Winter,Spring,Summer & Fall: If you are looking for some great things to do in Maine that won’t cost you a thing, then you should consider taking a trip to the Mast Landing Sanctuary in Freeport. The Sanctuary offers great hiking trail which are perfect for families with children. The trails are level and runs along a tidal stream. There are many opportunities to observe wildlife including blue heron catching fish just off shore. The whole area is absolutely beautiful year round. I recently hiked the trails with my kids during the winter months. The site of the ice formations meeting up to the granite coast line were breath taking. Another great place to enjoy for free is in Warren where the Georges River Canal System runs. There is a small park off Route 90 called Payson Park. This area was part of the lock system where mast sail ships would carry cargo to from the St. George River to the Atlantic. The park is small but, rich in history. A bridge leads visitors over the water and to the trails which run through the woods along the river. There is a play area for the kids and picnic tables in case you want to stop and enjoy your lunch. Antoher place to visit for free if you are in the Augusta area is the State House. Not only can you take a tour of this amazing structure made out of Maine granite but, you can also visit the Maine State Museum and State Library all found on the Capitol Grounds at no cost. If you find yourself in Houlton, then there is the Oakfield Railroad Museum which is a restored railroad depot turned into a museum. This is a great place to take the kids and check out how people use to travel. There are old steam railcars for visitors to explore and the train station is set up with historical pictures and artifacts like train tickets and the clothing the train engineers once wore. There are plenty of free things to do in Maine which are fun and informative for all ages. Take advantage of some of these great places the next time you are trying to think of something new to do.
Tag: Summer
Getaways: Find The Perfect Spot
Spring,Summer,Fall & Winter: Maine getaways are not hard to find it’s just a matter of what you are interested in doing. Once you decide whether it is a weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation it’s then just a matter of deciding what you are looking for. Maybe it’s spending time in the peace and quiet of a seaside inn or a cabin in the wilderness whatever it is, there are plenty of choices for you. There are some nice Inns in the Boothbay region. Boothbay is close to the whole mid-coast area with towns like Damariscotta and Bath close by. There are plenty of things to do, picnicking on Ocean Point, whale watching excursions, lobster bakes, shopping and antiquing in the area. In addition, there are some great beaches close by like Reid State Park and Popham Beach. Dining options are plentiful and golf is close by. Another great place for a Maine getaway is the Rangley Lakes region. This is a year round getaway destination with snowmobiling and skiing in the winter months and the gorgeous lake in the summer. There are cabins that can rented lakeside, B & B’s as well as resorts that offer visitors plenty to do. The area boast great fishing, swimming and boating in the summer months. There is plenty of wildlife to observe, hiking trails along the lake and near Saddleback. If you are looking for more of a secluded getaway where you can escape, you might consider the Isle Au Haut where you can stay at the Keepers House Inn which is a 45 minute boat ride to the edges of this tiny island which is surrounded by mountains, trees and the incredible Atlantic Ocean. The unspoiled beauty of this tiny island surrounds you and you will definitely find peace and quiet once you arrive. Maine getaways are plentiful to choose from it’s just a matter of deciding where you want to go.
Aquariums: Find The Best Aquariums In Maine
Spring,Summer, & Fall: When most people think of visiting an aquarium the Boston Aquarium usually comes to mind but, did you know we have one in our own state. That’s right the Maine State Aquarium located in beautiful West Boothbay offers visitors a unique perspective of some of Maine’s native sea species. The centerpiece of this aquarium is an 850 gallon tanks that is home to “dogfish” which are sharks and skates. Surrounding this huge tank are many interactive displays as well as a 20 ft long touch tank which is home to colorful sea anemone, star fish, sea cucumbers and more. The kids will be completely amazed when they are able to touch and pick up these unique sea creatures. Another interesting display is the huge collection of lobsters that range in a multitude of colors and sizes. There is a blue lobster, calico printed lobster and even a 23lb. lobster named Fritz. The aquarium is right on the banks of the ocean and the aquarium offers a view of life under the sea with a robotic underwater video camera. Visitors can watch underwater lobster traps and the creatures that hide under the granite rocks. This aquarium is a great place to visit and considering it is close to one of the prettiest coastal towns in the state you will still be able to find plenty to do in town when you are done with the aquarium. The southern half of the state has a brand new aquarium opening in the Spring of 2008 on Route 1 in Saco. Be sure to keep your eyes out for this new state of the art facility.
Beaches, Freshwater: Float, Boat Or Pack A Tote!
Summer: There are plenty of fresh water beaches in Maine and with so many great places to choose from it can often be hard to decide where to go. One of my favorite lakes is Damariscotta Lake and Crescent Beach is located on the east side of the lake. This beach offers beach goers powdery sand with a shallow walk into the lake. It is the perfect spot to take small children. With a playground and picnic area you will find that it is also a great spot for a family get together. Another great beach is Songo Beach located on crystal clear Sebago Lake. Songo Beach is a long stretch of sandy water frontage. The park offers a picnic area, volleyball pit, swings and a concession stand where hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and ice cream are all stand-bys. Barrett’s Cove Beach located in Camden is a great place to visit especially during the weekdays when it is virtually empty. The beach is located on Megunticook Lake and offers both sand and grass sitting areas for beach goers. Probably one of the most scenic and secluded beaches in the state is Webb Beach located in Blue Hill. The mountains surround this sandy beach making it the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic, go for a boat ride or even camp overnight at the campground located right on the premise. There is even a nature center for people to visit which makes a day at the beach both a fun and educational experience.
Beaches, Saltwater: Hit The Coast With The Most!
Summer: Nothing beats a day on the beach, the sun and the salt air lull you into relaxation. Maine has some great saltwater beaches that line our coast. If you are trying to decide where to go one of the largest beaches in the state is Popham Beach in Phippsburg. Popham is made up of a huge expanse of sand beach and offer great swimming. At low tide small, shallow pools. These often heat up nicely and make for great swimming for even the youngest swimmers. In addition to a beautiful beach, Popham has great picnic areas with grills and picnic tables. The facilities also include showers, cold water only, to rinse off at the end of the day and changing rooms. One of my favorite things to do at Popham is to walk to Fox Island at low tide and check out the views from the top of the island. There is also a smaller beach area on the island which is a great place to find some interesting seashells and sand dollars. If you are looking for another great beach that offers white sand and blue water than be sure to hit Ferry Beach in Saco. This beach has great swimming and picnicking area for the whole family. Ferry Beach is clean but, can be crowded during the summer months so you may want to arrive early. Perhaps you are looking for a more private salt water beach? If that is the case you should check out Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport. With so many beaches in Southern Maine, this particular beach often gets overlooked which makes it the perfect getaway spot if you are looking for some peace and quiet. There are great views from the sandy beach and eating dinner on the beach during sunset is a great way to enjoy the sites around you. Plus, it is located near Kennebunkport which makes it that much more attractive to those of you who are visiting this great harbor side town. With the beautiful harbor, unique shops and great restaurants you will want to make a stop in town before you leave.