Its definitely my most favorite town in the North Shore region of Massachusetts, and probably one of my all-time favorite destinations in all of New England. Travel Tip: Want to ensure you'll see a moose while you're visiting Maine? Birders, kayakers, and boaters are drawn to the islands for their natural beauty. With a depth of over 300 feet, its a popular lake for fishing and outdoor recreation. 750 NW Lava Rd #160, Bend, OR 97703, map. Tours of the studio depart from the museum. Fill a day in Glouchester touring Hammond Castle, popping in and out of artist studios on Rocky Neck, and touring Cape Pond Ice, which manufactures the ice used aboard the city's fishing vessels. The Old Port Festival, celebrated each June, offers live music, locally made arts and crafts, and food from several area restaurants. Visit the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall Museum and the Civil War Memorial. What are some fun must-see places: Cincinnati, MD, OR Beaches, HI, Indoor Amusement Parks, Things to Do in Gatlinburg, WI, Orlando, Texas Beaches. Day 1: Cruise along Route 1. WITHIN HOURS Find places 1 hour 1-1/2 hours 2 hours 2-1/2 hours 3 hours 3-1/2 hours 4 hours 4-1/2 hours 5 hours 6 hours 50 miles 100 miles 150 miles 200 miles 250 miles 300 miles 350 miles 400 miles from me From haunted tours, to fun street fairs, to a picture-perfect New England streets covered in leaves, this is one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine you can take during the autumn season. Below is a list of my favorite day trips from Portland, Maine, and the destinations are organized by shortest to furthest distance from Portland. Rental cars are not in close proximity to the station, but you can get a cab. Camden "The Jewel of the Coast" 4. Weve done these day trips from Portland in all types of Maine weather; take our advice and bring a long sleeve top in summer! The area is home to the 90-acre Fort Williams Park where youll find the Portland Head Light. Portland offers METRO Bus services, . Home to Bowdoin College, which was founded in 1794, Brunswick is brimming with history. Click here to book your vintage boat ride tour in Lake Winnipesaukee! Visit Portland's scenic coast, historic sites and most vibrant neighborhoods with a sightseeing and shopping tour on a classic fire engine. Each tour is different based on the season, but it lasts for 2.5 hours, and youll get the inside scoop from a local on all the best foods to eat in town. And actually this region is home to several lakes, and covers a lot of ground, so youll have lots of options when it comes to towns to visit, activities on the water and places to eat. Danny Mejia is a record-setting long-distance runner who moved to Portland nine years . Youll find this collection of Maine facts, oddities, artifacts and displays worth the drive from Portland. Just northwest of Portland, Maines Sebago Lake spans over 28,000 acres. Destinations Africa Morocco Asia China India By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. In the winter months, the park is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Located just over an hour's drive from Boston, Portsmouth was incorporated into the colony of New Hampshire in 1653 and served as the seat of government and a bustling shipping hub for many years. 7 Congress Square, Portland, Maine 04101, Phone: 207-775-6148. Visit all the waterfalls at Dianas Baths. Both villages claim historic homes and businesses, built in the 18th and 19th century. Grab a lobster roll at Roy Moore Lobster Company. Visit the Bush Family Legacy exhibit at White Columns. There are a few different tour options available, including a narrated history tour, a Parker River National Wildlife Refuge tour, as well as a sunset cocktail cruise if you want to end your day out on the water. The Ogunquit Museum of American Art was founded in the 1950s by a student working within the famous Perkins Cove artists colony. Learn more about the evidence Americas Stonehenge has yielded to archaeologists and astronomers over the years. If the city is your base, you're in luck: within short drives are the first foothills of the Western mountains, quaint fishing villages and miles of rolling farmland. Visitors often spot a lot of different wildlife and a variety of birds while on the mountain and can sign up for whale watching tours off the Atlantic coast as well. Dont miss the giant sacrificial table, carved with a channel to collect and drain blood from offerings. We lived here for 14 years and made a lot of quick escapes from the city in search of things to do. The Inland Route. Along with your kayak rental, youll get a life jacket, as well as a map of the lake so you know the best areas to explore. Explore the most charming streets in the Beacon Hill neighborhood (my favorite thing to do!). For an inexpensive escape, Portlanders head to Peaks Island. Bring some snacks, a camera, and walk along the beach; this is always one of the best things to do in Portland Maine. Unlock What Makes This Coastal Community A Must-Do Destination. Done at night, this tour is led by a local history expert and takes you to some of the most haunted locations in town. Kayak out to Thatcher Island to see the lighthouse. Theyll take you to some off-the-beaten path places, and youll meet with food artisans to sample locally-caught lobster, chowder, Maine whoopie pies, the absolute best ice cream in town, and so much more. Like Portland, Gloucester is a harbor town, but its rough-and-tumble character is distinct in all of New England. 1. Travel Tip: As you drive through Bath, you'll get a glimpse of Bath Iron Works, founded in 1884 and still a major builder of ships for the U.S. Navy. You can take a bus from New York to Portland via Boston, Boston South Buses, Portland, ME, and Ptc O/B in around 7h 55m. This particular tour is great for day-trippers because the vessel is a high-speed catamaran, so youll be able to cover more ground in the same amount of time, allowing you to really maximize your time. We also recommend combining some day trips for a sweet two-in-one deal; keep reading to learn more. Another great destination in New Hampshire that also makes for an awesome day trip from Portland, Maine is Lake Winnipesaukee, which is also the states largest lake. Named the most beautiful mountain town in Maine, Bethel offers year round opportunity for outdoor recreation. Near me on a budget: Arlington, Park City, Places to Visit in USA, Brattleboro VT, Maine lighthouses, St. Paul, Wyoming vacations, Des Moines, Tallest roller coasters, Train Museums near me, Romantic Getaways St Augustine FL. Rockport, Maine has the honor of being named one of Americas prettiest towns by Forbes Magazine. A great tour option for your day trip from Portland, Maine is the Lighthouses, Lobsters & Seals Tour. Free things to do, beaches near me: Leavenworth WA, Day trips from Las Vegas, Norfolk, Treehouse vacations, San Jose, Mexico, Jacksonville Beaches, WV, Woodstock, IL, Tampa Beaches, IN, Calistoga, Glowing Beaches. North America. The community offers workshops, a museum and tours. Although not open to the public, the site was made famous by Edward Hoppers 1929 painting, Lighthouses at Two Lights. That's a total of $200 a year, or about $17 a month on average. Bend, Oregon. Weve picked blueberries here for hours in the past and always came away with full tubs. Maines Portland Museum of Art boasts a permanent collection of American, European, and local Maine art. Portland is home to a vibrant working waterfront, great small-business shopping, and an incredible art scene. Tour guides will also help you spot shore birds and other wildlife during the cruise. Bird watching is a popular activity, as well as swimming, fishing and hiking. Note: Where applicable, check with each entity for revised opening/closing hours and other information. A great option for a day trip from Portland, Maine is Conway, NH, which is located in the White Mountains region. Youll need somewhere to come back to after taking these day trips have a look at Hotels.com for accommodation options during your visit. Explore and enjoy a leisurely day trip to see more of natural Maine at your own pace. Explore Chandler Hovey Park and Marblehead Lighthouse. SALE: SUBSCRIBE AND GET 1 YEAR FOR $21.99 $5. Travel Time: 35 minutes. But Freeport isn't just shopping. Maines Damariscotta region is known for oysters, and has been for over two thousand years. 15 Best Things To Do (2023), 75 New England Bucket List Things You Must Do. Hike the trails at Hackers Hill Preserve. This quiet spot was our place to go for a refreshing swim in summer. Of course, the star of the show here is the half-mile Casco Bay Trail with access to tidal pools, rocky coastline and several scenic overlooks along the way. But if youre willing to stay in Portland, and head out for fun tours that will feel like day trips, this is an excellent option if you dont have a car! Portland summers, though short and sweet, are sunny, warm, and come with lots of activity on the water -- aim for July or August. With a day, I would recommend doing Ocean Path (walking from Sand Beach to Otter Cliffs), one hike (Great Head or Gorham are both great choices), and then heading into downtown Bar Harbor for dinner before driving home. Camden has some gorgeous vessels you can climb aboard, and youll have the opportunity to admire the landscapes from a unique perspective out on the water. McMenamins Edgefield is a 74-acre property sitting atop farmland near the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area a mere 20-minutes from downtown Portland. Rockport Marine Park. Maines Boothbay Harbor is located along the rocky Atlantic coast about one hours drive north of Portland. Damariscotta itself, and Newcastle, sit opposite each other across the Damariscotta River, separated by a bridge. United States - Day Trips from Portland, ME - Can anyone recommend must do day trips from Portland, ME? Explore the coast for the best of Maine lobster, to see the many historic lighthouses, and charming coastal towns. Click here to book your full-day private fall tour from Portland! From the cobblestone streets of the Old Port to a scenic fall boat ride along the coast in Freeport. Best Mid-Range Hotel for Portland, Maine: Holiday Inn Portland-By the Bay Located in the heart of the action, this comfortable hotel has a bar/lounge, indoor pool, and all of the comforts of home. Even though its such a short drive away, youll definitely feel like youre in a different world. If youre a fan of the movie Hocus Pocus (and honestly, who isnt? New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Concord Coach Lines Phone +1 800-639-3317 . Trail Distance/Elevation Gain: 4.6 miles round-trip/1,984 feet. Airlines Delta United Airlines JetBlue Airways Train operators MTA We arent collectors, but winter getaways from Portland often brought us here for something to do. Turn right in Bath onto Route 127 South, and cross the bridges that connect Arrowsic and Georgetown islands to the mainland. Getting There: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester is a 35-minute drive from Portland on Route 26 or the Maine Turnpike (take Exit 63). New Hampshires White Mountains National Forest traverses the border between New Hampshire and Maine. A series of easy yet scenic hiking trails makes this day trip a great choice. Settled in 1623 and remarkable for its preserved architecture and waterfront attractions like the living history museum Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth is a picture-perfect New England city at the intersection of what's vibrant and new and what's old and still cool. Whatever the season (or weather!) (5 day-to-day round-trips Boston- Portland, of which 2 round-trips function to/from Brunswick). It requires taking a bus or the Amtrak Downeaster train all the way to Boston, then switching to a local bus or train to Salem. Camden is a coastal town in central Maine, perfect for outdoor and ocean adventure. Youll even have time to explore downtown Bar Harbor for a bit. On our third day in Portland we took our rental car for a drive down to the beautiful Cape Elizabeth, and then the town of Kennebunkport. Maines Bradbury Mountain State Park is located just north of Portland and is open to visitors year round for outdoor recreation opportunities. The destinations from this list that offer amazing hiking opportunities as a day trip from Portland would be Acadia National Park, Camden (Camden Hills State Park), Conway, Sebago Lake and Rangely Lake. The second-largest lake in Maine is also one of its deepest and clearest. New York City. Required fields are marked *. Its no wonder that Rockport has been used in a lot of movies! Travel Tip: Sit back and relax on a golf cart, and allow Peaks Island Tours to show you this 720-acre island. Take a scenic drive along the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. What to Eat: Bangers & Brews, Spork, Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails. The local economy is still primarily sustained by lobstering. You can easily bring a canoe or kayak to Otter Ponds from either of the nearby parking areas mentioned above. In any season it's a lovely place to walk along boardwalk trails through the dunes and seaside forest of the island's the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Boston is one of my all-time favorite cities because of its deeply-rooted history, gorgeous architecture, amazing restaurants and charming streets. The 136-acre Aldermere Farm, managed by the Maine Coast Heritage trust, educates the public on sustainable farming, and runs farm tours and other educational programs. Youll see five movie locations, learn some fun trivia about the movie, and also hear about the towns fascinating history to get the best of both worlds. With that, lets jump into the best day trips from Portland, Maine! If you want to explore Maine on a drive, make a game of finding Maine towns with names inspired by faraway places. Ogunquit is located on Maines Atlantic coast close to the states southern border. Click here to book your Windjammer Daytime Sailing Tour in Camden! On top of that, though, youll find amazing restaurants, a quaint little downtown, a beautiful lighthouse and lots of tour options that get you out onto the water. 740 miles. Bus operators. The Islands of Casco Bay are visible from Portland, Maine, especially at night when the small towns and villages are lit up. Do day trips to Kennebunkport, Freeport, Bar Harbor, Salem, etc. There is enough to do in Portland proper e.g. is actually right here in Gloucester, so this is definitely something youll want to consider for your day trip. Get ready for some scenic drives! The furthest day trip from Portland, Maine is still definitely worth your time! Visit the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the underground railroad member who wrote Uncle Toms Cabin. This spot is pure perfection! While the US Coast Guard continues to maintain the light and fog signal, the keepers quarters have been renovated into a museum. Marblehead has an awesome historic district with beautiful houses to admire, cute little shops and cafes, plenty of waterfront to explore and is even home to some Hocus Pocus filming locations! Two public boat launches, a city dock and two marinas serve the town. What to do near my location, inexpensive, private adults only getaways: Carmel, WA, UT, MN, Chicago, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, Kirkland, Taos, SoCal Camping, West Palm Beach, LA Beaches, Things to Do in Moab. The Freedom Trail is one of the best things to do in Boston for history buffs (and anyone who wants to appreciate the countrys earliest years). Have an awesome waterfront lunch or dinner at. Photo Credit: Serena Folding Where: Wolfes Neck Woods State Park is located 11 miles southwest of Brunswick via Pleasant Hill Road, or 4.8 miles south of Freeport. Walk around the lake on the Outer Loop Trail inside Sebago Lake State Park. Go for a swim or walk on the shoreline of Goochs, Mothers or Colony Beach. It's about a 40-minute train ride and tickets start at $9 each way. At just over 200 acres in size, Wolfes Neck Woods State Park features several different ecosystems and great opportunities for spotting ospreys. Of course, the views from the easy hiking trails are the real draw here. Rent a kayak and head out onto the water. Click here to book your Hocus Pocus Filming Locations Tour in Salem! A day visit to Portsmouth will give you a taste of this historic port city that will leave you wanting to return. el chema amanda muere, pictures of sun damaged lips, casey xavier waits, Lobster Company the cruise boaters are drawn to the 90-acre Fort Williams where! This collection of Maine facts, oddities, artifacts and displays worth the drive Portland... 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