Saco, Maine: Fun Things To Do Within A 1 Hour Drive

Summer & Fall: Saco is a haven for summer fun and with two major amusement parks this place is usually hopping. After you get your fill of the rides and water fun, jump in the car and head out to discover all there is to see and do all within an hour of this popular destination spot. Head south and you’ll find yourself surrounded by beaches, great dining spots and shopping all around. There are so many places to pick from and so many people, why not take time to find some of those hidden treasures of Maine like Cape Neddick Beach. This is a beautiful spot on the Southern Maine coast that offers views of Cape Neddick Light. There aren’t a lot of amenities at the beach but, it’s a quiet spot where you will be able to find a comfortable spot without having to fight the crowds which tend to flock to this part of the Maine coast. After spending some time enjoying the beach drive a little further north and head into Portland. Hop on the ferry and head out to for a visit to one of the islands found in Casco Bay. Chebeague Island has plenty of places to discover and is easy to find your way around. The largest island in Casco Bay you will find beaches, a golf course and some great hiking spots. Spending some time on the island gives you a breather from the everyday pace of the mainland. Another great place to check out is Naples in the Sebago Lakes region. Naples sits between Long Lake and Brandy Pond. Visitors can take a ride on a Mississippi style river boat called the Songo Queen or relax lazily on the decks of the local restaurants which over look the lake while enjoying a cold drink in the summer heat. There is so much to do just within an hour drive of Saco so don’t get stuck in one spot, get out there check out all the things to do!

Portland, Maine: Breakfast Joints That You Gotta Do!

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: Everyone loves to find that “greasy spoon” where the breakfast is real and the portions are hearty. In the Portland area, there are some great breakfast joints you just can’t miss out on. The first place on your list of places to try is Marcy’s Breakfast & Lunch on Oak Street in the downtown area. There isn’t a lot of room in this place but, the food is always good, real home cooked breakfast items which keeps patrons coming back again and again. Of course, there is also Becky’s Diner sitting in the heart of the waterfront district on Commercial Street in Portland. The food is nothing fancy but, you get what you want the way you want it for cheap. This place usually has a waiting line on the weekends but, for the most part it’s worth the wait so it’s the perfect place to go if you are really hungry! Another place to check out for your first meal of the day is Uncle Andy’s which is just over the million dollar bridge in South Portland. This is a true breakfast joint. Whether you decide to sit at the bar or at a table you won’t leave disappointed. Your coffee cup will never run dry and your plate will be overflowing with food. Love the corn beef hash here and the biscuits and gravy are reminiscent of my trips to North Carolina! You won’t be leaving this place feeling like you didn’t get your monies worth. If you are looking for the classic diner atmosphere than the Miss Portland Diner is the place for you to check out. Open since 1949, the Miss Portland Diner has been “slinging hash” as a part of Portland’s community for decades. There are plenty of great breakfast spots in Portland so go take yourself out to breakfast this weekend and enjoy yourself!

Portland, Maine: Do You Like Beer? Here’s What To Do

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: If you enjoy kicking back and having a few cold ones Portland has plenty of places to choose from that will deliver just what you are looking for. There are plenty of places in town that provide a great atmosphere and the perfect pint. Places like Boru’s, Gritty’s and Rosies are all great spots to hang out with friends and enjoy a cold beer whether it be a local brew or some other, the scene is always relaxed and fun. Another great spot that is not well known is Novare Res Bier Café which is tucked away on Canal Street. This place is a true and authentic beer bar and it is evident that they take their craft very seriously. They offer 25 beers on tap and 230 bottled varieties. The atmosphere is very chill and it is the perfect spot to spend some time meeting friends for happy hour or just stopping by on a Saturday night out. After spending time enjoying theses local hangouts make some time to head over to Maine Brewing Supply where you can find just about whatever you will need to brew your own batch of beer. It’s not as complicated as you may think and you will be amazed at the amount of beer one batch will yield. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to spend some time with a delicious reward at the end. Another place to check out is Allagash Brewing Company where not only you can take tours of the brewery but, you can also find the beer making supplies you’ll need to brew the perfect batch of beer. So next time you are in Portland, be sure to enjoy a beer at one of the many places in town.

Portland, Maine: The Old Port! Just Show Up, There’s Plenty To Do!

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: If you are heading to Portland be sure to take some time to explore the Old Port. This part of town is a great collage of bars, specialty shops and great restaurants. You definitely will not want to miss all it has to offer and you can definitely just show up and find something fun to do. If you are looking for a great place to go grab a drink after work head over to the Sea Grille where this up scale restaurant bar caters to a slightly more mature crowd and is filled with good looking people and great drinks. If you are looking for more of a pub atmosphere then Rira’s is the hot spot. The bar is dark and reminiscent of an Irish pub serving the perfect black & tans. If you are looking for some great dinner spots, there are plenty of places to choose from it all depends on what you are in the mood for. If you want the freshest seafood, hit Street & Co., wonderful food and a great atmosphere. Even if you don’t have a plan, anyone of the restaurants, Vignolia, Fore Street, in the Old Port won’t leave you disappointed. After dinner, head over the Chocolate Bar and either enjoy a late night cordial or a delicious dessert. There are plenty of great specialty shops to check out from clothing to jewelry to art there is something for everyone. The Old Port area is also home to some great coffee shops, most have wireless internet service so you can enjoy your cup of joe while surfing the net. Love books? There are some great bookstores ranging from NY Times best sellers to antique books. There are also some great specialty food stores as well as a fun candy shop that you don’t want to miss on your way out of Portland. Spend some time in the Old Port where you will be sure to find plenty to do and more!

Westbrook, Maine: So Many Things To Do All Around You!

Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter: Westbrook has gotten a bad rap over the years and you would be surprised at the things you can find to do in this town. First thing to do now that the weather is getting nicer is to head over to the Westbrook River Trail where you will enjoy a nice 1.5 mile walking path along the Presumpscot River where you can catch some great views of Saccarappa Falls. You can also spend some time enjoying your self at Riverbank Park which is a great picnic spot if you have kids because of the new playground that just went in. In the summer months head over to Warren Pool where you can cool off and enjoy this outdoor community center or in the winter plan on doing some skating at Lincoln Street Skate Park (there is rollerblading in the summer). Westbrook is also home to Acorn Productions which will bring out the thesbian in anyone who is interested in taking acting classes or just wants to enjoy a great local production. Walker Memorial Library has been a part of Westbrook’s history since 1894. The building is small but, architecturally interesting and they have a nice selection of books. Westbrook is also right outside of Portland and Gorham which both offer a whole slew of things for you to see and do! Don’t let the rumors ruin your trip to Westbrook, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you discover!