Maine is many things to many people—a haven in a world of headaches, a fir-stippled paradise where summer comes slow and easy, a place that is heartbreaking to leave and a relief to return to. It is the way life should be. More specifically, Maine is 3,500 miles of enchanting coastline, the 5,267-foot elevation of Mount Katahdin, and of course her hardy, friendly folks. Maine Icons illustrates the quintessential symbols that make Maine so fascinating and unique. Profiled here are fifty classic symbols of this extraordinary state, revealing little-known facts, longtime secrets, and historical legends. From bean hole beans to L.L.Bean, here’s the inside story about the very things that give this state its character. Did you know that the annual Maine Lobster Festival includes a parade, a lobster-crate race, and more than 20,000 pounds of lobster cooked in the world’s biggest lobster boiler? That it was a woman, Cornelia Thurza “Fly Rod” Crosby, who became the first licensed, registered Maine Guide in 1897? Or that the earmuff was patented in the 1870s by young Chester Greenwood, who went on to be named one of America’s top fifteen outstanding inventors? For Mainers and newcomers alike, Maine Icons will be a treasured keepsake of this charming state.

New Hampshire literally has something for everyone: urban types looking for bookstores, coffee shops, swank eateries, and nightclubs; outdoorsy folks searching for endless vistas atop the high peaks of the White Mountains; history buffs seeking clues to the state’s rich past; or snow-loving families hoping to schuss the slopes all day long. It is a place of quaint villages, swimming holes, general stores, and hillside farms. And its people, those singular Granite Staters, are the friendly caretakers who make sure it’s there for all to enjoy. Profiled within these pages are fifty classic symbols of this extraordinary state, revealing little-known facts, longtime secrets, and historical legends. From frost heaves to Robert Frost, from Stonyfield Yogurt to the New Hampshire State House, New Hampshire Icons offers up the inside story on the Granite State. Did you know that New Hampshire has the shortest coastline of any state (18 miles)? That Mt. Washington is the official home of the world’s worst weather? That pumpkins are the official state fruit? New Hampshire Icons features the people, places, events, foods, animals, and traditions that make it the singular state it is.

The state of Vermont is illustrated through gorgeous photographs and evocative essays, showcasing 50 iconic places, events, inventions, foods, and objects from the Green Mountain State.

Humorists Tim Sample and Steve Bither reveal the wild and wacky side of Maine. Describing approximately 300 oddities--people, places, animals, historic tidbits, and trivia--their unique persepctive and witty narrative is highly entertaining. From the Society for the Preservation of the Black Fly to a jeweler whose medium is moose droppings, this is a great read for anyone who enjoys local humor and trivia with a twist.

What better way for children to learn their ABCs˜and discover a little about Maine˜than with this vibrant and whimsical volume from Camden, Maine, artist Susan Ramsay Hoguet. Illustrating distinct Maine icons, such as moose, lobster, and Mount Katahdin, the rhyming verse will have children singing it, asking for it to be read again and again, and learning their alphabet in no time.

Lobsters, blueberries, moose, and rugged coastlines dotted with lighthouses are emblematic of the state of Maine. But underlying these simple icons is the rich natural heritage of Maine that drives the economy and shapes the state's culture. The history of Maine’s natural heritage has been co-produced by the both the natural and human worlds. The essays and photographs gathered here paint a vivid portrait of Maine's wild places and wild creatures, as well as of human impacts and the way the state's heritage has changed.

Discover Maine with Moon Travel Guides! Explore the best of Maine's spruce-studded mountains, classic shoreline villages, and rugged character with Moon Maine. Inside you'll find: Strategic itineraries for any budget and timeline, whether you're craving fall foliage, winter sports, spring markets, or summer beaches, ranging from a ten-day road trip through the whole state, to a week exploring the coast Detailed maps and handy reference photos throughout Curated advice for history buffs, foodies, beach-goers, outdoor adventurers, and more Must-see attractions and off-beat ideas for making the most of your trip: Hike or bike through lush timberland forests, ski the slopes at Sugarloaf, or canoe down the Allagash. Sample wild blueberries, farmstead cheeses, and preserves from roadside farmers markets, find the best beachfront lobster shack, or mingle with locals over a "chowdah suppah." Discover maritime history in a traditional fishing village, or hit the galleries, museums, and performing arts centers in Portland. Watch the boats sway in a quiet harbor, unwind on a sandy pocket beach, or immerse yourself in the secluded wilderness of Acadia National Park Honest advice from Maine native Hilary Nangle on when to go, where to eat, and where to stay, from luxury hotels and historic inns to budget campgrounds Recommendations for getting there and getting around by plane, car, train, or bus Thorough background on the culture, environment, wildlife, and history With Moon's local insight, diverse activities, and expert tips on experiencing the best of Maine, you can plan your trip your way! Hitting the road? Try Moon New England Road Trip. If you're headed north, try Moon Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island or Moon Montréal & Québec City.