Calais Travel Guide

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Facts and practical information

Nestled in the northeastern part of the United States, Calais, a city in the Maine region, offers a charming blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and welcoming community spirit. With its proximity to the Canadian border, Calais serves as a gateway to both countries, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic North American experience.

One of the main highlights of Calais is its stunning natural landscapes. Visitors can explore the nearby Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, which spans over 28,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of wildlife. Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by the sight of majestic moose, bald eagles, and numerous other bird species that call this refuge their home.

For history buffs, Calais offers a glimpse into its rich past through its historical landmarks. The St. Croix Island International Historic Site, located just a short distance away, commemorates the first French attempt at colonization in North America. Here, visitors can explore the replica of the French settlement and learn about the hardships faced by the early settlers.

Calais is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. The annual International Festival, held in August, brings together artists and performers from both sides of the border for a celebration of music, food, and crafts. Visitors can immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere and experience the unique blend of Canadian and American cultures.

Food lovers will delight in the local cuisine, with an abundance of fresh seafood available. From succulent lobster and crab to mouthwatering clam chowder, Calais offers a true taste of the Atlantic coast. For a truly unique dining experience, visitors can indulge in a traditional New England lobster bake, where lobster, clams, and other seafood are steamed together for a feast for the senses.

Alternative names: Settled: 1779Population: 3 thous. (2019)Area: 40.11 mi²Elevation: 79 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 45°11'9"N, 67°16'43"W

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MaineUnited States

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Calais Top Attractions

Calais Attractions - What to See and Explore

Calais offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Whitlocks Mill Light, Holmes Cottage, Ferry Point Border Crossing, Calais Observatory. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Lighthouse
Whitlocks Mill Light
The Whitlocks Mill Light is a lighthouse on the south bank of the St. Croix River in Calais, Maine. It is the northernmost lighthouse in the state of Maine, and was the last light to be built in the state.
Museum • Science museum • History museum
Holmes Cottage
The Holmes Cottage is a historic house at 521 Main Street in Calais, Maine. Estimated to have been built about 1820, it is the oldest surviving structure in the town, and is notable for its association with Dr.
45°11'32"N • 67°17'0"W
Ferry Point Border Crossing
The Ferry Point Bridge Crossing connects the towns of Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick on the Canada–US border. This crossing is located at the Ferry Point International Bridge. Various bridges have existed at this location since 1826. In 1847, a more substantial covered toll bridge was completed.

Observatories and planetariums
Calais Observatory
The Calais Observatory is a pair of granite fixtures in Meridian Park in Calais, Maine. The two stones were used for mounting scientific equipment used in a variety of astronomical observations, principally for the accurate calculation by the United States Coast Survey ...
45°10'43"N • 67°16'20"W
Thomas Hamilton House
The Thomas Hamilton House is a historic house at 78 South Street in Calais, Maine. Built about 1857, it is a high-style Italianate house, unusual in its sophistication for what was then a remote frontier setting. Thomas Hamilton, the builder, had pretense at grandeur, and his house became a local landmark known as "Hamilton's Folly".
45°7'26"N • 67°8'47"W
St Croix Island Historic Site
Historical place • Island • Park

Day trips

Calais – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Calais, it's worth seeing attractions such as: West Quoddy Head Light (Quoddy Head State Park), McCurdy Smokehouse (Lubec), Boynton Street Historic District (Eastport).

30 milesSE
Iconic maritime landmark and historic home
West Quoddy Head Light, Quoddy Head State Park
West Quoddy Head, in Quoddy Head State Park, Lubec, Maine, is the easternmost point of the contiguous United States. In 1808 a lighthouse was constructed at the site to guide ships through the Quoddy Narrows.
27 milesSE
Specialty museum, Maritime museum, Museum
McCurdy Smokehouse, Lubec
The McCurdy Smokehouse is a former industrial fish processing facility on the waterfront of Lubec, Maine. Operated between about 1906 and 1991, it is believed to be the last intact early 20th-century herring processing facility in the state. It is now owned by a local preservation group, hosts a museum and other facilities.
24 milesSE
Park
Boynton Street Historic District, Eastport
The Boynton Street Historic District encompasses three historic Federal-period houses between 13 and 26 Boynton Street in Eastport, Maine.
8.1 miSE
Lighthouse
Saint Croix River Light, Saint Croix Island
St. Croix River Light is a lighthouse on the St. Croix River, Maine, close to the Canada–United States border. It was first established in 1857. An octagonal wood tower on top of a keeper's house was built in 1901 and was destroyed by fire in 1976. The present skeleton tower was built following the fire.
34 milesS
Church
Centre Street Congregational Church, Machias
Centre Street Congregational Church is a historic church at 9 Center Street in Machias, Maine. Built in 1836-37, it is an important early example of Gothic Revival architecture in northern New England, apparently based on an early design by the noted Gothic architect Richard Upjohn.