There’s no denying that Maine does nature perfectly. Between our waterfalls and our coastline, you can’t ask for much more. But, we also offer some impressive man made wonders. From bridges to churches, farms to castles, here are just a few of the most impressive man made wonders in Maine created by expert hands. Look through to see if any of them look familiar to you!
- Bowdoin’s Bannister Hall, Brunswick
Mike Timberlake / Flickr This campus stalwart with its Gothic architecture is unmistakably Bowdoin. This incredible place was built between 1845 and 1855, and is a Romanesque church made out of granite, boasting twin towers and spires that rise to 118 feet. This historic spot is one of the most unique places to visit in Maine, and the whole 207 acre campus is a fabulous place to visit. Bowdoin College, 255 Maine St, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
- The Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, Brunswick / Topsham
katie wheeler / Flickr This strange swinging bridge was originally built to allow workers at the Cabot Mill to cross the Adnroscoggin. This pedestrian suspension bridge is over 330 feet long and very narrow. Though the bridge has been repaired a few times over the years, and many parts have been replaced, the cables are original to the 19th-century structure. We recently highlighted this wonder in its own dedicated article. Make sure to see this attraction in Maine from a view on a video of one person’s crossing this epic masterpiece. Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, Swinging Bridge, Topsham, ME 04086, USA
- Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Lewiston
Captain Morgan / Wikimedia Commons This brilliant structure was built in 1872. The catalyst for its creation was the overflow of French speaking parishioners from Saint Joseph’s Church. Why the need for a French speaking priest? During the nineteenth-century, many Roman Catholic French-Canadians came to work in textile mills. And now, we have this wonder! This is such a fun natural wonder in Maine that you need to see the next time you visit Portland. Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 122 Ash St, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA
- USS Zumwalt, Bath
Stuart Rankin / Flickr This guided missile destroyer won’t be in Maine forever, but while she’s here she’s worth recognizing! The destroyer was built by Bath Iron Works beginning in 2009. In early 2014, Zumwalt began heavy weather trials to see her reaction to high winds, stormy seas, and adverse weather conditions. I’m not a geologlist, but seems like the coast of Maine is a good time for that sort of thing. Testing has continued and once the decision has been made to allow her to join the naval fleet, the USS Zumwalt will make its way to San Diego. This fun ship is absolutely worth it to see in person. It’s a unique attraction in Maine, well worth the visit to Bath to see. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, 700 Washington St, Bath, ME 04530, USA
- Victoria Mansion, Portland
Jack Says Relax / Flickr Also known as the Morse-Libby Mansion, this historic landmark was built in 1860 as a summer house for a hotelier. It has been identified as one of the best, original examples of an Italianate Villa-styled brick and brownstone town house in the United States. The last of the Libby family moved out in 1928, but the home was purchased to be preserved as a museum. It opened in 1941 to serve this purpose. This historical attraction in Maine is fun to visit all year round, offering something for everyone no matter the season. Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
- Wild Blueberry Land, Columbia Falls
Larry Mille / Fickr It would be impossible to recognize the man made wonders of Maine without including this gem. Built in 2001, this giant blueberry is actually a gift and coffee shop, as well as an outlet for the owners’ homemade blueberry jams, sauces and baked good. Sounds delicious enough to warrant a stop! Their hours are mainly focused on the summer. This strange roadside Maine attraction is definitely worthy of a spot on our list, especially when you pair a unique building with some seriously tasty food. Wild Blueberry Land, 1067 US-1, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, USA
- Battery Steele, Peaks Island
Bryan Bruchman / Flickr Battery Steele is a military fort located on Peaks Island in Casco Bay. The Fort was built in 1942 as part of efforts to support World War II. The military site is hidden to those who don’t know that its tunnels and rooms are open for exploring. From the outside, the area appears to be completely left to nature. Overgrown trees and branches crowd what appears to be a crumbling facade. However, the real magic of Battery Steele lies underground. The bulk of the fort is made up of an underground area. These tunnels have been overtaken by artists and the mark of local Maine residents and friends covers the walls. Battery Steele, one of the most unique places to visit in Maine, is worth a visit the next time you’re in the Portland area. Battery Steele, Peaks Island, ME 04108, USA
- The Sunday River Bridge / Artist’s Bridge, Newry
The B’s / Flickr Built in 1872, the Sunday River Bridge is also known as “Artist’s Bridge” due to its common use in photographs and art. It’s easy to see why! In 1958 it was closed to traffic when another bridge was built nearby, but it’s still worth a sightseeing visit. Not just a beautiful bridge, this natural wonder in Maine is a fun stop for a picturesque hike, especially during the autumn season. Sunday River Bridge, Sunday River, Newry, ME 04261, USA
- Maine State House, Augusta
Andrew Lachance / Flickr The Maine State House was designed by Boston-based Charles Bulfinch in 1829. Work was completed in 1832. Whether you love or hate what goes on inside the building every day, it’s hard not to appreciate the aesthetics. If you’re looking for a unique attraction in Maine that also has historical significance, the Maine State House is the perfect stop to explore. Maine State House, Augusta, ME 04330, USA
- The Norumbega Inn, Camden
The Norumbega Inn / Flickr Overlooking the Pebobscot River in Camden, the Norumbega Castle stands out from just about every other structure along the Maine coast. Built in 1886, it was privately owned and lived in for almost 100 years before becoming a bed and breakfast that you can still stay in today. Fun Fact: The current owner was a winner on popular Food Network show, “Chopped.” Many people don’t realize that there are castles in Maine, but it’s true! And you can spend the night inside an actual castle in Maine.
Have you visited any of these man made wonders in Maine? What did we leave off the list? Is there an epic one that deserves a spot? Let us know in the comments below!
Mike Timberlake / Flickr
This campus stalwart with its Gothic architecture is unmistakably Bowdoin. This incredible place was built between 1845 and 1855, and is a Romanesque church made out of granite, boasting twin towers and spires that rise to 118 feet. This historic spot is one of the most unique places to visit in Maine, and the whole 207 acre campus is a fabulous place to visit.
Bowdoin College, 255 Maine St, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
katie wheeler / Flickr
This strange swinging bridge was originally built to allow workers at the Cabot Mill to cross the Adnroscoggin. This pedestrian suspension bridge is over 330 feet long and very narrow. Though the bridge has been repaired a few times over the years, and many parts have been replaced, the cables are original to the 19th-century structure. We recently highlighted this wonder in its own dedicated article. Make sure to see this attraction in Maine from a view on a video of one person’s crossing this epic masterpiece.
Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, Swinging Bridge, Topsham, ME 04086, USA
Captain Morgan / Wikimedia Commons
This brilliant structure was built in 1872. The catalyst for its creation was the overflow of French speaking parishioners from Saint Joseph’s Church. Why the need for a French speaking priest? During the nineteenth-century, many Roman Catholic French-Canadians came to work in textile mills. And now, we have this wonder! This is such a fun natural wonder in Maine that you need to see the next time you visit Portland.
Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 122 Ash St, Lewiston, ME 04240, USA
Stuart Rankin / Flickr
This guided missile destroyer won’t be in Maine forever, but while she’s here she’s worth recognizing! The destroyer was built by Bath Iron Works beginning in 2009. In early 2014, Zumwalt began heavy weather trials to see her reaction to high winds, stormy seas, and adverse weather conditions. I’m not a geologlist, but seems like the coast of Maine is a good time for that sort of thing. Testing has continued and once the decision has been made to allow her to join the naval fleet, the USS Zumwalt will make its way to San Diego. This fun ship is absolutely worth it to see in person. It’s a unique attraction in Maine, well worth the visit to Bath to see.
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, 700 Washington St, Bath, ME 04530, USA
Jack Says Relax / Flickr
Also known as the Morse-Libby Mansion, this historic landmark was built in 1860 as a summer house for a hotelier. It has been identified as one of the best, original examples of an Italianate Villa-styled brick and brownstone town house in the United States. The last of the Libby family moved out in 1928, but the home was purchased to be preserved as a museum. It opened in 1941 to serve this purpose. This historical attraction in Maine is fun to visit all year round, offering something for everyone no matter the season.
Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
Larry Mille / Fickr
It would be impossible to recognize the man made wonders of Maine without including this gem. Built in 2001, this giant blueberry is actually a gift and coffee shop, as well as an outlet for the owners’ homemade blueberry jams, sauces and baked good. Sounds delicious enough to warrant a stop! Their hours are mainly focused on the summer. This strange roadside Maine attraction is definitely worthy of a spot on our list, especially when you pair a unique building with some seriously tasty food.
Wild Blueberry Land, 1067 US-1, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, USA
Bryan Bruchman / Flickr
Battery Steele is a military fort located on Peaks Island in Casco Bay. The Fort was built in 1942 as part of efforts to support World War II. The military site is hidden to those who don’t know that its tunnels and rooms are open for exploring. From the outside, the area appears to be completely left to nature. Overgrown trees and branches crowd what appears to be a crumbling facade. However, the real magic of Battery Steele lies underground. The bulk of the fort is made up of an underground area. These tunnels have been overtaken by artists and the mark of local Maine residents and friends covers the walls. Battery Steele, one of the most unique places to visit in Maine, is worth a visit the next time you’re in the Portland area.
Battery Steele, Peaks Island, ME 04108, USA
The B’s / Flickr
Built in 1872, the Sunday River Bridge is also known as “Artist’s Bridge” due to its common use in photographs and art. It’s easy to see why! In 1958 it was closed to traffic when another bridge was built nearby, but it’s still worth a sightseeing visit. Not just a beautiful bridge, this natural wonder in Maine is a fun stop for a picturesque hike, especially during the autumn season.
Sunday River Bridge, Sunday River, Newry, ME 04261, USA
Andrew Lachance / Flickr
The Maine State House was designed by Boston-based Charles Bulfinch in 1829. Work was completed in 1832. Whether you love or hate what goes on inside the building every day, it’s hard not to appreciate the aesthetics. If you’re looking for a unique attraction in Maine that also has historical significance, the Maine State House is the perfect stop to explore.
Maine State House, Augusta, ME 04330, USA
The Norumbega Inn / Flickr
Overlooking the Pebobscot River in Camden, the Norumbega Castle stands out from just about every other structure along the Maine coast. Built in 1886, it was privately owned and lived in for almost 100 years before becoming a bed and breakfast that you can still stay in today. Fun Fact: The current owner was a winner on popular Food Network show, “Chopped.” Many people don’t realize that there are castles in Maine, but it’s true! And you can spend the night inside an actual castle in Maine.
Looking for more beautiful structures in Maine? Check out These 10 Beautiful Covered Bridges In Maine Will Remind You Of A Simpler Time.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Man Made Wonders In Maine June 03, 2022 Megan McDonald What are the most unique attractions in Maine? From Cryptozoology museums, to the York Witch Grave, Maine is filled with attractions you won’t see anywhere else. Add that to the already interesting architecture and longstanding history, Maine is an excellent place to visit all year long. What is the weirdest thing you can see in Maine? This is a tough one, because many great places come to mind. But Wild Blueberry Land takes the cake for us as the weirdest and most unique roadside attraction in Maine.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Man Made Wonders In Maine
June 03, 2022
Megan McDonald
What are the most unique attractions in Maine? From Cryptozoology museums, to the York Witch Grave, Maine is filled with attractions you won’t see anywhere else. Add that to the already interesting architecture and longstanding history, Maine is an excellent place to visit all year long. What is the weirdest thing you can see in Maine? This is a tough one, because many great places come to mind. But Wild Blueberry Land takes the cake for us as the weirdest and most unique roadside attraction in Maine.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
From Cryptozoology museums, to the York Witch Grave, Maine is filled with attractions you won’t see anywhere else. Add that to the already interesting architecture and longstanding history, Maine is an excellent place to visit all year long.
What is the weirdest thing you can see in Maine?
This is a tough one, because many great places come to mind. But Wild Blueberry Land takes the cake for us as the weirdest and most unique roadside attraction in Maine.
