4 Ridiculous Things That Continue to Shock Tourists From Away Who Visit Maine

Peak tourist season in Maine is usually the summertime, but as a gal who's lived in Portland almost 9 years now, I've come to the conclusion that tourist season just never ends.

Winter, spring, summer, fall, it doesn't matter anymore. Seasons are irrelevant to holiday travelers when it comes to Maine.

While I love that they support our local businesses and their business keeps our businesses open, sometimes I just wanna scream at them for taking up parking spots they shouldn't be in.

End rant.

Here are a few of the things that I've noticed throughout the years that continue to shock tourists about our state from a former-bartender-in-the-Old-Port's perspective.

The last call at every single bar in Maine is 12:45 p.m.

Lots of people complain about this, but I'll tell you right now nothing good happens after 11 p.m. in a bar where you can drink unlimited alcohol until you're cut off. Don't get cut off, go home, Scott, it's past your bedtime

Stephen King doesn't actually live in his Bangor home anymore.

Stephen King no longer lives in his infamous Bangor house. Stephen King's name is one of the first things I'd hear customers at my bar ask about, and they're totally shocked when I tell them he doesn't actually live and chill around Portland.

He used to live in the Bangor home for a long time before it was eventually turned into a writers' retreat.

He does have another home in Maine, but, according to People.com, King and his wife spend most of their time in their Florida home for privacy.

Still, "The King of Horror" will always be a true Mainer whether he's here or not.

You don't have to wear a shirt walking around Maine. It's totally legal.

The Portland Press Herald reported in a 2022 article that Maine has no law that prevents people from going topless. So, yeah, it is legal for anybody to be completely topless, especially during Pride month in June. It's up to you how far you want to take that rule.

Maine locals know more than just how to chop wood.

This might sound silly, but I promise you the amount of people that have said to me, "Wow you're on the radio and TV?! I thought Mainers just chopped wood in their backyard and picked out the next flannel they're going to wear tomorrow."

Imbeciles.