Things to do in Maine
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Popham Beach State Park
The 6-mile long, sandy Popham Beach State Park is one of the prettiest in the state, with views onto offshore islands and the Kennebec and Morse Rivers framing either end. Lifeguards are on hand, but the surf is strong, with undertows and riptides. It’s located off ME 209, about 14 miles south of Bath.
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Jasper Beach
Don't miss Jasper Beach, a bizarre mile-long beach consisting entirely of polished red jasper stones. As the waves wash in, the rocks slide against one another, creating a rather haunting song. It's one of two such beaches in the world (the other is in Japan). To reach it, head down Machias Rd toward the village of Starboard.
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Primo
Set in a Victorian home, Primo remains one of the top restaurants in the Northeast. The changing menu features creative, expertly prepared dishes of roast meats and seafood followed by superb desserts. Reserve well in advance or plan on dining in the bar (cozy ambience, same great menu and service).
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Duckfat
If you have gourmet taste on a fast-food budget, this one-of-a-kind eatery won't disappoint. Try the innovative panini sandwiches, the duck confit salad, and, if you have a tolerance for grease, the signature fries crisped in duck fat with truffle-ketchup dip.
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Standard Baking Co
For a sweet breakfast treat, head to this Old Port bakery and order a blueberry cream scone and chocolate croissant. Portland's best organic rustic breads are made here too.
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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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York’s Wild Kingdom
If you have children, you may want to visit York’s Wild Kingdom, the state’s largest zoo.
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LL Bean Store
In 1911 Leon Leonwood Bean invented the Maine Hunting Shoe, now known as the ‘Bean Boot.’ In addition to the quality and practicality of the boot’s construction, it was accompanied by a lifetime offer of replacement or repair if outdoorsmen found the item in any way unsatisfactory. Other items for the outdoors were added, notably the often-imitated LL Bean Field Coat in 1924, popular for its rugged quality and craftsmanship. These days Bean sells over one billion dollars’ worth of clothing, outdoor gear and home furnishings. And the guarantee of no questions asked and 100% satisfaction is still honored. While the merchant’s successful start began through mail order, an ad…
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Jefferds’ Tavern Visitor Center
Historic York was called Agamenticus by its pre-colonial Native American inhabitants. British colonials settled York in 1624, and it was chartered as a city in 1641. The Old York Historical Society is proud of the town’s historic buildings and has preserved several of them as a museum of the town’s history. The historic buildings include the School House, dating from the mid-18th century. The Old Gaol (jail) gives a vivid impression of crime and punishment two centuries ago. The Emerson-Wilcox House is a museum of New England decorative arts and the Elizabeth Perkins House was a wealthy family’s summer home. The John Hancock warehouse preserves the town’s industrial…
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Old York Buildings & Historical Society
Historic York was called Agamenticus by its pre-colonial Native American inhabitants. British colonials settled York in 1624, and it was chartered as a city in 1641. The Old York Historical Society is proud of the town’s historic buildings and has preserved several of them as a museum of the town’s history. The historic buildings include the School House, dating from the mid-18th century. The Old Gaol (jail) gives a vivid impression of crime and punishment two centuries ago. The Emerson-Wilcox House is a museum of New England decorative arts and the Elizabeth Perkins House was a wealthy family’s summer home. The John Hancock warehouse preserves the town’s industrial…
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Pejepscot Museum
On the Bowdoin campus, the Pejepscot Historical Society preserves several house museums, which provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. You can visit them all for an $8 combination ticket. The Pejepscot Museum displays changing exhibits relating to Brunswick history, with photographs and artifacts pulled from its 50,000-piece inventory. Skolfield-Whittier House, an adjacent 17-room brick mansion, is a virtual time capsule, closed as it was from 1925 to 1982. Victorian furnishings and decor are handsomely preserved – even the spices in the kitchen racks are authentic. It’s only open for tours. The Joshua L Chamberlain Museum exhibits artifacts from the late owner’s…
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Skolfield-Whittier House
On the Bowdoin campus, the Pejepscot Historical Society preserves several house museums, shich provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. You can visit them all for an $8 combination ticket. Skolfield-Whittier House, a 17-room brick mansion, is a virtual time capsule, closed as it was from 1925 to 1982. Victorian furnishings and decor are handsomely preserved – even the spices in the kitchen racks are authentic. It’s only open for tours. The Pejepscot Museum displays changing exhibits relating to Brunswick history, with photographs and artifacts pulled from its 50,000-piece inventory. The Joshua L Chamberlain Museum exhibits artifacts from the late owner’s eventful …
reviewed
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Burnham Tavern
Although Machias proper hosts a branch of the University of Maine, it’s not a place to spend any time. However, its beautiful neighbors, East Machias and Machiasport, are worthy of some attention. Machiasport, in fact, is where the first naval engagement of the Revolutionary War took place. After the king of England received the Declaration of Independence from the colonies, he sent a frigate to Machiasport to monitor the timely collection and transportation of lumber to Portland to build his ships. But a few drunken American colonists at Burnham Tavern decided to pay the frigate a visit before they could reach shore. After killing the English captain with a single shot…
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Joshua L Chamberlain Museum
The Pejepscot Historical Society preserves several house museums on the Bowdoin campus, which provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. The Joshua L Chamberlain Museum exhibits artifacts from the late owner’s eventful life as college professor, Civil War hero, president of Bowdoin College and four-term governor of Maine. Tours are included with the admission fee. The Pejepscot Museum displays changing exhibits relating to Brunswick history, with photographs and artifacts pulled from its 50,000-piece inventory. Skolfield-Whittier House, an adjacent 17-room brick mansion, is a virtual time capsule, closed as it was from 1925 to 1982. Victorian furnishings and decor are…
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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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Fort Knox State Historic Site
The newest attraction in town is the Penobscot Bridge Observatory, an enclosed observation deck offering panoramic views from its 420ft perch above the Penobscot Narrows. The elevators that whisk you up top are on the grounds of the Fort Knox State Historic Site, just out of town and north of the bridge on ME 174. Not to be confused with the US army’s bullion depository in Kentucky, this Fort Knox dates from 1844, and was built as a bulwark against a British invasion. The huge granite fortress dominates the Penobscot River Narrows, which was an important gateway to Bangor, the commercial heart of Maine’s rich timber industry. Bring a flashlight if you plan a close examina…
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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 Maritime Museum
The museum, south of the ironworks on the western bank of the Kennebec River, preserves the Kennebec’s long shipbuilding tradition. In summer, the 19th-century Percy & Small Shipyard here still has boatwrights hard at work building wooden craft. The Maritime History Building contains paintings, models and hands-on exhibits that tell the tale of the last 400 years of seafaring. In the apprentice shop of the Percy & Small Shipyard, boat builders restore and construct wooden boats using traditional tools and methods. In summer, the museum offers a variety of boat trip and tours along Kennebec Waterway, to the lighthouse or trolley tours through the Bath Iron Works.
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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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Wilhelm Reich Museum
Austrian-born psychiatrist and scientist Wilhelm Reich (1897–1957) devoted his life to proving the existence of biological sexual energy in humans, which he called ‘orgone energy.’ Needless to say, Reich’s experiments attracted a lot of attention, and things ended badly for him, with the FDA destroying his equipment and burning his books and publications; he was also sentenced to prison and died there of heart failure. To learn about his life and work, visit the museum, for guided tours through Reich’s fieldstone mansion. The 160 acre grounds have nature trails, and there are impressive views from the roof of the Orgone Energy Observatory.
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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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Ogunquit Beach
A sublime stretch of family-friendly coastline, Ogunquit Beach is only a five-minute walk along Beach St, east of US 1. Walking to the beach is a good idea in the summer, because the lot fills up early (and it costs around US$4 per hour to park). The 3-mile beach fronts Ogunquit Bay to the south; on the west side of the beach are the warmer waters of the tidal Ogunquit River.
Footbridge Beach, 2 miles to the north near Wells, is the northern extension of Ogunquit Beach. It's reached from US 1 by Ocean St and a footbridge across the Ogunquit River. Another way to access the beach is via Eldridge Rd in Wells - follow the sign for Moody Beach.
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Bowdoin College
One of the oldest colleges in the US, Bowdoin is the alma mater of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne and US president Franklin Pierce. For a campus tour, follow the signs from Maine St to Moulton Union. Smith Union is the student center, with an information desk on the mezzanine level, as well as a café, pub, lounge and small art gallery. One worthwhile stop on campus is the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, located in the quadrangle, which is strong in the works of 19th- and 20th-century European and American painters, including Mary Cassatt, Andrew Wyeth and Rockwell Kent.
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Fishermen’s Museum Lighthouse
Along a 3500-mile coastline famed for its natural beauty, Pemaquid Point stands out because of its tortuous, grainy, igneous rock formations pounded by restless, treacherous seas. Perched on top of the rocks is the 11,000-candlepower Pemaquid Light, built in 1827. It’s one of the 61 surviving lighthouses along the Maine coast, 52 of which are still in operation. The keeper’s house now serves as the Fishermen’s Museum Lighthouse, displaying fishing paraphernalia and photos, as well as a nautical chart of the entire Maine coast with all the lighthouses marked.
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