Hop aboard the Casco Bay Lines ferry to Peaks Island in just 17 minutes you're on an adorable isle where you can set out to explore on foot or on a rented bike. Park facilities include restrooms, drinking water, picnic areas and camping sites for tents or recreational vehicles. The small community of 3,000 year round residents include several artists, drawn to the islands world famous Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Youll head out to Cape Elizabeth, and explore the local lighthouses and dramatic coastline views, and also stop for an amazing lobster roll from a food truck thats included in the tour cost. This spot is pure perfection! 2023, Is Lubec, Maine Worth Visiting? Now a National Historic Landmark, the home and museum hosts Tea with Harriet each month. Click here to book your Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley tickets in Boston! Youll see both New Hampshire and the Atlantic from the Big A hike. Shave two hours of drive time off the route by returning to Portland after you see Paris. Visit the Jones Museum in Sebago, where youll find a unique collection of ceramics and glass. Portland is a wonderful city in its own right, but its also centrally-located to some other amazing places. Make this road trip from Portland, Maine and solve the mystery yourself. Charming cottages and New England homes line the shore. Start out from Portland on Route 114 North, and set your GPS first for Denmark. Between the charming downtown, beautiful waterfront restaurants and amazing opportunities to tour the waters and see wildlife, youre sure to have a great day in Boothbay Harbor. Best Stops To Make Driving From Boston to Portland, Maine, Things To Do In Portland, Maine In The Winter, Best Winter Getaways In New England (Even For Non-Skiers! But if you're visiting the area in the summer and can swing it, it's well worth the cost. 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, Phone: 207-799-2661, Romantic places this weekend: Mountains in Utah, Utah resorts, Romantic Getaways in Maine, Maine lighthouses, Where to stay in Acadia, Things to Do in Brunswick, Wilson. We briefly turn our attention to a rather curious destination located in New Hampshire, too. Provincetown, MA P-Town, as it's better known, is a splurge to get to for a day trip. You can take a nice hike around the park in South Portland where Portland Light is located. Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 30 minutes. In the spring and summer months, enjoy fishing, canoeing and kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking or golf. A Scenic 7 Days Coastal Maine Road Trip Itinerary - Beyond Lobsters & Lighthouses - The Blessing Bucket In this post, I share with you a 7 days coastal Maine road trip itinerary that goes off the beaten path. And with packing all that into only 1.5 hours, it allows you spend the rest of your day trip exploring the town. Get on the water aboard an early 1900s ship with Portland Schooner Co., or try your hand at lobstering with Lucky Catch Cruises. A day visit to Portsmouth will give you a taste of this historic port city that will leave you wanting to return. Taste the local beer at these awesome breweries: Visit the cute shops in Market Square. Lake trout, crappie, small mouth and large mouth bass, and perch all frequent the coves, inlets and rocky underwater islands. Take a self-guided tour through the grounds and enjoy the peace and quiet of this wooded spot. Travel Tip: Want to ensure you'll see a moose while you're visiting Maine? Whether you follow this itinerary word for word or scope out your own spots along the way, you'll find opportunities to hike, bike, kayak, camp, and just get outside . Every day Estimated price $120 - $400. With this service you rent by the hour, but you do need to sign up to use the service. E-bikes are so much fun to ride, and allow you to pack more into your schedule than just walking. 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. 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. Take a tour, enjoy the trails and visit the 18th century barn. The Maine Lighthouse Museum is in Rockland, too, so you may want to consider staying over and making this a two-day trip. Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River. Do a little shopping for unique finds at the Old Country Store in Moultonborough. Even though its a splurge, the price is very fair for a private tour, especially in such a gorgeous area. This is the shortest day trip from Portland and one of my favorite ways to spend a warm summer weekend. Enjoy the trails at the park, or visit the Cape Elizabeth Greenbelt, a trail system that spreads through town, surrounding the inland waterways. Explore the charming shops in downtown Rangeley. It's a beacon of light perched on the dramatic craggy coast of Cape Elizabeth. Birders, kayakers, and boaters are drawn to the islands for their natural beauty. Marblehead is another amazing day trip from Portland, Maine. The historic shipyard is flanked by 19th century buildings, and the Victorian-era shipyard owners home. In the winter months, snowmobiles are allowed on the Switch Back Trail, Link Trail and Snowmobile Trail. A picnic, cold drinks and a dip in the ponds was our antidote to steamy days and we always had it to ourselves. During your day trip, youll want to consider booking a tour on the Millie B, where youll get to take in the spectacular views of the region, and maybe even spot a loon or two. Over 18,000 pieces rotate through permanent and temporary exhibits. Operating from July through Labor Day, the 1-hour trips cost $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 4-12. 207/693-6613 ), on the lake's north shorethe park is off Route 302 (look . Bath is a small town located on the Kennebec River at the center of Maines Atlantic coast. From haunted tours, to fun street fairs, to a picture-perfect New England streets covered in leaves, this is one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine you can take during the autumn season. The name, given by the Abenaki tribe, means beautiful place by the sea. Once a fishing village, it is now an artists haven and tourist destination known for its rugged beauty and rocky coastline. Click here to book your Hocus Pocus Filming Locations Tour in Salem! My favorite boat tours in Boothbay are the wildlife and lighthouse tours. Once you get to Boston, I always recommend you park your car for the day and explore on foot, but a trolley tour will allow you to see more sites without having to worry about getting around a historic city in your own car. According to these estimates, my monthly transportation expenses (excluding my existing commuting costs) will now total $67, saving . Bend, Oregon. 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. Click here to book your Lighthouses, Lobsters & Seals tour in Boothbay Harbor! ), but its definitely worth a full-day visit, or even a whole weekend. Bar Harbor, Maine, Phone: 207-288-3338 The area is home to the 90-acre Fort Williams Park where youll find the Portland Head Light. Ogunquits town is also very quaint and easily walkable, and packed with adorable shops and great restaurants. Here is the info on Ucar Share: For foodies, definitely check out this North End Foodie Tour, which is led by a local culinary expert that knows all the very best spots. In the warmer months, visit the Colony Beach at the mouth of the Kennebunkport River. Feel like a kid again at Weirs Beach, and ride the roller coasters, play arcade games and go kart. In fact, this is our most versatile day trip from Portland, taking in classic Maine scenery from the mountains to the coast. 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! Some of the best things to do in Portsmouth, NH on a day trip from Portland: If youre looking to see as much of Portsmouth as you can, as well as take in some of the best water views, I recommend checking out this bike tour through town and the local islands. The park spans 47,000 acres, most of which are located on Mount Desert Island, off Maines Atlantic coast. Click here to book your vintage boat ride tour in Lake Winnipesaukee! Walk along the waterfront to admire the gorgeous sailboats. For all these reasons, its one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. Grab a bite to eat and take a detour on your day trip to Camden Hills State Park. Youll see the famous Bailey Island CribstoneBridge, unique for its design using only stacked granite slabs and no mortar. Explore the coast for the best of Maine lobster, to see the many historic lighthouses, and charming coastal towns. Newcastles 1807 St. Patricks Church is the oldest Catholic Church in America. While the US Coast Guard continues to maintain the light and fog signal, the keepers quarters have been renovated into a museum. Choose Wells as your destination if you want to visit any of the below attractions: During this tour, youll pass by two lighthouses, spot seals lounging on the rocks, and also learn all about the local lobstering community, as well as what it takes to haul lobster traps. Click here to read about the best stops to make when driving from Portland to Acadia National Park! Walk along the coast of Cape Arundelon the Parsons Way Trail. Maines Boothbay Harbor is located along the rocky Atlantic coast about one hours drive north of Portland. Greyhound bus fare between the two coastal cities is about $20 one-way. Enjoy the views at the Height of Land Overlook. P-Town, a popular summer destination and legendary LGBTQ summer getaway, is at the very tip of Cape Cod. The tour is led by a local historian and shares stories of the towns incredible history, which dates back to the 1600s. From snow-covered mountains to massive gorges to beautiful beaches, Oregon has it all. Its up to you to make your own trip from Portland and see this mysterious site for yourself. Grab a trail map and cover the four miles of paths through the park. Weve picked blueberries here for hours in the past and always came away with full tubs. Perfect For: Coastal Hikes Birdwatching Family Day Trips Snowshoeing/Cross-Country Skiing Combining With Cabot Mill (see above). Visit the Sebago Lake State Park, rent a canoe or kayak with the Sebago Trails Paddling Company. Rent a kayak and head out onto the water. How about Ogunquit or Kennebunkport for lunch or dinner? Hi there! Maines Portland Museum of Art boasts a permanent collection of American, European, and local Maine art. Time & distance from Portland: 16 miles, 20-minute drive. 750 NW Lava Rd #160, Bend, OR 97703, map. is actually right here in Gloucester, so this is definitely something youll want to consider for your day trip. Distance From Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Maine State Aquarium is located in Boothbay Harbor. Expert opinion: Where should I go this weekend for fun? North America. In short, a day trip to Cabot Mill is perfect for everyone! Spend time at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art and its collection of over 20,000 objects, or attend one of the colleges many cultural events. Note: Where applicable, check with each entity for revised opening/closing hours and other information. 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. Kim Knox Beckius is a Connecticut-based travel writer, author, photographer, and editor. Perhaps your day trip form Portland includes southern Maine. Every one of these day trips from Portland are within a couple hours by car, making them easy to do in a single day. Where to go near me: Traverse City, Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Things to Do in Wyoming, Things to do in Delaware. 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. The beaches and rocky headlands of the New Hampshire and southern Maine coast are a scenic day trip from Boston. Ranger led programs include guided hiking or cycling tours and boat cruises, birding programs, hawk and falcon programs, and nighttime starry sky programs. 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. If youre a fan of the movie Hocus Pocus (and honestly, who isnt? At just over 200 acres in size, Wolfes Neck Woods State Park features several different ecosystems and great opportunities for spotting ospreys. 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. The French influence is still felt today, and can be seen in Lewistons Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1870. Boston is one of my all-time favorite cities because of its deeply-rooted history, gorgeous architecture, amazing restaurants and charming streets. Learn more about the evidence Americas Stonehenge has yielded to archaeologists and astronomers over the years. (www.oregon.aaa.com; tel. Walk around the lake on the Outer Loop Trail inside Sebago Lake State Park. For the price, I think this tour offers a lot a fun and spectacular views. Get the most from your time and see as much of Maine (and New Hampshire!) You can easily bring a canoe or kayak to Otter Ponds from either of the nearby parking areas mentioned above. The kids loved it. The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village was established in 1783, and is located between New Gloucester and Poland. 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! Ogunquit is another one of the best options for day trips from Portland, Maine. 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). View the bay from the top of Mount Battie at the Camden Hills State Park. Top attractions like the Salem Witch Museum and The Witch House offer visitors a glimpse of the hysteria that gripped the settlement and its horrible repercussions. 3 days in Portland, Maine is the perfect amount of time. A series of easy yet scenic hiking trails makes this day trip a great choice. Our favorite trail here is the Maiden Cliff Trail. 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! Even though youre coming from a city, Boston is always a good idea (at least, thats just my opinion!). Ready for a winter cruise through Casco Bay? Best things to do in Rockport on a day trip from Portland: Want to explore more of the North Shore & Cape Ann, MA?Click here to read my post on the best thing to do in the region! It is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the US for a reason, it is beautiful! We arent collectors, but winter getaways from Portland often brought us here for something to do. For even more history, head across the Kennebec River to Fort Western. 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. 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. Boating opportunities include sailing or boat tours aboard historic windjammers and schooners. The pretty white stunner was built in 1791 and renovated in 1831. To get around Gloucester faster and easier, a great option for your day trip is to rent e-bikes! Where: Via Mountain Road off US Roue 1, between Ogunquit and York. Explore the islands of Casco Bay and Penobscot Bay or head inland along the rivers. 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. The next time you find yourself with a day off with nothing but sunshine and time, do yourself a favor and pay one of these places a visit! Stop in Owls Head on your way there or back to visit the lighthouse (its worth the extra stop!). Danny Mejia is a record-setting long-distance runner who moved to Portland nine years . The downtown area is packed with awesome and unique shops and eateries, theres a big local artist scene here, and everywhere you go, you kind of feel like youre in a postcard. 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. We provide private and luxury sightseeing tours for individuals, couples and large groups featuring the Portland and Kennebunkport areas of Maine along with destinations along the midcoast. . From natural wonders like Cannon Beach and Mt. Get off-the-beaten-path at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Required fields are marked *. In all honestly, getting outside of Portland to explore the local areas without a car is very difficult, and sometimes not even possible. A Couple of Drifters are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme - an affiliate advertising programme. Fun day trip ideas: Ohio, From San Francisco, From NYC, Texas, Florida. Approximately 5.5 miles from Bridgton (and just past Moose Pond) turn left on Mountain Road; parking for Bald Peak Trail is approximately 1.7 along this road. Sebago Lake is one of the best options for day trips from Portland, Maine if youre looking for a peaceful day. Detour to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, open mid-April through mid-November, on your way to Sebago Lake. 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. Rangelely Lake is also a quiet and peaceful destination, which makes for a wonderful escape from the city. Explore Plum Island and the scenic trails at. Area beaches include the Popham Beach State Park and the beaches at Reid State Park, or explore the Kennebec River. Lewiston, Maine is located in the Maine Lakes Region alongside the Androscoggin River. Visit all the waterfalls at Dianas Baths. 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. Romantic weekend getaways near me: Anacortes, Benton City, Cabin Getaways in PA, Cabin Getaways in Ohio, Blaine, Spring Green, Small vacation ideas, Tunquen, SoHo. Visitors often spot a lot of different wildlife and a variety of birds while on the mountain and can sign up for whale watching tours off the Atlantic coast as well. 740 miles. Rockland's Center for Maine Contemporary Art, opened in 2016, will beckon to you with its exhibitions of work by the best living artists with ties to Maine, displayed in a Toshiko Mori-designed building. The bus takes beer lovers from venue to venue on an all-inclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Portland's craft breweries. Known as an incredible ski destination, youll be able to hit the slopes, or just enjoy the quaint town and its attractions covered in a beautiful blanket of snow. Our experts' top picks for a long weekend getaway for couples: Best caves in the U.S., SD, Galena IL, Boise, St. Pete, San Jose, Taos, Fayetteville, Steamboat Springs, NH, East Coast, DE, GA, Little Rock. Visit the shops and eateries downtown and along Main Street. 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. No matter how you get there, expect classic Maine coastal scenery, a unique man-made structure and a great seafood restaurant perfectly situated on the coast. Wells is a quiet coastal community and one of the oldest towns in Maine. Travel Tip: If watching whales in the wild is on your bucket list, Gloucester is a great place to spot them. Click the link below for more fun things to do in Ogunquit! Travel Time: 35 minutes. This is the perfect tour for staying aboard and enjoying the scenic ride. Of course, the views from the easy hiking trails are the real draw here. Simply put, Camden Hills State Park is a classic coastal Maine day trip you need to make right now. 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. A great option to consider when looking at day trips from Portland, Maine is Camden. Bar Harbor is the largest city on Maines Mount Desert Island. 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!) Turn right in Bath onto Route 127 South, and cross the bridges that connect Arrowsic and Georgetown islands to the mainland. Dont forget to check out more local road trip ideas when you have more time to explore the area. Two of my favorites are. This article doesnt focus on cites or towns in Maine our day trips feature actual attractions instead. Theres actually so much to do in Conway that you probably cant experience it all in a day, but it definitely makes for a great day trip to get some fresh mountain air. A great tour option for your day trip from Portland, Maine is the Lighthouses, Lobsters & Seals Tour. It requires taking a bus or the Amtrak Downeaster train all the way to Boston, then switching to a local bus or train to Salem. A timeline guides visitors through the lighthouses 200 years of operations. A lot of folks who think Portland is growing too big too fast turn to Bend for solace. 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. And definitely dont forget to make a reservation for dinner if youre hoping for a special meal out! The small island is easily explored by bicycle, with just a 4-mile long circumference. Maines Bradbury Mountain State Park is located just north of Portland and is open to visitors year round for outdoor recreation opportunities. Mostly known as a summer destination, Lake Winnipesaukee is also a very scenic fall day trip because the amazing foliage colors. You can hike or drive to Mount Battie for classic views of Camden and her harbor. Travel Tip: While in Rockland, walk atop the granite wall that leads to Rockland Breakwater Light. Youll find a dense bank of bushes practically overhanging the top of Pleasant Mountain. This particular tour is great for day-trippers because the vessel is a high-speed catamaran, so youll be able to cover more ground in the same amount of time, allowing you to really maximize your time. Hike the trails at Hackers Hill Preserve. Wells, Maine. Public transportation is difficult but possible. Both are excellent destinations to dedicate a full day to, however, so its entirely up to you! 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 5-hour bike tour (with a lobster roll!) The Best Day Trips from Portland Under 1 Hour Away Multnomah Falls. Homers 1883-1910 studio in Prouts Neck, Maine is now owned by the museum and open to the public. Destinations Africa Morocco Asia China India In Paris, Maine, there is no Eiffel Tower, but you can dine at Maurice Restaurant Francais. Perfect For: Solstices Family Day Trips from Maine Autumn Foliage Snowshoeing Combining with Mount Agamenticus (see below), Where:105 Haverhill Road, Salem, New Hampshire. In contrast, Greyhound runs buses into and out of Maine from most major cities across the country, with one-way tickets from Boston to Portland starting at as little as $16 per person. Tours of the studio depart from the museum. Ride Bus in Portland: Tri Met. 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! 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. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. Augusta is also a good place to grab a bite after your history lesson; head downtown to Riverfront Barbeque and Grill, get comfort food at Downtown Diner or, for a treat, check out Cushnoc Brewing Co. Free points of interest close to me: West Virginia, Santa Cruz, Sister Bay, Houghton, Issaquah. Bird watching is a popular activity, as well as swimming, fishing and hiking. Or even must do's in the vacinity of Portland. Ogunquit is best known for having one of the longest stretches of sandy shoreline in all of Maine, so if youre looking for a beach day without having to go far, this is one of the best places for that in Maine.

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