Calais has scenic landscapes, small-town character and deep history
In the Downeast region of Maine, Calais offers a serene lifestyle full of wildlife preserves and historic landmarks. With a population of about 3,000, the close-knit city has a small-town atmosphere. “We have a tiny little downtown, but not a lot of amenities," says Britani Holloway, a local broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northeast Real Estate who followed her parents to Calais in the ‘90s. "But I like knowing people when I go to the grocery store, and I like knowing my neighbors are looking out for me. They’ll call me if they see a car parked in my driveway or something.”
The St. Croix River flows along the northern and eastern edges of Calais, bordering Canada and extending into the Gulf of Maine. The town’s outdoorsy character is evident in several lakes and conservation areas, where campgrounds provide recreational space, and homes with acreage sit tucked into the woods or by the water. Calais' downtown area features a collection of 19th-century homes, as well as retail, dining and other amenities. The historic St. Croix Island, home to the first French settlement in North America, established in 1604, can be observed from a cove. The town’s heritage, however, dates back 11,000 years to when the Indigenous Wabanaki Tribes used the river to harvest fish and clams. Today, Calais blends history, nature and community, attracting residents who appreciate its slower pace.
Recreation includes wildlife exploration and St. Croix history
Residents are surrounded by outdoor recreation, making Calais an appealing option for nature enthusiasts. The Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area spanning nearly 300,000 acres, is popular for kayaking and fishing in the summer, hiking and hunting in the spring and fall, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Another notable spot in town is Devil’s Head, a conservation area on the St. Croix River with hiking trails. Additionally, the Calais Waterfront Walkway provides a stroller- and wheelchair-friendly path that stretches about 1.5 miles along the riverbanks in Calais. Located in the waterway, the St. Croix Island International Historic Site explores what life would have been like for both French settlers and the Wabanaki Tribes through educational plaques, model villages and lifelike statues.
Local homes range from historic to waterfront
Homebuyers looking to purchase in Calais can find both historic homes and New England cabins. While the area's median sales price is about $160,000, homes can range from less than $50,000 to more than $700,000. “The homes in town are your typical homes next to each other," Holloway says, "but the ones around the outskirts have more land.” In the downtown historic district, Greek Revival, Italianate and Queen Anne styles showcase Calais’ 1800s-era significance. In addition to these vintage gems, buyers can find a range of quaint woodsy bungalows and lakefront Cape Cod cabins. Prices start at around $50,000 for small rustic cabins and typically rise to about $400,000 for newer, more spacious cabins with acreage. In rare cases, buyers can find larger lakefront properties that can sell for as high as $700,000.
Holloway mentions that it’s common for Calais residents to own a house in town, as well as a camp home in the more rural outskirts. “Calais proper is year-round living, but most people I know have a second home at camp on the lake.”
The downtown district features eateries, museums and churches
Downtown Calais is the hub for most of the area's retail and restaurants. “It’s the shopping headquarters for Washington County,” Holloway says. Main Street is lined with several eateries, all within walking distance of each other. Crumbs Cafe offers a cozy coffee bar and bakery experience, while Karen’s Main Street Diner serves traditional American breakfast. St. Croix Tap & Table is popular for lunch, featuring cheese curds, crab cakes and sandwiches. Fitzgerald’s Tavern provides pub food, a full bar and occasional live music. North of Main Street on the water, Skully’s offers a tiki-themed dining experience with burgers, fries, ice cream and slushies. For groceries, residents can shop at Calais IGA, Walmart, and Shop ’n Save.
Downtown is also home to the Wabanaki Cultural Center, which explores the heritage of the local Indigenous tribes. Music on the Green takes place downtown at Flat Iron Park each Tuesday during the summer. "People will go out to eat downtown and then go sit on the grass for the free concert," says Holloway, who created the concert series. Nearby, Calais Community Hospital is a general hospital with an ER. The area also features an array of Christian houses of worship, including churches serving Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal and Methodist denominations.
International Homecoming Festival unites two continents
The International Homecoming Festival, which will be celebrating its 52nd year in August 2025, is a vibrant weeklong event that unites the communities of Calais and St. Stephen, a town located across the river in Canada. The festival features a parade that crosses the border along the international bridge, as well as concerts and a craft fair. Another highlight is the Johnson's International Five Mile Road Race, which takes place in Calais and draws participants from both sides of the border.
Education in Calais spans from elementary school to community college
Students in Calais can attend Calais Elementary School, which receives a B rating from Niche, for kindergarten through sixth grade. Students can then advance to Calais Middle/High School, which holds a B-minus, for seventh through 12th grade. It has a total of 300 students, fostering a close-knit community. High school students can choose from a variety of clubs, including the Civil Rights Team and the Rock ‘n Roll Band. The Blue Devils boys basketball team boasts a strong winning record, supported by a dedicated fan base of town residents. Students can continue their education at Washington County Community College, which serves both full-time and part-time learners on its 400-acre campus on the St. Croix River.
U.S. Route 1 serves the car-dependent community
Calais is a car-dependent town, with no available public transit. U.S. Route 1 runs along the outer borders of the city, serving as the community's main artery and connecting residents to the surrounding towns to the west and the south. The nearest airport is Bangor International Airport, located about 100 miles west.
Calais has high annual snowfall
Calais experiences distinct seasonal weather patterns, including an average annual snowfall of 89 inches. This winter landscape is accompanied by an average winter low temperature of 8 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers in Calais are a bit more comfortable, hitting an average high of 76 degrees.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
