Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 20 minutes. Where:We recommend Bald Peak Trail, located off US Highway 302 between Bridgton and Fryeburg, Maine. For day-trippers, a Hop-on, Hop-off trolley tour is a great choice to cover more ground, and also learn something along the way. One the water activities are the top attraction here, be it fishing, boating or sightseeing. Rent Jet Skis and head out onto the water. Want to explore more of the North Shore & Cape Ann, MA? Below Ive also listed two options for companies that will drive you around Maine in a private tour if it works in your budget, and well as one tour in Portland that will feel like an escape. Romantic weekend getaways near me: Anacortes, Benton City, Cabin Getaways in PA, Cabin Getaways in Ohio, Blaine, Spring Green, Small vacation ideas, Tunquen, SoHo. Click here to book your Voodoo, Vampires & Ghosts Spooky Walking Tour in Salem! Distance From Portland: 1 hour and 30 minutes. Spend time at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art and its collection of over 20,000 objects, or attend one of the colleges many cultural events. The second-largest lake in Maine is also one of its deepest and clearest. Portland, Maines central coast location makes day trips along the Atlantic coast and into Maines lake and mountain regions easy and accessible. And be sure to keep reading below for bonus seasonal suggestions, as to find out if a day trip from Portland to Acadia is worth it! Boston can easily be done in a day, and while you wont see it all, youll be able to cover a lot of ground, depending on what youre looking to do. The next time you find yourself with a day off with nothing but sunshine and time, do yourself a favor and pay one of these places a visit! The beaches here are uncrowded, as is the island's quirky Umbrella Cover Museum. Free guided tours from naturalists are available year-round; see the website above for further information. 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. Hungry for more? Maines Deer Isle and adjacent Little Deer Isle are Atlantic islands located south of Bangor. Visit the Marine Maritime Museum for an overview of Maines culture and history, including 400 years of boat building in Bath. Walk along the waterfront to admire the gorgeous sailboats. Travel Tip: While in Rockland, walk atop the granite wall that leads to Rockland Breakwater Light. And with e-bikes, youll be able to ride some of the bikes through all of Cape Ann since youll have them for 8 hours, allowing you to see even more of this gorgeous region. The trail to Bald Peak is lined with lowbush blueberries near the mountaintop. Tour guides will also help you spot shore birds and other wildlife during the cruise. 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. It's about 20 minutes to Cape Elizabeth, and then an additional 50 minutes to Kennebunkport. Portland is home to a vibrant working waterfront, great small-business shopping, and an incredible art scene. Theres actually so much to do in Conway that you probably cant experience it all in a day, but it definitely makes for a great day trip to get some fresh mountain air. The Boothbay Region Land Trust is home to over 35 miles of hiking trails, while the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offer a colorful outdoor space in which to relax. But if youre willing to stay in Portland, and head out for fun tours that will feel like day trips, this is an excellent option if you dont have a car! It is also close to the waterfront, with great views of the islands, bay, and shops in the port. You don't need a car while in Portland because the city is well served by public transportation (light-rail, streetcar, buses). The jury is still out regarding who exactly built this site. And with packing all that into only 1.5 hours, it allows you spend the rest of your day trip exploring the town. Click here to book your Kennebec River Cruise! Find all the transport options for your trip from Portland to Acadia National Park right here. By VacationIdea Staff on October 2, 2022 - Updated. New Hampshires White Mountains National Forest traverses the border between New Hampshire and Maine. Every good Maine road trip needs a day (or weekend) at the beach. Its no wonder that Rockport has been used in a lot of movies! Settled in 1623 and remarkable for its preserved architecture and waterfront attractions like the living history museum Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth is a picture-perfect New England city at the intersection of what's vibrant and new and what's old and still cool. For all these reasons, its one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine. is actually right here in Gloucester, so this is definitely something youll want to consider for your day trip. The best option is to drive because the train will take you three hours one-way, but if you dont have access to a car, this is a great option! With this service you rent by the hour, but you do need to sign up to use the service. Especially in the summer because of traffic and crowds. Things to do near me today: Sarasota, From Boston, OR, NC, From Houston, NJ, GA. Freeport, Maine is best known as a shopping destination, a favorite of New Englanders seeking deals among the hundreds of brand-name outlets. Other hiking trails meander through hemlock and pine forest and along the Harraseeket River as well. Pretty much any destination in New England is wonderful to visit in the fall, but one of the best day trips from Portland, Maine in the fall is Salem, MA, especially during the month of October. Peaks Island, Maine is reached with a short ferry trip from Portland. Ogunquit is best known for having one of the longest stretches of sandy shoreline in all of Maine, so if youre looking for a beach day without having to go far, this is one of the best places for that in Maine. Happy planning! Walk along the shore at Good Harbor or Wingaersheek Beach. A day visit to Portsmouth will give you a taste of this historic port city that will leave you wanting to return. Getting There: Freeport is a 20-minute drive north of Portland on I-295. Perfect For: History Buffs Winter/Rainy Day Trips Families, Where: Located next to the Blaine House in Augusta. Perfect For: Lazy Drives Hiking Coastal Day Trips Biking Families Combining With a Trip to Americas Stonehenge (see above). To get around Gloucester faster and easier, a great option for your day trip is to rent e-bikes! Click here to book your Hocus Pocus Filming Locations Tour in Salem! Get ready for some scenic drives! Greyhound bus fare between the two coastal cities is about $20 one-way. Rockport, Maine has the honor of being named one of Americas prettiest towns by Forbes Magazine. Gloucester isn't just America's oldest fishing port: It is still very much a working fishery made even more famous as the filming location for the National Geographic TV program, "Wicked Tuna." The end of the trail is capped with an old fire tower; this is where views to New Hampshire and even more blueberries await. But if you're visiting the area in the summer and can swing it, it's well worth the cost. Distance from Portland to Mount Rainier: 138.0 mi (222 km) Drive time from Portland to Mount Rainier National Park: About 2 hours 23 minutes. Lewiston was founded by French speaking Canadians who immigrated to work textile mills and shoe factories in the early 1800s. 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. Go for a swim or walk on the shoreline of Goochs, Mothers or Colony Beach. Choose the Mailboat Run which serves four islands in the bay. Explore the charming shops in downtown Rangeley. Once the holiday season is over, a great option for a day trip from Portland, Maine in the winter is to head just a few minutes north to Freeport and explore the charming town covered in snow, explore the trails at Wolfes Neck Center & Farm and then head back into town for a very cozy meal at Tuscan Brick Oven Pizza. Explore and enjoy a leisurely day trip to see more of natural Maine at your own pace. In the winter months, snowmobiles are allowed on the Switch Back Trail, Link Trail and Snowmobile Trail. Theyll take you to some off-the-beaten path places, and youll meet with food artisans to sample locally-caught lobster, chowder, Maine whoopie pies, the absolute best ice cream in town, and so much more. We spent just over 10 days in Maine and focused on a trio of cities - Kennebunkport, Portland and Rockland - as well as some leisurely, unplugged time out on the water. The furthest day trip from Portland, Maine is still definitely worth your time! One of the best tours in Salem is this Hauntings & History walking tour, and you can select either a day option, or a night option if you want to increase the spooky factor. Weve picked blueberries here for hours in the past and always came away with full tubs. While this is a great destination year-round, I think its especially enjoyable in the fall season to really take advantage of the fall foliage views. Lake trout, crappie, small mouth and large mouth bass, and perch all frequent the coves, inlets and rocky underwater islands. On our third day in Portland we took our rental car for a drive down to the beautiful Cape Elizabeth, and then the town of Kennebunkport. Best things to do on a day trip to Gloucester from Portland: One of the best places to go whale watching in the entire world (yes, world!) Visit the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall Museum and the Civil War Memorial. ), then you may enjoy this walking tour of the movies filming locations in Salem. Some of the best things to do in Conway on a day trip from Portland: You may also enjoy:The best places to go apple picking in New Hampshire! Ah yes, the Otter Ponds make for a peaceful day trip just a stones throw from Sebago Lake. Travel Tip: Want to ensure you'll see a moose while you're visiting Maine? Here Are 8 Islands In Maine That Are An Absolute Must Visit. Maines Portland Museum of Art boasts a permanent collection of American, European, and local Maine art. The 150 foot long sandy stretch is named for its location in front of the historic 1914 Colony Hotel. Year-round, The park's trails are open year-round to hikers and in the winter to snowshoes and cross-country skiers. Bethel is home to the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, The Ski Museum of Maine, Maggie Rings Nature Park, and the Bethel Recreational Pathway for cyclists. Peaks Island Just a ferry ride away. How to Get Around During Your Road Trip to Maine Since you're planning a Maine road trip, you'll obviously need a car while you're here. During this tour, youll pass by two lighthouses, spot seals lounging on the rocks, and also learn all about the local lobstering community, as well as what it takes to haul lobster traps. Dont forget to check out more local road trip ideas when you have more time to explore the area. There are so many options in Boothbay, and the views are incredible. What are some fun must-see places: Cincinnati, MD, OR Beaches, HI, Indoor Amusement Parks, Things to Do in Gatlinburg, WI, Orlando, Texas Beaches. Where:All cruises leave from Casco Bay Ferry Municipal Terminal on Commercial Street in Portland. Youll even have time to explore downtown Bar Harbor for a bit. Note: Check for current information regarding all departures aboard Casco Bay Lines. Spending a day here means walking the beaches at Reid State Park, feasting on lobster with an idyllic view at Five Islands Lobster Co., shopping for locally made Georgetown Pottery, and maybe even staying late to hear live music at the landmark Robinhood Free Meetinghouse. I love visiting this little town because its both a gorgeous place packed with beautiful, colonial-style homes and quaint side streets, but also has a charming downtown, a waterfront park and even the stunning Plum Island to explore. More secluded is the Goose Rocks Beach, located in a quiet, residential area. Walk along the shoreline of Ogunquit Beach. Concord Coach Lines Phone +1 800-639-3317 . If you want to explore Maine on a drive, make a game of finding Maine towns with names inspired by faraway places. A picnic, cold drinks and a dip in the ponds was our antidote to steamy days and we always had it to ourselves. Bath is a small town located on the Kennebec River at the center of Maines Atlantic coast. Get out on the water to enjoy Casco Bay on our ferries and tours! Two companies, Cape Ann Whale Watch and 7 Seas Whale Watch, guarantee sightings (or a future trip is free). Click here to book your North End Foodie Tour in Boston! You can hike or drive to Mount Battie for classic views of Camden and her harbor. 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. 528 Hallowell Road, Pownal, ME 04069, Phone: 207-688-4712, Top Rated: Last minute places for couples: Charleston WV, Pensacola, Baton Rouge, Colorado Springs, Dayton OH, Dauphin Island, Provincetown, New Orleans, Philadelphia, UT, AZ, From NYC, CO. Brunswick, Maine is a charming New England college town thats been designated as a Main Street Community for its walkable downtown. Drive or hike up Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park for an awesome view of Camden Harbor from above. Stop in Owls Head on your way there or back to visit the lighthouse (its worth the extra stop!). Ranger led programs include guided hiking or cycling tours and boat cruises, birding programs, hawk and falcon programs, and nighttime starry sky programs. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Michel Hersen and Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com. Salem has a less campy side, too, with attractions like The House of the Seven Gables that celebrate its literary heritage and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which tells the story of Salem's seafaring past. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Of course, check with Casco Bay Lines for current information regarding this scenic cruise. 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. Click here to book your Seaplane Tour in Rangeley Lake! We prefer more technical hikes, but the views over Megunticook Lake in summer and autumn make this trail worthy of a mention. 2 Days in Portland Itinerary - Ideas For a Weekend or Any Time During the Week. Visitors often spot a lot of different wildlife and a variety of birds while on the mountain and can sign up for whale watching tours off the Atlantic coast as well. 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