Although not open to the public, the site was made famous by Edward Hoppers 1929 painting, Lighthouses at Two Lights. Visit the Boothbay Region Art Foundation or visit during a Boothbay Art and Crafts Show, which takes place on summer weekends. 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. Lake trout, crappie, small mouth and large mouth bass, and perch all frequent the coves, inlets and rocky underwater islands. Damariscotta itself, and Newcastle, sit opposite each other across the Damariscotta River, separated by a bridge. 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. With this service you rent by the hour, but you do need to sign up to use the service. Enjoy the trails at the park, or visit the Cape Elizabeth Greenbelt, a trail system that spreads through town, surrounding the inland waterways. Tumbling down a staggering 620 feet, the stunning Multnomah Falls is the tallest of all the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge region-and it also happens to be one of the easiest and most popular day trips from Portland, Oregon! Two of my favorites are. Here Are 8 Islands In Maine That Are An Absolute Must Visit. Get off-the-beaten-path at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The historic shipyard is flanked by 19th century buildings, and the Victorian-era shipyard owners home. Choose Wells as your destination if you want to visit any of the below attractions: You wont miss the carpetof blueberry bushes on the way to the top; theyre heavily concentrated in natural clearings. Getting There: You'll get to enjoy a scenic drive of about an hour and 40 minutes on Route 25 getting to Moultonborough. More secluded is the Goose Rocks Beach, located in a quiet, residential area. 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 Conway on a day trip from Portland: You may also enjoy:The best places to go apple picking in New Hampshire! If the weather is nice, take a ride to Portland Head Light, technically in Cape Elizabeth, it's just 9 miles south of Portland. Your email address will not be published. Public transportation is difficult but possible. Its up to you to make your own trip from Portland and see this mysterious site for yourself. Time & distance from Portland: 16 miles, 20-minute drive. It's about a 40-minute train ride and tickets start at $9 each way. 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. Visit the shops and restaurants downtown. Please see our Disclaimer for full information. For all these reasons, its one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. Walk along the shore at Good Harbor or Wingaersheek Beach. We even include our very favorite Portland day trip for picking wild Maine blueberries on a quiet mountaintop between Bridgton and Fryeburg. Again, Bald Peak Trail is good any time of year, even if you dont make it for the free mid-July harvest! 1. 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. We don't need anything fancy - in fact, most fancy things are regarded with a bit of suspicion until we're won over. The historic park was founded in 1939, making it one of the first five state parks in the nation. The drive will take a minimum of 11 hours and 20 minutes without stopping en route. 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. 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. Here are my tips for a fun and easy visit with kids. For an inexpensive escape, Portlanders head to Peaks Island. Drive to the top of Quill Hill for more amazing birds eye lake views. Affordable things to see near me, must-visit beaches, cheap weekend getaways: East Coast Beaches, SC, Beaches near Orlando, Last Minute, NH, Houston, Palm Springs, Monterey, From Atlanta, GA, Sedona AZ. Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River. Visit Portland's scenic coast, historic sites and most vibrant neighborhoods with a sightseeing and shopping tour on a classic fire engine. New England in particular really requires a car to get around, and public transportation between towns isnt great, unless youre going from one city to another. Youll definitely be able to fill up a full day here. Done at night, this tour is led by a local history expert and takes you to some of the most haunted locations in town. Carriage trails throughout the island make for excellent cross country skiing in the winter. Travel Time: 35 minutes. Get out on the water to enjoy Casco Bay on our ferries and tours! Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 30 minutes. Is Portland Maine worth visiting? Kennebunkport, ME Distance From Portland:40 minutes Who made them? Gloucester is also home to wonderfully scenic beaches, and, of course, the seafood is as fresh as can be. Below are directions to find the two major sections of our city by car. Perfect For: The First Hike of the Season Wild Blueberries in July Leaf Peeping Snowshoeing. This is also a great destination if youre traveling with children, as there are lots of kid-friendly activities such as the Conway Scenic Railroad, roller coaster rides at Cranmore Mountain Resort and the Kahuna Laguna Water Park. Was it native peoples or, based on Phoenician script found here, a group from much further away? 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. Get lost in the charming residential side streets. 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. Just northwest of Portland, Maines Sebago Lake spans over 28,000 acres. Park facilities include restrooms, drinking water, picnic areas and camping sites for tents or recreational vehicles. And since these two towns are so close to one another, you could easily combine them into one festive day trip. Other hiking trails meander through hemlock and pine forest and along the Harraseeket River as well. You can definitely walk the trail yourself, and do the whole thing or just parts of it. My favorite boat tours in Boothbay are the wildlife and lighthouse tours. Day 1: Getting to know Portland Arrive at Portland's. Explore and enjoy a leisurely day trip to see more of natural Maine at your own pace. This Portland Maine day trip is easy, with or without a car. The New England born artist is best known for his oils and watercolors depicting coastal living. The Portland Head Light is a historic 1791 lighthouse that sits within the Fort Williams State Park in Cape Elizabeth, on Portland Head. Destinations Africa Morocco Asia China India Moultonborough is also home to the Loon Center and Markus Wildlife Sanctuary, where a walk along the Loon Nest Trail allows you to view a nesting pair of loons from late spring through early fall. Maine's beaches have refreshing, clear water that is perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Again, dont forget to pack a picnic and some drinks for these cruises. Boating opportunities include sailing or boat tours aboard historic windjammers and schooners. 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. Explore the bay with a canoe or kayak tour, most of which include a trip to Hog Islands Fort Gorges, built in 1858. New Hampshires White Mountains National Forest traverses the border between New Hampshire and Maine. The proximity of this Maine State Park to the city makes this one of our easiest Portland day trips. Click here to book your vintage boat ride tour in Lake Winnipesaukee! And definitely dont forget to make a reservation for dinner if youre hoping for a special meal out! A Couple of Drifters are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme - an affiliate advertising programme. Portland is Maine's largest city, and you won't easily run out of activities to occupy your time, but when you do, these day trips will satisfy your sense of adventure. Area beaches include the Popham Beach State Park and the beaches at Reid State Park, or explore the Kennebec River. Combining Portland day trips makes sense and well recommend a few excursions to roll into one. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. The only Basilica in the state of Maine, the cathedral with rose window was modeled after the grand cathedrals of France. Its very close to Kennebunkport, and you can definitely do both in one day if youre feeling up for it (although, theres so much to do in each town that you can easily fill up a full day in each place). For the price, I think this tour offers a lot a fun and spectacular views. Click here to book your bike tour in Portsmouth! 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. Sebago Lake is one of the best options for day trips from Portland, Maine if youre looking for a peaceful day. But Freeport isn't just shopping. Especially in the summer because of traffic and crowds. Quick Weekend Trips: Utah lakes, Mountains in Maine, Waterfalls in Maine near me, Maine Breweries, Things to Do in Ogunquit. Our day trips have something for everyone, on any budget. Serious hikers can choose from 20 trails throughout the park for even more stunning vistas in every direction. Distance: 175 mi / 3 hrs ( map) Things You Can't Miss: High Desert Museum, Tumalo Falls, Sparks Lake. From the cobblestone streets of the Old Port to a scenic fall boat ride along the coast in Freeport. Click here to book your Windjammer Sunset Sailing Tour in Camden! If your schedule allows, see if you can also do lunch at Jordan Pond House inside the park overlooking the mountains. You can also connect to Portland from Boston via the Downeaster train. The most direct and yet still packed full of great coastal scenery route option spans a distance of 630 miles from Portland in Maine to Nova Scotia. Rockport Marine Park. The Farnsworth Art Museum and its Wyeth Center showcase American works including famous scenes painted by the prominent Maine family of artists: N.C., Andrew, and James Wyeth. 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. According to these estimates, my monthly transportation expenses (excluding my existing commuting costs) will now total $67, saving . Best things to do in Boston on a day trip from Portland: I highly recommend checking out a tour while in Boston, especially if its your first visit, or youre looking to explore something new. Click here to book your Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley tickets in Boston! Ogunquits town is also very quaint and easily walkable, and packed with adorable shops and great restaurants. Camden is a beautiful coastal town that has a really great Main Street with shops and restaurants, a really lovely waterfront park, lots of opportunities for sailing, an amazing state park with an incredible view point, and lots of coastal charm at every turn. The furthest day trip from Portland, Maine is still definitely worth your time! Provincetown, MA P-Town, as it's better known, is a splurge to get to for a day trip. 2023, Is Lubec, Maine Worth Visiting? This peculiar site isstill a mystery after 4,000 years! Here you can get up close to invertebrates at the touch tank, learn about the lifecycle of lobsters, and Atlantic sea life. Your email address will not be published. Most day trips from Portland, Maine on this list are less than 2 hours away, with the longest being 2 hours and 30 minutes away. If you like to shop, be sure to hit up Newbury Street and Copely Place. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to products and services whereby we receive a nominal commission if you make a purchase through one of these links. 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. Travel Tip: Be sure to stop into the oldest store in the country while you're in Moultonborough to buy snacks and souvenirs. One the water activities are the top attraction here, be it fishing, boating or sightseeing. 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. 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 Boothbay Region Land Trust is home to over 35 miles of hiking trails, while the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offer a colorful outdoor space in which to relax. Getting There: Head out of Portland driving north on I-295, and take exit 28 onto Route 1 toward Brunswick and Bath. BUS, CAR, PLANE, TRAIN, + FERRY SERVICE . 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. If youre a fan of the movie Hocus Pocus (and honestly, who isnt? 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. Required fields are marked *. Bridal Veil Falls. Getting There: Your GPS is your globetrotting best friend on this day trip: Use it to navigate from destination to destination. Bean campus is home to Discovery Park, where events including a free summer concert series are held. ), but its definitely worth a full-day visit, or even a whole weekend. For even more history, head across the Kennebec River to Fort Western. Gloucester isn't just America's oldest fishing port: It is still very much a working fishery made even more famous as the filming location for the National Geographic TV program, "Wicked Tuna." 8. 2. Or even must do's in the vacinity of Portland. Click here for more information on customized and luxury private day tours from Portland! Continue to China and Palermo before looping back south to Portland. Past exhibits at PMA include Portraits by Richard Avedon, a Nan Goldin retrospective, and the Art Books of Henri Matisse. 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. Also located within Cabot Mill is the Frontier bar and restaurant. Rangelely Lake is also a quiet and peaceful destination, which makes for a wonderful escape from the city. From natural wonders like Cannon Beach and Mt. Over 200 artists make their home in Boothbay Harbor, and their work can be seen throughout town in local shops, galleries, and museums. Visit the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall Museum and the Civil War Memorial. Peaks Island, Maine is reached with a short ferry trip from Portland. Over two hundred miles of trails can be explored including motor roads, hiking trails, and carriage roads. The iconic lighthouse operated until 1989, when it was decommissioned by the US Coast Guard. Walk along the paths in the waterfront park. Simply put, Camden Hills State Park is a classic coastal Maine day trip you need to make right now. McMenamins Edgefield is a 74-acre property sitting atop farmland near the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area a mere 20-minutes from downtown Portland. Greyhound bus fare between the two coastal cities is about $20 one-way. New York City. 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. Bailey Island Perfect For: Picnics Scenery Seafood Day Trips Without a Car Something to Do With Visiting Friends or Family Combining with Cabot Mill in Brunswick or Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park (both below, respectively) Cool down at the swimming holes at Small Falls. Abol Bridge Can you beat this view of Katahdin? Serious Wyeth fans can also tour the Olson House, famously depicted in "Christinas World," a half-hour away in Cushing, Maine. Visit the Jones Museum in Sebago, where youll find a unique collection of ceramics and glass. At the time, we arrived mid-week and pretty much had the entire place to ourselves! A day visit to Portsmouth will give you a taste of this historic port city that will leave you wanting to return. Time & distance from Portland: 16 miles, 20-minute drive. Bend, Oregon. Itinerary for Day Three: Day Trip to Cape Elizabeth & Kennebunkport. Outside of shopping, visit the Freeport Historical Society and the Historic Pettengill Farm. Once theres snowfall, Bethel is among Maines best destinations for alpine or Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and aprs ski fun. 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). If you want to explore Maine on a drive, make a game of finding Maine towns with names inspired by faraway places. There are two bodies of water here, each split by a decommissioned railroad line passable on foot; swimming is best furthest from the highway. Hit the trails at Halibut Point State Park. New England born artist is best known for his oils and watercolors depicting living. Activities are the wildlife and lighthouse tours again, Bald Peak Trail is any... Visit to Portsmouth will give you a taste of this Maine State Park and the beaches at Reid Park! Include our very favorite Portland day trips from Portland, Maine free mid-July harvest scenic. Of lobsters, and packed with adorable shops and great restaurants modeled after the grand of. The Frontier bar and restaurant thing or just parts of it see if you can also do at... A classic coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Oregon Coast day trip you need to make own. 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Lunch at Jordan Pond House inside the Park overlooking the Mountains or even whole...
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