While many first-timers to the “Vacationland” state go to Portland or Acadia National Park, thanks to the 2012 expansion of Amtrak’s Downeaster line, Brunswick is now the best place for a little detour to the north. “Expanded service…gets more cars and trucks off our roads, reducing congestion and keeping the environment in this beautiful area clean,” said Maine Governor John Baldacci about The Downeaster Expansion Project. Over the year’s, Amtrak has worked to keep the trip affordable with Maine specific packages and a current buy 1 ticket, get 1 ticket free promotion to head North.
Brunswick, Maine, where Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin in the early 1850s, can be done on a dime in a day if time and budget are limited. After a cup of free fresh brewed coffee at the hotel, grab breakfast at Wild Oats Bakery (149 Maine St.; 207.725.6287; wildoatsbakery.com) then stroll up the road to the Federal Street and Lincoln Street Historical Districts. Take a self-guided tour of the stately mansions of shipbuilders and sea captains (and Harriet Beecher Stowe), built in the style of Greek Revival, Late Victorian and Federal, that are now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Get inspired to roam the rockbound coast at the Bayview Gallery (58 Maine St.; 207.729.5500; bayviewgallery.com), showcasing American impressionist and realist paintings by prominent New England artists. Tour the beautiful Bowdoin campus, made up of historical landmarks, modern buildings and at least one Romanesque church of undressed granite. Bowdoin College Museum of the Arts (5600 College St; 207-725-3433; bowdoin.edu) offers donate-as-you-wish admission, and rotating collections might range from Rembrandt and 19th century Japanese prints to post-impressionist paintings by Maurice Prendergast.
Stop by the perennially free Pejepscot Historical Society’s Museum (159 Park Row; 207.729.6606; pejepscothistorical.org) to learn about the fascinating history of Brunswick, founded in 1628, and delight in exhibits like “Vote, Pejepscot!” featuring election paraphernalia from the early 19th century and “Home Decoration” about the local Martha Stewarts of the 1800s.
Bike or walk the scenic 2.63-mile Androscoggin River pathway, which runs from downtown Brunswick to Cook’s Corner. Follow the path over the truss bridge to the Sea Dog Brewing Company (1 Main St., Topsham; 207.725.0162; seadogbrewing.com) for a Maine-brewed Bluepaw Blueberry wheat ale ($4) and clam chowder ($5.99).
Or just have a schluck of beer and save room for homemade pork chorizo and sweet potato ($11.50) or Achiote chicken braised in banana leaves ($11.50) at the locavore’s lair El Camino (15 Cushing St.; 207.725.8228; elcaminomaine.com). Head back up to the Inn at Brunswick Station (4 Noble St.; 207.837.6565; innatbrunswickstation.com), an ideal base for exploring the town and enjoy a cozy night by the fire, feeling pleased with your decision to squeeze in an extra New England adventure before returning home at the Amtrak station just blocks away.
How to get to Brunswick from NYC
Visit Amtrak.com for tickets.
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Photos: cmh2315fl, Inn at Brunswick Station, Pejepscot Historical Society
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram