Are you thinking about a trip this weekend? then what are you waiting for? Just wrap your bag, have some snacks, kick up on the car, and lets rocks to the best day trips from Portland Maine with us.
First, let’s introduce you with the name history of this city. Everyone knows the name Portland but do you know why this place got this name. Basically, this name portland has come from the Old English word Portland which means “land surrounding a harbour”. This place is known as Maine’s economic capital of England. In this place, you can also see here the largest tonnage seaport of New England.
There are many popular destinations near portland to visit with your family to spend a good time. Here you can visit The Old Port district of Portland is famous for its 19th-century architecture and nightlife.
Portland is a famous tourist place there are millions of peoples comes to spend their wonderful time in this delightful destination. You can also make days trips from portland Maine to get the best experiences of diverse landscapes and lighthouses.
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Let’s have a look some popular destinations for a day trips from Portland Maine.
Best Day Trips From Portland Maine
1. Camden
This is the famous administrative centre of the London Borough of Camden. This place was identified in the London Plan as one of 34 major centres in Greater London.
Camden is heaven for ocean lovers, shoppers, and outdoor adventurers and one of the best day trips from Portland Maine. It is perfectly situated as a picturesque port surrounded by gentle mountains. This is a sailor’s dream place visitors can also choose to charter their own ships, or sail for several days on a majestic ocean vessel, learning to hoist the sails or relaxing on the deck in the cool ocean breezes.
Drive Time: It takes about 1hr 43 minutes to reach this place, 80.9 miles from Portland Maine.
Best Time to Visit: September is the best time to visit this place as these days you can enjoy some outdoor activities, festivals, events and seasonal events.
2. Sebago Lake
It is a popular lake in the U.S. state of Maine just because of its deepest and largest size. It is the second-largest lake in Maine with the deepest point 316 feet (96 m) deep and covers about 45 square miles (117 km 2) in surface area. Many visitors come to see this lake as it provides drinking water to 1/6 the population of the Marines.
Do you know why this lake got the name “Sebago Lake”? This lake is naturally formed by ancient rivers and ice age glaciers so that’s why this lake got this name. The Sebago is an Indian name which means ”great stretch of water. Here people can enjoy Powerboaters, sailors, kayakers, canoeists, anglers, and beachgoers.
Drive Time: The distance from Portland to Sebago Lake is 20.3 miles and takes about 56 minutes to reach
Best Time to Visit: Early spring is the best time to visit this place but people roam the lake throughout the year to catch fish.
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3. Freeport
It is still building on its retail tradition this place is part of Portland which is located in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The place consists of four villages that are registered as national historic sites. These villages are Mast Landing, Porter’s Landing, South Freeport, and Freeport Corner.
The place is famous for its many outlet stores which open 24 hours a day. Freeport is famous for its L.L. Bean, Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park, and the Desert of Maine. This famous Wolf’s Neck Wood State Park is made up of beaches, marshes, forests, and rocky shorelines.
Drive Time: Freeport is only 16miles far from the portland which helps you to make the best day trips from Portland Maine.
Best Time to Visit: You can visit here, late September and early October. In this time interval, you can enjoy the vanity of colours of the grand leaf tableau.
4. Damariscotta
This is the capital of oyster in New England which is a popular tourist destination. The name Damariscotta is derived from an Indian name meaning “river of small fish”. In this place, you can visit the two thousand years old oyster shells.
People who like designer costumes and ever want some unique costumes can enjoy this place more. This place is famous for its costume festivals and you can also win costume awards. You can also visit The Woodturning School in Damariscotta, which is famous for its unique workshop.
Drive Time: Distance in from portland to Damariscotta is approx 44.78 miles which you can cover by car within 59 minutes if you drive non stop. Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit in Damariscotta from late June to early September.
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5. Bethel
It is a famous place because of its beautiful hilly location and this place is located in Oxford County, Maine, United States. People can see a variety of amenities and activities in the town historic village as well as in the surrounding area.
Now these days, this place is the most attractive tourist destination due to their outdoor adventures and peaceful vacation. Here you can enjoy outdoor activities during day trips like skiing, kayaking hiking and many more. This place offers you some mountain areas for your whole family so that you can spend a wonderful time.
The place is renowned as the home of the Gold Academy, a private preparatory school, and near the Sunday River Ski Resort.
Drive Time: Distance in from portland to Bethel is approx 4.9 miles which you can cover by car within 14 minutes if you drive non stop.
Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit in Bethel from mid-June to last September.
6. The Kennebunks
Kennebunk is home to several beaches located in York County, Maine, United States. These famous beaches are the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, the 1799 Kennebunk Inn, many historic shipbuilders’ homes.
People who love fishing can choose Kennebunk for their trip because this place is a Historically famous place for shipbuilding and fishing. The Brick Store Museum and Nature Conservancy’s Kennebunk Plains are popular nature trails and blueberry fields.
Here you can visit a popular summer colony and seaside tourist destination, which are more than a century old in the city.
Drive Time: This place is 28.5miles from the portland which helps you to make an easy day trip plan.
Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Kennebunk is between June and October.
7. Acadia National Park
This National Park is a famous American national park located in the state of Maine, southwest of Bar Harbor.
You can enjoy by performing many outdoor activities like entice visitors, including ranger-led hikes, trails, cruises, nature walks, children’s programs and evening amphitheatre programs. Those people who love Bicycling can explore 45 miles of road.
Drive Time: This place is about 160 miles its takes approx 3hour to reach from portland.
Best Time to Visit: Tourists can visit here mostly in March, April and May because they want to enjoy rain and fog and the best to visit here in September through early October.
Read:- 8 Best National Parks In The USA Popular For Camping Layoffs
8. Bath
People know this place as the “City of Ships” for its storied tradition of shipbuilding. Bath is located in Sagadahoc County, Maine, in the United States. The city is popular with tourists, many drawn by its 19th-century architecture.
It is home to the Bath Iron Works and Heritage Days Festival, held annually on the Fourth of July weekend. It is commonly known as “The City of Ships”. Bath is part of the metropolitan statistical area of Greater Portland and is one of the best day trips from Portland Maine to enjoy your weekend.
Drive Time: This place is located 36 miles from the portland so people can easily visit this by driving the car within 37minute.
Best Time to Visit: You can visit here anytime when you need enjoyment because if you come in summer you can enjoy many outdoor activities. If you want to visit in winter then you can see many Museums and medieval buildings.
9. Boothbay Harbor
It is a popular yachting and tourist destination which is located in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. This place coastline is surrounded by evergreen forests and rocky outcrops. People can enjoy the festival takes place in late June and includes concerts, boat parades, Coast Guard vessel tours, food, fireworks, and more
Downtown is fully loaded with attractive shops and restaurants, making this place a completely family tourist destination. At this location, You can see whales, puffins, seals, lighthouses, and lobster boats while you are travelling on a cruise.
Drive Time: This location is 33.96 miles from Boothby Harbor to Portland in a southwest direction. People can reach this place by car, driving 1 hour 8 minutes non-stop.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit this place in October.
10. Peaks Island
This Island is a popular summer destination which is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) from downtown. This is the most populated island in Casco Bay, Maine that attracts lots of tourists.
The island is known as the home of hotels, cottages, theatres and amusement parks. This is popular for biking and kayaking, as well as swimming on Sandy and Centennial beaches and exploring the rocky Cairn beach.
Drive Time: People can accessible only by ferry, you will have to travel 3.8 miles from Portland to reach this place.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit this place in Summer.
11. Bar Harbor
It is located on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine, United States. It is a popular tourist destination in the Down East area of Maine and the best day trips from Portland Maine. Here you can visit a variety of shops, restaurants, taverns, hotels, or bed and breakfasts as well as easy access to the forests and shores of Acadia National Park.
Bar Harbor is famous for its stunning coastal beauty, view of islands, its many yachts and boats, and ocean in settings that can range from glistening sunlight to thick fog and mist. Visitors know that Bar Harbor is a lifestyle, an aspiration, and a very special place.
Drive Time: This place is 115 miles far from the portland you can reach this place within 4hour(approx) by car.
Best Time to Visit: The best to visit this place is September to early October because in these days temperatures above from the freezing point.
12. Deer Isle
It is a well-known destination in Deerock County, Maine, United States. You can see at this location the Rocky Coast, the tranquil cove, and the breathtaking landscape greeting visitors at every turn.
Deer Isle is the best day trip for photographers, birders, kayakers, sailors, painters, naturalists, and anyone who loves outdoor activities. This place is famous for the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Stonington Opera House, and the town’s many art galleries.
Drive Time: This place is 87.59 miles from Portland so you can choose this place for your day trip. You can reach this place by car within 3 hours 16 minutes via non-stop driving.
Best Time to Reach: The best time to visit this place is hot weather activities from early July to early September.
13. Stonington
It is located in New London County, Connecticut in the state’s southeastern corner. Todays this place famous for its tree-lined village streets and historic houses.
The Captain Nathaniel Brown Palmer House and Old Lighthouse Museum tell stories of the place and its people. These people made this place one of the most charming small towns in Connecticut and the best day trips from Portland Maine.
Drive Time: This place is 87 miles from the portland so you can reach this place within 4hour(approx).
Best Time to Visit: The most diligent season of the Stonington is June and August.
Conclusion
Every year, large no of visitors came to visit Portland with their entire family, and sometimes it’s not easy to find out the most trustworthy and suitable places, where we can safely enjoy with our family. So, here this article will help you out with one of the safest and best day trips from Portland.
Now, let’s go ahead and backpack your bags and wanderlust the Portland Maine!
