The L.L. But if you love history, consider this tour by a local historian to get even more out of your experience. Kennebunkport and Ogunquit are excellent options for days trips from Portland, Maine in the winter because of their holiday celebrations. Explore the charming shops in downtown Rangeley. At over 6,200 feet, Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeast. Cool down at the swimming holes at Small Falls. Best things to do in Marblehead on your day trip from Portland: Click here to read my post on all the best things to do in Marblehead! For more information, check out our full article on how to get to Freeport from Portland. Surrounding Maine's legendary retailer, you'll find more than 100 other shops including factory outlets from brand names like Vineyard Vines, Calvin Klein, and Cuddledown. 6. ), then you may enjoy this walking tour of the movies filming locations in Salem. Destinations Africa Morocco Asia China India If you prefer to use public transportation, METRO BREEZ bus service between Portland and Freeport is comfortable and affordable, or hop aboard the Amtrak Downeaster for a relaxing ride on the rails. 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. Here youll find man-made stone structures and standing slabs aligned with particular lunar and solar events. And since these two towns are so close to one another, you could easily combine them into one festive day trip. Tour guides will also help you spot shore birds and other wildlife during the cruise. Best things to do on a day trip to Gloucester from Portland: One of the best places to go whale watching in the entire world (yes, world!) Getting There: You'll get to enjoy a scenic drive of about an hour and 40 minutes on Route 25 getting to Moultonborough. We easily spent a few hours here and you just might do the same. Take in the sensational views and feel the rush of the falls on this famous day trip from Portland. Peaks Island is a great day trip from Portland, Maine. 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. 15. Public transportation is difficult but possible. Simply put, Camden Hills State Park is a classic coastal Maine day trip you need to make right now. 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. Click here to book your Kennebec River Cruise! While the Visitors Center is located towards the west of the park in North Woodstock, theres plenty to see and do across the span of the range. Homers 1883-1910 studio in Prouts Neck, Maine is now owned by the museum and open to the public. Click here to book your Culinary Walking Tour in Kennebunkport! This means that Newburyport is still a decent day trip option even if it's raining or cold. The Wolfes Neck Center is an educational farm offering tours, classes, and kayak or bicycle rentals for use along their trails. Alternatively, you can take a Concord Coach Lines bus between the two cities for $40 round-trip. 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. Drive or hike up to Cathedral Ledge View Point. Walk along the waterfront to admire the gorgeous sailboats. But if you're visiting the area in the summer and can swing it, it's well worth the cost. 207 772 6828 info@portlandmaine.com 549 Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101 Get a Guidebook We plan on spending much of our time in Portland, but will also be making a quick trip up to Freeport and the Casco Bay. Boston has so many amazing tour options led my local experts that share tons of tips and knowledge. 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. Click here to book your Windjammer Sunset Sailing Tour in Camden! See the history of the industry at the Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site, and try some at restaurants such as the Shuck Station or the Newcastle Publick House. Youll find this collection of Maine facts, oddities, artifacts and displays worth the drive from Portland. The jury is still out regarding who exactly built this site. View the bay from the top of Mount Battie at the Camden Hills State Park. From prehistoric times to modern history, discover what contributed to the unique heritage of Maine. Reserve a table for lunch or dinner or just come in for a drink; see their website for full details on the different entertainment options and special events held here. Click here to book your Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester! To get to the islands, take the mailboat or a ferry from Portland, or board the Bailey Island Cruise to arrive at Cooks Lobster House. Weve done these day trips from Portland in all types of Maine weather; take our advice and bring a long sleeve top in summer! Portland is a wonderful city in its own right, but its also centrally-located to some other amazing places. Located on New Hampshire's Seacoast region right along the border with Maine, Portsmouth is a must-see in New England and an eminently doable day trip. Pretty much any destination in New England is wonderful to visit in the fall, but one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine in the fall is Salem, MA, especially during the month of October. Perfect For: Hiking Swimming in Summer Picnics Canoeing and Kayaking Fishing. Longer tours and group rates are also available for a little more money. Maines Bradbury Mountain State Park is located just north of Portland and is open to visitors year round for outdoor recreation opportunities. Grab a famous cannoli from Mikes Pastry. Where:We recommend Bald Peak Trail, located off US Highway 302 between Bridgton and Fryeburg, Maine. Simply put, Camden Hills State Park is a classic coastal Maine day trip you need to make right now. We spent just over 10 days in Maine and focused on a trio of cities - Kennebunkport, Portland and Rockland - as well as some leisurely, unplugged time out on the water. 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. Click here to book your boat tour in Newburyport! It provides access from . Maine's beaches have refreshing, clear water that is perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Wells is a quiet coastal community and one of the oldest towns in Maine. Iowa, WI, From New Orleans, ME, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Montauk, FL, Beaches near DC. The 1791 lighthouse and award-winning museum, located in the former keepers quarters, are open year round. (5 day-to-day round-trips Boston- Portland, of which 2 round-trips function to/from Brunswick). For all these reasons, its one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. Rent a jet ski or boat to spend the day on the water. Although not open to the public, the site was made famous by Edward Hoppers 1929 painting, Lighthouses at Two Lights. The best option is to drive because the train will take you three hours one-way, but if you dont have access to a car, this is a great option! Bar Harbor is the largest city on Maines Mount Desert Island. Distance From Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes. Youll see the famous Bailey Island CribstoneBridge, unique for its design using only stacked granite slabs and no mortar. Visiting this megalithic monument comes with an especially strong recommendation. Travel Tip: While in Rockland, walk atop the granite wall that leads to Rockland Breakwater Light. There are also a good amount of of kids activities here, including mini golf places, and lots of opportunity to get out onto the lake. Click here to book your 5-hour bike tour (with a lobster roll!) The areas Abbe Museum exhibits Native American artifacts and teaches guests about the cultural history of the region. The bus takes beer lovers from venue to venue on an all-inclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Portland's craft breweries. The easiest, and also one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine is Kennebunkport. This article doesnt focus on cites or towns in Maine our day trips feature actual attractions instead. . 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. BUS, CAR, PLANE, TRAIN, + FERRY SERVICE . Find all the transport options for your trip from Portland to Acadia National Park right here. Travel Tip: On your return drive to Portland, make a stop at the outlet stores just across the Piscataqua River Bridge in Kittery, Maine. Weve picked blueberries here for hours in the past and always came away with full tubs. This is one adventure you can even enjoy without ever leaving your car. We prefer more technical hikes, but the views over Megunticook Lake in summer and autumn make this trail worthy of a mention. 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 Wolfes Neck Woods State Park (both below, respectively). 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. 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. If you want to explore Maine on a drive, make a game of finding Maine towns with names inspired by faraway places. In fact, this is our most versatile day trip from Portland, taking in classic Maine scenery from the mountains to the coast. 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. Turn left and continue approximately one mile to either the Sebago to the Sea Trail or Johnson Field parking areas. is actually right here in Gloucester, so this is definitely something youll want to consider for your day trip. Required fields are marked *. Now that you know all about the best day trips from Portland, Maine, youre armed and ready to plan your own perfect day. The Maine Lighthouse Museum is in Rockland, too, so you may want to consider staying over and making this a two-day trip. One great tour to consider on your day trip from Portland, Maine is a Freedom Trail Walking Tour. A great option for day trips from Portland, Maine without a car is this full-day Maine in the fall tour. The scenic area is a popular summer destination for swimming, boating and fishing. Take a tour with the Naples Historical Society, their small museum features 18th and 19th century artifacts. Your email address will not be published. This tour often spots moose from above on the lake shorelines, so if seeing a moose in Maine is on your list, this will be a great option. Rangeley Lake in Maine is located in the Northwestern corner of the state, and is a beautiful destination to consider. We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times. Distance: 0.5 miles. Along the paths that head inland, youll see old Native American trails, remnants of concrete war bunkers, and reach Island Avenue, home of the Peaks Island shops, restaurants and cafes. 12 hours 20 minutes. 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. Once theres snowfall, Bethel is among Maines best destinations for alpine or Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and aprs ski fun. This quiet spot was our place to go for a refreshing swim in summer. This is a great place for picnics and the park even features a warming hut for winter visitors. By VacationIdea Staff on October 2, 2022 - Updated. 750 NW Lava Rd #160, Bend, OR 97703, map. Getting to see it from a boat tour that departs from Kennebunk is a real treat! 7 Congress Square, Portland, Maine 04101, Phone: 207-775-6148. Get ready for some scenic drives! The trail to Bald Peak is lined with lowbush blueberries near the mountaintop. 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. 375 Seguinland Road, Georgetown, ME 04548, Phone: 207-371-2303. At 5,200 feet, Mount Lafayette in Franconia is among the most scenic in New England. Where: Wolfes Neck Woods State Park is located 11 miles southwest of Brunswick via Pleasant Hill Road, or 4.8 miles south of Freeport. During museum hours, even if you don't go into the museum, visitors can enjoy the David E. Shaw and Family Sculpture Park located off of High Street. Named the most beautiful mountain town in Maine, Bethel offers year round opportunity for outdoor recreation. Bend, Oregon. The lighthouse and adjoining keepers corners are now owned by the town of Cape Elizabeth. 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. 10 Easy Day Trips From Portland, Maine | Day trips, North The Ultimate Fall Foliage Drive from Portland, Maine | by 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). Gloucester is a great day trip from Portland, Maine to consider, and is also only about 15 minutes from Rockport, so you can easily combine the two into one trip if you wanted. 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). I love Kennebunkport because theres so much to do, but its also a small town thats easily manageable for a day trip. 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. Grab a bite to eat and take a detour on your day trip to Camden Hills State Park. Top sights: Largest Cities in New Mexico, New Mexico Ruins, Where to Stay near Bryce, Bangor, Maine wedding venues, Lansing. The best time to see the fall foliage in Maine is mid-September through the end of October. Carriage trails throughout the island make for excellent cross country skiing in the winter. Today, Mile Beach and Half Mile Beach are among Maines longest and widest white sand beaches, and enjoyed by outdoor recreationists, as well as the endangered least tern, who uses the beachs rare sand dunes for nesting and feeding. Of course, check with Casco Bay Lines for current information regarding this scenic cruise. The Maine State Aquarium is located in Boothbay Harbor. 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. Located on Penobscot Bay, the deepwater Camden Harbor is home to several tall ships and schooners that offer cruises of the bay, sailing tours and fishing excursions. Best Stops To Make Driving From Boston To Portland, Maine; Best Day Trips From Portland, Maine; New England Bucket List: 75 Things You Must See & Do; 32. 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