Just Outside Bangor Is Maine's Day Trip Town With Quiet Charm, A Corn Maze, And Family Orchard

For most tourists, Maine conjures images of lobsters and sailboats, but there's a whole lot more to see in "Vacationland" beyond its rocky coastline. The Northern Highlands Region, for instance, is chock full of quiet, inland villages like Levant, known for its cozy charm and family fun. Nestled in Maine's countryside far away from tourists on the coast, Levant is ideal for vacationers seeking true quietude. Less than 10 miles outside Bangor, the town grows especially popular in the fall, thanks to its orchards, fiery leaves, and corn mazes.

Settled in the early 1800s, Levant pine wood forests made it ideal for loggers. With the exception of a few ghosts (like the Levant Poltergeist), the area has remained quiet over the last few centuries. Despite its consistent, rural feel, the population has grown exponentially. Today, about 3,357 people call the town home, according to World Population Review. There's not much in the way of businesses downtown, besides a post office and a little convenience store, where you can also refill on gas. In other words, Levant is a complete and utter escape.

Visitors to Levant will find most hotel options in Bangor, like the historic Tarrantine Inn and the luxurious Phenix Hotel. The lesser-known city with the best of Maine also has the nearest restaurant options and an international airport. Here, you can rent a car to make day trips to Levant and other surrounding communities easier.

One of the town's most picturesque destinations is Treworgy Family Orchards, which also just so happens to boast one of the best pumpkin patches in America, according to online reviews. The farm, which was founded in the 1980s with just a few fruit trees and a cornfield tended by the Treworgy family, has grown exponentially. The farm has over 60 types of pumpkins and extends approximately 8 miles. It is mainly staffed by members of the Treworgy family, who plant thousands of seeds themselves every year. If you opt for the pick-your-own experience, simply twist your chosen pumpkin off the vine and bring it up to the register. For the best fall experience, visit between September and October.

Along the way, make sure to get a photo. "This is the place for some really great photography, especially by the pumpkins on the lawn up front by the store," reads one review on Tripadvisor. You can also refresh with a hot apple cider and a pumpkin donut at the on-site café. If you're not a pumpkin fan, there are more pick-your-own opportunities, like apples, berries, peaches, flowers, and even Christmas trees in the winter. So, no matter the season, you'll have something fresh to bring home from a day trip to Levant.

Besides its pumpkin patch and pick-your-own fruit trees, Treworgy Family Orchards is also known for its giant corn maze. Although it isn't New England's largest corn maze (that honor is reserved for The Great Vermont Maze in Danville), it's certainly impressive. The Treworgy maze, which has been a staple at the farm since 2001, spans approximately 4 acres and includes 60,000 corn plants that can grow as tall as 10 feet — in other words, there's no chance of seeing over the top.

Every year, the maze is carved into different designs, like a whale, rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, and even Paul Bunyan. Kids under 2 are free, and tickets are slightly discounted during the week compared to weekends and holidays (plus, you'll avoid heavier crowds). The farm, along with the maze, is open every day except Monday from around the end of July through the first week in November. "As you work through the maze (which is huge) you come to different stations that have questions to be answered (found on your 'ticket')," explains one reviewer on Google Maps, adding that maze-goers get a free ice cream cone if they answer everything correctly.

There's also the "Night Maze" after dark during Halloween season in October. Wear your costume to get into the spirit, and enjoy treats stations throughout. After your trip to Treworgy Family Orchards, it will take just about 20 minutes to drive back to Bangor.