Distance From Boston: 3 hours and 45 minutes (but always allow extra time for traffic) Visit the Bush Family Legacy exhibit at White Columns. Youll even have time to explore downtown Bar Harbor for a bit. 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. Head out onto the water for a wildlife and lighthouse tour (see my suggestions below!). 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 areas Abbe Museum exhibits Native American artifacts and teaches guests about the cultural history of the region. and continue eight miles to Maine Route 35. Some of the best things to do in Boothbay Harbor on a day trip from Portland: If you come to Boothbay Harbor for your day trip, I highly suggest you consider a boat tour. No matter how you get there, expect classic Maine coastal scenery, a unique man-made structure and a great seafood restaurant perfectly situated on the coast. The beaches and rocky headlands of the New Hampshire and southern Maine coast are a scenic day trip from Boston. This article doesnt focus on cites or towns in Maine our day trips feature actual attractions instead. Longer tours and group rates are also available for a little more money. Visit Portland's scenic coast, historic sites and most vibrant neighborhoods with a sightseeing and shopping tour on a classic fire engine. Cool down at the swimming holes at Small Falls. Outside of shopping, visit the Freeport Historical Society and the Historic Pettengill Farm. The Portland Head Light is a historic 1791 lighthouse that sits within the Fort Williams State Park in Cape Elizabeth, on Portland Head. A great option to consider when looking at day trips from Portland, Maine is Camden. This quiet spot was our place to go for a refreshing swim in summer. Your email address will not be published. Bean flagship store is famously open 24/7/365, making Freeport, Maine, a destination not just for shopping-addicted daytrippers but for night owls, too. Here are my tips for a fun and easy visit with kids. Find all the transport options for your trip from Portland to Acadia National Park right here. New York City. Below is a list of my favorite day trips from Portland, Maine, and the destinations are organized by shortest to furthest distance from Portland. Two companies, Cape Ann Whale Watch and 7 Seas Whale Watch, guarantee sightings (or a future trip is free). WITHIN HOURS Find places 1 hour 1-1/2 hours 2 hours 2-1/2 hours 3 hours 3-1/2 hours 4 hours 4-1/2 hours 5 hours 6 hours 50 miles 100 miles 150 miles 200 miles 250 miles 300 miles 350 miles 400 miles from me Portland to Mount Rainier National Park Directions: Google Maps. Tour guides will also help you spot shore birds and other wildlife during the cruise. For tips on what to bring with you on your puffin tour, as well as other fun things to do in Boothbay Harbor, check out my post below! Insider travel recommendations, In-depth reviews of our favorite places: UT, Indianapolis, From Kansas City, Mackinac Island, Chattanooga, RI, From Chicago, Sacramento, Nantucket, Girls Getaways, Santa Barbara, PA. Click here to book your Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley tickets in Boston! I think Salem is a great town to explore year-round, but of course, theres something extra fun and special about it in the fall season. With that, lets jump into the best day trips from Portland, Maine! Ride along Seashore Avenue, and explore the islands backside, facing the open Atlantic ocean. During the tour, youll pass by lighthouses and gorgeous scenery, and the youll be guided by a member of the National Audubon Society to learn all about the puffins and other shore birds. around Portlands coast! Just northwest of Portland, Maines Sebago Lake spans over 28,000 acres. Its very close to Kennebunkport, and you can definitely do both in one day if youre feeling up for it (although, theres so much to do in each town that you can easily fill up a full day in each place). The spooky fun reaches its peak in October, when the city hosts a month-long slate of Haunted Happenings. Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 15 minutes. This spot has great views over the Androscoggin River and also serves as a film and music venue, gallery and cafe. Interpretative displays and lighthouse lenses are on exhibit. You don't need a car while in Portland because the city is well served by public transportation (light-rail, streetcar, buses). 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. Amtrak spent $400,588 on goods and services and products in Maine in FY17. Rockport, Maine has the honor of being named one of Americas prettiest towns by Forbes Magazine. 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. Next up: Naples. The small island is home to 12 nature conservancies which protect the land and wildlife habitat. Public transportation is difficult but possible. Im the creator and writer behind New England Wanderlust, and my passion is sharing my knowledge on the very best things to do and see in New England, and beyond. Here youll find man-made stone structures and standing slabs aligned with particular lunar and solar events. 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. 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! Climb to the top via the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway, take the auto road, or enjoy a hike. The ride is only about 15 minutes each way, and riding the ferry was a unique experience for my family. Fill a day in Glouchester touring Hammond Castle, popping in and out of artist studios on Rocky Neck, and touring Cape Pond Ice, which manufactures the ice used aboard the city's fishing vessels. Some of the best things to do on a Lake Winnipesaukee day trip from Portland: One of the most fun tours to take in Lake Winnipesaukee is a ride in an antique boat! Click here to book your Hocus Pocus Filming Locations Tour in Salem! Ranger led programs include guided hiking or cycling tours and boat cruises, birding programs, hawk and falcon programs, and nighttime starry sky programs. Explore the most charming streets in the Beacon Hill neighborhood (my favorite thing to do!). Visit the Boothbay Region Art Foundation or visit during a Boothbay Art and Crafts Show, which takes place on summer weekends. The iconic lighthouse operated until 1989, when it was decommissioned by the US Coast Guard. The drive to Camden on US Route 1 is like several Portland day trips in one, taking in some quintessential Maine coastal towns along the way. Travel Tip: Be sure to stop into the oldest store in the country while you're in Moultonborough to buy snacks and souvenirs. The Maine Lighthouse Museum is in Rockland, too, so you may want to consider staying over and making this a two-day trip. If you have only 2 days in Portland and visit this city for the first time, the best way is to spend these two days in the city center. Click here to book your boat tour in Newburyport! Turn right in Bath onto Route 127 South, and cross the bridges that connect Arrowsic and Georgetown islands to the mainland. Named the most beautiful mountain town in Maine, Bethel offers year round opportunity for outdoor recreation. Newburyport in Massachusetts is another one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. See the history of the industry at the Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site, and try some at restaurants such as the Shuck Station or the Newcastle Publick House. This is also a great destination if youre traveling with children, as there are lots of kid-friendly activities such as the Conway Scenic Railroad, roller coaster rides at Cranmore Mountain Resort and the Kahuna Laguna Water Park. Also located within Cabot Mill is the Frontier bar and restaurant. The historic park was founded in 1939, making it one of the first five state parks in the nation. 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. Portland, Maine's central coast location makes day trips along the Atlantic coast and into Maine's lake and mountain regions easy and accessible. (5 day-to-day round-trips Boston- Portland, of which 2 round-trips function to/from Brunswick). The 41-acre Two Lights State Park is home to twin lighthouses built in 1828. Click here to book your Voodoo, Vampires & Ghosts Spooky Walking Tour in Salem! Trails range from easy to difficult, and several are open to cyclists, riders on horseback and skiers, as well as hikers. Walk around one of the many waterfront parks. Turn left on Maine Route 327 (Mosher Rd.) In any season it's a lovely place to walk along boardwalk trails through the dunes and seaside forest of the island's the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Even though its such a short drive away, youll definitely feel like youre in a different world. Travel Tip: If you skip China and Palermo, you'll return to Portland via Route 26 South and pass by two unique Maine attractions you may want to add to your itinerary: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village and the Maine Wildlife Park. In addition to self-guided castle tours and equestrian opportunities, the quirky former estate of self-made millionaire Thomas Plant offers 28 miles of hiking trails and dining with a spectacular view of the lake and mountains at the Carriage House Restaurant. 740 miles. Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. 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. At 5,200 feet, Mount Lafayette in Franconia is among the most scenic in New England. Danny Mejia is a record-setting long-distance runner who moved to Portland nine years . Getting There: From Portland, follow I-295 South to I-95 South to Portsmouth: It's about an hour's drive. Surrounding Maine's legendary retailer, you'll find more than 100 other shops including factory outlets from brand names like Vineyard Vines, Calvin Klein, and Cuddledown. It is also close to the waterfront, with great views of the islands, bay, and shops in the port. Maines Portland Museum of Art boasts a permanent collection of American, European, and local Maine art. Happy planning! Make this road trip from Portland, Maine and solve the mystery yourself. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are two bodies of water here, each split by a decommissioned railroad line passable on foot; swimming is best furthest from the highway. Getting There The Casco Bay Ferry is the best and least expensive way for most people to get to Peaks Island. Each tour is different based on the season, but it lasts for 2.5 hours, and youll get the inside scoop from a local on all the best foods to eat in town. 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 on a day trip to Sebago Lake from Portland: One of the best ways to get out onto the lake for a peaceful afternoon is by renting kayaks and spending a few hours enjoying the views from the peaceful water. Once theres snowfall, Bethel is among Maines best destinations for alpine or Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and aprs ski fun. We don't need anything fancy - in fact, most fancy things are regarded with a bit of suspicion until we're won over. Click here to read my perfect Acadia National Park itinerary! Screw Auger Falls 5. 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