Hood, within a short driving distance from the city, to smaller towns like McMinnville and Eugene. To explore out on the water, hop aboard a whale watch tour, enjoy a fishing or lobstering outing, take a sailing cruise or rent a canoe or kayak. Any time of year, visit the shops on Fore Street and Exchange Street, find fresh seafood at the Harbor Fish Market, and try a Maine potato donut at the favorite Holy Donuts. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens However, if you want to take day trips to the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, the wine country, or Mount Hood, or explore the Oregon coast, a car is necessary. Explore the bay with a canoe or kayak tour, most of which include a trip to Hog Islands Fort Gorges, built in 1858. The charming New England town is home to Acadia National Park, and is an easily walkable city great for exploring the shops, galleries and restaurants on foot. The furthest day trip from Portland, Maine is still definitely worth your time! Most day trips from Portland, Maine on this list are less than 2 hours away, with the longest being 2 hours and 30 minutes away. Quick Weekend Trips: Utah lakes, Mountains in Maine, Waterfalls in Maine near me, Maine Breweries, Things to Do in Ogunquit. Unlock What Makes This Coastal Community A Must-Do Destination. One of my favorite small waterfront towns in all of Maine is Boothbay Harbor, and this makes for one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. Go for a swim or walk on the shoreline of Goochs, Mothers or Colony Beach. Do a little shopping for unique finds at the Old Country Store in Moultonborough. Between the charming downtown, beautiful waterfront restaurants and amazing opportunities to tour the waters and see wildlife, youre sure to have a great day in Boothbay Harbor. Feel like a kid again at Weirs Beach, and ride the roller coasters, play arcade games and go kart. Here are my tips for a fun and easy visit with kids. Note: Check for current information regarding all departures aboard Casco Bay Lines. Your email address will not be published. Bethel is home to the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, The Ski Museum of Maine, Maggie Rings Nature Park, and the Bethel Recreational Pathway for cyclists. But Freeport isn't just shopping. Start out from Portland on Route 114 North, and set your GPS first for Denmark. My hope is to inspire you to have an unforgettable Northeast adventure of your own, and show you just how beautiful this little corner of the world truly is. Travel Tip: When you're ready to take a break from shopping, the Tavern Lunch Buffet at Freeport's Harraseeket Inn is one of the best all-you-can-eat values in New England. Drive or hike up Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park for an awesome view of Camden Harbor from above. 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. We arent collectors, but winter getaways from Portland often brought us here for something to do. McMenamins Edgefield is a 74-acre property sitting atop farmland near the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area a mere 20-minutes from downtown Portland. Rent a kayak and head out onto the water. Getting There: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester is a 35-minute drive from Portland on Route 26 or the Maine Turnpike (take Exit 63). For more information, check out our full article on how to get to Freeport from Portland. Visit the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall Museum and the Civil War Memorial. Even though it still makes me smile a little each time I say it, the single-terminal, 11-gate Portland International Jetport is Maine's biggest airport. Located on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Port is now home to locally owned boutique shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Whether youre excited to head to Boston and relive history and enjoy the amazing culinary scene, or youre looking forward to a quiet day at one of the best lakes in the region, the opportunities for seeing amazing landscapes and taking some awesome tours are endless. Weve picked blueberries here for hours in the past and always came away with full tubs. Trails range from easy to difficult, and several are open to cyclists, riders on horseback and skiers, as well as hikers. Distance from Portland to Mount Rainier: 138.0 mi (222 km) Drive time from Portland to Mount Rainier National Park: About 2 hours 23 minutes. The French influence is still felt today, and can be seen in Lewistons Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1870. Lastly, definitely consider this Puffin Tour during your day trip to Boothbay Harbor. Rockland's Center for Maine Contemporary Art, opened in 2016, will beckon to you with its exhibitions of work by the best living artists with ties to Maine, displayed in a Toshiko Mori-designed building. For many Portland tourists without a rental car, the streetcar will be all you need to see the city. In downtown Camden, enjoy shopping for antiques, browsing upscale boutiques, and eating fresh seafood, especially lobster, straight from the working harbor. Rent a jet ski or boat to spend the day on the water. Bring a big thermos of coffee on a chilly day and stay warm inside during your cruise. Again, Bald Peak Trail is good any time of year, even if you dont make it for the free mid-July harvest! The Ogunquit Museum of American Art was founded in the 1950s by a student working within the famous Perkins Cove artists colony. Explore the islands of Casco Bay and Penobscot Bay or head inland along the rivers. Ready for a winter cruise through Casco Bay? But if youre willing to stay in Portland, and head out for fun tours that will feel like day trips, this is an excellent option if you dont have a car! Have an awesome waterfront lunch or dinner at. Newburyport in Massachusetts is another one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. Walk from Ogunquits town to Perkins Cove along Marginal Way for one of the most scenic walks in Southern Maine! And since these two towns are so close to one another, you could easily combine them into one festive day trip. The jury is still out regarding who exactly built this site. We prefer more technical hikes, but the views over Megunticook Lake in summer and autumn make this trail worthy of a mention. Then Poland and Norway. Take a tour with the Naples Historical Society, their small museum features 18th and 19th century artifacts. Of course, the views from the easy hiking trails are the real draw here. Overlooking the park is Griffith Head, a rocky outcropping with views of the Seguin Island lighthouses. is actually right here in Gloucester, so this is definitely something youll want to consider for your day trip. With over 150 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and 27 miles of historic motor roads, Acadia spans varying terrain and offers something for the casual visitor, or the serious outdoor enthusiast. Stroll through Bearskin Neck and visit all the shops. 15. Alternatively, make your Portland day trip to one of Maines island communities and explore on foot for several hours. You don't need a car while in Portland because the city is well served by public transportation (light-rail, streetcar, buses). 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal, ME 04069, Phone: 207-688-4712, Top Rated: Last minute places for couples: Charleston WV, Pensacola, Baton Rouge, Colorado Springs, Dayton OH, Dauphin Island, Provincetown, New Orleans, Philadelphia, UT, AZ, From NYC, CO. Brunswick, Maine is a charming New England college town thats been designated as a Main Street Community for its walkable downtown. Screw Auger Falls 5. At 5,200 feet, Mount Lafayette in Franconia is among the most scenic in New England. Visit all the waterfalls at Dianas Baths. Explore the charming shops in downtown Rangeley. 7 Congress Square, Portland, Maine 04101, Phone: 207-775-6148. as you can in a day! Required fields are marked *. Day 1: Portland. Your email address will not be published. Bar Harbor is the largest city on Maines Mount Desert Island. I love Kennebunkport because theres so much to do, but its also a small town thats easily manageable for a day trip. Getting There The Casco Bay Ferry is the best and least expensive way for most people to get to Peaks Island. Today, Mile Beach and Half Mile Beach are among Maines longest and widest white sand beaches, and enjoyed by outdoor recreationists, as well as the endangered least tern, who uses the beachs rare sand dunes for nesting and feeding. Difficult as it is to imagine wanting to leave Portland, people do take day trips (sometimes two) from the city to explore the rest of Maine. Even though youre coming from a city, Boston is always a good idea (at least, thats just my opinion!). The Maine Lighthouse Museum is in Rockland, too, so you may want to consider staying over and making this a two-day trip. Getting There: The Casco Bay Lines ferry, which runs year-round at least 14 times each day, is the most popular option though you can also use the Portland Sea Taxi or Fogg's water taxi. If youre looking to get out on the water, this boat tour out to Nubble and Boon lighthouses is an excellent choice. This comes at no extra cost to you. Head over to Eastern Point Lighthouse and walk almost a half mile out on the breakwater. ), The Best Acadia National Park Itinerary (3, 4 & 5 Day Options!) Camden has some gorgeous vessels you can climb aboard, and youll have the opportunity to admire the landscapes from a unique perspective out on the water. Weve done these day trips from Portland in all types of Maine weather; take our advice and bring a long sleeve top in summer! Wells, Maine. Ogunquit Performing Arts and the Ogunquit Playhouse offer year round theater and live music performances. For foodies, definitely check out this North End Foodie Tour, which is led by a local culinary expert that knows all the very best spots. Top attractions like the Salem Witch Museum and The Witch House offer visitors a glimpse of the hysteria that gripped the settlement and its horrible repercussions. The mountaintop features a visitor center, an abandoned ski lift and a mysterious grave site. Wells is a quiet coastal community and one of the oldest towns in Maine. Two of my favorites are. The unique sand dune formation was formed by an Ica Age glacier. From snow-covered mountains to massive gorges to beautiful beaches, Oregon has it all. In all honestly, getting outside of Portland to explore the local areas without a car is very difficult, and sometimes not even possible. Grab some snacks, Maine whoopie pies and other delicious baked goods at Gemmes General Store. 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. The 5,7000 acre park offers over 30 miles of hiking trails, and views of Lake Megunticook from the 800 foot tall Maiden Cliff. She's been with TripSavvy since 1998. The quirky Desert of Maine is among the most popular attractions. Since Sebago Lake is the second largest lake in Maine, it covers a pretty big area, and there are a few different towns that surround the lake, which each offer really fun things to do. Danny Mejia is a record-setting long-distance runner who moved to Portland nine years . This spot is pure perfection! The Boothbay Region Land Trust is home to over 35 miles of hiking trails, while the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offer a colorful outdoor space in which to relax. Carriage trails throughout the island make for excellent cross country skiing in the winter. Do day trips to Kennebunkport, Freeport, Bar Harbor, Salem, etc. Its up to you to make your own trip from Portland and see this mysterious site for yourself. Perfect For:Maine Coastal Road Trips Autumn Foliage Picnics Legendary Views Family Day Trips. Please see our Disclaimer for full information. During your day trip, youll want to consider booking a tour on the Millie B, where youll get to take in the spectacular views of the region, and maybe even spot a loon or two. The 41-acre Two Lights State Park is home to twin lighthouses built in 1828. With this service you rent by the hour, but you do need to sign up to use the service. Conway, NH from this list is also an awesome day trip in the winter. Bailey Island Perfect For: Picnics Scenery Seafood Day Trips Without a Car Something to Do With Visiting Friends or Family Combining with Cabot Mill in Brunswick or Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park (both below, respectively) Rangelely Lake is also a quiet and peaceful destination, which makes for a wonderful escape from the city. He is trying to run every single one of the more than 1,000 streets in Portland, including on Peaks Island. Kennebunkport continues to be the summer residence of President George H W Bushs family. Portland offers METRO Bus services, . A: The best Day Trips in Portland according to Viator travelers are: Morning Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland. 1000 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107, Phone: 207-799-2661, Romantic places this weekend: Mountains in Utah, Utah resorts, Romantic Getaways in Maine, Maine lighthouses, Where to stay in Acadia, Things to Do in Brunswick, Wilson. Visitors often spot a lot of different wildlife and a variety of birds while on the mountain and can sign up for whale watching tours off the Atlantic coast as well. Boston has so many amazing tour options led my local experts that share tons of tips and knowledge. If so, consider a brief detour inland for a drive or hike to Mount Agamenticus. We easily spent a few hours here and you just might do the same. Especially in the summer because of traffic and crowds. Click here to book your Windjammer Daytime Sailing Tour in Camden! I'm Sam. Of course, check with Casco Bay Lines for current information regarding this scenic cruise. Boating opportunities include sailing or boat tours aboard historic windjammers and schooners. Both are excellent destinations to dedicate a full day to, however, so its entirely up to you! Alternatively, you can take a Concord Coach Lines bus between the two cities for $40 round-trip. Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 30 minutes. Accessible via bridge, the islands retain a charming 1950s rural neighborhood feel. Getting There: Your GPS is your globetrotting best friend on this day trip: Use it to navigate from destination to destination. Photo Credit: Serena Folding Salem's dark history, which stems from the witch trials of 1692-1693, gives this seaside city north of Boston a distinct aura. Named for the rocky terrain and its history of limestone mining, todays Rockport is a laid back scenic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Where: Wolfes Neck Woods State Park is located 11 miles southwest of Brunswick via Pleasant Hill Road, or 4.8 miles south of Freeport. Another great destination in New Hampshire that also makes for an awesome day trip from Portland, Maine is Lake Winnipesaukee, which is also the states largest lake. Perfect For:Picnics Scenery Seafood Day Trips Without a Car Something to Do With Visiting Friends or Family Combining with Cabot Mill in Brunswick or Wolfes Neck Woods State Park (both below, respectively). During museum hours, even if you don't go into the museum, visitors can enjoy the David E. Shaw and Family Sculpture Park located off of High Street. 3. A recent survey by the Leading Hotels of the World found that Italy is currently leading the pack for bookings this year. Travel Tip: On your return drive to Portland, make a stop at the outlet stores just across the Piscataqua River Bridge in Kittery, Maine. 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