Whether you're looking to squeeze in some Christmas fun or just want to enjoy the winter weather, these amazing places are perfect destinations. Go dog sledding, hop on a toboggan, and more! Maine in December is a truly spellbinding time, as long as you know where to look - and you should start by celebrating winter in Maine at these amazing attractions:

1. Gardens Aglow, Central Maine Botanical Gardens

The Gardens Aglow event takes the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden from beautiful to magnificent! The event uses 500,000 energy-efficient LED lights to decorate the central gardens and buildings. Visitors are invited to walk through the garden, exploring the various ways that lights have been used to transform the space. Come see why this is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Maine during winter.

2. Maine's most enchanting small towns!

You might not be heading off to each one today, but most winter towns in Maine have something a little extra on offer. From lights on the inside to the beautiul lights on the outside, check out these incredible towns that you can visit in a weekend!

3. Kringleville, Waterville

Every year, towns across Maine put holiday smiles on the faces of Mainers. While they're all wonderful, Waterville transforms into its own unique village each year and it's one of the best! This delightful Christmas village in Maine is unforgettable from start to finish.

4. Maine Dogsledding Adventures, Newry Area

This place believes that there's no better way to explore ANY last frontier than with a team of dogs guiding your way! The place is located in Millinocket and the owners, Angel & Don Hibbs, are absolute experts! If you've ever wanted to go dog sledding in Maine, now is your chance to do exactly that!

5. Toboggan at Camden Snow Bowl

The Jack Williams Toboggan Chute at Camden Snow Bowl is the country's only remaining original, gravity-operated 400-foot-long wooden toboggan chute! The chute costs $10 per person, per hour (with your own toboggan) and is open Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as long as the weather cooperates. Since when was winter in Maine so much fun? Since now.

6. Kennebunk and Kennebunkport

It might be cold in Maine and it's cold in Kennebunkport, but all that ice sure is pretty. At Christmastime, this little town becomes a real winter wonderland. And every building in the town looks warm and cozy. Come and see why this adorable small town in Maine is easily one of the best places to spend your winter season.

7. The best winter hike in Maine

This two-mile, round-trip hike is located in beautiful Blue Hill, Maine. It has only a minimal elevation gain and should only take about an hour and a half. It's definitely one of our favorite winter hikes in Maine and we think you'll love it, too.

8. The Wonderland Trail, Acadia National Park

The Wonderland Trail is located in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island between Bass Harbor and Southwest Harbor. The trail is 1.6 miles out and back and considered easy for most hikers. And, it lives up to its name, with some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Maine. Enjoy strolling down the trail, surrounded by trees and wildlife. Can't get enough of the other winter hike we mentioned? This incredible cold-weather hikes in ME is nothing short of incredible.

It's no secret that Maine gets cold. It's even LESS of a secret that when Maine gets cold, going outside gets hard. While the coldest days might mean freezing faces, we like to remind our friends and family that it's not all bad during the winter in Maine. Despite (and, even because of!) the colder temps, there's still tons to be explored in Maine. The above are some of our favorites from the past few years!

So, there you are: amazing places to enjoy Maine in December... and January... and beyond! Winter in Maine doesn't have to be miserable - it can be amazing, too! It's all up to you.

We might think winter in Maine is pretty great, but that doesn't mean we can forget some of the harder times. Specifically, this ice storm which we're still talking about nearly twenty years later!