Portland is home to a vibrant working waterfront, great small-business shopping, and an incredible art scene. Grab some snacks, Maine whoopie pies and other delicious baked goods at Gemmes General Store. The Ogunquit Museum of American Art was founded in the 1950s by a student working within the famous Perkins Cove artists colony. In addition to self-guided castle tours and equestrian opportunities, the quirky former estate of self-made millionaire Thomas Plant offers 28 miles of hiking trails and dining with a spectacular view of the lake and mountains at the Carriage House Restaurant. Click here to read my post all about the best things to do in Boothbay Harbor! Wells, Maine. The small island is home to 12 nature conservancies which protect the land and wildlife habitat. Hungry for more? Boston can easily be done in a day, and while you wont see it all, youll be able to cover a lot of ground, depending on what youre looking to do. 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. She's been with TripSavvy since 1998. If you live in Portland or are new to the city, and are looking to get out and explore more of the region, or if youre planning a longer stay and are wondering what your options are for day trips from Portland, Maine, this post is all about the absolute best options to give you plenty of ideas. Free points of interest close to me: West Virginia, Santa Cruz, Sister Bay, Houghton, Issaquah. Take a tour with the Naples Historical Society, their small museum features 18th and 19th century artifacts. Some of the best things to do in on a day trip to Sebago Lake from Portland: One of the best ways to get out onto the lake for a peaceful afternoon is by renting kayaks and spending a few hours enjoying the views from the peaceful water. Click here to book your 5-hour bike tour (with a lobster roll!) Where:We recommend Bald Peak Trail, located off US Highway 302 between Bridgton and Fryeburg, Maine. Year-round, The park's trails are open year-round to hikers and in the winter to snowshoes and cross-country skiers. For the price, I think this tour offers a lot a fun and spectacular views. We joined a classic Maine windjammer cruise to sail for 4 days out in the Penobscot Bay, an inlet famous for secluded offshore islands and lobster fishing. Perfect For:Maine Coastal Road Trips Autumn Foliage Picnics Legendary Views Family Day Trips. Bring some snacks, a camera, and walk along the beach; this is always one of the best things to do in Portland Maine. Next up: Naples. If you're looking for a summertime day trip that combines a nice beach and an active town, both classic New England style and modern hotspot, Provincetown is the perfect choice! Walk along the coast of Cape Arundelon the Parsons Way Trail. The scenic area is a popular summer destination for swimming, boating and fishing. Click here to book your Culinary Walking Tour in Kennebunkport! The small community of 3,000 year round residents include several artists, drawn to the islands world famous Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Getting There: Enjoy a picturesque drive on Route 302 northwest from Portland to Sebago Lake State Park. Difficult as it is to imagine wanting to leave Portland, people do take day trips (sometimes two) from the city to explore the rest of Maine. It is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the US for a reason, it is beautiful! ), The Best Acadia National Park Itinerary (3, 4 & 5 Day Options!) This Windjammer tour is an awesome option, and they have two types of tours: one is a day sail, and the other is a sunset sail if you want to end your day out on the water. My favorite boat tours in Boothbay are the wildlife and lighthouse tours. Perfect For:Wintry/Rainy Days Shopaholics Collectors Foodies Music/Film Buffs Combining With Wolfes Neck Woods State Park (below) and a drive to Bailey Island (see directly above), Where:Located on Main Street in downtown Brunswick. Kennebunkport sit on Maines southern coast alongside the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge. Bethel is home to the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, The Ski Museum of Maine, Maggie Rings Nature Park, and the Bethel Recreational Pathway for cyclists. 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). Learn more about the evidence Americas Stonehenge has yielded to archaeologists and astronomers over the years. Hood, within a short driving distance from the city, to smaller towns like McMinnville and Eugene. 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. Travel Time: 35 minutes. Cast your line for chance to catch largemouth bass, pickerel or trout. Youll see both New Hampshire and the Atlantic from the Big A hike. The Amtrak station is about 3.5 miles from the beach, where there are many places to stay. Again, dont forget to pack a picnic and some drinks for these cruises. We prefer more technical hikes, but the views over Megunticook Lake in summer and autumn make this trail worthy of a mention. Grab a bite to eat and take a detour on your day trip to Camden Hills State Park. We lived here for 14 years and made a lot of quick escapes from the city in search of things to do. The quickest of our two recommended route options from Portland, ME to Burlington, VT spans a distance of 250 miles and will take 6 hours and 20 minutes to drive without stopping. Cool down at the swimming holes at Small Falls. Public transportation is difficult but possible. Birders, kayakers, and boaters are drawn to the islands for their natural beauty. He is trying to run every single one of the more than 1,000 streets in Portland, including on Peaks Island. Click here to rent your e-bikes in Gloucester! A great tour option for your day trip from Portland, Maine is the Lighthouses, Lobsters & Seals Tour. Along Maines central coast, the Reid State Park was the first to preserve Maines Atlantic coast beaches. If so, consider a brief detour inland for a drive or hike to Mount Agamenticus. Another great option if you love lighthouses is this cruise along Kennebec River, where youll get to see 7 lighthouses, and also learn about the local maritimes and ship-building history. It's the oldest lighthouse in Maine. Click here to book your Hauntings & History Walking Tour in Salem! At $55 per person, the tour bus varies which breweries it makes stops at. Peaks Island, Maine is reached with a short ferry trip from Portland. Lake trout, crappie, small mouth and large mouth bass, and perch all frequent the coves, inlets and rocky underwater islands. The town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine is located south of Portland on the Atlantic coast. 2023. The L.L. Visit the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall Museum and the Civil War Memorial. Visit the Jones Museum in Sebago, where youll find a unique collection of ceramics and glass. In Paris, Maine, there is no Eiffel Tower, but you can dine at Maurice Restaurant Francais. Fun day trip ideas: Ohio, From San Francisco, From NYC, Texas, Florida. 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. Im the creator and writer behind New England Wanderlust, and my passion is sharing my knowledge on the very best things to do and see in New England, and beyond. Take in the sensational views and feel the rush of the falls on this famous day trip from Portland. Was it native peoples or, based on Phoenician script found here, a group from much further away? Where:All cruises leave from Casco Bay Ferry Municipal Terminal on Commercial Street in Portland. 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. The Portland Head Light is a historic 1791 lighthouse that sits within the Fort Williams State Park in Cape Elizabeth, on Portland Head. While Portland also has a lot of that, I still think Boston is one of the best day trips you can take because the two destinations are different enough to make it worth your while. Some of the best things to do on a Kennebunkport day trip from Portland: A really great tour option in Kennebunkport if youre a foodie is a culinary walking tour. Drive or hike up Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park for an awesome view of Camden Harbor from above. Homers 1883-1910 studio in Prouts Neck, Maine is now owned by the museum and open to the public. Expert opinion: Where should I go this weekend for fun? Portland is blessed with a pretty prime geographic location - drive two hours in any direction and you might find yourself at the coast, on a snow-capped stratovolcano, in the heart of wine country, at a rock climbing crag, soaking in a hot spring or even closing in on other major cities like Seattle, Washington. Ah yes, the Otter Ponds make for a peaceful day trip just a stones throw from Sebago Lake. Whatever the season (or weather!) We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. This tour is about 2.5 hours, and takes you out to Eastern Egg Rock to see a puffin colony. 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. 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. 12 hours 20 minutes. Two of my favorites are. Turn left and continue approximately one mile to either the Sebago to the Sea Trail or Johnson Field parking areas. Bird watching is a popular activity, as well as swimming, fishing and hiking. Required fields are marked *. If youre looking for a super spooky tour and lots of goosebumps, then youll love the Voodoo, Vampires & Ghosts Walking Tour. You can definitely walk the trail yourself, and do the whole thing or just parts of it. Below is a list of my favorite day trips from Portland, Maine, and the destinations are organized by shortest to furthest distance from Portland. Any time of year, visit the shops on Fore Street and Exchange Street, find fresh seafood at the Harbor Fish Market, and try a Maine potato donut at the favorite Holy Donuts. Click here to read my perfect Acadia National Park itinerary! Interpretative displays and lighthouse lenses are on exhibit. Bath is a small town located on the Kennebec River at the center of Maines Atlantic coast. We uncover a variety of attractions nearby from hikes and Mainelandmarks to mysterious megaliths in the woods. Day 1: Getting to know Portland Arrive at Portland's. From snow-covered mountains to massive gorges to beautiful beaches, Oregon has it all. Even though it still makes me smile a little each time I say it, the single-terminal, 11-gate Portland International Jetport is Maine's biggest airport. Stop in Owls Head on your way there or back to visit the lighthouse (its worth the extra stop!). Visit Portland's scenic coast, historic sites and most vibrant neighborhoods with a sightseeing and shopping tour on a classic fire engine. Rent a jet ski or boat to spend the day on the water. Camden "The Jewel of the Coast" 4. 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