Things to Do Around Maine (Portland, Saco: 2015, houses, live)

[HoliWood]

Hi everyone.

I'm staying near Saco, Maine until right after the 4th of July - I'm already here. I am travelling alone and have my own car.

Given the above, please tell me what places to visit for the duration of my stay. I have already been here about 10 days and have been working on getting acclimated to the area I'm staying at, and now am ready to explore, but can't seem to find a way to organise locations. The last time I was in Maine for 2 days and briefly visited Freeport and a bit of Kennebunkport, but that's it.

I've been to Portland several times already (for shopping), and the things I am interested in are sights, historical locations, lighthouses (if they're easy to get to), and general day trips. I love nature, but hearing (and having experienced) black flies, I am not fond of going deep into woods or anything, just around the bend from the summer.

I am also open to visiting surrounding states that are not too far a drive (I'll have to make a special trip to visit Vermont, too).

If anyone could give me ideas on where to visit, I'd really appreciate it.

[Spanky25]

In two weeks, I'd definitely take a ride to Boothbay Harbor. It's probably about 1 1/2 hours from Saco. Take a boat ride over to Cabbage Island for the day. A great family owned Island with a huge lobster bake.
Cabbage Island Clambakes

[AustinB]

Why not go to Aadia National Park while you are here. It's a few hours northeast of Portland. You will like Bar Harbor.

[mensaguy]

You can visit several lighthouses around Portland. Twin Lights, Portland Head, the bug light, & others. The Nubble Light is nearby in York Harbor.

The International Cryptozoology Museum is in Portland.

The Lighthouse Depot is in Wells.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Pick a clear day and tour Maine's western mountain area and Rangely. Then if you have a reliable vehicle with good brakes, drive up Mount Washington in NH. It is surprisingly close to Saco. Bring your warmest clothing and a good windbreaker. The chill factor atop Mt. Washington is formidable.

[Samiamnh]

We love to hang out and shop in the Old port on the waterfront.So much going on and lots of cool places to eat.

[HoliWood]

These are such great suggestions. Why doesn't this site email me about replies, even though I've subscribed to the thread?

I recall years ago, going to a place up the mountain in NH with the family, where a family friend owned a resort/jet ski's. On our way down the mountain, we'd drive past this ice cream place that - at the time, it was a novelty - let you add your own toppings, which we, as children, were thrilled by. I'd look it up but I'm writing this on my mobile and it'll wipe this message. The location began with T...? Is the what you mean by going up Mount Washington? That place? ETA: Just looked up the ice cream place and it was Kellerhaus in Laconia, NH? Is that Mount Washington or the White Mountains?

What is the Old Port and how does one get there? (i.e. car, etc)

Anywhere in MA that I should drive to? I'd spent 2 Halloweens in Salem and had been to Boston as a teenager (Fanuielle Hall, etc.).

I don't eat seafood - I actually have a memory of visiting Maine once years ago, and everyone in the family had lobster, while I had chicken terriyaki. Can I still have fun on Cabbage Island without the seafood?

I love lighthouses, I'll defo look at those mentioned.

Perhaps I'm staying here too long, though? I have about 1 month and 10 days, before heading to the Eastern coast of Canada next. There must be more to do.

I went to Old Orchard Beach yesterday, as I'm a close drive, and it was so crowded already, I didn't stay long.

Any other suggestions, please do share.

Thanks!

[90077]

Make sure when subscribing to a thread that you select the proper option from the drop down menus. Email notification selections include immediate, daily or weekly.

The Old Port section of downtown Portland is worth the visit.
http://3tuuqg2drn723rs6wrp8khj1.wpen...11-12-map2.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Port
https://www.portlandmaine.com

From there you could take a short ferry ride to Peak’s Island:
https://www.cascobaylines.com/schedu...land-schedule/

For a more dramatic trip, consider a visit to Mohegan Island:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monhegan,_Maine
https://monheganboat.com/schedule

And as others have mentioned, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are not to be missed.

Don't miss this:
https://visitmaine.com/organization/...53E72AF048924C
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=504

[jonesg]

I prefer to get off the tourist track, drive up rt1 all the way and meet locals in any local mkts.
Last yr we went all the way up to the canadien border on rt 1, but I like driving.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

"Perhaps I'm staying here too long, though? I have about 1 month and 10 days, before heading to the Eastern coast of Canada next. There must be more to do."

Well, it's 75 years for me and I'll never live to see it all. Maine is bigger than the other five New England states together. When you ask what Maine is like, I answer, "It's like Burlington, Vermont and Point Judith, Rhode Island." You could fit Connecticut into Aroostook County and Rhode Island into one of our smaller coastal counties.