Ogunquit is another one of the best options for day trips from Portland, Maine. To get around Gloucester faster and easier, a great option for your day trip is to rent e-bikes! Explore the shops & restaurants along Dock Square. 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. Lastly, definitely consider this Puffin Tour during your day trip to Boothbay Harbor. Distance From Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes. In fact, you dont even need a vehicle for one of our recommended city breaks. Youll see both New Hampshire and the Atlantic from the Big A hike. The unique sand dune formation was formed by an Ica Age glacier. Eat fresh lobster at Stoney Brook Lobster Pound. Visit the shops and restaurants downtown. This peculiar site isstill a mystery after 4,000 years! Click here to read my post all about the best things to do in Boothbay Harbor! 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. Known as an incredible ski destination, youll be able to hit the slopes, or just enjoy the quaint town and its attractions covered in a beautiful blanket of snow. Get the most from your time and see as much of Maine (and New Hampshire!) A Scenic 7 Days Coastal Maine Road Trip Itinerary - Beyond Lobsters & Lighthouses - The Blessing Bucket In this post, I share with you a 7 days coastal Maine road trip itinerary that goes off the beaten path. Our easy Portland day trips feature the best of Maine and each of our suggestions will have you home before dinner! The historic park was founded in 1939, making it one of the first five state parks in the nation. The name, given by the Abenaki tribe, means beautiful place by the sea. Once a fishing village, it is now an artists haven and tourist destination known for its rugged beauty and rocky coastline. Day 1: Portland Iconic Classics Sterling Coffee Powell's City of Books Lunch at Deschutes Brewery Portland Art Museum Snack at Salt & Straw McMenamins Happy Hour Day 2: Gardens, Breweries, and a Waterfall International Test Rose Garden Portland Japanese Garden Alberta Arts District Multnomah Falls Breweries Food Truck Dinner Day 3: Day Trip! How to Get Around During Your Road Trip to Maine Since you're planning a Maine road trip, you'll obviously need a car while you're here. But if you're visiting the area in the summer and can swing it, it's well worth the cost. Required fields are marked *. Interpretative displays and lighthouse lenses are on exhibit. Portland, Maine's central coast location makes day trips along the Atlantic coast and into Maine's lake and mountain regions easy and accessible. stay at Portland . Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 30 minutes. What are some popular things to do: Poconos, NY, TN, MI, OC, All Inclusive, Family weekend getaways, NJ, NC, VA, TX. Knowing this ensures you'll see leaves at their peak, so keep reading to plan your seven day Maine fall foliage road trip! This is a walking tour, so youll also get to see some charming streets in the North End for a well-rounded day trip to Boston. 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. Please see our Disclaimer for full information. Birders, kayakers, and boaters are drawn to the islands for their natural beauty. Take in the sensational views and feel the rush of the falls on this famous day trip from Portland. Get ready for some scenic drives! Bridal Veil Falls. A great option for day trips from Portland, Maine without a car is this full-day Maine in the fall tour. The town also offers uncrowded beaches, a tidal river teeming with wildlife, a working fishing harbor, a desert, and Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park with broad views of Casco Bay from rocky beaches and high bluffs. Click here to book your full-day private fall tour from Portland! Lake Winnipesaukee is actually comprised of eight different towns, each with something unique and fun to offer. Stop in Owls Head on your way there or back to visit the lighthouse (its worth the extra stop!). Travel Tip: On your return drive to Portland, make a stop at the outlet stores just across the Piscataqua River Bridge in Kittery, Maine. Rental cars are not in close proximity to the station, but you can get a cab. 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. A day trip to Mount Agamenticus is also easily combined with visits to Cape Neddick and Nubble Lighthouse. 207/693-6613 ), on the lake's north shorethe park is off Route 302 (look . See their website above for trail information. as you can in a day! From natural wonders like Cannon Beach and Mt. Best things to do in Marblehead on your day trip from Portland: Click here to read my post on all the best things to do in Marblehead! 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. 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. In downtown Camden, enjoy shopping for antiques, browsing upscale boutiques, and eating fresh seafood, especially lobster, straight from the working harbor. In contrast, Greyhound runs buses into and out of Maine from most major cities across the country, with one-way tickets from Boston to Portland starting at as little as $16 per person. There are also a good amount of of kids activities here, including mini golf places, and lots of opportunity to get out onto the lake. Getting There: From Portland, drive north on I-295, then follow Route 1 through historic and scenic towns like Bath and Wiscasset, and you'll be in Rockland in just over an hour and a half. The Farnsworth Art Museum and its Wyeth Center showcase American works including famous scenes painted by the prominent Maine family of artists: N.C., Andrew, and James Wyeth. Hood, within a short driving distance from the city, to smaller towns like McMinnville and Eugene. And since these two towns are so close to one another, you could easily combine them into one festive day trip. Ogunquits town is also very quaint and easily walkable, and packed with adorable shops and great restaurants. Day 1: Getting to know Portland Arrive at Portland's. Two of my favorites are. The Islands of Casco Bay are visible from Portland, Maine, especially at night when the small towns and villages are lit up. For everything you get with this tour, I think the cost is very reasonable! Turn right in Bath onto Route 127 South, and cross the bridges that connect Arrowsic and Georgetown islands to the mainland. Below Ive also listed two options for companies that will drive you around Maine in a private tour if it works in your budget, and well as one tour in Portland that will feel like an escape. Walk along the shore at Good Harbor or Wingaersheek Beach. Our experts' top picks for a long weekend getaway for couples: Best caves in the U.S., SD, Galena IL, Boise, St. Pete, San Jose, Taos, Fayetteville, Steamboat Springs, NH, East Coast, DE, GA, Little Rock. Bring some snacks, a camera, and walk along the beach; this is always one of the best things to do in Portland Maine. The drive is 3-hours one-way, but if your only opportunity to get to Acadia National Park is by taking a day trip, its definitely worth it! Free guided tours from naturalists are available year-round; see the website above for further information. Get some sweet treats to bring home (or eat on the drive!) Get out on the water to enjoy Casco Bay on our ferries and tours! Salem has a less campy side, too, with attractions like The House of the Seven Gables that celebrate its literary heritage and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which tells the story of Salem's seafaring past. Visit Main Beach, rated among New Englands top ten beaches, embark on a sailing or fishing cruise from Perkins Cove, and enjoy fresh Maine lobster at the towns seafood restaurants. Was it native peoples or, based on Phoenician script found here, a group from much further away? Best Stops To Make Driving From Boston To Portland, Maine; Best Day Trips From Portland, Maine; New England Bucket List: 75 Things You Must See & Do; 32. Bethel, Maine sits just east of the Vermont border outside of the White Mountain National Forest. Visit the shops and eateries downtown and along Main Street. Or get a full Cape Elizabeth to Portland (Maine) flight plan. While the Visitors Center is located towards the west of the park in North Woodstock, theres plenty to see and do across the span of the range. Some of the best things to do in Camden on a day trip from Portland: One of the best things to do in Camden, though, is to head out on a sailing tour. Best things to do on a day trip to Rangely Lake from Portland: For something really fun and special (and a bit of a splurge thats totally worth it), consider booking a seaplane tour over the region. Portland is home to a vibrant working waterfront, great small-business shopping, and an incredible art scene. Maine Road Trip Day 1: Spend Time in York Beach or Ogunquit. Day 1: Cruise along Route 1. Places to visit near me: Things to Do in Vermont, Things to do in Virginia, Long Beach Restaurants, Restaurants in Louisville, Southampton. We also recommend combining some day trips for a sweet two-in-one deal; keep reading to learn more. Getting There The Casco Bay Ferry is the best and least expensive way for most people to get to Peaks Island. Rent a kayak and head out onto the water. Portlands Old Port district is a trip back in time to the early 19th century where brick buildings line the Fore River, cobblestones pave the streets, and fishing piers remain as they were hundreds of years ago. This quiet spot was our place to go for a refreshing swim in summer. Lewiston was founded by French speaking Canadians who immigrated to work textile mills and shoe factories in the early 1800s. Its packed with tons of charm, has some great beaches, awesome shops and restaurants and feels like a true escape from city life in Portland. The New England born artist is best known for his oils and watercolors depicting coastal living. At just over 200 acres in size, Wolfes Neck Woods State Park features several different ecosystems and great opportunities for spotting ospreys. 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. Three things make this historic Brunswick mill a worthwhile day trip: antiques, a flea market and a great restaurant. Once theres snowfall, Bethel is among Maines best destinations for alpine or Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and aprs ski fun. This is a great place for picnics and the park even features a warming hut for winter visitors. If youre looking for a super spooky tour and lots of goosebumps, then youll love the Voodoo, Vampires & Ghosts Walking Tour. ), The Best Acadia National Park Itinerary (3, 4 & 5 Day Options!) If you dont have access to a car in Portland, you can take the Amtrak Downeastern train from Portland to Boston for your day trip. Go for a swim or walk on the shoreline of Goochs, Mothers or Colony Beach. Where:We recommend Bald Peak Trail, located off US Highway 302 between Bridgton and Fryeburg, Maine. We lived here for 14 years and made a lot of quick escapes from the city in search of things to do. Click the link below for more fun things to do in Ogunquit! Continue to China and Palermo before looping back south to Portland. Over two hundred miles of trails can be explored including motor roads, hiking trails, and carriage roads. 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! This article doesnt focus on cites or towns in Maine our day trips feature actual attractions instead. Bird watching is a popular activity, as well as swimming, fishing and hiking. It is also close to the waterfront, with great views of the islands, bay, and shops in the port. Click here to rent your e-bikes in Gloucester! The modern shops occupy 18th and 19th century buildings and homes along Route 1. Walk along the paths in the waterfront park. 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. Home to Castle in the Clouds and Riding in the Cloudswhere you can ride horseback or take a horse-drawn carriage rideMoultonborough, New Hampshire, is a perfect day trip destination on Lake Winnipesaukee. This is one adventure you can even enjoy without ever leaving your car. The French influence is still felt today, and can be seen in Lewistons Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, built in 1870. Newburyport in Massachusetts is another one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. Travel Tip: If watching whales in the wild is on your bucket list, Gloucester is a great place to spot them. McMenamins Edgefield is a 74-acre property sitting atop farmland near the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area a mere 20-minutes from downtown Portland. Click here to book your Kennebec River Cruise! Bring your own picnic and hop on board the Casco Bay ferry for a relaxing harbor tour. Both are excellent destinations to dedicate a full day to, however, so its entirely up to you! The historic shipyard is flanked by 19th century buildings, and the Victorian-era shipyard owners home. And definitely dont forget to make a reservation for dinner if youre hoping for a special meal out! Click here to book your Lighthouses, Lobsters & Seals tour in Boothbay Harbor! The L.L. The Freedom Trail is one of the best things to do in Boston for history buffs (and anyone who wants to appreciate the countrys earliest years). Here you can get up close to invertebrates at the touch tank, learn about the lifecycle of lobsters, and Atlantic sea life. Best things to do in Rockport on a day trip from Portland: Want to explore more of the North Shore & Cape Ann, MA?Click here to read my post on the best thing to do in the region! At 5,200 feet, Mount Lafayette in Franconia is among the most scenic in New England. Total drive time is just about 45 minutes. Explore and enjoy a leisurely day trip to see more of natural Maine at your own pace. Getting There: From Portland, follow I-295 South to I-95 South to Portsmouth: It's about an hour's drive. 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