Travel Tip: Try to align your trip with Apple Saturdays, a Sabbathday Lake fall tradition featuring cider pressing, apple arts and . She's been with TripSavvy since 1998. The quirky Desert of Maine is among the most popular attractions. Boating of all sorts is an option, too. Conway, NH from this list is also an awesome day trip in the winter. Learn more through geological dioramas, ancient stone lithics, wildlife displays, information on past and present industries, antique vehicles and more. Camden is a coastal town in central Maine, perfect for outdoor and ocean adventure. Travel Tip: Be sure to stop into the oldest store in the country while you're in Moultonborough to buy snacks and souvenirs. Accessible via bridge, the islands retain a charming 1950s rural neighborhood feel. The drive to Camden on US Route 1 is like several Portland day trips in one, taking in some quintessential Maine coastal towns along the way. 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. If you want to explore Maine on a drive, make a game of finding Maine towns with names inspired by faraway places. 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. Getting There: Freeport is a 20-minute drive north of Portland on I-295. The ride is only about 15 minutes each way, and riding the ferry was a unique experience for my family. Wells, Maine. 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. Explore the shops & restaurants along Dock Square. The small community of 3,000 year round residents include several artists, drawn to the islands world famous Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. That trend is likely to continue into 2023. This moderately difficult hiking trail is perfect all year but mid-July is when wild Maine blueberries are ready for picking! Visit Main Beach, rated among New Englands top ten beaches, embark on a sailing or fishing cruise from Perkins Cove, and enjoy fresh Maine lobster at the towns seafood restaurants. Getting to see it from a boat tour that departs from Kennebunk is a real treat! 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. Getting around Portland, OR by bus is cheap and accessible. Walk along the shoreline of Ogunquit Beach. Maines Bradbury Mountain State Park is located just north of Portland and is open to visitors year round for outdoor recreation opportunities. Do day trips to Kennebunkport, Freeport, Bar Harbor, Salem, etc. Below is a list of my favorite day trips from Portland, Maine, and the destinations are organized by shortest to furthest distance from Portland. With over 150 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and 27 miles of historic motor roads, Acadia spans varying terrain and offers something for the casual visitor, or the serious outdoor enthusiast. Visiting this megalithic monument comes with an especially strong recommendation. Walk along the paths in the waterfront park. 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. Whatever the season (or weather!) Now that you know all about the best day trips from Portland, Maine, youre armed and ready to plan your own perfect day. 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. 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. From natural wonders like Cannon Beach and Mt. Have an awesome waterfront lunch or dinner at. Go to AllTrails to learn more about their free app; its full of trail maps, including this one, which work offline. Or even must do's in the vacinity of Portland. Where: Otter Ponds are located at the southern end of Sebago Lake on Maine Route 35 between Windham and Standish. Two companies, Cape Ann Whale Watch and 7 Seas Whale Watch, guarantee sightings (or a future trip is free). The proximity of this Maine State Park to the city makes this one of our easiest Portland day trips. 3. Area beaches include the Popham Beach State Park and the beaches at Reid State Park, or explore the Kennebec River. Get off-the-beaten-path at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Detour to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, open mid-April through mid-November, on your way to Sebago Lake. 630 miles. Places to visit near me: Things to Do in Vermont, Things to do in Virginia, Long Beach Restaurants, Restaurants in Louisville, Southampton. 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. 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. This peculiar site isstill a mystery after 4,000 years! Click here to book your Hauntings & History Walking Tour in Salem! That's a total of $200 a year, or about $17 a month on average. The Wolfes Neck Center is an educational farm offering tours, classes, and kayak or bicycle rentals for use along their trails. Buy the big bag of popcorn at E.W. Even though youre coming from a city, Boston is always a good idea (at least, thats just my opinion!). In the mountain regions youll find freshwater lakes, panoramic views, and local shopping and dining. Getting There: Enjoy a picturesque drive on Route 302 northwest from Portland to Sebago Lake State Park. Birders, kayakers, and boaters are drawn to the islands for their natural beauty. You can easily bring a canoe or kayak to Otter Ponds from either of the nearby parking areas mentioned above. 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. 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. We briefly turn our attention to a rather curious destination located in New Hampshire, too. 207-536-5611 Home; Private Tours; Cruise Ship Shore Excursions; . 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. 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. Named the most beautiful mountain town in Maine, Bethel offers year round opportunity for outdoor recreation. Explore the charming shops in downtown Rangeley. 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. The museum has a special focus on the paintings of Winslow Homer (1836-1910). The best way to get from Boston to Portland is to bus which takes 2h 10m and costs $7 - $35. Getting There: From Portland, drive north on I-295, then follow Route 1 through historic and scenic towns like Bath and Wiscasset, and you'll be in Rockland in just over an hour and a half. Enjoy hikes throughout the area, ski resort attractions, and historic adventures. 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. 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. Youll even have time to explore downtown Bar Harbor for a bit. The L.L. 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. 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. Get some sweet treats to bring home (or eat on the drive!) Visit Portland's scenic coast, historic sites and most vibrant neighborhoods with a sightseeing and shopping tour on a classic fire engine. You don't need a car while in Portland because the city is well served by public transportation (light-rail, streetcar, buses). The scenic area is a popular summer destination for swimming, boating and fishing. If you like to shop, be sure to hit up Newbury Street and Copely Place. The trail to Bald Peak is lined with lowbush blueberries near the mountaintop. You can also connect to Portland from Boston via the Downeaster train. We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. The Ogunquit Museum of American Art was founded in the 1950s by a student working within the famous Perkins Cove artists colony. Portland to Mount Rainier National Park Directions: Google Maps. This is the perfect day trip, no matter what the weather has in store for you. Total drive time is just about 45 minutes. That makes Sebago Lake State Park and its beaches a perfect place to cool off on a summer day. Amtrak spent $400,588 on goods and services and products in Maine in FY17. Bethel, Maine sits just east of the Vermont border outside of the White Mountain National Forest. stay at Portland . Click here to book your Kennebec River Cruise! Continue to China and Palermo before looping back south to Portland. If the weather is nice, take a ride to Portland Head Light, technically in Cape Elizabeth, it's just 9 miles south of Portland. 740 miles. Perfect For: City EscapesWithout a Car Picnics Seasonal Scenery Family Day Trips. 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. 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