Emily Burnham, writer for the Bangor Daily News, came up with a great list of 50 Things to Do in Maine This Summer. Here’s a link to her list: http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/145829.html.
After reading it and taking some notes of things to add to my own summer calendar, like going to the Whoopie Pie festival in Dover-Foxcroft on June 26th and checking out Thai Chili ice cream at Mount Desert Island Ice Cream, I got to thinking about how I could add to Emily’s list.
Could I come up with ANOTHER 50 Things to Do in Maine This Summer? Here’s my attempt
FESTIVALS
1. Strawberry festival – South Berwick – http://southberwickstrawberryfestival.com/default.aspx Saturday, June 26th. Food, crafts, strawberries, of course. Features a bake-off, juried craft show with over 120 artisans, and entertainment. This festival is always the last Saturday in June, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Central School grounds across from Town Hall. Phone (207) 384-2882 for details.
2. Canoe Hullabaloo Celebration – Old Town June 18th & 10th. N. Main Street, Old Town 207-827-8744 or http://www.rivercoalition.org/canoe_hullabaloo Nightly entertainment, canoe races, road races, canoe regatta.
3. Windjammer Days – Boothbay Harbor - http://www.chambermaster.com/directory/jsp/events/EventPage.jsp?ccid=538&eventid=3003. June 22nd & 23rd 48th Annual Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor. Enjoy fully rigged windjammers sail into Boothbay Harbor. Two days of family fun, pancake breakfasts, waterfront concerts, art & craft fair, hometown street parade, antique boat parade and fireworks over the harbor! Great fun for all!
4. Lupine Festival – Deer Isle - 9th annual celebration of Island springtime: garden tours, local foods supper, open studios, boat-plane-schooner trips, quilt show, craft fair, kids activities. Deer Isle-Stonington Chamber of Commerce – 348-6124
5. La Kermesse Franco Americaine Festival – http://www.lakermessefestival.com/ Jun 24 thru Jun 27, 2010. Starts with a block party and goes on with events on Friday (parade, dining and entertainment) through Sunday. Held at St. Louis Field on West Street between Prospect and Hill Streets
6. Great Falls Balloon Festival – August 20th - Auburn info at http://www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org/ This is a big one, stretching over 3 days. Includes a photo contest and crafts and games. Food vendors are local area organizations.
7. Saco Spirit Sidewalk Art Festival – June 26th Jun 26, 2010. Over 100 artists and craftsmen will line Main Street and Pepperell Square during the Saco Spirit Sidewalk Art Festival, transforming downtown Saco into a giant art gallery from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For 40 years artist have traveled from all over New England and beyond to participate in what has become for many exhibitors one of their favorite festivals of the year.
8. Moxie Festival – yes, you heard right. Held July 9th – 11th in Downtown Lisbon Falls. More info at http://www.moxiefestival.com/
9. Maine International Film Festival – July 9th – 18th, Waterville. More info at http://www.miff.org/
10. 4th of July Celebrations: all over the state. Check local listings. Old Orchard Beach, Portland’s Eastern Promenade, Bangor. Day and time varies.
11. Yarmouth Clam Festival – July 16, 17, 18th in Yarmouth. More info at http://www.clamfestival.com/home.php lots of food, not just clams, great crafts set up, games and challenges.
12. Bangor State Fair – July 30th – August 8th in Bangor. Schedule of events and more info at http://www.bangorstatefair.com/ longest continually running agricultural fair. Over a week long event, there are rides, lots of games, food from everywhere, stadium shows, a photo contest, stage shows. It's a blast.
13. Schoodic Arts Festival- Aug 02 thru Aug 15, 2010. A two week celebration of arts and culture, including 65 workshops, 26 evening performances, free brown bag lunchtime performances, an art show, a silent auction, and much, much more. Most events occur at Hammond Hall. Phone (207) 963-2569 for details or visit http://schoodicarts.org/festival/festival-information
14. Maine Lobster Festival – this is a big one in Maine – held in Rockland Aug 04 thru Aug 08, 2010. The Maine Lobster Festival is one of New England's great summer events. Tons of steamed Maine lobsters, waterfront activities, maritime displays, Maine arts, naval vessels, harbor cruises, entertainment and a parade. For info phone (207) 596-0376 or (800) LOB-CLAW.
15. Machias Wild Blueberry Festival - Aug 20 thru Aug 22, 2010. This is the 34th Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival. The Downeast region of Maine produces some 85% of the world's blueberries. The festival features baking and pie eating contests, over 200 craft booths, foot races, a blueberry musical comedy and a variety of musical entertainment. For info phone (207) 255-6665 http://www.machiasblueberry.com/
16. Camden Windjammer Festival – Camden Harbor http://www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com/. You can tour some of the ships in the harbor. There’s a build-a-boat race after teams have constructed their boats on site. There’s food and dancing in the streets. And it all takes place Labor Day weekend. Great way to wrap up the summer.
AMUSE YOURSELF
17. Seacoast Fun Parks – one in Trenton and one in Windham. http://www.seacoastfunparks.com/ Go Karts, Climbing wall, mini golf, Windham has a slingshot trampoline and a giant sky swing. Trenton’s got waterslides and a water wars set up to blast each other.
18. Funtown USA – Saco, Maine http://www.funtownsplashtownusa.com// - this is a nice amusement park to visit. You know I am a big fan of big roller coasters, but this park holds a special place for me because it was where I had my first job as a teen.
19. York Wild Kingdom - York - http://www.yorkzoo.com/ Fun as a kid, fun with your kid. Check out York Beach while you're in the area.
20. - Aquaboggen Waterslide – Saco, Maine - http://www.aquabogganwaterpark.com/ another park on my resume, this one is the original waterslide in Maine and has expanded tremendously over the years. Prices are really reasonable.
21. Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach – http://www.palaceplayland.com/ – claims to be the only beachfront amusement park in New England and I can’t argue with them. While you’re there, eat Pier Fries and caramel corn. Take a walk on the pier. It’s hokey and fun. The rides include a small roller coaster, giant swing, classic carousel, and a Ferris wheel that offers awesome views of the beach. The best part is that it’s free admission. You just pay for the rides you go on and don’t have to buy a day pass to just walk around and do a couple of rides or play games. Great people watching, too.
22. Mini golf – lots of places around the state. Really too many to list, but I found a directory online www.miniaturegolfer.com/maine_miniature_golf_courses.html
EAT AND SHOP
23. The Big Chicken Barn – you read that right. Antiques shopping in an old chicken barn. http://www.bigchickenbarn.com/.
24. Marden’s Salvage - http://www.mardens.com/ - if you happen to be near a Marden’s and you have time to shop, you’ve got to check it out. You can find great deals on things you didn’t know you needed. Great for seasonal decorations, garden stuff, flooring, and truckload sales of things like brand name pottery, women’s clothing, fishing and camping gear and golf equipment. Loads of fun to browse. We even saw a full sized disco ball there once . . should have bought it when we saw it.
25. Strawberry picking – a June tradition. Try Lavigne’s Strawberry Farm in Sanford. http://www.pickyourown.org/ lists farms around Maine.
26. Blueberry picking – late July and August – http://www.pickyourown.org./ I went to Blueberry Hill Farm in Acton a few years ago and picked gallons of berries in a short time. They’re high bush berries so they’re easy to pick.
27. Open Farm day – this year it’s July 25th. Farms around the state open their barns, lay out samples of their products, and give hay rides. www.getrealmaine.com/
28. The Clambake – Scarborough - http://www.clambakerestaurant.com/ – I know there are lots of places to get fried seafood, but I’ve been going to the Clambake as long as I can remember. Portions are huge, especially in the off season, and prices are reasonable. The Captain’s and Mates plates are big enough to share. You can sit in one of the giant dining rooms or out on the glassed in porch. On our last visit, an egret stood in the marsh and ate while we did. Save your leftovers to feed the seagulls outside. They wait to swoop in when people walk out with food.
29. Garside’s Ice Cream – Saco – my favorite ice cream place of my childhood. Try the ginger ice cream. Peppermint is fabulous, too. I have sweet memories of black raspberry cones.
30. Big G’s in Winslow has these giant amazing sandwiches. The bread is soft and the fillings are incredibly generous. The whoopee pies are the size of whoopee cushions. http://www.big-g-s-deli.com/
31. GUNS, WEDDING GOWNS, COLD BEER. While you’re in that neck of the woods, just stop in and check out Hussey’s General Store in Windsor. http://www.husseysgeneralstore.com/
32. Governor’s Restaurants are famous statewide. You’ve got to check out the desserts. The Old Town location is the original and has a neat miniature train track that runs through the dining rooms. June is their anniversary and they’ve got great specials going on through the end of the month. http://governorsrestaurant.com/
33. Pat’s Pizza – http://www.patspizza.com/ – 13 locations in the state, with the original in Orono. All I’ve got to say about the pizzas: It’s the sauce. It’s amazing.
SWIM & PLAY
34. Bunganut Lake State Park in Lyman/Alfred has a nice playground, parking, and the water is clear and sandy bottomed. Great place for taking the kids
35. I almost don’t want to divulge this one. My family has been going to this pond for generations. Long Pond in Parsonsfield. No web site. Search for it on a map in that area. The Road Between the Ponds (yes, that’s really the name) has a small beach area through the woods. The pond is shallow and sandy. Great for family fun. Clean and sandy.
36. Mousam Lake in Acton. There’s a small public beach, but it’s a great place to rent a cottage for a week. Lots of activity on the lake: boating, waterskiing, etc.
37. In the Bangor area, take the family to the Beth Pancoe Pool right next door to the Mansfield Stadium. Believe it or not, this public pool has two multi story waterslides, a zero entry kiddie area complete with things that dump and spray. There’s a grassy area if you want to bring your blanket, chairs and a picnic. There’s a playground just outside and beware, the ice cream truck idles outside on hot days.
38. University of Maine Campus Recreation Center welcomes guests from the community at a daily rate of $7.00. The pool is indoors and is well suited for family fun. there are two lap lanes, an open recreation area, a twenty something person hot tub, and shallow play area with fountains to splash in and my personal favorite, a circular vortex pool (that’s right, continuously whirling water). A blast on a rainy day or when the sun shines too brightly for tender skin. www.umaine.edu/campusrecreation/facilities/recreationcenter.html
39. Mother’s Beach, Kennebunk – we have so many awesome beaches in this state, but this is a good one for families. It’s a small beach. It’s locally known as Mother’s Beach but the real name is Kennebunk Beach. It’s the southernmost beach in Kennebunk. Follow Beach Street until you reach the small parking lot on the ocean side. There is a playground just steps away, thus the name “Mother’s Beach” as it makes a great place to take the kids for the day. Low tide exposes rocks to climb and tide pools to explore.
40. Fortune’s Rocks Beach, Biddeford- the name comes from the millions of smooth beach rocks that are deposited on this beach. At low tide the beach is wide and flat. Tidal pools and seagulls make it a quintessential Maine beach experience. Off of route 9 in Biddeford.
41. Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island – it’s worth it to pay the entry fee to the park, but get there early for good parking. There are bathrooms and changing rooms. Steps lead you down to the beach from the parking area to a soft sandy beach. Spend the day and enjoy the views of Acadia and Great Head.
42. Macworth Island – Falmouth – there’s a nature trail that wraps around the island with a couple of places you can get down to the beach. Views of Casco Bay. There’s a fairy garden to contribute to if you’re so inclined. Gather things along the path like pine cones and shells. Follow the signs for the Baxter School for the Deaf from Route 1. www.trails.org/map_files/mackworth_page_description.html
43. Scarborough Marsh canoe rental – Scarborough - www.maineaudubon.org/explore/centers/marsh. You can rent a canoe or kayak and paddle around the marsh. Take a tour or do a self guided one and learn about this important part of Maine’s ecosystem.
44. Biking the carriage trails at Acadia is one of my favorite experiences. Forty five miles of groomed, broken stone roads that are free of vehicle traffic. www.nps.gov/acad/historyculture/historiccarriageroads.htm. You’ll be able to find a route that will be suitable for all ages and abilities. You can circle around Eagle Lake, head over to Jordon Pond for lunch, make your way up Day Mountain and enjoy the long coasting ride down. Many places to picnic.
45. Try walking on peat bogs. Well, not ON them, on the boardwalks built over them. In Saco, the Saco Heath www.sacobaytrails.org/sacoheath.shtml and http://celestecota.blogspot.com/2010/04/saco-heath.html Also check out the Orono Bogwalk, part of the Bangor City Forest http://www.oronobogwalk.org// Very cool afternoon stroll.
OTHER DIVERSIONS
46. Feel like getting high? Ok, not that kind . . . check out the glider rides offered by Acadia Air Tours http://acadiaairtours.com/. You can take a ride over Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mountain, or the Beehive. My husband took me up over Bar Harbor when we were first dating and it was amazing. Bring your camera.
47. Dive In Theatre – Diver Ed http://divered.com/ You take a boat ride out into Frenchman Bay in Bar Harbor. Ed dons scuba tank, video and sound equipment and heads into the bay, showing you the creatures that live at the bottom of the bay. Captain Evil (nice name) stays topside to narrate the tour. They have a touch tank where you can check out the sea life they bring up before it gets returned to the sea. It’s a two hour adventure that the kids (and you) will love.
48. Searsport Flea Markets – Route 1 in Searsport – lots of free fun to check out the stuff they have for sale. You can paw through records, lunchboxes, bottles, things you haven’t seen since childhood, and things you’ll wonder “why?”
49. Perry’s Nut House – Belfast - http://www.perrysnuthouse.com/. As long as I can remember, this has been a fun stop. The fudge. The candy. The nuts, of course. The funhouse mirrors and wacky stuff they have there are worth the stop.
50. Saco Drive In – Saco – Route 1 – Been to a drive in lately? The Saco Drive in runs current movies. There’s a comment on their Facebook page about parents taking their kids to the drive in in their pajamas. My parents did that, too! It was fun then and still is. Their burgers are good and greasy, like drive in food should be.
Wow. I did it. We’ve got a lot to do here in Maine. If you live here, get out and enjoy what’s in your backyard. If you’re visiting, have fun deciding what you’re going to do because you have a lot of choices!
General Information and the source for some of the information provided here comes from these websites. Personal experience has been added.
http://www.maine.info/events/festivals
After reading it and taking some notes of things to add to my own summer calendar, like going to the Whoopie Pie festival in Dover-Foxcroft on June 26th and checking out Thai Chili ice cream at Mount Desert Island Ice Cream, I got to thinking about how I could add to Emily’s list.
Could I come up with ANOTHER 50 Things to Do in Maine This Summer? Here’s my attempt
FESTIVALS
1. Strawberry festival – South Berwick – http://southberwickstrawberryfestival.com/default.aspx Saturday, June 26th. Food, crafts, strawberries, of course. Features a bake-off, juried craft show with over 120 artisans, and entertainment. This festival is always the last Saturday in June, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Central School grounds across from Town Hall. Phone (207) 384-2882 for details.
2. Canoe Hullabaloo Celebration – Old Town June 18th & 10th. N. Main Street, Old Town 207-827-8744 or http://www.rivercoalition.org/canoe_hullabaloo Nightly entertainment, canoe races, road races, canoe regatta.
3. Windjammer Days – Boothbay Harbor - http://www.chambermaster.com/directory/jsp/events/EventPage.jsp?ccid=538&eventid=3003. June 22nd & 23rd 48th Annual Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor. Enjoy fully rigged windjammers sail into Boothbay Harbor. Two days of family fun, pancake breakfasts, waterfront concerts, art & craft fair, hometown street parade, antique boat parade and fireworks over the harbor! Great fun for all!
4. Lupine Festival – Deer Isle - 9th annual celebration of Island springtime: garden tours, local foods supper, open studios, boat-plane-schooner trips, quilt show, craft fair, kids activities. Deer Isle-Stonington Chamber of Commerce – 348-6124
5. La Kermesse Franco Americaine Festival – http://www.lakermessefestival.com/ Jun 24 thru Jun 27, 2010. Starts with a block party and goes on with events on Friday (parade, dining and entertainment) through Sunday. Held at St. Louis Field on West Street between Prospect and Hill Streets
6. Great Falls Balloon Festival – August 20th - Auburn info at http://www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org/ This is a big one, stretching over 3 days. Includes a photo contest and crafts and games. Food vendors are local area organizations.
7. Saco Spirit Sidewalk Art Festival – June 26th Jun 26, 2010. Over 100 artists and craftsmen will line Main Street and Pepperell Square during the Saco Spirit Sidewalk Art Festival, transforming downtown Saco into a giant art gallery from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For 40 years artist have traveled from all over New England and beyond to participate in what has become for many exhibitors one of their favorite festivals of the year.
8. Moxie Festival – yes, you heard right. Held July 9th – 11th in Downtown Lisbon Falls. More info at http://www.moxiefestival.com/
9. Maine International Film Festival – July 9th – 18th, Waterville. More info at http://www.miff.org/
10. 4th of July Celebrations: all over the state. Check local listings. Old Orchard Beach, Portland’s Eastern Promenade, Bangor. Day and time varies.
11. Yarmouth Clam Festival – July 16, 17, 18th in Yarmouth. More info at http://www.clamfestival.com/home.php lots of food, not just clams, great crafts set up, games and challenges.
12. Bangor State Fair – July 30th – August 8th in Bangor. Schedule of events and more info at http://www.bangorstatefair.com/ longest continually running agricultural fair. Over a week long event, there are rides, lots of games, food from everywhere, stadium shows, a photo contest, stage shows. It's a blast.
13. Schoodic Arts Festival- Aug 02 thru Aug 15, 2010. A two week celebration of arts and culture, including 65 workshops, 26 evening performances, free brown bag lunchtime performances, an art show, a silent auction, and much, much more. Most events occur at Hammond Hall. Phone (207) 963-2569 for details or visit http://schoodicarts.org/festival/festival-information
14. Maine Lobster Festival – this is a big one in Maine – held in Rockland Aug 04 thru Aug 08, 2010. The Maine Lobster Festival is one of New England's great summer events. Tons of steamed Maine lobsters, waterfront activities, maritime displays, Maine arts, naval vessels, harbor cruises, entertainment and a parade. For info phone (207) 596-0376 or (800) LOB-CLAW.
15. Machias Wild Blueberry Festival - Aug 20 thru Aug 22, 2010. This is the 34th Annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival. The Downeast region of Maine produces some 85% of the world's blueberries. The festival features baking and pie eating contests, over 200 craft booths, foot races, a blueberry musical comedy and a variety of musical entertainment. For info phone (207) 255-6665 http://www.machiasblueberry.com/
16. Camden Windjammer Festival – Camden Harbor http://www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com/. You can tour some of the ships in the harbor. There’s a build-a-boat race after teams have constructed their boats on site. There’s food and dancing in the streets. And it all takes place Labor Day weekend. Great way to wrap up the summer.
AMUSE YOURSELF
17. Seacoast Fun Parks – one in Trenton and one in Windham. http://www.seacoastfunparks.com/ Go Karts, Climbing wall, mini golf, Windham has a slingshot trampoline and a giant sky swing. Trenton’s got waterslides and a water wars set up to blast each other.
18. Funtown USA – Saco, Maine http://www.funtownsplashtownusa.com// - this is a nice amusement park to visit. You know I am a big fan of big roller coasters, but this park holds a special place for me because it was where I had my first job as a teen.
19. York Wild Kingdom - York - http://www.yorkzoo.com/ Fun as a kid, fun with your kid. Check out York Beach while you're in the area.
20. - Aquaboggen Waterslide – Saco, Maine - http://www.aquabogganwaterpark.com/ another park on my resume, this one is the original waterslide in Maine and has expanded tremendously over the years. Prices are really reasonable.
21. Palace Playland, Old Orchard Beach – http://www.palaceplayland.com/ – claims to be the only beachfront amusement park in New England and I can’t argue with them. While you’re there, eat Pier Fries and caramel corn. Take a walk on the pier. It’s hokey and fun. The rides include a small roller coaster, giant swing, classic carousel, and a Ferris wheel that offers awesome views of the beach. The best part is that it’s free admission. You just pay for the rides you go on and don’t have to buy a day pass to just walk around and do a couple of rides or play games. Great people watching, too.
22. Mini golf – lots of places around the state. Really too many to list, but I found a directory online www.miniaturegolfer.com/maine_miniature_golf_courses.html
EAT AND SHOP
23. The Big Chicken Barn – you read that right. Antiques shopping in an old chicken barn. http://www.bigchickenbarn.com/.
24. Marden’s Salvage - http://www.mardens.com/ - if you happen to be near a Marden’s and you have time to shop, you’ve got to check it out. You can find great deals on things you didn’t know you needed. Great for seasonal decorations, garden stuff, flooring, and truckload sales of things like brand name pottery, women’s clothing, fishing and camping gear and golf equipment. Loads of fun to browse. We even saw a full sized disco ball there once . . should have bought it when we saw it.
25. Strawberry picking – a June tradition. Try Lavigne’s Strawberry Farm in Sanford. http://www.pickyourown.org/ lists farms around Maine.
26. Blueberry picking – late July and August – http://www.pickyourown.org./ I went to Blueberry Hill Farm in Acton a few years ago and picked gallons of berries in a short time. They’re high bush berries so they’re easy to pick.
27. Open Farm day – this year it’s July 25th. Farms around the state open their barns, lay out samples of their products, and give hay rides. www.getrealmaine.com/
28. The Clambake – Scarborough - http://www.clambakerestaurant.com/ – I know there are lots of places to get fried seafood, but I’ve been going to the Clambake as long as I can remember. Portions are huge, especially in the off season, and prices are reasonable. The Captain’s and Mates plates are big enough to share. You can sit in one of the giant dining rooms or out on the glassed in porch. On our last visit, an egret stood in the marsh and ate while we did. Save your leftovers to feed the seagulls outside. They wait to swoop in when people walk out with food.
29. Garside’s Ice Cream – Saco – my favorite ice cream place of my childhood. Try the ginger ice cream. Peppermint is fabulous, too. I have sweet memories of black raspberry cones.
30. Big G’s in Winslow has these giant amazing sandwiches. The bread is soft and the fillings are incredibly generous. The whoopee pies are the size of whoopee cushions. http://www.big-g-s-deli.com/
31. GUNS, WEDDING GOWNS, COLD BEER. While you’re in that neck of the woods, just stop in and check out Hussey’s General Store in Windsor. http://www.husseysgeneralstore.com/
32. Governor’s Restaurants are famous statewide. You’ve got to check out the desserts. The Old Town location is the original and has a neat miniature train track that runs through the dining rooms. June is their anniversary and they’ve got great specials going on through the end of the month. http://governorsrestaurant.com/
33. Pat’s Pizza – http://www.patspizza.com/ – 13 locations in the state, with the original in Orono. All I’ve got to say about the pizzas: It’s the sauce. It’s amazing.
SWIM & PLAY
34. Bunganut Lake State Park in Lyman/Alfred has a nice playground, parking, and the water is clear and sandy bottomed. Great place for taking the kids
35. I almost don’t want to divulge this one. My family has been going to this pond for generations. Long Pond in Parsonsfield. No web site. Search for it on a map in that area. The Road Between the Ponds (yes, that’s really the name) has a small beach area through the woods. The pond is shallow and sandy. Great for family fun. Clean and sandy.
36. Mousam Lake in Acton. There’s a small public beach, but it’s a great place to rent a cottage for a week. Lots of activity on the lake: boating, waterskiing, etc.
37. In the Bangor area, take the family to the Beth Pancoe Pool right next door to the Mansfield Stadium. Believe it or not, this public pool has two multi story waterslides, a zero entry kiddie area complete with things that dump and spray. There’s a grassy area if you want to bring your blanket, chairs and a picnic. There’s a playground just outside and beware, the ice cream truck idles outside on hot days.
38. University of Maine Campus Recreation Center welcomes guests from the community at a daily rate of $7.00. The pool is indoors and is well suited for family fun. there are two lap lanes, an open recreation area, a twenty something person hot tub, and shallow play area with fountains to splash in and my personal favorite, a circular vortex pool (that’s right, continuously whirling water). A blast on a rainy day or when the sun shines too brightly for tender skin. www.umaine.edu/campusrecreation/facilities/recreationcenter.html
39. Mother’s Beach, Kennebunk – we have so many awesome beaches in this state, but this is a good one for families. It’s a small beach. It’s locally known as Mother’s Beach but the real name is Kennebunk Beach. It’s the southernmost beach in Kennebunk. Follow Beach Street until you reach the small parking lot on the ocean side. There is a playground just steps away, thus the name “Mother’s Beach” as it makes a great place to take the kids for the day. Low tide exposes rocks to climb and tide pools to explore.
40. Fortune’s Rocks Beach, Biddeford- the name comes from the millions of smooth beach rocks that are deposited on this beach. At low tide the beach is wide and flat. Tidal pools and seagulls make it a quintessential Maine beach experience. Off of route 9 in Biddeford.
41. Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island – it’s worth it to pay the entry fee to the park, but get there early for good parking. There are bathrooms and changing rooms. Steps lead you down to the beach from the parking area to a soft sandy beach. Spend the day and enjoy the views of Acadia and Great Head.
42. Macworth Island – Falmouth – there’s a nature trail that wraps around the island with a couple of places you can get down to the beach. Views of Casco Bay. There’s a fairy garden to contribute to if you’re so inclined. Gather things along the path like pine cones and shells. Follow the signs for the Baxter School for the Deaf from Route 1. www.trails.org/map_files/mackworth_page_description.html
43. Scarborough Marsh canoe rental – Scarborough - www.maineaudubon.org/explore/centers/marsh. You can rent a canoe or kayak and paddle around the marsh. Take a tour or do a self guided one and learn about this important part of Maine’s ecosystem.
44. Biking the carriage trails at Acadia is one of my favorite experiences. Forty five miles of groomed, broken stone roads that are free of vehicle traffic. www.nps.gov/acad/historyculture/historiccarriageroads.htm. You’ll be able to find a route that will be suitable for all ages and abilities. You can circle around Eagle Lake, head over to Jordon Pond for lunch, make your way up Day Mountain and enjoy the long coasting ride down. Many places to picnic.
45. Try walking on peat bogs. Well, not ON them, on the boardwalks built over them. In Saco, the Saco Heath www.sacobaytrails.org/sacoheath.shtml and http://celestecota.blogspot.com/2010/04/saco-heath.html Also check out the Orono Bogwalk, part of the Bangor City Forest http://www.oronobogwalk.org// Very cool afternoon stroll.
OTHER DIVERSIONS
46. Feel like getting high? Ok, not that kind . . . check out the glider rides offered by Acadia Air Tours http://acadiaairtours.com/. You can take a ride over Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mountain, or the Beehive. My husband took me up over Bar Harbor when we were first dating and it was amazing. Bring your camera.
47. Dive In Theatre – Diver Ed http://divered.com/ You take a boat ride out into Frenchman Bay in Bar Harbor. Ed dons scuba tank, video and sound equipment and heads into the bay, showing you the creatures that live at the bottom of the bay. Captain Evil (nice name) stays topside to narrate the tour. They have a touch tank where you can check out the sea life they bring up before it gets returned to the sea. It’s a two hour adventure that the kids (and you) will love.
48. Searsport Flea Markets – Route 1 in Searsport – lots of free fun to check out the stuff they have for sale. You can paw through records, lunchboxes, bottles, things you haven’t seen since childhood, and things you’ll wonder “why?”
49. Perry’s Nut House – Belfast - http://www.perrysnuthouse.com/. As long as I can remember, this has been a fun stop. The fudge. The candy. The nuts, of course. The funhouse mirrors and wacky stuff they have there are worth the stop.
50. Saco Drive In – Saco – Route 1 – Been to a drive in lately? The Saco Drive in runs current movies. There’s a comment on their Facebook page about parents taking their kids to the drive in in their pajamas. My parents did that, too! It was fun then and still is. Their burgers are good and greasy, like drive in food should be.
Wow. I did it. We’ve got a lot to do here in Maine. If you live here, get out and enjoy what’s in your backyard. If you’re visiting, have fun deciding what you’re going to do because you have a lot of choices!
General Information and the source for some of the information provided here comes from these websites. Personal experience has been added.
http://www.maine.info/events/festivals
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