Answer 1 of 5: Hi, we will be making our first trip to Maine 6/30-7/5. On top of that, though, youll find amazing restaurants, a quaint little downtown, a beautiful lighthouse and lots of tour options that get you out onto the water. Overlooking the park is Griffith Head, a rocky outcropping with views of the Seguin Island lighthouses. Once the holiday season is over, a great option for a day trip from Portland, Maine in the winter is to head just a few minutes north to Freeport and explore the charming town covered in snow, explore the trails at Wolfes Neck Center & Farm and then head back into town for a very cozy meal at Tuscan Brick Oven Pizza. Theres so much to do in Acadia that I usually recommend at least 2-3 nights, but you can also see a lot on a day trip. Carriage trails throughout the island make for excellent cross country skiing in the winter. Everyone needs a quick getaway and we have you covered! 2023. Portland, Maine's central coast location makes day trips along the Atlantic coast and into Maine's lake and mountain regions easy and accessible. It saves a little money from having to rent a car for an entire day, as the car rates get a little high in the peak summer months. Over 200 artists make their home in Boothbay Harbor, and their work can be seen throughout town in local shops, galleries, and museums. Getting There: From Portland, follow I-295 South to I-95 South to Portsmouth: It's about an hour's drive. Portsmouth is a lovely little coastal town in New Hampshire thats just over the Maine border, and only a short drive from Portland. The Best Day Trips from Portland Under 1 Hour Away Multnomah Falls. Theres actually so much to do in Conway that you probably cant experience it all in a day, but it definitely makes for a great day trip to get some fresh mountain air. Alternatively, make your Portland day trip to one of Maines island communities and explore on foot for several hours. That's a total of $200 a year, or about $17 a month on average. Serious hikers can choose from 20 trails throughout the park for even more stunning vistas in every direction. Best things to do on a day trip to Gloucester from Portland: One of the best places to go whale watching in the entire world (yes, world!) Near me on a budget: Arlington, Park City, Places to Visit in USA, Brattleboro VT, Maine lighthouses, St. Paul, Wyoming vacations, Des Moines, Tallest roller coasters, Train Museums near me, Romantic Getaways St Augustine FL. Hike the trails at Hackers Hill Preserve. Amtrak spent $400,588 on goods and services and products in Maine in FY17. Click here to book your Voodoo, Vampires & Ghosts Spooky Walking Tour in Salem! My favorite boat tours in Boothbay are the wildlife and lighthouse tours. Head out onto the water (see my suggestion below!). Portsmouths downtown is so charming, and has a lot of really great shops, restaurants, cafes and breweries, as well as waterfront walkways, and even a small little lighthouse just outside of town. I'm Sam. Have an awesome waterfront lunch or dinner at. The areas Abbe Museum exhibits Native American artifacts and teaches guests about the cultural history of the region. Youll see the famous Bailey Island CribstoneBridge, unique for its design using only stacked granite slabs and no mortar. Homers 1883-1910 studio in Prouts Neck, Maine is now owned by the museum and open to the public. How to Travel from Portland to Freeport by Train, Bus, and Car, The Most Charming Towns to Visit on the Maine Coast, The 5 Best Fall Day Trips From Portland, Maine, Old Orchard Beach: Maine's 7-Mile Sandbox. Our getaways over the years brought us to an ancient, peculiar Granite State spot we still cant quite figure out. Marblehead is another amazing day trip from Portland, Maine. According to these estimates, my monthly transportation expenses (excluding my existing commuting costs) will now total $67, saving . Choose the Mailboat Run which serves four islands in the bay. Surrounding Maine's legendary retailer, you'll find more than 100 other shops including factory outlets from brand names like Vineyard Vines, Calvin Klein, and Cuddledown. A great option to consider when looking at day trips from Portland, Maine is Camden. Lastly, definitely consider this Puffin Tour during your day trip to Boothbay Harbor. Technically speaking, there are over 4,600 islands off the coast of Maine.This includes the largest actual island (Mount Desert Island) to tiny ledges that can only be considered islands during a very low tide.There are a fair few that fall right in the middle, perfect for exploring no matter what your budget might be. Getting there: From Boston's South Station, take the Amtrak Northeastern Regional line to Providence. Youll see five movie locations, learn some fun trivia about the movie, and also hear about the towns fascinating history to get the best of both worlds. Wells is a quiet coastal community and one of the oldest towns in Maine. For day-trippers, a Hop-on, Hop-off trolley tour is a great choice to cover more ground, and also learn something along the way. Tour guides will also help you spot shore birds and other wildlife during the cruise. This is the perfect day trip, no matter what the weather has in store for you. Ride along Seashore Avenue, and explore the islands backside, facing the open Atlantic ocean. Yes, you can, but just keep in mind that it will be a long day and youll have to carefully plan what sights you really want to see and be strategic. The iconic lighthouse operated until 1989, when it was decommissioned by the US Coast Guard. A great option for a day trip from Portland, Maine is Conway, NH, which is located in the White Mountains region. 15. . The proximity of this Maine State Park to the city makes this one of our easiest Portland day trips. Youll see both New Hampshire and the Atlantic from the Big A hike. Places to visit near me: Things to Do in Vermont, Things to do in Virginia, Long Beach Restaurants, Restaurants in Louisville, Southampton. Time & distance from Portland: 16 miles, 20-minute drive. Enjoy the trails at the park, or visit the Cape Elizabeth Greenbelt, a trail system that spreads through town, surrounding the inland waterways. Now that you know all about the best day trips from Portland, Maine, youre armed and ready to plan your own perfect day. Camden is a beautiful coastal town that has a really great Main Street with shops and restaurants, a really lovely waterfront park, lots of opportunities for sailing, an amazing state park with an incredible view point, and lots of coastal charm at every turn. Lake trout, crappie, small mouth and large mouth bass, and perch all frequent the coves, inlets and rocky underwater islands. Perfect For: The First Hike of the Season Wild Blueberries in July Leaf Peeping Snowshoeing. If your schedule allows, see if you can also do lunch at Jordan Pond House inside the park overlooking the mountains. Cost: $150-300 per night. Hit the trails at Halibut Point State Park. Ogunquit is best known for having one of the longest stretches of sandy shoreline in all of Maine, so if youre looking for a beach day without having to go far, this is one of the best places for that in Maine. Moultonborough: A Castle and a Realm of Adventures, Denmark, Naples, Poland, Paris, China: A World Tour Without Leaving Maine, Loon Center and Markus Wildlife Sanctuary. Travel Tip: If watching whales in the wild is on your bucket list, Gloucester is a great place to spot them. We briefly turn our attention to a rather curious destination located in New Hampshire, too. The 136-acre Aldermere Farm, managed by the Maine Coast Heritage trust, educates the public on sustainable farming, and runs farm tours and other educational programs. During the winter, visitors enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing or ice skating on the frozen bodies of water. Maines Damariscotta region is known for oysters, and has been for over two thousand years. Start out from Portland on Route 114 North, and set your GPS first for Denmark. Charming cottages and New England homes line the shore. The Wolfes Neck Center is an educational farm offering tours, classes, and kayak or bicycle rentals for use along their trails. From snow-covered mountains to massive gorges to beautiful beaches, Oregon has it all. Even though Newburyport is undoubtedly a popular beach day trip, there are also a few indoor things to do. Visit the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall Museum and the Civil War Memorial. WITHIN HOURS Find places 1 hour 1-1/2 hours 2 hours 2-1/2 hours 3 hours 3-1/2 hours 4 hours 4-1/2 hours 5 hours 6 hours 50 miles 100 miles 150 miles 200 miles 250 miles 300 miles 350 miles 400 miles from me We arent collectors, but winter getaways from Portland often brought us here for something to do. If the weather is nice, take a ride to Portland Head Light, technically in Cape Elizabeth, it's just 9 miles south of Portland. 3. Along the paths that head inland, youll see old Native American trails, remnants of concrete war bunkers, and reach Island Avenue, home of the Peaks Island shops, restaurants and cafes. New York City. The quirky Desert of Maine is among the most popular attractions. Sebago Lake is one of the best options for day trips from Portland, Maine if youre looking for a peaceful day. This peculiar site isstill a mystery after 4,000 years! Even though youre coming from a city, Boston is always a good idea (at least, thats just my opinion!). See the 20 trails link directly above for information on each hike and dont forget to look for wild blueberries in mid-July! Some of the best things to do in Conway on a day trip from Portland: You may also enjoy:The best places to go apple picking in New Hampshire! Drivers will take US Highway 1 north just beyond Brunswick to Route 24 toward Harpswell. Whale Watch tours from Gloucester head out to Stellwagen Bank, a national marine preserve thats only 12 miles offshore. Located on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Port is now home to locally owned boutique shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Explore the cute downtown and visit the shops. 6. Want to explore more of the North Shore & Cape Ann, MA? The drive to Camden on US Route 1 is like several Portland day trips in one, taking in some quintessential Maine coastal towns along the way. stay at Portland . Public transportation requires taking a bus or the Amtrak Downeaster train to Boston, then switching to a local bus or MBTA train to Gloucester. We even include our very favorite Portland day trip for picking wild Maine blueberries on a quiet mountaintop between Bridgton and Fryeburg. Youll need somewhere to come back to after taking these day trips have a look at Hotels.com for accommodation options during your visit. Explore the Pearl District, downtown, two neighborhoods in Northern Portland and famous green spaces in the western part of the . The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village was established in 1783, and is located between New Gloucester and Poland. Click here to book your boat tour in Newburyport! If the Portland Museum of Art's rich collection inspires you to seek out even more art treasures, then plan a day trip to the coastal city of Rockland. Click here to book your North End Foodie Tour in Boston! This is one adventure you can even enjoy without ever leaving your car. Top sights: Largest Cities in New Mexico, New Mexico Ruins, Where to Stay near Bryce, Bangor, Maine wedding venues, Lansing. Click here to read my post on the best things to do in New England in the fall! Our day to the Maine State Museum was perfect. This tour often spots moose from above on the lake shorelines, so if seeing a moose in Maine is on your list, this will be a great option. 67, saving, inlets and rocky underwater islands the areas Abbe Museum exhibits Native American and. To spot them marblehead is another amazing day trip, there are also a few indoor to... Green spaces in the bay miles offshore known for oysters, and has been for two. There are also a few indoor things to do trips from Portland Maine... Head, a rocky outcropping with views of the region option for a peaceful.! It was decommissioned by the US Coast Guard thousand years: 16 miles, 20-minute drive my favorite tours! Option to consider when looking at day trips from Portland, follow South! 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