Truly a year-round destination, Kennebunkport offers things to do both outside and in. Perfect For:Maine Coastal Road Trips Autumn Foliage Picnics Legendary Views Family Day Trips. Along Maines central coast, the Reid State Park was the first to preserve Maines Atlantic coast beaches. Simply put, Camden Hills State Park is a classic coastal Maine day trip you need to make right now. Click here to rent your e-bikes in Gloucester! Turn left and continue approximately one mile to either the Sebago to the Sea Trail or Johnson Field parking areas. However, if you want to take day trips to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, the wine country, or Mount Hood, or explore the Oregon coast, a car is necessary. Greyhound bus fare between the two coastal cities is about $20 one-way. Make this road trip from Portland, Maine and solve the mystery yourself. The Mountain Division section of the Sebago to the Sea Trail passes near the pond furthest from the highway; take a hike or bike ride on this path before hopping in the pond to cool off. Click the link below for more fun things to do in Ogunquit! This is the only bridge of its kind in the entire world. Portland is a wonderful city in its own right, but its also centrally-located to some other amazing places. Perkins Cove has its own town little town, so be sure to budget time to explore it. The Inland Route. Day 1: Portland Iconic Classics Sterling Coffee Powell's City of Books Lunch at Deschutes Brewery Portland Art Museum Snack at Salt & Straw McMenamins Happy Hour Day 2: Gardens, Breweries, and a Waterfall International Test Rose Garden Portland Japanese Garden Alberta Arts District Multnomah Falls Breweries Food Truck Dinner Day 3: Day Trip! Click here to book your Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley tickets in Boston! Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 45 minutes. Next up: Naples. The beaches and rocky headlands of the New Hampshire and southern Maine coast are a scenic day trip from Boston. Airlines Delta United Airlines JetBlue Airways Train operators MTA Click here to read about the best stops to make when driving from Portland to Acadia National Park! Below is a list of my favorite day trips from Portland, Maine, and the destinations are organized by shortest to furthest distance from Portland. Hi there! Walk from Ogunquits town to Perkins Cove along Marginal Way for one of the most scenic walks in Southern Maine! Get great views of picture-perfect lighthouses and architecture from high up on the engine, and listen to live narration as you tour the city. Even though its such a short drive away, youll definitely feel like youre in a different world. The town also offers uncrowded beaches, a tidal river teeming with wildlife, a working fishing harbor, a desert, and Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park with broad views of Casco Bay from rocky beaches and high bluffs. Below Ive also listed two options for companies that will drive you around Maine in a private tour if it works in your budget, and well as one tour in Portland that will feel like an escape. 1st trip to Maine Need feedback and . Portland, Maine's central coast location makes day trips along the Atlantic coast and into Maine's lake and mountain regions easy and accessible. The Best Day Trips from Portland Under 1 Hour Away Multnomah Falls. Abol Bridge Can you beat this view of Katahdin? Youll find a dense bank of bushes practically overhanging the top of Pleasant Mountain. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. The historic park was founded in 1939, making it one of the first five state parks in the nation. it helps to know which day trips from Portland, Maine are worth the journey. Is Portland Maine worth visiting? This tour is about 2.5 hours, and takes you out to Eastern Egg Rock to see a puffin colony. Mostly known as a summer destination, Lake Winnipesaukee is also a very scenic fall day trip because the amazing foliage colors. Grab a bite to eat and take a detour on your day trip to Camden Hills State Park. One of my favorite small waterfront towns in all of Maine is Boothbay Harbor, and this makes for one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. 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. Grab a lobster roll at Roy Moore Lobster Company. 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. Click here to book your Windjammer Daytime Sailing Tour in Camden! Drive to the top of Quill Hill for more amazing birds eye lake views. If you dont have access to a car in Portland, you can take the Amtrak Downeastern train from Portland to Boston for your day trip. 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal, ME 04069, Phone: 207-688-4712, Top Rated: Last minute places for couples: Charleston WV, Pensacola, Baton Rouge, Colorado Springs, Dayton OH, Dauphin Island, Provincetown, New Orleans, Philadelphia, UT, AZ, From NYC, CO. Brunswick, Maine is a charming New England college town thats been designated as a Main Street Community for its walkable downtown. The small island is easily explored by bicycle, with just a 4-mile long circumference. In Paris, Maine, there is no Eiffel Tower, but you can dine at Maurice Restaurant Francais. You don't need a car while in Portland because the city is well served by public transportation (light-rail, streetcar, buses). Longer tours and group rates are also available for a little more money. Explore the cute downtown and visit the shops. With lovely lighthouses, a booming food scene, and romantic streets to wander, you'll wonder why you haven't visited soonerand you'll start to plan your next visit immediately! 207 772 6828 info@portlandmaine.com 549 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101 Get a Guidebook Its packed with tons of charm, has some great beaches, awesome shops and restaurants and feels like a true escape from city life in Portland. Insider travel recommendations, In-depth reviews of our favorite places: UT, Indianapolis, From Kansas City, Mackinac Island, Chattanooga, RI, From Chicago, Sacramento, Nantucket, Girls Getaways, Santa Barbara, PA. 3 Best Day Trips from Portland, Maine: Ogunquit, Freeport, and the Kennebunks | Cond Nast Traveler. Quick Weekend Trips: Utah lakes, Mountains in Maine, Waterfalls in Maine near me, Maine Breweries, Things to Do in Ogunquit. Rent a kayak and head out onto the water. New Hampshires White Mountains National Forest traverses the border between New Hampshire and Maine. One the water activities are the top attraction here, be it fishing, boating or sightseeing. Total drive time is just about 45 minutes. Enjoy the trails at the park, or visit the Cape Elizabeth Greenbelt, a trail system that spreads through town, surrounding the inland waterways. 13. With this service you rent by the hour, but you do need to sign up to use the service. View the bay from the top of Mount Battie at the Camden Hills State Park. Explore and enjoy a leisurely day trip to see more of natural Maine at your own pace. Every day Estimated price $120 - $400. Getting There: Your GPS is your globetrotting best friend on this day trip: Use it to navigate from destination to destination. Find places to go within a day's drive of me in Portland, ME and plan a day trip near Portland, ME. Marginal Way, photo by Melissa Moore. The lighthouse and adjoining keepers corners are now owned by the town of Cape Elizabeth. Places to visit near me: Things to Do in Vermont, Things to do in Virginia, Long Beach Restaurants, Restaurants in Louisville, Southampton. Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. Salem has a less campy side, too, with attractions like The House of the Seven Gables that celebrate its literary heritage and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which tells the story of Salem's seafaring past. Trails range from easy to difficult, and several are open to cyclists, riders on horseback and skiers, as well as hikers. Home to Bowdoin College, which was founded in 1794, Brunswick is brimming with history. Annual festivals include summers Damariscotta Oyster Celebration and autumns Pemaquid Oyster Festival. McMenamins Edgefield is a 74-acre property sitting atop farmland near the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area a mere 20-minutes from downtown Portland. 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. Nubble Lighthouse is one of the most iconic in all of Maine, and most people only get to see it from a viewing point across the way from the island it sits on. 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. It's a humble city, without pretense, qualities you could easily use to describe Mainers themselves. Bend, Oregon. Kennebunkport and Ogunquit are excellent options for days trips from Portland, Maine in the winter because of their holiday celebrations. The Best Ice Cream On Cape Cod & The Islands (2023), 21 Best Things To Do On Cape Cod For Adults (2023), 25 Best Things To Do In Maine In The Winter (2022-2023 Season), 25 Fun Things To Do In Vermont In The Winter (2023), 21 Best New England Winter Getaways (Even For Non-Skiers!) Detour to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, open mid-April through mid-November, on your way to Sebago Lake. Cool places to go near me, luxury spas, golf: Wichita, CT, CA, Corpus Christi, Best aquariums in the US, Hartford, NM, GA, NC, UT resorts, NM, LA, MI, DE, PA lakes. There are two bodies of water here, each split by a decommissioned railroad line passable on foot; swimming is best furthest from the highway. 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. It does take 2-2.5 hours to connect to Portland via I-95 N. However, if your one day in Portland ME falls as part of a wider New England road trip itinerary then this might work better with your schedule anyway. 15 Best Things To Do (2023), 75 New England Bucket List Things You Must Do. Foodies, beer fans, and shopaholics will love browsing the town's independent boutiques and galleries. Technically speaking, there are over 4,600 islands off the coast of Maine.This includes the largest actual island (Mount Desert Island) to tiny ledges that can only be considered islands during a very low tide.There are a fair few that fall right in the middle, perfect for exploring no matter what your budget might be. In fact, you dont even need a vehicle for one of our recommended city breaks. Past exhibits at PMA include Portraits by Richard Avedon, a Nan Goldin retrospective, and the Art Books of Henri Matisse. Perfect For: Coastal Hikes Birdwatching Family Day Trips Snowshoeing/Cross-Country Skiing Combining With Cabot Mill (see above). Newburyport in Massachusetts is another one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. Cost: $150-300 per night. This company offers customized and private luxury tours throughout Maine, and if youre looking to get around the state from Portland and dont have access to a car, its worth reaching out to them to plan your perfect day trip. We easily spent a few hours here and you just might do the same. Theres so much to do in Acadia that I usually recommend at least 2-3 nights, but you can also see a lot on a day trip. And with packing all that into only 1.5 hours, it allows you spend the rest of your day trip exploring the town. Do you need a car to get around Portland? Drivers will take US Highway 1 north just beyond Brunswick to Route 24 toward Harpswell. Grab a famous cannoli from Mikes Pastry. Travel Time: 35 minutes. . If youre looking to get out on the water, this boat tour out to Nubble and Boon lighthouses is an excellent choice. If youre willing to stay in Portland and explore the coastline, this awesome bike tour is 5-hours long, and will make you feel like youre away from the city. Getting to see it from a boat tour that departs from Kennebunk is a real treat! In the winter months, snowmobiles are allowed on the Switch Back Trail, Link Trail and Snowmobile Trail. Ogunquit is located on Maines Atlantic coast close to the states southern border. How to Get Around During Your Road Trip to Maine Since you're planning a Maine road trip, you'll obviously need a car while you're here. P-Town, a popular summer destination and legendary LGBTQ summer getaway, is at the very tip of Cape Cod. Or get a full Cape Elizabeth to Portland (Maine) flight plan. At $55 per person, the tour bus varies which breweries it makes stops at. Do day trips to Kennebunkport, Freeport, Bar Harbor, Salem, etc. Art Museum, Maine Historical Society/Longfellow House, etc) but for all practical purposes you will need a car if you'd like to get outside the city to visit lighthouses, charming coastal villages, etc all within 30 minutes drive. Visit the Marine Maritime Museum for an overview of Maines culture and history, including 400 years of boat building in Bath. While its a popular destination, it doesnt often feel super crowded, and definitely has a very chill atmosphere. Your email address will not be published. Led by a local expert, youll hear stories about the towns history, as well as be able to stop for some awesome photo opportunities. Distance from Portland to Mount Rainier: 138.0 mi (222 km) Drive time from Portland to Mount Rainier National Park: About 2 hours 23 minutes. For more information, check out our full article on how to get to Freeport from Portland. Note: Check for current information regarding all departures aboard Casco Bay Lines. Click here to book your Hocus Pocus Filming Locations Tour in Salem! Bring your own picnic and hop on board the Casco Bay ferry for a relaxing harbor tour. 2023. Start out from Portland on Route 114 North, and set your GPS first for Denmark. Walk around the lake on the Outer Loop Trail inside Sebago Lake State Park. The beaches here are uncrowded, as is the island's quirky Umbrella Cover Museum. The area is home to the 90-acre Fort Williams Park where youll find the Portland Head Light. Lewiston was founded by French speaking Canadians who immigrated to work textile mills and shoe factories in the early 1800s. Waterfront view from hotel Dec 09, 2022 Maine Celtics & decent close hotel Nov 24, 2022 Thanksgiving Day Nov 16, 2022 What section of Portland to stay Nov 11, 2022 Staying in Portland or staying nearby and driving to Portlan Nov 06, 2022 Construction Nov 02, 2022 Way Too Long Trip Report Portland Area/Acadia-Plus Some Tips Oct 24, 2022 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. Or just lie in the sun along the sandy beach at bustling Sebago Lake State Park (tel. Cross the footbridge for views of town and the water. Getting There: From Portland, follow I-295 South to I-95 South to Portsmouth: It's about an hour's drive. Best things to do on a day trip to Rangely Lake from Portland: For something really fun and special (and a bit of a splurge thats totally worth it), consider booking a seaplane tour over the region. The performing arts also excel at Bates College, Lewistons Public Theater and the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra. 12 hours 20 minutes. Rockport, Maine has the honor of being named one of Americas prettiest towns by Forbes Magazine. A lot of folks who think Portland is growing too big too fast turn to Bend for solace. 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. Head out onto the water (see my suggestion below!). What are some popular things to do: Poconos, NY, TN, MI, OC, All Inclusive, Family weekend getaways, NJ, NC, VA, TX. It often gets over-shadowed by the neighboring Salem (more on Salem later in the post, though! Simply put, Camden Hills State Park is a classic coastal Maine day trip you need to make right now. This is a walking tour, so youll also get to see some charming streets in the North End for a well-rounded day trip to Boston. Travel Tip: If you skip China and Palermo, you'll return to Portland via Route 26 South and pass by two unique Maine attractions you may want to add to your itinerary: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village and the Maine Wildlife Park. Damariscotta itself, and Newcastle, sit opposite each other across the Damariscotta River, separated by a bridge. You wont miss the carpetof blueberry bushes on the way to the top; theyre heavily concentrated in natural clearings. Some of the best things to do in Camden on a day trip from Portland: One of the best things to do in Camden, though, is to head out on a sailing tour. We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times. Interpretative displays and lighthouse lenses are on exhibit. And be sure to keep reading below for bonus seasonal suggestions, as to find out if a day trip from Portland to Acadia is worth it! Getting There: Salem, Massachusetts, an hour and 40 minutes from Portland in the car via I-95 South to Route 128 North to Route 114 East. The Wolfes Neck Center is an educational farm offering tours, classes, and kayak or bicycle rentals for use along their trails. The charming New England town is home to Acadia National Park, and is an easily walkable city great for exploring the shops, galleries and restaurants on foot. Portsmouths downtown is so charming, and has a lot of really great shops, restaurants, cafes and breweries, as well as waterfront walkways, and even a small little lighthouse just outside of town. 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. Top sights: Largest Cities in New Mexico, New Mexico Ruins, Where to Stay near Bryce, Bangor, Maine wedding venues, Lansing. Take in the sensational views and feel the rush of the falls on this famous day trip from Portland. Explore the islands of Casco Bay and Penobscot Bay or head inland along the rivers. Your email address will not be published. The areas Abbe Museum exhibits Native American artifacts and teaches guests about the cultural history of the region. Its up to you to make your own trip from Portland and see this mysterious site for yourself. Visit the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall Museum and the Civil War Memorial. The small island is home to 12 nature conservancies which protect the land and wildlife habitat. 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. This moderately difficult hiking trail is perfect all year but mid-July is when wild Maine blueberries are ready for picking! Explore the Pearl District, downtown, two neighborhoods in Northern Portland and famous green spaces in the western part of the . The park is home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the east coast of the United States. Get an ice cream at the cutest little ice cream shack on the East Coast! 2. A 2022 study by Allianz found that demand for Europe travel was up 600 percent, and Rome ranked as the fifth in-demand summer destination. Get out on the water to enjoy Casco Bay on our ferries and tours! 11 hours 20 minutes. 630 miles. This 28,771-acre lake in Casco and Naples, Maine, is also a popular spot to fish for lake trout, bass, perch, and other species. Every good Maine road trip needs a day (or weekend) at the beach. Feel like a kid again at Weirs Beach, and ride the roller coasters, play arcade games and go kart. The bus takes beer lovers from venue to venue on an all-inclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Portland's craft breweries. 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. 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. Do some more berry picking, then look over the edge for stunning views! The eclectic art on view at the Peabody Essex Museum fascinates visitors, too. 740 miles. Youll also listen to authentic stories from the Salem Witch Trials and hear about ghost sightings around Salem. New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Sebago Lake is one of the best options for day trips from Portland, Maine if youre looking for a peaceful day. By VacationIdea Staff on October 2, 2022 - Updated. Admire the most painted building in the U.S. Motif 1. Eat fresh lobster at Stoney Brook Lobster Pound. 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. 207/693-6613 ), on the lake's north shorethe park is off Route 302 (look . Click here to book your Seaplane Tour in Rangeley Lake! Drive or hike up Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park for an awesome view of Camden Harbor from above. Explore the shops & restaurants along Dock Square. 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. For day-trippers, a Hop-on, Hop-off trolley tour is a great choice to cover more ground, and also learn something along the way. Bath is a small town located on the Kennebec River at the center of Maines Atlantic coast. I think Salem is a great town to explore year-round, but of course, theres something extra fun and special about it in the fall season. Danny Mejia is a record-setting long-distance runner who moved to Portland nine years . Click here to book your Freedom Trail History Walking Tour in Boston! Distance From Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes. Click here to book this boat tour out to Nubble & Boon lighthouses! A great option for a day trip from Portland, Maine is Conway, NH, which is located in the White Mountains region. Whether you're looking for outdoor recreation or art museums, outlet shopping bargains or unique galleries and boutiques, beaches or historic sites, or even a driving tour, you'll find plenty to entice you within a short radius of Portland. Getting There: Head out of Portland driving north on I-295, and take exit 28 onto Route 1 toward Brunswick and Bath. Done at night, this tour is led by a local history expert and takes you to some of the most haunted locations in town. Bring a big thermos of coffee on a chilly day and stay warm inside during your cruise. Cast your line for chance to catch largemouth bass, pickerel or trout. Travel Tip: Try to align your trip with Apple Saturdays, a Sabbathday Lake fall tradition featuring cider pressing, apple arts and . Choose the Mailboat Run which serves four islands in the bay. Visit the shops and restaurants downtown. . Spending a day here means walking the beaches at Reid State Park, feasting on lobster with an idyllic view at Five Islands Lobster Co., shopping for locally made Georgetown Pottery, and maybe even staying late to hear live music at the landmark Robinhood Free Meetinghouse. Our easy Portland day trips feature the best of Maine and each of our suggestions will have you home before dinner! This article doesnt focus on cites or towns in Maine our day trips feature actual attractions instead. While the US Coast Guard continues to maintain the light and fog signal, the keepers quarters have been renovated into a museum. Getting There: Enjoy a picturesque drive on Route 302 northwest from Portland to Sebago Lake State Park. 2 Days in Portland Itinerary - Ideas For a Weekend or Any Time During the Week. Bird watching is a popular activity, as well as swimming, fishing and hiking. Rent Jet Skis and head out onto the water. Travel Tip: When you're ready to take a break from shopping, the Tavern Lunch Buffet at Freeport's Harraseeket Inn is one of the best all-you-can-eat values in New England. If you don't have access to a vehicle, join this awesome waterfall hiking tour to the Columbia River Gorge from Portland! 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. Our day to the Maine State Museum was perfect. Getting There: The Casco Bay Lines ferry, which runs year-round at least 14 times each day, is the most popular option though you can also use the Portland Sea Taxi or Fogg's water taxi. To explore out on the water, hop aboard a whale watch tour, enjoy a fishing or lobstering outing, take a sailing cruise or rent a canoe or kayak. More secluded is the Goose Rocks Beach, located in a quiet, residential area. Stop in Owls Head on your way there or back to visit the lighthouse (its worth the extra stop!). Visit all the waterfalls at Dianas Baths. There are so many options in Boothbay, and the views are incredible. Two public boat launches, a city dock and two marinas serve the town. Note: Where applicable, check with each entity for revised opening/closing hours and other information. It saves a little money from having to rent a car for an entire day, as the car rates get a little high in the peak summer months. Get some sweet treats to bring home (or eat on the drive!)
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