Visiting Maine

Visiting Maine

On this page:

  • Native American Culture and History

  • Regional Exploration

  • Portland Favorites

  • The Great Outdoors

  • Good Eats

Native American Culture and History

Native Americans inhabited Maine long before English Colonists landed ashore on the American continent. Today, Maine is home to people of the Mi’kmaq Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Penobscot Nation, collectively known as Wabanaki Nations, or “People of the Dawnland.”

We encourage visitors to seek out opportunities to learn about and engage with Native American history and culture. Museums featuring Wabanaki and Native American history are listed below.

Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor, ME

Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, Brunswick, ME

Hudson Museum, Orono ME

Wabanaki Culture Center and Museum, Calais, ME

More information about Native American and Wabanaki culture and history, please visit the Wabanaki Alliance website by clicking the button below.

Regional Exploration

  • Photo from Expedia.com

    Portland Old Port

    The Old Port is a historic area. that includes Portland’s fishing docks. With everything from live music, waterside restaurants, and wide-ranging shopping, the Old Port has everything for any visitor to Maine.

    Driving distance form Portland: 0 minutes (none)

    Visit
  • Photo from Yankee Magazine

    Kennebunk

    The towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport have much to offer Maine visitors including sandy beaches, kayaking tours, and local restaurants. There are many opportunities to learn about local history at places such as the Seashore Trolley Museum and the Brick Store Museum.

    Driving distance from Portland: 40 minutes

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  • Photo from Boothbay Harbor Collective

    Boothbay

    Nestled into the rocky coastline of mid-coast Maine, the town of Boothbay is the perfect scenic getaway to visit Maine art galleries, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, and beautiful outdoor scenery.

    Driving distance from Portland: 75 minutes

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  • Photo by Bruce Coulter

    Old Orchard Beach

    Affectionately referred to as O.O.B., this town offers the excitement of the classic summer boardwalk. From the beach and boating to the arcade and fair rides, O.O.B. is sure to offer summer excitement for the whole family.

    Driving distance from Portland: 30 minutes

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  • Photo from Downeast Traveler Package

    Freeport

    Located on Casco Bay, Freeport is famous for its unique and diverse offerings from boutique and outlet shopping, to locally sourced restaurant fare, and walkable trails and watchable wildlife. Many visitors visit Freeport to see the iconic Bean Boot, the 16-foot statue of a winter boot outside the flagship L.L. Bean store.

    Driving distance from Portland: 40 minutes

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  • Photo from Tripadvisor

    Camden

    Sometimes referred to as the “Jewel of the Maine Coast”, Camden boasts wide-ranging activities from shows at the Camden Opera House to the largest windjammer gathering in the Northeast at the Camden Windjammer Festival. As in so many other areas, water adventures and hiking opportunities are abundant with something for every level.

    Driving distance from Portland: 90 minutes

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  • Photo from Southern Maine Coast

    York

    Just south of the Greater Portland Area, York, Maine offers something for everyone with sandy beaches, fun shopping, and world-class seafood. For the history buffs, York is the second oldest town in Maine and offers learnign experiences through Old York Historical Society. York has even more to offer as it includes the Mt. Agamenticus region that has over 10,000 acres of nature preserve and walking trails.

    Driving distance from Portland: 40 minutes

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  • Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor

    Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor are must-sees if you have the time. With 47,000 acres of land, Acadia is on of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the country. The national park offers a place to experience nature and learn about the history and culture of Maine and Native Americans.

    Driving distance from Portland: 3 hours

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  • Casco Bay Islands

    The Casco Bay Islands are a collection of islands off the coast of Portland, Maine, each offering its own unique charm. Visitors can explore Peaks Island for its quaint shops and bike paths, or enjoy the serene beaches of Long Island. Great Diamond Island features historic sites. Accessible by ferry, the islands are perfect for outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, and bird-watching, making them an ideal destination for a day visit.

    Driving distance from Portland: the ferry to the islands leaves from Portland Harbor

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Portland Favorites

It’s hard to go wrong in a place like Maine. There truly is something for everyone, from the outdoorsman to the artist, the athlete to the foodie. We highlight here some of our family’s favorites in Portland.

Portland Sea Dogs

The Portland Sea Dogs are a Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Playing at Hadlock Field in Downtown Portland, the Sea Dogs is a fun outing for any baseball enthusiast. If you catch a game, be sure to get a Sea Dog Biscuit, a Maine baseball delicacy (an ice cream sandwich with two chocolate ship cookies)!

Maine Lighthouses

Maine is home to over 60 historical lighthouses, each with a unique history and appearance. Visit Maine offers a map and comprehensive list of Maine lighthouses to visit. Some of our nearby favorites include Portland Head Light, Spring Point Ledge Light, and Bug Light. There are many offerings across Maine for guided tours of Maine lighthouses, by boat and by foot.

From the party venue, you can actually see four different lighthouses!

Victoria Mansion

Are you a history buff or an architecture enthusiast? Look no further than the Victoria Mansion. With its extraordinary architecture and the original interior, this mansion is considered one of the finest examples of the Italian Villa style in the entire U.S. Furthermore, the Victoria Mansion is the only remaining Herter commission, showcasing the designs of Gustav Herter, one of the most influential designers of the 19th century.

We would like to thank Victoria Mansion for generously allowing us to take pictures for Dottie’s invitation during their busy Christmas season!

Enjoy the great outdoors

Water Adventures

  • Looking for a thrill? Take a ride down the rapids of the Kennebec River. Plan your trip here!

    Driving distance from Portland: 2.5 hours

  • This 375-mile water trail runs the entire coastline of Maine , connecting 220 sites and 233 shoreside resources. The Maine Island Trail Association offers guided tours and learning opportunities as well as kayak and boat rentals. Plan your trip here!

    Driving distance from Portland: varies greatly depending on where you decide to pick up the trail

  • See historical sites by land and by sea on a Duck Boat tour! This unique vessel can drive on water and land, providing a fun experience for all. Plan your trip here!

    Driving distance from Portland: none - located in Portland!

  • Kettle Cove Beach offers wonderful views of the water and a fun opportunity to see ocean-life in the tide pools. There’s also a community-favorite ice cream shop at the top of the road making it the perfect afternoon stop. More information here!

Trails and Parks

  • This state park boasts 800 acres of forested land, perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and camping. Bradbury Mountains offers the perfect hiking for people of all abilities, including young children. Plan your trip here!

    Driving distance from Portland: 30 minutes

  • This state park has 2 miles of walkable trails through a unique combination of forested land, a salt marsh estuary, and rocky shorelines.

    Wolfe’s Neck State Park is also host to the Feathers over Freeport, a locally-run educational organization that offers guided birding experiences in the area.

    Plan your trip here!

    Driving distance from Portland: 30-40 minutes

  • Information about Acadia National Park is included in the Regional Exploration section at the top of this page.

  • Home to Mount Katahdin, Baxter State Park boasts over 200,000 acres of land and over 300 hiking trails. This is a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts. Plan your trip here!

    Driving distance from Portland: 6 hours

  • Crescent Beach State Park has everything needed for a family-friendly beach day, including a sandy beach, playground, and picnic tables and grills. The state park also has many wonderful walking and hiking trails for those looking to see the wildlife of Cape Elizabeth. For more information, click here!

  • Scarborough Beach is a sandy beach perfect for lounging, boogie boarding, or surfing! With on-duty lifeguards and a small snack shack, the beach makes for a wonderful afternoon in the Maine sun. Plan your visit by visiting the State Park’s website.Item description

Good Eats