Must-See Activities and Attractions
Maine is not only visually stunning, it is a place that will stimulate all of your senses. From the sweet smell of pine to the exhilarating saltiness of sea air, from the tartness of wild blueberries to the decadent richness of lobster morsels dunked in butter, you'll have multisensory memories of your Maine vacation. While these highlights for family vacationers are mostly clustered along the coast, don't overlook the opportunities for outdoor recreation and quiet escape offered by other regions. Some of the best attractions have no signs and no admission price.
Acadia National Park
Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Route 3, Bar Harbor
207-288-3338
Acadia was the first National Park established east of the Mississippi River. Each year, millions flock to this 47,633-acre preserved paradise. Popular activities include driving the 27-mile Park Loop Road to view spectacular mountain and coastal scenery; walking, hiking, and biking on 45 miles of carriage roads; hiking 115 miles of trails rated from easy to strenuous; fishing; boating; horse-drawn carriage rides; cross-country skiing; snowshoeing; and ranger-led bird walks and other nature programs.
Funtown Splashtown U.S.A.
774 Portland Road/Route 1, Saco
207-284-5139
Maine's largest theme park is actually two parks in one. Enjoy the wooden roller coaster and other thrill rides, classic amusements, and kiddie attractions at Funtown. Cool off at Splashtown, home to the Fun Lagoon and more than a dozen water slides including two that are seven stories tall.
Kittery Outlets
Route 1, Kittery
888-KITTERY
The densely packed factory outlet stores of Kittery can get even reluctant shoppers' blood pumping. You'll find savings on men's, women's, and children's wear, footwear, housewares, giftware — even underwear — at the more than 100 outlet stores that line a mile stretch of Route 1.
L.L. Bean Flagship Store
95 Main Street, Freeport
800-559-0747, ext. 37222
What's open 365 days a year, twenty-four hours a day, and draws more than 3 million visitors each year? It's the flagship store of legendary Maine retailer L.L. Bean, a Main Street fixture in Freeport since 1917. The locks on the doors were removed in 1951 when the twenty-four-hour schedule was initiated.
Maine Lobster
Lobstering is one of Maine's oldest industries, and it remains a major contributor to the economy today. Believe it or not, the ultimate “other white meat” has less cholesterol than an equivalent serving of skinless chicken. Of course, you don't usually dunk skinless chicken in drawn butter before you devour it! Feasting on lobster is a must in Maine. Lobster boat excursions are offered along the shore if you'd like to see firsthand the life of a Maine lobsterman.
RAINY DAY
fun The Wyeth Center at the Farnsworth Art Museum (16 Museum Street, Rockland, 207-596-6457,
Old Orchard Beach
West Grand Avenue and East Grand Avenue, Old Orchard Beach
207-934-2500
When summer shines, so does this seaside family playground that hearkens back to an earlier era with its arcades, rides, amusement pier, and boardwalk lined with pizza and fried dough vendors. Best of all, the main attraction — the seven-mile sandy beach — is open free to the public.
Portland Head Light
Fort Williams Park, 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth
207-799-2661
You've probably seen photographs of Portland Head Light in lighthouse books and calendars. Join the 350,000 to 400,000 people who visit the first lighthouse erected on Maine's seacoast each year. Portland Head Light was first lit in 1791, and George Washington appointed its first keeper.
Whitewater Rafting
There are more than a dozen whitewater adventure outfitters in Maine, where river rafting is serious business. From late April until mid-October, controlled daily releases from hydropower dams on the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers guarantee excellent rafting conditions. Ask about minimum age requirements when booking your trip.
Maine Windjammer Cruises
800-807-WIND
Maine is home to America's most historic fleet of sailing vessels, and the Maine Windjammer Association represents twelve of these privately owned and operated tall ships, which take passengers of all ages on memorable voyages. While the accommodations are simple — a bit like camping on the water — the experiences are unforgettable as you ply the island-dotted waters of Maine's Midcoast region.
York's Wild Kingdom
Route 1, York Beach
207-363-4911
This wild place is part zoo, part amusement park. The attractions range from a walk-through aviary to a Ferris wheel, from a petting zoo to paddleboats, from a monkey exhibit to a merry-go-round.
