Favorite things in the Greater Portland area

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

Thanks....we sell chicken veggie wraps....the veggies are cut fresh in the morning and the chicken is marinated. You can have just a veggie wrap for the vegitarians. They did over 300 wraps yesterday which is pretty good for just a one day event. The cool thing is I used to be the main cook but now my son has taken over.

Shadow - that is an awesome list.

Regarding the Rt 100 tour, personally I wouldn't stop at Allens Farm as it's now just a store as Skillins took over the Farm part and turned it into a retail nursery. The Allen family has been trying to sell the place.

The soft serve place up in Grey is awesome but I would suggest stopping in Mardens and then continuing down the road for a few miles to the Maine Wildlife Park. It's not the San Diego Zoo by any stretch of the imagination but you get to see Maine wildlife up close which is pretty cool.

BTW, Pineland is having a tough time financially right now. Corporate donations are down, investments have taken a hit and their biggest moneymaker, the selling of thoroughbred race horses is down as well. They spent millions renovating and expanding the former Maine Mental Home.

I had not heard that though I'm not too surprised really. Did they blow all of their money in renovating the area? They bought up a pile of land around the original Pineland Campus at the time they were renovating the area. Perhaps they will sell off some of the outlying land to cut expenses.
They really did a nice job restoring the area though ...it would be a shame to see it all fall into disrepair again.
Great suggestion on the Gray animal farm...and the cement trout pond too!

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by Maineah

I had not heard that though I'm not too surprised really. Did they blow all of their money in renovating the area? They bought up a pile of land around the original Pineland Campus at the time they were renovating the area. Perhaps they will sell off some of the outlying land to cut expenses.
They really did a nice job restoring the area though ...it would be a shame to see it all fall into disrepair again.
Great suggestion on the Gray animal farm...and the cement trout pond too!

I don't think Pineland is in financial trouble their revenue is just off so they have to tighten the budgets. Libra Foundation which owns Pineland did invest millions in the place. They also own Black Mt Ski area near Rumford and a few other places around the state. The money originally came the sale of the Maine State Bank and Trust. Can you imagine the cost of just building all that fancy white fencing.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

I don't think Pineland is in financial trouble their revenue is just off so they have to tighten the budgets. Libra Foundation which owns Pineland did invest millions in the place. They also own Black Mt Ski area near Rumford and a few other places around the state. The money originally came the sale of the Maine State Bank and Trust. Can you imagine the cost of just building all that fancy white fencing.

I love that fence. Vinyl is final you know. We want to put in some two rail vinyl though the cost is very high compared to wood!

[exscrantonian]

Try the Casco Bay lines for an outing to an island or spend an afternoon on the mail boat. There's boating at the Scarborough Marsh or spend the day at Scarborough beach. Enjoy.

[zoe456]

There are so many great ideas here...listing favorite things I like to do around town!!!

• Go to the Town Landing Market on Rt. 88 in Falmouth Foreside, just north of Portland. The "fresh native ice cubes" sign will at the very least crack you up!
• I've been to Skillins on the Foreside (Rt. 88) and in West Cumberland (Rt. 100). Couldn't really tell any price differential.
• Speaking of garden centers, I have to plug (no, I don't work there) Estabrook's in Yarmouth. I prefer them over the other local (and obviously big-box) nurseries.
• Wait a little over a month, and visit Yarmouth during the Clam Festival.
• Better yet, visit Yarmouth on a non Clam Festival weekend to walk around town and the park. Very relaxing (I live within walking distance and it's great!).
• Go to Cousin's Island beach.
• I think someone mentioned this one before - Mackworth Island in Falmouth. The access is just off Rt. 1 in Falmouth.
• Go to a Sea Dogs game!!!
• Visit Toot's Ice cream on Route 115 in North Yarmouth (between Gray and Yarmouth). Say hello to the cows.
• Go to Mim's in Portland, Foreside Tavern in Falmouth, Royal River Grillhouse in Yarmouth, and Azure Cafe in Freeport. All have fun outdoor dining options.

These are just a few ideas that popped into my head after reading your post...Have fun!

[elston]

Just outside of Gorham is the "Smiling Hills Dairy"; I like their milk because it comes in glass bottles. The farm is really pretty to drive by, and I am told they have wonderful ice cream and that they make their own cheese. I have some bottles to return and am looking forward to visiting.

[moughie]

Originally Posted by elston

Just outside of Gorham is the "Smiling Hills Dairy"; I like their milk because it comes in glass bottles. The farm is really pretty to drive by, and I am told they have wonderful ice cream and that they make their own cheese. I have some bottles to return and am looking forward to visiting.

Great place!

I remember taking my girls there many times when they were so young to visit the petting zoo and animal playground area.

They referred to it as "Stinky Hill Farms" due to manure and animal smells

[Fort Lauderdale mermaid]

Originally Posted by moughie

Great place!

I remember taking my girls there many times when they were so young to visit the petting zoo and animal playground area.

They referred to it as "Stinky Hill Farms" due to manure and animal smells

It IS a fun place for kids! Mine each had yearly field trips there, the ice cream is pretty yummy and there's something about buying milk in those glass bottles that reminds you of the old days when the milk man used to deliver milk to your front door.

[elston]

Originally Posted by Fort Lauderdale mermaid

It IS a fun place for kids! Mine each had yearly field trips there, the ice cream is pretty yummy and there's something about buying milk in those glass bottles that reminds you of the old days when the milk man used to deliver milk to your front door.

Have you tried their cheese? I was told the ice cream was delicious!

I like the idea that the milk comes from their cows and they eat the grass growing in pastures in Gorham and that it isnt a blend of milk from many farms.

[Fort Lauderdale mermaid]

No, I'm try not to eat much cheese. I'm sure it's good though.
My kids always wanted to see the milking process while they were there, I'm not sure if they ever did get to see it though.