Cheese travel
Cheese in Maine
Maine has dozens of small cheesemakers, many of them working farms that sell mostly at markets. The day to go is Open Creamery Day in June, when 35 creameries open up for tastings, tours and animals. In September the Maine Cheese Guild holds the Maine Cheese Festival, and the rest of the year a handful of farm stores near Portland and on the coast sell cheese every day.
Coming Up
- 13 Jun 2027 Maine Open Creamery Day, Mid-June (expected) (expected, not yet confirmed)
Cheese Trails
See all worldwideThe Cheese Regions
The Kennebec Valley around Augusta and Waterville is the busiest cheese country, with Kennebec Cheesery and Whey North Creamery in Sidney, Oaklands Farm in Gardiner, Pumpkin Vine Family Farm in Somerville and Crooked Face Creamery in Skowhegan. The MidCoast has Lakin's Gorges in Waldoboro, known for Rockweed, a bloomy rind cheese with a ribbon of seaweed; Fuzzy Udder in Whitefield; and ME Water Buffalo Co. in Appleton, which makes mozzarella from buffalo milk.
Around Portland and Casco Bay you will find ChiGoBee Farm in Pownal, Winter Hill Farm's farmstand in Freeport and Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook. DownEast, Sunset Acres in Brooksville makes goat cheese from its own herd, Yellow Birch Farm sells from a farm stand on Deer Isle and Josh Pond Farm in Whiting makes raclette and Alpine cheeses.
When to Go
June and September. Open Creamery Day falls in mid-June; the 18th edition was on 14 June 2026. The Maine Cheese Festival, in its 10th year, was on 13 September 2026, with more than 65 vendors, live music, cheesemaking demonstrations, a beer and wine garden and the announcement of the Maine Cheese Awards. Tickets are sold online through the Guild and the 2026 sales closed before the day, so watch for the 2027 announcement.
Summer is also when farm stands are fully stocked and animals are out on pasture.
A Route From Portland
Start at Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook, on Portland's edge, where the store and the barnyard both open at 10am. Drive north to Winter Hill Farm's farmstand in Freeport, then on to the Kennebec Valley, where several makers cluster around Sidney and Gardiner. On Open Creamery Day this route can take in half a dozen farms.
Other Farm Stores to Visit
| Farm | Town | What you can do | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smiling Hill Farm | Westbrook | Dairy store with cheese and lunch, barnyard animals, disc golf | Store 10am to 6pm (lunch 11am to 3pm); barnyard 10am to 5pm |
| Saco River Farms | Steep Falls | Natural foods market with artisan cheese and the farm's own goat dairy products | Wed to Sun, 9am to 6pm |
| Winter Hill Farm | Freeport | Farmstand selling the farm's cheeses and yogurt | Check the website |
| Yellow Birch Farm | Deer Isle | Farm stand with goat cheeses, gelato and organic produce | Check the website |
| Pineland Farms | New Gloucester | Market and cafe with a meats and cheeses counter; farm visits and events | Check the website |
The Maine Cheese Guild's online map lists every member creamery with its cheeses. Many sell only at farmers markets or by appointment, so check before you drive.
Where to Stay in Maine
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Questions People Ask
When is Open Creamery Day in Maine?
In mid-June. The 2026 edition was on Sunday 14 June, with 35 creameries taking part. The 2027 date has not been announced.
When is the Maine Cheese Festival?
In September. The 10th festival was on 13 September 2026, with tickets sold online through the Maine Cheese Guild.
Is there a Maine cheese trail map?
The Maine Cheese Guild publishes an interactive map of its member cheesemakers, and a map of the creameries open on Open Creamery Day.