Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Few things create a more dramatic scene for a sunrise than a pier spanning out into the water, and the one in Old Orchard Beach is pretty iconic. Normally the area is pretty packed, and it can be tough to find a parking spot (especially in the summer). But at sunrise, there is just you, the beach...

If you venture to Cape Elizabeth, you may be lucky enough to see it in the dense fog that I was able to.You'll take a windy road near Portland, Maine surrounded by cute, quaint homes on either side down to the rocky coastline. Park in the designated parking area (very easy to spot as the road's e...

Harris Farm is a great place for beginner cross country skiing or to hone in on already developed skills. They provide rentals ($15pp) and the network of trails is several miles long. The trails range from green (easy) to red/black (more difficult). I personally love hanging out on the blue trail...

Fore River Sanctuary is 85 acres in the heart of Portland right off of Congress Street. It is a unique place where the river meets the ocean and creates a marshland landscape, which provides a plethora of opportunities to see wildlife (especially a great diversity of birds - waterfowl, herons, eg...

Portland Head Light is one of Maine's most iconic and picturesque lighthouses that offers stunning views year round. Located just about 15 minutes outside of Portland, Maine, it's the perfect place to go to watch an early winter sunset and enjoy some ocean views. To get to the light house, you wi...

Built in 1855, (also known as 'Bug Light') the lighthouse was used as a breakwater to the bustling harbor of Portland during the booming shipbuilding era during the World Wars.  The small size of the the breakwater eventually led to the lighthouse being decommissioned in 1943, but located in Bug...

Being a less popular lighthouse out of the many in the greater Portland area, parking is easy and crowds are limited. Parking at Fort Prebble is ideal for a short walk to the lighthouse. Completed in 1897, off the shoreline of Fort Prebble, Spring Point is a unique lighthouse with huge importanc...

This kayaking adventure begins at East End Beach at the Eastern Promenade in Portland. There is an easy boat launch zone if you have your own sea kayaks, but if you need to rent, Portland Paddle is right at the launch zone! It is $45 for 2 hours with a tandem sea kayak, which is what we opted for...

Peaks Island is the closest of the Casco Bay Islands to Portland, ME. It is a residential island that fills up with tourists in the summertime. If you visit the Peaks mid-spring, you can count on fairly decent weather and fewer crowds. There is a hotel and three or four restaurants on the island,...

After crossing the Mousam River on Western Ave, see signs and gravel pull-off areas for parking at the Bridle Path trailhead. The Madelyn Marx Preserve is a greater part of the Kennebunk Land Trust home to many preserves in the area (So look for Kennebunk Land Trust signs as well).Hike through op...

Pull into the well marked Wildlife Refuge off Port Rd. There's several official building as well as an interpretive center and bathroom very close to the parking lot.The only trail, the Carson Trail, is feet from the parking area. It's an extremely well groomed gravel trail easily accessible for ...

From the main parking area take the Beach Barrier Trail which takes you through several different types of environment; fields, forests, and marshland before reaching Laudholm Beach to further explore or take a dip.Walk the length of Laudholm Beach if you have time where barrier beaches protect a...

Park near the Oceanside Oarweed restaurant or any other public spots on the cove's peninsula. Marginal Way is a nicely paved 1.25 mile out and back path, perfect for a morning walk or run on the rocky coast. Catch fishermen, lobstermen, and recreational boats as they leave, or choose to sit at on...

Officially named Cape Neddick Light, though more commonly known as Nubble Light, this lighthouse is part of the National Register of Historic Places and is a local favorite for photography. The lighthouse park is located just over the New Hampshire / Maine state line in New England, in York, ME....

Try shooting a gun with L.L. Bean's Discovery Sporting Clay course. You can book courses in the morning or afternoon and will meet at a specified location (the range) where you will meet with the guide and other participants. You will be introduced to the sport of shooting a gun at artificial tar...

Bradbury mountain has ample parking and multiple trails that lead around the mountain and up to the summit.  We took the Northern Loop, which is the longest trail up the small mountain. It is a gradual incline of 407 ft over 1.0 mile. It is a perfect out and back trail just to get outside for a b...