1. Pineland Public Reserved Land
City: Gray, ME
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (207) 778-8231
Address: Gray Depot Rd.
Description: Greater Portland kids were once creeped out by Pineland, which used to be a mental institution in the town of New Gloucester. Combined with the novels of Stephen King, some of which took place not far away in Durham, you had the grist for some pre-adolescent nightmares. The center closed years ago, and the state subsequently turned the 600 surrounding acres into a reserve for outdoor recreation. Thank goodness it did. Three miles of trails explore the old farm pasture and forest along the Royal River here, a refuge for deer, fox, hare, grouse, and a wide variety of other birds, and it’s become something of a haven for walkers and hikers, too. A very pleasant place to walk, and not all that scary, either.
2. Maine Wildlife Park
City: Gray, ME
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (207) 287-8000
Address: Route 26
Description: Formerly known as the Maine Game Farm and Visitors Center, this state-run animal rehabilitation center functions a lot like a zoo, and kids love it. Strolling around the farm, you can see bears, moose, eagles, lynx, wild turkeys, bobcats, and a host of other charismatic critters. Most of the inhabitants of the park are animals that have been injured or orphaned and are being rehabilitated to be released again into the wild, and while they’re doing their physical therapy, they entertain the kids. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is in charge, and it has set up interactive displays that will teach you and yours about the various animals and their habitat—the Maine woods. You are welcome to stroll the trails of the 200-acre farm or even have a picnic. A fun outing for the whole family, it’s worth the short drive inland.