You can take a nice hike around the park in South Portland where Portland Light is located. Every good Maine road trip needs a day (or weekend) at the beach. On top of that, though, youll find amazing restaurants, a quaint little downtown, a beautiful lighthouse and lots of tour options that get you out onto the water. We briefly turn our attention to a rather curious destination located in New Hampshire, too. The second largest inland body of water in the state, Sebago Lake is surrounded by the towns of Sebago, Casco, Naples, Raymond, Standish, and Windham. Youll also be able to see Mount Battie and Curtis Island Lighthouse during either sail. What are some popular things to do: Poconos, NY, TN, MI, OC, All Inclusive, Family weekend getaways, NJ, NC, VA, TX. Public transportation is difficult but possible. Visit the shops and restaurants downtown. Next up: Naples. 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal, ME 04069, Phone: 207-688-4712, Top Rated: Last minute places for couples: Charleston WV, Pensacola, Baton Rouge, Colorado Springs, Dayton OH, Dauphin Island, Provincetown, New Orleans, Philadelphia, UT, AZ, From NYC, CO. Brunswick, Maine is a charming New England college town thats been designated as a Main Street Community for its walkable downtown. Wells, Maine. That trend is likely to continue into 2023. At the 1850s Skolfield-Whittier House guided tours shed light on what upper middle class life was like in the 19th century. In the mountain regions youll find freshwater lakes, panoramic views, and local shopping and dining. Grab a lobster roll at Roy Moore Lobster Company. Gloucester is packed with maritimes history, and also has lots of waterfront to explore. There are so many options in Boothbay, and the views are incredible. At 5,200 feet, Mount Lafayette in Franconia is among the most scenic in New England. 3 days in Portland, Maine is the perfect amount of time. Take a tour, enjoy the trails and visit the 18th century barn. This is a guided tour that last about two hours, and is a casual cruise around town, as well as the surrounding islands. Also located within Cabot Mill is the Frontier bar and restaurant. 3. Climb to the top via the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway, take the auto road, or enjoy a hike. 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. Rockport, Maine has the honor of being named one of Americas prettiest towns by Forbes Magazine. Get an ice cream at the cutest little ice cream shack on the East Coast! and continue eight miles to Maine Route 35. Portland is blessed with a pretty prime geographic location - drive two hours in any direction and you might find yourself at the coast, on a snow-capped stratovolcano, in the heart of wine country, at a rock climbing crag, soaking in a hot spring or even closing in on other major cities like Seattle, Washington. Accessible via bridge, the islands retain a charming 1950s rural neighborhood feel. . Enjoy the trails at the park, or visit the Cape Elizabeth Greenbelt, a trail system that spreads through town, surrounding the inland waterways. Youll also listen to authentic stories from the Salem Witch Trials and hear about ghost sightings around Salem. We uncover a variety of attractions nearby from hikes and Mainelandmarks to mysterious megaliths in the woods. BUS, CAR, PLANE, TRAIN, + FERRY SERVICE . Take in the sensational views and feel the rush of the falls on this famous day trip from Portland. Area beaches include the Popham Beach State Park and the beaches at Reid State Park, or explore the Kennebec River. This quiet spot was our place to go for a refreshing swim in summer. Newcastles 1807 St. Patricks Church is the oldest Catholic Church in America. Distance From Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes. Cost: $150-300 per night. Lake Winnipesaukee is actually comprised of eight different towns, each with something unique and fun to offer. Ogunquit Performing Arts and the Ogunquit Playhouse offer year round theater and live music performances. 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! Yes, you can, but just keep in mind that it will be a long day and youll have to carefully plan what sights you really want to see and be strategic. I'm Sam. And since these two towns are so close to one another, you could easily combine them into one festive day trip. Maines Lakes Region is anchored by the grand Sebago Lake and Jordan Bay, surrounded by several smaller bodies of water. Homers 1883-1910 studio in Prouts Neck, Maine is now owned by the museum and open to the public. If you want to explore Maine on a drive, make a game of finding Maine towns with names inspired by faraway places. Walk around one of the many waterfront parks. Some of the best things to do in Ogunquit on a day trip from Portland: Click here to read my post on everything to do in Ogunquit! 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. 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. Here youll find man-made stone structures and standing slabs aligned with particular lunar and solar events. Galleries are located throughout town and the streets are often alive with outdoor art fairs in the summer months. Perfect For: Hiking Swimming in Summer Picnics Canoeing and Kayaking Fishing. Explore the coast for the best of Maine lobster, to see the many historic lighthouses, and charming coastal towns. Lastly, definitely consider this Puffin Tour during your day trip to Boothbay Harbor. It's the oldest lighthouse in Maine. Even if you just make the crossing to have lunch and ice cream, you'll feel like you've enjoyed a daycation with Portland in view. Explore the bay with a canoe or kayak tour, most of which include a trip to Hog Islands Fort Gorges, built in 1858. Bailey Island Perfect For: Picnics Scenery Seafood Day Trips Without a Car Something to Do With Visiting Friends or Family Combining with Cabot Mill in Brunswick or Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park (both below, respectively) 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. Explore the islands of Casco Bay and Penobscot Bay or head inland along the rivers. Click here to book your Kayak Tour on Sebago Lake! This is a walking tour, so youll also get to see some charming streets in the North End for a well-rounded day trip to Boston. Alternatively, you can take a Concord Coach Lines bus between the two cities for $40 round-trip. 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. Explore the most charming streets in the Beacon Hill neighborhood (my favorite thing to do!). Gloucester is a great day trip from Portland, Maine to consider, and is also only about 15 minutes from Rockport, so you can easily combine the two into one trip if you wanted. Whether youre excited to head to Boston and relive history and enjoy the amazing culinary scene, or youre looking forward to a quiet day at one of the best lakes in the region, the opportunities for seeing amazing landscapes and taking some awesome tours are endless. The 41-acre Two Lights State Park is home to twin lighthouses built in 1828. Where to go near me: Traverse City, Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Things to Do in Wyoming, Things to do in Delaware. 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. Click here to read my post all about the best things to do in Boothbay Harbor! 1. Technically speaking, there are over 4,600 islands off the coast of Maine.This includes the largest actual island (Mount Desert Island) to tiny ledges that can only be considered islands during a very low tide.There are a fair few that fall right in the middle, perfect for exploring no matter what your budget might be. While its a popular destination, it doesnt often feel super crowded, and definitely has a very chill atmosphere. 740 miles. Learn more through geological dioramas, ancient stone lithics, wildlife displays, information on past and present industries, antique vehicles and more. Both are excellent destinations to dedicate a full day to, however, so its entirely up to you! Or just lie in the sun along the sandy beach at bustling Sebago Lake State Park (tel. It saves a little money from having to rent a car for an entire day, as the car rates get a little high in the peak summer months. If you drive the entire "world tour," you'll be in the car for about five-and-a-half hours without stops. Even though youre coming from a city, Boston is always a good idea (at least, thats just my opinion!). Get lost in the charming residential side streets. According to these estimates, my monthly transportation expenses (excluding my existing commuting costs) will now total $67, saving . Stop in Owls Head on your way there or back to visit the lighthouse (its worth the extra stop!). For day-trippers, a Hop-on, Hop-off trolley tour is a great choice to cover more ground, and also learn something along the way. Dont miss the giant sacrificial table, carved with a channel to collect and drain blood from offerings. And actually this region is home to several lakes, and covers a lot of ground, so youll have lots of options when it comes to towns to visit, activities on the water and places to eat. Ah yes, the Otter Ponds make for a peaceful day trip just a stones throw from Sebago Lake. Located just over an hour's drive from Boston, Portsmouth was incorporated into the colony of New Hampshire in 1653 and served as the seat of government and a bustling shipping hub for many years. A recent survey by the Leading Hotels of the World found that Italy is currently leading the pack for bookings this year. Ride Bus in Portland: Tri Met. 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. The community offers workshops, a museum and tours. New Hampshires White Mountains National Forest traverses the border between New Hampshire and Maine. Lewiston, Maine is located in the Maine Lakes Region alongside the Androscoggin River. 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. In any season it's a lovely place to walk along boardwalk trails through the dunes and seaside forest of the island's the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. But if you're visiting the area in the summer and can swing it, it's well worth the cost.