Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: Maine’s slogan is “the way life should be” for a reason, it’s a beautiful state and offers natives and visitors plenty of things to see and do. Maine also has some of the best state parks from places to hike, camp, enjoy the beach or a part of Maine history the state park system is extensive and well maintained. At Maine’s most southern tip stands Fort McClary State Park in Kittery and you thought Kittery only offered outlet shopping. This is clearly one of Maine’s most significant historic state parks with the original fort standing guard over 275 years ago. At the eastern most point of Maine located in Lubec is Quoddy Head State Park and it is beautiful! This part of Maine known as “downeast” is very unique and almost preserved to the way life was in Maine in days gone by. At the heart of Quoddy Head is the candy caned striped lighthouse known as the West Quoddy Head Light. The park offers some great hiking trails with high bluffs that over look the cold Atlantic and where at any given time visitors can spot whales in the distance. The northern tip of Maine boast several close by state parks with Aroostook State Park being the largest of them offering camping hiking, swimming and a gateway to the great north woods. All of Maine’s State Parks charge daily usage fees but, they are minimal and the parks are well maintained offering the basic needs for day and overnight visitors. Take a trip and discover one of the state parks in your area and find out why this is the way life should be.
Tag: Fall
Gray: State Game Farm and Visitors Center
Spring, Summer, Fall:The State Game Farm and Visitors Center is a wild animal rehabilitation clinic. All of the animals you will see here have suffered injuries or were orphaned before they could survive on their own. The center also includes a picnic area, short nature trail and exciting animals that you might see in the wild such as lynx, bald eagles, bobcats and moose. There is also a fish hatchery on the property. The Center is operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. It is open daily from April throughNovember from 9AM until 4PM. Admission is 5.00 per adult and 3.25 per child.
Moose Watching: Never Got Sweeter in Scarborough
Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall: Trying to catch a glimpse of a Maine moose? How about one made of 1700 lbs. of pure, sweet, milk chocolate? At Len Libby Candies on coastal Route One in Scarborough you will find Lenny, the chocolate moose. Lenny was unveiled in 1997 and has been drawing an audience since. Crafted using Len Libby’s finest chocolate, you will find Lenny standing in a pool of tinted white chocolate. While visiting, you should take a tour of the chocolate making factory. All the chocolates are made the old-fashion way and is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Len Libby Candies also has a gift store and makes it’s own gourmet ice cream. Whatever you choose, you are sure to be delighted in this 78 year tradition!
Kennebunk’s Franciscan Guest House: The Secret Garden
Summer, Fall: One of my favorite spots in Kennebunk I actually discovered by accident. This gem is amidst the hustle of this quaint oceanside town. The Franciscan Guest House is situated on the beautiful 60 acre Franciscan Monastery Estate and Retreat Center. Here you will find a very affordable family vacation spot close to all the amenities of Kennebunkport village. The guest house offers visitors 65 guest rooms, suites, a dining room, meeting rooms and a salt water pool. The best part of all though is the amazing walking trails on Kennebunk River. Along the trails you will find gorgeous floral and fauna as well as rare outdoor Lithuanian shrines and statues. There is an open air chapel and a large open sanctuary yard for prayer and meditation. The surroundings exude a wonderful, peaceful atmosphere. Each morning guest enjoy breakfast which is included with their stay. Just a short distance from Kennebunk Beach makes this the perfect family retreat center at a very reasonable price. It is worth checking out this gem of a spot even if you don’t plan to spend the night. The grounds are open for visitors who just want to enjoy the beauty of this spot or may be interested in attending one of the specially scheduled events that take place during the summer and fall months.
Antiquing Along The Coast: A Treasure Finding Trip
Summer, Fall: Antiquing along Maine’s Coastal Route One can be a fun way to spend a day. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just a “day” shopper you will be amazed at what you can find. Maine has a fantastic collection of Antique Shops, Rare Book Shops and Collectible Shops and the reputation of housing some of the finest antiquing in the country. While antiquing along Southern Maine’s Route One you will find 27 different antique stores within a 28 mile span. These stores offer everything from furniture, paintings, dishes, linens to architectural salvage pieces. After a day of treasure troving, this area offers shoppers plenty of places to stop and refuel at one of the many restaurants along the way. Whether you are in search of five star dining or a seafood shack on the side of the road you are sure to find just what you need to keep you going.Spending a day antiquing along the Maine coast can provide the entire family with a fun experience searching for bargains and treasures from the past.