Mid-October Trip to Maine - Never Been - Always Wanted to Go

Question

My husband and I (early to mid 60s) and our 2 dogs (13 and 8) are planning a trip to Maine mid-October for a week's stay. We are the type who like to sightsee (via car and on foot) and do lots of trail walking (easy walking since we have the dogs). We aren't much into museums, art or history. And, we love seafood, something we can't get at home. I'm planning to book an airbnb once we decide which area to stay in. We are hoping to see the fall foliage and would want to include a trip to the ocean, maybe walk the beach with our dogs. We would prefer to stay in the west or SW of Maine since we are traveling from So Illinois. Any help would be much appreciated.

Answer

Mid-October is a beautiful time to visit Maine—peak foliage is usually in full swing inland and still vibrant along the coast. Since you prefer western or southwestern Maine, enjoy trail walking with your dogs, love seafood, and want both fall colors and ocean time, you have several excellent choices that fit your style perfectly. The following breakdown highlights the best regions for your trip and what you can expect in each area.

Because you’re traveling with dogs and prefer easier walking, the places listed offer abundant accessible trails, scenic drives, dog-friendly beaches, and seafood that’s easy to find without having to go into busy cities. Each area also works well with Airbnb-type lodging and gives great access to both coastline and inland foliage.

Below are the top areas to consider based on your preferences.

Wells / Ogunquit / York Coast (Southwestern Coast) These towns offer stunning beaches, gentle walking paths, and some of the most dog-friendly coastal spots in Maine—especially mid-October, when seasonal dog restrictions ease. The fall colors here are lovely, and you’re only 30–40 minutes from more inland foliage in the Berwicks or Sanford region.
- Ogunquit's Marginal Way – Easy, paved oceanfront walk with gorgeous scenery and benches. Great for older dogs or light activity days.
- Wells Beach – Typically dog-friendly in the off-season and a peaceful walking beach, ideal for relaxed hours by the ocean.
- Mount Agamenticus – Very dog-friendly with easy woodland trails and incredible fall foliage viewpoints without strenuous hiking.
- Seafood in this region – Classic Maine spots: lobster rolls, clam shacks, and fried seafood. Many roadside seafood joints stay open through mid-October.
Kennebunk / Kennebunkport (Scenic & Relaxed Coastal Option) Just a bit north, this area has beautiful ocean scenery, saltwater marshes, and gentle hiking trails. It’s quieter than high-season summer but fully open in mid-October.
- Goose Rocks Beach – Wide, flat, beautiful, and usually dog-friendly in the fall.
- Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge – Dog-friendly walking paths on boardwalks through marshland with gorgeous autumn color.
- Kennebunkport's Ocean Avenue – A scenic drive or stroll along rocky coastline with easy pull-offs.
- Seafood options – Kennebunkport has fantastic seafood shacks along the river and ocean; many allow dogs at outside tables.
Bridgton / Naples / Western Lakes Region (Best foliage + lakes + close enough to coast) If foliage is your top priority and you still want access to the ocean for a day trip, this region gives you the best of both worlds. Expect peak color mid-October.
- Sebago Lake State Park – Great walking trails, dog-friendly, and excellent foliage reflected off the water.
- Shawnee Peak area – Tons of mellow forest paths perfect for older dogs.
- Fryeburg / Saco River Valley drives – Some of the loveliest foliage routes in Maine, very relaxed and rural.
- Coastal day trips – Only 45–60 minutes to the beaches of Saco, Old Orchard, or Wells.
Old Orchard Beach / Saco / Biddeford (Quiet in October + wide dog-friendly beaches) In mid-October this area becomes peaceful, with huge beaches ideal for dogs and easy access to inland foliage.
- Old Orchard Beach – Massive walkable beachfront; dogs allowed in the fall; wonderful place to unwind.
- Ferry Beach State Park – Easy wooded trails, dunes, and natural coastline with plenty of dog-friendly areas.
- Biddeford Pool / East Point Sanctuary – A hidden-gem coastal walk with dramatic rocky shoreline.
- Seafood in this region – Saco and Biddeford still have fish shacks and lobster spots open through October.
Freeport / Brunswick / Harpswell (Quiet coastal villages + fantastic nature walks) Still southwest enough to avoid long drives from Illinois, but much more “classic Maine” with quiet coves and gentle trails.
- Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park – Perfect for dogs, shady forest paths, easy terrain, and ocean views.
- Harpswell Peninsula – Lighthouse walks, coves, and peaceful scenery with very little tourist traffic in October.
- Popham Beach (near Bath) – One of Maine’s most dramatic beaches; dog-friendly, wide, and great for long walks.
- Seafood options – Harpswell and Brunswick have exceptional lobster shacks still open during foliage season.

If your priorities are easy dog-friendly trails, seafood, beach walks, and foliage in southwestern Maine, the strongest overall base would be the Wells/Ogunquit or Kennebunkport area. You’ll get both excellent fall color and guaranteed access to the ocean with minimal crowds.

If you want a bit more solitude and stronger foliage, the Lakes Region (Bridgton/Sebago) with one or two coastal day trips is an equally great option. It’s especially good if your dogs enjoy wooded trails and calmer environments.

Mid-October Trip to Maine - Never Been - Always Wanted to Go

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