Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer: Portland has a fantastic network of thirty walking trails that lead you in and around the whole city. Now that the weather is cooler, taking a hike on the trail system is a fun thing to do on a brisk fall afternoon. You can choose your walking path whether you decide to take a run around the trail the circles Back Cove or one that goes deep into the forest like Baxter Woods, there are plenty of places to discover right here in Portland. One of my favorite places to go is the Eastern Promenade trail that follows the waterfront along Portland’s working harbor. This is a scenic trail that runs along the railroad tracks and offers great views of some of Portland’s famous landmarks such as Fort Gorges and the Ocean Gateway Terminal. Another great place to check out is Stroudwater Trail where it is not unheard of to stumble across deer grazing along the Stroudwater River. This 2.75 mile loop provides scenic lookout points and tucked away benches where you can sit and enjoy the view and the quiet sounds of nature. The trail system provides visitors with an opportunity to see a different side of Portland. The entire network of trails totals over 50 miles and stretches over the entire city to its borders. The trails are all maintained and well marked making it easy to find your way around. There are trail maps at many local businesses so you can plan your trip making sure you put this on your “things to do” list this fall. Grab your walking shoes and head out and discover why the folks in Portland love this well developed urban trail system right here in their own backyard.
Tag: Fall
Sea Glass: Scour The Beaches For Hidden Treasures
Fall, Spring & Summer: I love spending time on the beach scouring the sand for sea glass. Discovering these slivers of milky glass is like finding a treasured gemstone. Some of the best spots to find sea glass is in and around the rocky areas where the surf softly tumbles the glass refining its sharp edges and giving it a milky hue. A great spot to find sea glass is at Fort Popham in Phippsburg. Next to the old fort there is a pool that is filled with pieces of blue, green, brown and clear sea glass. They are not hard to spot and it is fun to discover all the shapes you can find them in. Another great place to find pieces of sea glass is on Head Beach just up the road in Phippsburg. If you head out to the left side of the beach you will find a rocky section where the sea glass gets caught between the rocks. Of course the best time to find these treasures are at low tide and you don’t need any equipment because they all seem to find their way to the surface as the tide recedes. The East End Beach in Portland is another hot spot and is covered with sea glass. Make sure you bring a bucket or something to carry all your pieces home in. Sea glass can be made into jewelry using fine wire or beautifully displayed in glass containers around your house. Hunting for sea glass can be a fun thing to do even on a fall day when the beach is not crowded and you don’t have to compete for your pick of the crop!
Dog Fun: Find Play Spots For Your Pup In Portland!
Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer: Being a dog owner in Portland can be tough especially if you are trying to find a place to let them run without a leash. There are some great spots around the city that allow for your friendly canine to get some exercise without the restriction of a leash. If your dog enjoys the water, a great thing to do is take your pooch to the East End Beach. Dogs can run free without a leash before 8 am or after 5 pm. While your pup is running and enjoying the water you could start your hunt for sea glass, the beach is loaded with these delightful little treasures. Another place to check out is Valley Street dog park which has been designed especially for your four legged friends. Complete with fire hydrants and bark chips your pup will love to run around in this fenced in park with his pals. Off Ocean Avenue in Portland, canine owners will find a great fenced in wooded park for their dog complete with a trail system and plenty of room to run. If you are in South Portland, Hinckley Park is a great place to take your dog with acres of space for them to run around on and ponds for them to swim in. Where ever you decide to go, there are some important things to remember when taking your dog out to one of these locations, first, make sure to always clean up after your pet and always make sure you stay in close proximity of your pet to make sure they don’t roam too far away. Having a dog in the city is possible especially with these great spot made just for your lovely pooch!
Toddler Activities: Keep That Little One Busy All Year Round
Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer: For those of you with toddlers you know that your day is full trying to keep that little one occupied and out of trouble. There are plenty of great things to do with your bundle of energy. One place to head is your library. Most local libraries have special toddler story times designed for your little one to enjoy their favorite stories and songs with other toddlers each week. If you need to release some of your little one’s energy a great thing to do with your toddler is to enroll in a parent/child swim program. This is a great way to get your child comfortable in the water and just have a blast! If you want to encourage that artistic flair in your child enroll your little Picasso in an art class at Art Play. This is a great art focused program which gives your child the chance to experience hands on art instruction while having fun of course! The Children’s Museum offers your child even more opportunity to experience hands on activities. With dress up opportunities and interactive exhibits your toddler will be able to run and play for hours while you just sit back and enjoy the fun. While the weather is still good, take your little tike outside and hit one of Portland’s great play grounds. Head to the Eastern Promenade where you will find a great play ground for your toddler along with a great view for Mom and Dad. There is plenty to do with your little one right here in Portland, so make your plans and head out today!
Seafood Restaurants In Portland: Eat Cheap!
Winter,Spring,Summer & Fall: I have found that living in Maine my whole life I tend to take for granted the fresh seafood options that are abundant when it comes to dining out. There are plenty of restaurants out there that can definitely whip up some of the finest creations using native lobster, scallops and shrimp but, sometimes the simple things like great fried clams hit the spot and certainly have their place in the culinary world. In the Portland area there are some great seafood places that keep things simple and definitely serve up some great fried clams and lobster rolls. One of my favorite stops if you are looking for no frills but, delicious seafood is Susan’s Fish and Chips on Forest Ave. The restaurant itself is not much to write home about but, the food…deliciously simple. The fried haddock is firm, perfectly breaded and fried to perfection. The clams and shrimp are hot, fresh and very tasty. Best of all, this restaurant is extremely affordable. Another place I like to go is Gilbert’s Chowder House. Despite the name, Gilbert’s actually offers a wide menu selection of fresh seafood dishes sure to appeal to anyone searching for great seafood. From fried native shrimp to baked or broiled scallops you will leave feeling satisfied that you just had a great meal at a reasonable price. Captain Newicks is another top pick for fresh affordable seafood. This is a family style, affordable seafood restaurant has been offering diners the freshest seafood for years. During this time of year you can even find fried smelts as one of the daily specials. Newicks has been packing diners in for years now and they have definitely found their niche in the “nothing fancy, just affordable seafood” arena.