Activities in Maine
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Cap'n Fish's Boat Trips
Cap'n Fish's Boat Trips offers four-hour whale-watching trips (adult/child aged six to 10 years $38/25).
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Mistress
Although traveling by schooner largely went out of style at the dawn of the 20th century, adventurers can still explore the rugged Maine coast on sailing vessels known as windjammers. A dozen of these multi-masted vessels anchor at Rockland, and each offers trips ranging from three to 11 days around Penobscot Bay and further up the coast. Travelers will explore towns and islands, stopping for hiking, sightseeing, or shopping. They also take their meals on the boat (expect sunset dinners and plenty of lobster). Bunks below decks are basic shared quarters, with shared toilets and showers; private cabins are available on some boats. Mistress, a 46ft schooner, offers an intim…
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Victory Chimes
Although traveling by schooner largely went out of style at the dawn of the 20th century, adventurers can still explore the rugged Maine coast on sailing vessels known as windjammers. A dozen of these multi-masted vessels anchor at Rockland, and each offers trips ranging from three to 11 days around Penobscot Bay and further up the coast. Travelers will explore towns and islands, stopping for hiking, sightseeing, or shopping. They also take their meals on the boat (expect sunset dinners and plenty of lobster). Bunks below decks are basic shared quarters, with shared toilets and showers; private cabins are available on some boats. The largest in the fleet, this classic 132…
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Maine Windjammer Association
Although traveling by schooner largely went out of style at the dawn of the 20th century, adventurers can still explore the rugged Maine coast the old-fashioned way: onboard fleet sailing vessels known as windjammers. A dozen of these multi-masted vessels anchor at Rockland and offer trips ranging from three to 11 days around Penobscot Bay and further up the coast.
Powered by the winds, travelers will explore towns and islands along the way, stopping for hiking, sightseeing, or shopping. They also take their meals on the boat (expect sunset dinners and plenty of lobster - meals are generally excellent). For a complete list of schooner companies and the rundown on vessels,…
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American Eagle
Although traveling by schooner largely went out of style at the dawn of the 20th century, adventurers can still explore the rugged Maine coast on sailing vessels known as windjammers. A dozen of these multi-masted vessels anchor at Rockland, and each offers trips ranging from three to 11 days around Penobscot Bay and further up the coast. Travelers will explore towns and islands, stopping for hiking, sightseeing, or shopping. They also take their meals on the boat (expect sunset dinners and plenty of lobster). Bunks below decks are basic shared quarters, with shared toilets and showers; private cabins are available on some boats. American Eagle accommodates 26 passengers …
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Portland Trails
Thanks to the hard work of the conservation organization Portland Trails, there are more than 30 miles of multi-use trails sprinkled about the Greater Portland area, with another 20 miles on the horizon. One of the most popular paths is the 3.5-mile Back Cove Loop, which provides excellent water and city views northwest of the city center. This trail connects to the Eastern Promenade, a 2.1-mile paved waterfront path that follows a former railway, just east of East End. For a complete rundown of trails (26 in all), with maps, visit the Portland Trails website or purchase their Portland Trails Map & Guide ($4.95).
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Greater Portland Landmarks
Greater Portland Landmarks offers 1½-hour walking tours of the city. It’s a sprightly trip that’ll provide you with an interesting overview of the city’s history as you make your way around the Old Port, Eastern and Western Promenades, and the Portland Head Light. Trips depart at 10:30am in front of the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland. They also offer a tour of the historic Eastern Cemetery and of Portland’s 19th-century homes (each offered once a week).
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Maine Eastern Railroad
- Maine, USA
- Activities › Tour
The Maine Eastern Railroad recently began offering a roundtrip service (twice daily, but once on Sundays) between Brunswick and Rockland, with stops at Bath and Wiscasset. The two-hour, 57-mile journey passes along lovely stretches of coastline aboard restored mid-20th-century rail cars. There’s a dining car where you can enjoy wine and a light repast while watching seaside villages and rugged coastline drift slowly past.
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Maine Photographic Workshops
One of the world’s leading instructional centers in photography, film and digital media, this institute offers more than 250 workshops and master classes throughout the year, with classes for both beginners and professionals. Intensive one-week workshops (costing from $895 per week) are taught by leaders in their fields. Changing exhibitions of student and faculty work are displayed in Union Hall.
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Cape-able Outpost
To pedal the back roads outside of town, stop by Cape-able Bike Shop, an outfit that rents cruisers and mountain bikes, in adult and child sizes. New in 2007, Cape-able also offers kayak tours, from half-day adventures ($60) to two-hour full-moon paddles ($40). If you’re just renting a bike, stop in their handily located Outpost, across the bridge from Dock Sq.
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Cape-Able Bike Shop
To pedal the back roads outside of town, stop by Cape-able Bike Shop, an outfit that rents cruisers and mountain bikes, in adult and child sizes. New in 2007, Cape-able also offers kayak tours, from half-day adventures ($60) to two-hour full-moon paddles ($40). If you’re just renting a bike, stop in their handily located Outpost, across the bridge from Dock Sq.
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Soakology Foot Sanctuary & Teahouse
Although you probably didn’t come to Portland for a foot massage, the Soakology Foot Sanctuary & Teahouse is a great place to treat your aching gams. The first floor houses an elegant teahouse, with a salon downstairs. There are an extensive array of foot soaks ($20 to $50), scrubs, massages ($26 to $30 for 20 minutes) and reflexology treatments.
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LL Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools
In the warmer months LL Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools offers adventure courses aimed toward beginning and intermediate kayakers and fly-fishers. Full-day courses cost between US$95 and US$120, and you can also sign up for overnight camping-kayaking trips, or arrange for private lessons. Very short 'walk-on adventures' are available at their store location.
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Bald Mountain
A moderate 1.4-mile hike up this lone mountain (1234ft) yields spectacular views over the countryside; there's a fire tower you can climb for better views. Reach the trailhead by taking Wilson St/ME 1A southeast just past ME 46 and turn right onto Upper Dedham Rd; go 2.5 miles and veer left onto Dedham Rd; the trailhead is another 3.5 miles on the left.
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Harbor Adventures
Harbor Adventures offers a chance to explore this scenic coastline by sea kayak or by mountain bike. Popular kayaking options include the two-hour harbor tour ($39), the sunset tour ($34) and the lobster luncheon ($67), which consists of paddling along Chauncey Creek and around Kittery Point peninsula before docking for crustaceans.
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Searsport Shores Camping Resort
Sears Island is the largest uninhabited island on the US’s eastern seaboard. Paddle here by kayak from Searsport Shores Camping Resort, a mile south of Searsport, or walk the pedestrian causeway. Then hike around the island and appreciate ospreys, bald eagles and bear (be careful!) in their natural habitat.
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Castine Kayak
For trips out onto the water, stop by Castine Kayak which offers two-hour sunset trips ($40), full-day paddles ($105) or even overnight island-hopping excursions. Bicycle rental is also available (from $28 per day). It’s located behind Dennett’s Wharf restaurant on the harbor.
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First Chance
First Chance offers a 1½-hour lobster-boat cruise departing every two hours from 10am to 6pm as well as a four-hour whale-watching voyage that departs at 9am and 2:30pm (adult/child $40/25). Board the vessels in Kennebunk Lower Village, next to the Kennebunk River Bridge.
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Midcoast Kayak
Midcoast Kayak offers an enticing selection of kayaking tours (full-moon paddles, sunset excursions) and classes, as well as rentals ($39 to $49 full day). Among the attractions on the water: Muscongus Bay, the Damariscotta River, Franklin Island Light and Damariscove Island.
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Bethel Outdoor Adventure
- Bethel, USA
- Activities › Other
Bethel Outdoor Adventure, right on the banks of the Androscoggin River, rents canoes and kayaks; rates include a free shuttle upriver allowing you to paddle back at your own pace. They also rent bicycles, can set you up for fly-fishing and offer on-site camping.
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Bar Harbor Whale Watch
Bar Harbor Whale Watchoffers a wide variety of sightseeing cruises, including whale-watching and puffin trips. It also offers a ranger-led tour to Baker Island, a 130-acre island that's part of Acadia National Park but reachable only by boat.
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Cap & Patty
For a cruise along the Piscataqua, Cap & Patty offers river tours, taking in the lighthouses, forts and the Navy yard around the basin. Tours last approximately 80 minutes and are offered six times per day in the summer.
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Boat Trips and Tours
In summer, the Maine Maritime Museum offers a variety of Boat Trips and Tours, ranging from 50-minute tours along the Kennebec Waterway and 3½-hour afternoon lighthouse cruises to trolley tours through the Bath Iron Works.
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Atlantic Seal Cruises
Atlantic Seal Cruises offers three-hour trips where the captain hauls in lobster traps, and you go in search of wild osprey and adorable seals. Pack a picnic lunch or ask about catered picnics when reserving.
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Excursions in Maine
Excursions in Maine offers scenic half-day kayak tours ($60) as well as overnight trips with two days of paddling ($250). If you’re proficient, you can rent kayaks for $35 to 45 per day.
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