Because Maine is large, and you may have to spend hours in the car just to get there, it's perfectly acceptable to choose a home base. You can easily spend a week or more in vacation spots like Bar Harbor or Kennebunkport or even at a lakeside camping resort. If you're determined, however, to explore as much of Maine as possible, these suggested itineraries will provide some ideas for navigating around the state.

A Four-Day Shore and Shopping Escape

Whether you want to book yourself into a few different hotels or choose one central spot on the shore, this itinerary will keep you on the go.

Day One: Start in Kittery — Maine's outlet shopping capital — and spend a half-day searching for bargains. You won't be able to see it all, so plan your outlet strategy ahead of time. If you just can't wait for your first taste of lobster, follow Route 1 South to Warren's Lobster House (11 Water Street/Route 1, Kittery, 207-439-1630, www.lobsterhouse.com), and order a lobster roll or lobster croissant for lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely drive north along coastal Route 1 to Kennebunkport. The forty-five-minute, narrated tour offered by Intown Trolley (Ocean Avenue, 207-967-3686, www.intowntrolley.com) is a good way to get acquainted with the town. Have a casual dinner overlooking the water at Federal Jack's Restaurant and Brewpub (8 Western Avenue, 207-967-4322, www.federaljacks.com).

Day Two: Start with a hearty breakfast at the Maine Diner (2265 Post Road/Route 1, Wells, 207-646-4441, www.mainediner.com); yes, they have lobster quiche, lobster omelets, and Lobster Benedict on the menu. Then, travel north on Route 1 to Old Orchard Beach, and spend the bulk of the day relaxing beside the ocean, browsing boardwalk stores, and riding the rides at the Pier. For dinner, try to score a table on the outdoor deck at Surf 6 Oceanfront Grille & Bar (6 Cortland Street, Old Orchard Beach, 207-934-2058, www.oldorchardbeachlodging.com/Surf6/Surf6home.htm).

Day Three: Spend the day exploring Portland, including the shops and restaurants of the Old Port District. On your way north, stop at Len Libby Chocolates (419 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, 207-883-4897, www.lenlibby.com) to visit Lenny, the 1,700-pound, life-size chocolate moose. You may also want to detour out to Cape Elizabeth to see Maine's oldest lighthouse, Portland Head Light (Fort Williams Park, 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, 207-799-2661, www.portlandheadlight.com). In the evening, catch a baseball game at Hadlock Field (271 Park Avenue, Portland, 800-936-3647, www.portlandseadogs.com) if the Portland Sea Dogs are in town.

Day Four: On your last day, continue north to Freeport. Get there as early as you like — the L.L. Bean flagship store (95 Main Street, 800-559-0747, ext. 37222, www.llbean.com) is open twenty-four hours a day. The assortment of other outlets and retail stores in town will keep you busy until it's time to head for home.

A Midcoast Maine Lighthouse Tour

Lighthouses are beautiful and functional structures that beckon to many vacationers. Maine has 65 historic beacons. This two-day tour will allow you to view several distinctive lights, as well as coastal sights. Don't forget your camera!

Day One: Start at Camden Hills State Park (Route 1, Camden, 207-236-3109 or 207-236-0849), where you can hike or drive to the summit of Mt. Battie. There's no lighthouse on Mt. Battie, but with a pair of binoculars, you can spot as many as sixteen lighthouses on a clear day.

Before leaving Camden, drive along Beacon Avenue for a view of Curtis Island Light, which dates to 1896. Its island home was named for Saturday Evening Post publisher Cyrus Curtis.

From Camden, take Route 1 North to Lincolnville, where you can board the Maine State Ferry Service (207-734-6935, www.state.me.us/mdot/opt/ferry/maine-ferry-service.php) ferry to Isleboro. Grindle Point Light is located near the ferry landing; the keeper's house is now the Sailor's Memorial Museum. This active beacon was first built in 1851, and the present lighthouse dates to 1874. The ferry trip is about twenty minutes. You'll want to call ahead for a schedule.

Day Two: Travel to Rockport, where Indian Island Light is visible from Rockport Marine Park (Andre Street, 207-236-4404). The present light was built in 1875 and taken out of service in 1934.

Continue south on Route 1 to Rockland, where you can visit the 1902 Rockland Breakwater Light (www.rocklandlighthouse.com), visible from the end of Samoset Road. Tread carefully if you decide to walk out on the mile-long breakwater for a closer look.

Also see Owls Head Light in nearby Owls Head; it's located on the grounds of Owls Head Light State Park (Lighthouse Road, 207-941-4014). This 1825 lighthouse, which is not open to the public, is still an active navigational aid. To get to the lighthouse, you'll have to walk up a steep ramp and climb dozens of steps, but the views are worth the exertion.

A fitting end to your expedition is a stop at the Maine Lighthouse Museum (One Park Drive, Rockland, 207-594-3301, www.mainelighthousemuseum.com), open year-round. The museum contains a variety of exhibits and lighthouse artifacts, including the nation's largest collection of historic Fresnel lighthouse lenses. Lighthouse lovers will find terrific souvenirs in the gift shop.

A Long Weekend of Leaf Peeping

Maine is a popular choice for travelers who want to experience New England's autumn splendor. While it is impossible to predict exactly when foliage colors will be at their peak, you'll have a good chance of seeing vibrant leaves sometime between mid-September and early October.

Day One: Travel to Bethel in the western Lakes and Mountains region. This will be your home base for a long weekend of leaf peeping. If you arrive early enough in the day, pick your own apples at Lyon Orchard (684 Grover Hill Road, Bethel, 207-824-2842).

Day Two: Drive along Route 26 through Grafton Notch State Park (207-824-2912 or 207-624-6080, www.state.me.us/cgi-bin/doc/parks/find_one_name.pl?park_id=1). On your way, stop in Newry to view The Artist's Bridge, one of Maine's most painted and photographed covered bridges. Stop often along this scenic drive; there are plenty opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and waterfall viewing.

Day Three: From Bethel, travel east on Route 2, then head north on Route 17 to Rangeley. There are many scenic places to pull over along this trip, including Coos Canyon in Byron, where you can actually pan for gold, although the water may be a bit cold in the fall. As you approach Rangeley, a spot known as Height of Land, which overlooks Mooselookmeguntic Lake, affords remarkable views; you'll even be able to see New Hampshire's White Mountains in the distance. While you're in the Rangeley area, rent a canoe at River's Edge Sports (Route 4, Oquossoc, 207-864-5582, www.etravelmaine.com/riversedge), located next to the public boat launch, and go for a paddle on Rangeley Lake. Call ahead to check availability.

Day Four: Before you depart for home, travel south from Bethel to New Gloucester and visit the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village (Shaker Road, 207-926-4597, www.shaker.lib.me.us) and its museum and store. This is the home of the last few remaining followers of the Shaker faith. Whether you take a tour or simply stroll around for views of fields and farm animals, you'll find this to be a scenic and lovely place to appreciate nature's gifts.