Right across the street from The Harrasseeket Inn, LL Bean will be celebrating their grand re-opening celebration following a "Re-Boot" on the same day as our wedding. There will be lots of fun and festivity in Freeport that weekend! In addition to their retail experience, Bean offers tons of outdoor programming through their Outdoor Discovery Schools. Worth looking into while you are in town.
Downtown Freeport is home to some great outlet shopping in addition to smaller boutiques and several casual dining options.
The welcome party will be hosted here! Come early or re-visit the next day and enjoy walking trails, bike and kayak rentals, and farm animals!
A true Maine dining experience. Pro tips: 1. Call/look on website to make sure they are open before heading over. If you are planning on dinner, know that they close pretty early. 2. Cash only. 3. You can BYOB Enjoy a lobster roll, or a family favorite, the Fresh Fish Sandwich with tartar sauce. Corn bread, onion rings and desserts are also amazing.
A tourist destination since the early days of auto tourism along Route 1, Desert of Maine is one of the most unique places in the state. Learn why there are 25 acres of rolling sand dunes in the middle of the forest. Historical farmhouse museum, gemstone mining for kids, and Desert of Maine Mini Golf.
The BFI (Big Freeport Indian - "F" can also stand for "friendly" or "f#@&ing" ;-) Not so much a destination as it is a landmark. Look for it on Route 1 (hard to miss!)
Powel Point Preserve; AKA The Attitude Adjustment Walk. A short hike that won't take all day (0.8 miles one way) with an immense payoff. Climb to the top of the bluff and check out an amazing view of Casco Bay. Mildly challenging due to a lot of tree roots to walk over and a bit of a steep hill at the end. There are also plenty of other options in and around Freeport to get outside and take a walk in the woods (also found on the link above; see also Wolfe's Neck Center) but this is Andy & Betsy's favorite!
Portland is a quick drive south from Freeport on 295. Known as a foodie destination, there are so many amazing places to experience. If you are planning on dining downtown, get reservations; the better known spots require reservations weeks in advance (i.e. Street & Co., Scales, etc) Some amazing bakeries and coffee spots (Standard Bakery, Tandem Coffee, Holy Donut are our faves), Portland Pie Co. or Flatbread for pizza, Portland Lobster Co for a lobster roll on Commercial St.
Check out Peak's island - best at low tide if you want to look for beach glass. Rent a bike or go for a nice walk to the rocky back side of the island. A few restaurants for lunch, plus a place near the pier to get an ice cream cone for the return trip!
"Enjoy an unforgettable excursion on the waters of Casco Bay while we guide you through the daily routines of a Maine Lobsterman. Participate in the excitement of hauling up the traps or sit back and relax as we cruise near picturesque lighthouses, historic civil war forts, and the “Seal Rocks”. A good time and when you return, you will impress your friends with a ton of fun lobster facts!
Cruise Casco Bay on an antique windjammer. Really cool experience. Literally. Bring a few layers!
A school field trip favorite, the Maine Maritime Museum is a great stop for wooden boat enthusiasts, all the old salts and those who love them! (you know who you are ;-)
Well worth a visit! The museum is in downtown Portland, but if tickets are available, you may also be able to visit the studio of Winslow Homer in Scarborough.
It was such fun when the Perron kids were little. Now it's even "funner" at its new expanded location on Thompson's Point in Portland. Plenty to see and do for toddlers through "big" little kids.