We've lived in Maine for over 20 years now. My husband and I and our four sons, then ages 2-4-6-and 8, moved to Falmouth in 2004 and haven't looked back. From the ease of living here, to the charm, to the abundance of things to do year-round, living in or visiting Maine is easy. Whether you're looking for the best lobster, wanting to find anything and everything blueberries, need a relaxing spot, or want to climb Mt. Katahdin, I've got you covered!
People often ask me, "Where should I go and what should I do when I visit Maine?" They also ask, 'What can I do with kids while I am visiting Maine?" I always give caution to visiting Vacationland because, well, just might want to make you move to Maine too!
Here's a well-loved list of things to do when visiting or vacationing in Maine in any season.
York, Maine:
York Beach - Two beaches, Long Sands and Short Sands. Short sands ties into visiting the light house.
Cape Neddick and the Nubble Lighthouse - You can't miss this and it's a very pretty walk along the cliff line.
The Old Gaol - The Old Gaol (a former colonial prison) at Lindsay Road and Main St, York. It was built in 1656. There’s a tour included with the ticket bought from the historical society.
York Harbor Inn - This is one of our favorite spots in Maine. We have celebrated so many important events here over the years. Gorgeous views and great food. It's nicknamed "Heaven by the Sea" for a reason.
York's Wild Kingdom Zoo and Amusement Park - This is sure to be a hit with all ages. They also have a sloth. (Where to see a sloth in Maine!!)
Stonewall Kitchen - York is home to the main offices of Stonewall kitchen and the store in York is incredible!! Amazing gifts to take home or enjoy while you are in Maine. My favorite, of couse, is their Wild Blueberry Jam!
If you have kids or need a children's gift from Maine, we recommend the children's book, Blueberry and Jam - Adventures in Maine. This award-winning book, by author Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino charts your course for your visit or things to see and do while visiting Maine. If you've just moved to Maine, this book offers a great series of spots to visit to get to know the state better from a local and tourist viewpoint.
Kittery
We love to stop at the Kittery Trading Post. So much shopping! The outlets are in Kittery too.
Old Orchard Beach
No trip to Maine is complete without a day at Old Orchard Beach. Parking is less tricky the earlier you arrive and there is a huge lot complete with friendly service right by the beach.
We love to pick up sand dollars here and at Ferry Beach. The pier at Old Orchard Beach and the amusement park, make this a vacation itself. You could just stay here and experience Maine and be content.
Scarborough, Portland, Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, Falmouth, Westbrook & more!
However, to really explore Maine even more, you must continue North and visit Scarborough, Portland and Cape Elizabeth. Ask a local which town is their favorite and they will have a reason. Maybe they grew up there and are not "from away". Perhaps it is the quality of life, great schools, and ease of living that they love. Most of these towns have visitor attractions of some kind and are worth the stop.
Scarborough: Aside from the amazing beaches, one of our favorite stops is a visit to the world's largest chocolate moose, "Lenny". Where else in the world can you go to see a massive chocolate moose. (Let me know!)
Anyway, check him out at Len Libby!
Lenny is made of 1,700 pounds of the finest milk chocolate
Lenny was sculpted on-site in approximately four weeks
Lenny's pond is white chocolate tinted with food coloring
Lenny was unveiled on July 1, 1997 and continues to delight visitors today!
As you make your way toward Portland many people miss another huge section for shopping and eating at the huge mall, called The Maine Mall in South Portland where the locals hang out. Here's you'll find much less traffic and a great rainy day or any day spot. There are also the best movie theaters in Westbrook and Falmouth too that are great for hot or rainy days. Most visitors completely miss Falmouth, Westbrook and much of South Portland.
Portland, Cape Elizabeth
There are so many things to do in Portland, that it would be way too much to list here. Cross the bridge over into Cape Elizabeth to see the Portland Head Light & Fort Williams Park, the Lobster Shack at Two Lights or in summer, fabulous strawberry picking at my favorite, Maxwell's Farm. These are all favorite touristy and off season, local hang outs. Back over in Portland, one must walk on the cobblestone streets, eat ice cream, lobster, visit the Portland Observatory or even take in a Seadogs baseball game. You can hop on the Ferry and visit Peak's Island too for a fabulous day trip, where you can rent bikes. There isn't a whole lot to "do" on Peak's Island. It's a residential island that has your peace at heart. It's a beautiful walk with serene quiet. Dogs are loved and must be leashed.
In Portland, you'll find more expensive hotel rooms and so forth, so if you have children with you or need lower expenses, you might want to look at hotels by the Maine Mall, Scarborough or head a bit north to Freeport.
As you continue exploring, most people love to visit Freeport. On your way, if you want a local hangout experience, stop in Falmouth. If you need a grocery store, Shaw's is right off 295. There are also some very nice restaurants, like The Dockside Grill and Sicilian Table. Here, you won't experience the waits and crowds like you would in Portland perhaps.
If you want to hang out in Falmouth, everyone loves the walking and biking trail at Mackworth Island! It's a great spot for families and even has a spot to build a fairy house.
Tucked in along the way up north are also the towns of Cumberland and Yarmouth. These are residential and not tourist spots. So if you need a more relaxed atmosphere and to not wait in lines, these towns have great little cafes, pizza spots, ice cream, and Yarmouth has a fabulous garden center called Estabrooks, which is a beautiful walking spot with a fun gift shop inside. Dogs are welcome at Estabrooks, in fact they leave water bowls out for them :)
Moving on to Freeport:
Freeport is one of my absolute favorite towns in Maine. I love it there. When we first moved to Maine in 2004, we stayed in a rental in Freeport, and with four small kids in tow, I learned all the in's and out's of Freeport. Freeport is shopping, but with a Maine style. The McDonald's is in an 1850's home for example and there is no mall in sight.
It's home to L.L. Bean and countless amazing stores. There is also so much more to do off the beaten path in Freeport, from visiting Bradbury Mountain to Wolfe's Neck State Park. Take a look at this website for all the things to see and do. You could easily just stay put in Freeport as well and there is a large selection of hotels to choose from. https://www.visitfreeport.com/
Now, for purposes of your trip, you can keep going ... In fact, my book Blueberry and Jam - Adventures in Maine, shows you a big Maine vacation "loop" you could do. For purposes of this one blog post, I'll stop in Freeport and continue on in another post.
Much Love,
Elizabeth
ps-- Be sure to comment with your favorite spots in Maine and if you have Blueberry and Jam, I'd love a photo of you with the book at your favorite spot!
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