backroads and byways; furniture, clothing, or accessories shops owned by Maine's nationally renowned designers line city streets.
Many Maine downtowns provide a rich architectural heritage accented by independent destination shops. Maine-grown shopping experiences include bargain bonanzas such as Reny's and Marden's, sporting extravaganzas like L.L. Bean and the Kittery Trading Post, and factory outlets in Freeport and Kittery. Take our advice: Whenever, wherever you see something you want, snag it, because you may never see another similar again.
