Spring,Summer,Fall & Winter: The kids are running around, it’s raining outside and all of a sudden you need to find something to do! How about taking everyone bowling! Bowling is a great time and it’s not just for family, it’s a fun way to spend a night out with some friends as well. The Portland area offers a couple of bowling spots. If you like bowling the big balls you should check out Yankee Lanes. On weekend nights they offer “Rock n’ Bowl” where the black lights are turned on and the music is turned up. It’s a lot of fun and the kids really love it. In addition to having great bowling, Yankee Lanes has a snack bar, a video arcade, pool tables and entertainment like karaoke in the lounge area. There is a Yankee Lanes in Brunswick too so if you find yourself in the Mid-coast area be sure to check it out. If you are looking for candlepin bowling, which by the way is a New England thing only, you may want to head to Scarborough where you will find the Big 20 bowling alley. This is truly an original, the whole bowling center looks probably very similar as it did 40 plus years ago. There is a snack bar where you buy fries and hot dogs if you get a hankering. Westbrook offers two candlepin bowling alleys one is West-Port Bowling and the other is Colonial Lanes. Be advised that most of these bowling centers have leagues and there are times where the public is not allowed in so make sure you call ahead to find out lane availability. I also want to mention that the shoes, well they haven’t improved much in looks but, at both Yankee and Big 20 they were newer so don’t be alarmed!
Tag: Spring
Comedy Connection: Laugh Out Loud!
Spring,Summer,Fall & Winter: Feel like a good laugh? If you are looking for a fun night out with friends you should check out Portland’s Comedy Connection. The Comedy Connection is located right next to the famous Porthole on Custom House Wharf in the Old Port. Bob Marley, one of Maine’s funniest comedians is a regular and his act is enough to keep you bent over and laughing hysterically for hours! The Comedy Connection also offers both local and national talent Thursday through Sunday. Show times vary so you will want to make sure you check their calendar of events. In addition, the place is somewhat small so you will need to make a reservation if you plan on attending with a group of friends. There is a bar so drinks are available and you do have to be at least 18 years old to even enter so keep that in mind. We went with a group of friends one Saturday night recently. Before the show, we enjoyed some drinks and appetizers at Ri Ra’s just down the street. Ri Ra’s is a lively Irish pub that offers good food, cold drinks and also has a great couch area that faces a roaring fire. We were all cozy on the couch chatting and looking forward to the show to come. Overall, it was a fun night and the show was worth our time. We all were laughing so hard that we promised to go back again soon.
Car Shows: Cruise Over To The Largest Car Show In The State!
Spring: Car enthusiast watch out, the Bonney Eagle Car Show is almost here and now’s the time to make your plans to attend. This is Maine’s biggest car show and offers visitors an array of cars, over 2000 to be exact. From muscle cars, to antique autos, classics, street rods, corvettes to mini trucks you will find it all at this very popular and much anticipated car show. Held on the Cumberland Fairgrounds each May for over 30 years this show is well attended and is the kick off to the “cruise” season. Cruises are very popular amongst car enthusiast. Several car clubs around the state sponsor these events and during the summer months you can find one going on almost each night of the week in different locations around the state. Drive by the Dairy Queen in Rockland on a Tuesday night during the summer months and you will find the parking lot lined with cool old cars and it resembles a scene straight out of the 1950’s. The people that take part in these popular “cruises” share a love for the nostalgic and a passion for old cars and trucks. Many of these autos have been restored to their original condition which many of these owners consider a “labor of love”. So if you have an interest in old cars or are just looking for some fun way to spend a day than “cruise” on over to the Cumberland Fairgrounds in May and check out the Bonny Eagle Car Show!
Craft Classes: Dare To Be Creative
Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: People love to do crafts and it’s a great way to keep the kids busy during down time at home. From scrapbooking to painting and jewelry making there is plenty to choose from. If you are looking for craft classes a great place to start is your local adult education program at your area high school. There is usually a good selection that can be found and the prices are always very reasonable. Another place to check out is your local craft supply shops like Michaels. Often they will have a schedule available and classes range from wreath making and flower arranging to beading classes and jewelry making. The great thing about these classes are they are held on site and all the supplies you need can be found right in the store. If you are looking for more formalized craft classes the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts on Deer Isle offers a full range of craft classes using formats from clay, glass and wood to blacksmithing classes. They offer a wide variety of on-going hands on workshops to more intense 2 week training sessions and the best part is you don’t have to be an artist or have any artistic background to attend this school. Craft classes are not hard to find it just depends on what you are looking for. Consider taking a craft class, you could be opening the door to a whole new hobby and world of enjoyment for yourself.
ATV Riding: Get Down And Dirty On Maine’s 5000 Miles Of ATV Trails
Spring, Summer & Fall: The State of Maine hosts about 5000 miles of ATV trails. This gives Mainethe distinction of having more trails then any other state in theNortheast. This means there are plenty of opportunities for you to get inthe dirt with your beloved four wheeler. From Southern Maine to the tip ofthe State in Fort Kent you can find maintained trail systems that willlend you some of the best ATV riding in the country. Maine’s trail systemhas options for all skill levels of riders. It is great thing to do for families too! You can obtain maps of thetrail system as well as information regarding the challenges of the trailfrom outfitters in the area you have chosen to ride in. You will also findample opportunity to rent a machine and/or hire a guided trail ride if youwish. Trails will lead you to some of the most pristine areas of thestate has to offer. Whether you are looking for a single days ride or anovernight adventure there is a trail to accommodate you. . Maine’s trailsystem crosses both public and private lands. All ATV riders areencouraged to comply with off road ethics and laws. During the past fewyears several ATV clubs have been established in the state. These clubsare the backbone of the successful opening of the finest trail system inthe Northeast. Additionally, these clubs are a great source ofinformation regarding the best trails suited to make your ride all thatyou want it to be. You can find out how to contact several of theestablished clubs on line. If you are an ATV rider don’t miss theopportunities Maine has to offer.