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. 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) Explore the most charming streets in the Beacon Hill neighborhood (my favorite thing to do!). And since these two towns are so close to one another, you could easily combine them into one festive day trip. My favorite boat tours in Boothbay are the wildlife and lighthouse tours. Other hiking trails meander through hemlock and pine forest and along the Harraseeket River as well. How to Get Around During Your Road Trip to Maine Since you're planning a Maine road trip, you'll obviously need a car while you're here. Admire the most painted building in the U.S. Motif 1. A longer route, which hugs the coast along Maine before heading inland, takes you a little further at 300 miles. Visiting this megalithic monument comes with an especially strong recommendation. How do you get round Portland Maine without a car? During your day trip, youll want to consider booking a tour on the Millie B, where youll get to take in the spectacular views of the region, and maybe even spot a loon or two. Explore Plum Island and the scenic trails at. But Freeport isn't just shopping. Youll find this collection of Maine facts, oddities, artifacts and displays worth the drive from Portland. Sebago Lake is one of the best options for day trips from Portland, Maine if youre looking for a peaceful day. Marblehead has an awesome historic district with beautiful houses to admire, cute little shops and cafes, plenty of waterfront to explore and is even home to some Hocus Pocus filming locations! Youll find a dense bank of bushes practically overhanging the top of Pleasant Mountain. Lastly, definitely consider this Puffin Tour during your day trip to Boothbay Harbor. Bus operators. I'm Sam. Get lost in the charming residential side streets. Airlines Delta United Airlines JetBlue Airways Train operators MTA The areas Abbe Museum exhibits Native American artifacts and teaches guests about the cultural history of the region. Like Portland, Gloucester is a harbor town, but its rough-and-tumble character is distinct in all of New England. Maines Lakes Region is anchored by the grand Sebago Lake and Jordan Bay, surrounded by several smaller bodies of water. Theres actually so much to do in Conway that you probably cant experience it all in a day, but it definitely makes for a great day trip to get some fresh mountain air. By VacationIdea Staff on October 2, 2022 - Updated. The 136-acre Aldermere Farm, managed by the Maine Coast Heritage trust, educates the public on sustainable farming, and runs farm tours and other educational programs. Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 30 minutes. If the Portland Museum of Art's rich collection inspires you to seek out even more art treasures, then plan a day trip to the coastal city of Rockland. Moultonborough is also home to the Loon Center and Markus Wildlife Sanctuary, where a walk along the Loon Nest Trail allows you to view a nesting pair of loons from late spring through early fall. The 1791 lighthouse and award-winning museum, located in the former keepers quarters, are open year round. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its packed with tons of charm, has some great beaches, awesome shops and restaurants and feels like a true escape from city life in Portland. Time & distance from Portland: 16 miles, 20-minute drive. Travel Tip: Sit back and relax on a golf cart, and allow Peaks Island Tours to show you this 720-acre island. In addition to self-guided castle tours and equestrian opportunities, the quirky former estate of self-made millionaire Thomas Plant offers 28 miles of hiking trails and dining with a spectacular view of the lake and mountains at the Carriage House Restaurant. This is the perfect day trip, no matter what the weather has in store for you. Home to Castle in the Clouds and Riding in the Cloudswhere you can ride horseback or take a horse-drawn carriage rideMoultonborough, New Hampshire, is a perfect day trip destination on Lake Winnipesaukee. Explore the islands of Casco Bay and Penobscot Bay or head inland along the rivers. We are staying downtown at the Westin and will not be renting a car. If the weather is nice, take a ride to Portland Head Light, technically in Cape Elizabeth, it's just 9 miles south of Portland. Approximately 5.5 miles from Bridgton (and just past Moose Pond) turn left on Mountain Road; parking for Bald Peak Trail is approximately 1.7 along this road. 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. 3. Waterfront view from hotel Dec 09, 2022 Maine Celtics & decent close hotel Nov 24, 2022 Thanksgiving Day Nov 16, 2022 What section of Portland to stay Nov 11, 2022 Staying in Portland or staying nearby and driving to Portlan Nov 06, 2022 Construction Nov 02, 2022 Way Too Long Trip Report Portland Area/Acadia-Plus Some Tips Oct 24, 2022 Rockport Marine Park. Hood, within a short driving distance from the city, to smaller towns like McMinnville and Eugene. Damariscotta itself, and Newcastle, sit opposite each other across the Damariscotta River, separated by a bridge. Visit Main Beach, rated among New Englands top ten beaches, embark on a sailing or fishing cruise from Perkins Cove, and enjoy fresh Maine lobster at the towns seafood restaurants. Total drive time is just about 45 minutes. Simply put, Camden Hills State Park is a classic coastal Maine day trip you need to make right now. The Kennunkport Christmas Prelude is one of the best Christmas festivals in New England, and Ogunquits Christmas by the Sea event will fill you with all kinds of holiday cheer. Walk along the coast of Cape Arundelon the Parsons Way Trail. Climb to the top via the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway, take the auto road, or enjoy a hike. View the bay from the top of Mount Battie at the Camden Hills State Park. E-bikes are so much fun to ride, and allow you to pack more into your schedule than just walking. Things to do near me today: Sarasota, From Boston, OR, NC, From Houston, NJ, GA. Freeport, Maine is best known as a shopping destination, a favorite of New Englanders seeking deals among the hundreds of brand-name outlets. Iowa, WI, From New Orleans, ME, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Montauk, FL, Beaches near DC. The ride is only about 15 minutes each way, and riding the ferry was a unique experience for my family. The kids loved it. However, if you want to take day trips to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, the wine country, or Mount Hood, or explore the Oregon coast, a car is necessary. Both villages claim historic homes and businesses, built in the 18th and 19th century. Theyll take you to some off-the-beaten path places, and youll meet with food artisans to sample locally-caught lobster, chowder, Maine whoopie pies, the absolute best ice cream in town, and so much more. Then Poland and Norway. Click here for more information on customized and luxury private day tours from Portland! See their website above for trail information. Visit the shops and restaurants downtown. Best things to do on a day trip to Rangely Lake from Portland: For something really fun and special (and a bit of a splurge thats totally worth it), consider booking a seaplane tour over the region. That makes Sebago Lake State Park and its beaches a perfect place to cool off on a summer day. Bar Harbor is the largest city on Maines Mount Desert Island. The French influence is still felt today, and can be seen in Lewistons Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1870. Alternatively, make your Portland day trip to one of Maines island communities and explore on foot for several hours. United States - Day Trips from Portland, ME - Can anyone recommend must do day trips from Portland, ME? We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. For many Portland tourists without a rental car, the streetcar will be all you need to see the city. If you drive the entire "world tour," you'll be in the car for about five-and-a-half hours without stops. Get some sweet treats to bring home (or eat on the drive!) The proximity of this Maine State Park to the city makes this one of our easiest Portland day trips. Stroll through Bearskin Neck and visit all the shops. Kennebunkport and Ogunquit are excellent options for days trips from Portland, Maine in the winter because of their holiday celebrations. Day 1: Portland. At the time, we arrived mid-week and pretty much had the entire place to ourselves! If your schedule allows, see if you can also do lunch at Jordan Pond House inside the park overlooking the mountains. Portland summers, though short and sweet, are sunny, warm, and come with lots of activity on the water -- aim for July or August. The Best Day Trips from Portland Under 1 Hour Away Multnomah Falls. Youll get recommendations for places to eat during the rest of your visit, and get to sample some amazing treats along the way like meats, cheeses, baked goods, drinks and pizzas. The best time to see the fall foliage in Maine is mid-September through the end of October. At $55 per person, the tour bus varies which breweries it makes stops at. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens This means that Newburyport is still a decent day trip option even if it's raining or cold. The mountaintop features a visitor center, an abandoned ski lift and a mysterious grave site. P-Town, a popular summer destination and legendary LGBTQ summer getaway, is at the very tip of Cape Cod. 2 Days in Portland Itinerary - Ideas For a Weekend or Any Time During the Week. Get out on the water to enjoy Casco Bay on our ferries and tours! This moderately difficult hiking trail is perfect all year but mid-July is when wild Maine blueberries are ready for picking! We uncover a variety of attractions nearby from hikes and Mainelandmarks to mysterious megaliths in the woods. This tour will start at Portland Head Light, and take you out to Camden, Bangor and some of the best sites in Acadia National Park, including to the top of Cadillac Mountain and Bass Harbor Lighthouse. In the warmer months, visit the Colony Beach at the mouth of the Kennebunkport River. The small island is home to 12 nature conservancies which protect the land and wildlife habitat. Along with your kayak rental, youll get a life jacket, as well as a map of the lake so you know the best areas to explore. Travel Tip: If watching whales in the wild is on your bucket list, Gloucester is a great place to spot them. The second-largest lake in Maine is also one of its deepest and clearest. If so, consider a brief detour inland for a drive or hike to Mount Agamenticus. Marblehead is another amazing day trip from Portland, Maine. Feel like a kid again at Weirs Beach, and ride the roller coasters, play arcade games and go kart. Below Ive also listed two options for companies that will drive you around Maine in a private tour if it works in your budget, and well as one tour in Portland that will feel like an escape. 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. Difficult as it is to imagine wanting to leave Portland, people do take day trips (sometimes two) from the city to explore the rest of Maine. Kayak the calm waters of the harbor, or enjoy the views from the grassy Getting There: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester is a 35-minute drive from Portland on Route 26 or the Maine Turnpike (take Exit 63). Ride Bus in Portland: Tri Met. How about Ogunquit or Kennebunkport for lunch or dinner? Romantic weekend getaways near me: Anacortes, Benton City, Cabin Getaways in PA, Cabin Getaways in Ohio, Blaine, Spring Green, Small vacation ideas, Tunquen, SoHo. Explore the coast for the best of Maine lobster, to see the many historic lighthouses, and charming coastal towns. New York City. (5 day-to-day round-trips Boston- Portland, of which 2 round-trips function to/from Brunswick). This is the only bridge of its kind in the entire world. Provincetown, MA P-Town, as it's better known, is a splurge to get to for a day trip. Weve picked blueberries here for hours in the past and always came away with full tubs. and continue eight miles to Maine Route 35. The pretty white stunner was built in 1791 and renovated in 1831. is actually right here in Gloucester, so this is definitely something youll want to consider for your day trip. Kennebunkport continues to be the summer residence of President George H W Bushs family. Drive or hike up Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park for an awesome view of Camden Harbor from above. Busses in portland go almost everywhere, are popular, reliable, and the reason I was able to so effortlessly live in Portland for 6 years without a car! 207/693-6613 ), on the lake's north shorethe park is off Route 302 (look . Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 20 minutes. 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! Once the holiday season is over, a great option for a day trip from Portland, Maine in the winter is to head just a few minutes north to Freeport and explore the charming town covered in snow, explore the trails at Wolfes Neck Center & Farm and then head back into town for a very cozy meal at Tuscan Brick Oven Pizza. 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. Click here to book your Voodoo, Vampires & Ghosts Spooky Walking Tour in Salem! Some of the best things to do in Conway on a day trip from Portland: You may also enjoy:The best places to go apple picking in New Hampshire! The modern shops occupy 18th and 19th century buildings and homes along Route 1. In Paris, Maine, there is no Eiffel Tower, but you can dine at Maurice Restaurant Francais. Getting There: You'll get to enjoy a scenic drive of about an hour and 40 minutes on Route 25 getting to Moultonborough. Located on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Port is now home to locally owned boutique shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. From natural wonders like Cannon Beach and Mt. The 5,7000 acre park offers over 30 miles of hiking trails, and views of Lake Megunticook from the 800 foot tall Maiden Cliff. Click here to book your 5-hour bike tour (with a lobster roll!) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Michel Hersen and Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com. Take a self-guided tour through the grounds and enjoy the peace and quiet of this wooded spot. Every day Estimated price $120 - $400. This is also a great destination if youre traveling with children, as there are lots of kid-friendly activities such as the Conway Scenic Railroad, roller coaster rides at Cranmore Mountain Resort and the Kahuna Laguna Water Park. Keep in mind that this is a fall-specific tour, and its not available year-round. Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River. Since Sebago Lake is the second largest lake in Maine, it covers a pretty big area, and there are a few different towns that surround the lake, which each offer really fun things to do. To explore out on the water, hop aboard a whale watch tour, enjoy a fishing or lobstering outing, take a sailing cruise or rent a canoe or kayak. Click here to rent your e-bikes in Gloucester! The iconic lighthouse operated until 1989, when it was decommissioned by the US Coast Guard. 7 Congress Square, Portland, Maine 04101, Phone: 207-775-6148. Maines Damariscotta region is known for oysters, and has been for over two thousand years. It's a pretty good service and we use it all the time. A great option for day trips from Portland, Maine without a car is this full-day Maine in the fall tour. Getting There: From Portland, drive north on I-295, then follow Route 1 through historic and scenic towns like Bath and Wiscasset, and you'll be in Rockland in just over an hour and a half. Portsmouth is a lovely little coastal town in New Hampshire thats just over the Maine border, and only a short drive from Portland. 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