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Portland, Maine, although not the capital of Maine, it is Maine’s biggest city. Although there is a lot to do in Portland, here is our list of more than 35 destinations for a day trip from Portland, Maine. Our definition of a day trip was somewhere that you could get to in less than 4 hours, so you’d have plenty of time to get there, explore and return on the same day. I’ve listed the travel time by car to every destination. But, I’ve also added in bus or train travel times when they can get you to your destination as well.
To make it easier to find the destinations that interest you most, we’ve sorted our list by categories. Be advised though, just because we put it in one category, doesn’t mean that you won’t find even more to enjoy there. Many of these cities will fit into more than one category, so we had to pick one that seemed the most common reason people visit. So, fill your car up with fuel, and let’s hit the road.
Waves & Water
Old Orchard Beach, ME
Known locally as OOB, they are known for their party atmosphere. With what was once the longest pier in the country, filled with restaurants, shops, and a club. Add to that the oceanside amusement park, Palace Playland, the only such oceanside amusement park in the country. Over the summer, they also have weekly fireworks every Thursday evening. Of course, they also have the beach, which is staffed by lifeguards and is very popular all summer long. A nearby town with all of the essentials that you need to stay all day.
Kennebunkport, ME
With 5 separate beaches in one little town, there is plenty of space to soak up the ocean waves. In addition to the beaches, Kennebunkport is becoming well-known for its arts and culture. There are lots of art galleries and artists, along with streets lined with historical homes. Finally, lots of food and drink options, you could spend all day in town, walking from place to place. It’s a smaller town with a slower pace of life. Perfect for relaxing.
Ogunquit, ME
A cute, traditional New England town, with lots of beachfront and plenty of local shops. The Marginal Way walking path, which is about 1.25 miles, runs directly along the oceanfront. It also connects many of the beaches with Perkins Cove, a small fishing village shopping area. Ogunquit Beach is 3.5 miles long with soft sand and cool water. TripAdvisor ranked it as one of the top 25 beaches in the United States. You can also get around the town on the open-air trolleys that make loops around the city. If you’re looking to start dreaming about that vacation early, they include a number of live webcams on their website to start thinking about what it would be like to be oceanside.
Georgetown, ME
Home of Reid State Park, Ledgemere Nature Preserve, and Josephine Newman Wildlife Sanctuary. Georgetown is actually home to five separate villages and is a popular tourist destination. With a river on one side and the ocean on the other, there are plenty of water activities as well. Throw in a lighthouse, and you have your quintessential rural coastal Maine town.
Boothbay Harbor, ME
A true Maine lobstering and fishing village. There are lots of boating options, including wildlife tours that include whales, puffins, and dolphins. You can also take to the water in a kayak yourself too. If you want to stick to land, there are lots of hiking trails at a number of nearby parks, including Barrett Park or Linekin Preserve. Make sure you spend some time walking through the downtown area and do some shopping at the locally owned stores. Afterward, if you want some history, the Boothbay Railway Village includes vintage cars and trains in an imitation historical village. Lastly, make it a point to stop by the Maine State Aquarium.
Looking for more small towns in Maine, we’ve got you covered with this round-up of the best.
Newburyport, MA
Another beautiful coastal New England town with lots of outdoor activities. With its close proximity to Boston, you can stop there on your way to or from Portland if you’re flying into Boston Logan Airport. Moreover with a choral society, several theatres, and a dance studio, there is something for those who love the performing arts. For those interested in the outdoors, Plum Island is perfect for you. The island includes hiking trails, a wildlife refuge, a state reservation, beaches, and a lighthouse. Of course, there are plenty of places to rent boats and jet skis, or let somebody else drive and catch a cruise. Newburyport also claims to be the birthplace of the US Coast Guard, with the first cutter being launched from their still active US Coast Guard station.
Sebago Lake, ME
Popular for hiking and camping, with 1,400 acres of land and 250 campsites. If you’re looking to get into the water, there are 5 separate beaches surrounding the lake, but note that two of them aren’t public and require a permit for access. The lake is 45 acres, which makes it great for boating as well, with a couple of boat launches. They also offer fishing in the lake and a public golf course on the northern tip of the lake or on Frye Island in the middle of the lake.
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
Besides being fun to say, Lake Winnipesaukee is surrounded by 40 different communities, giving you tons of options for things to do. It’s also the largest lake in New Hampshire at 72 square miles in size. In the water, consider swimming, boating, or fishing. Additionally, outside of the water, consider nature preserves, science centers, hiking, or shopping in the nearby stores. Finally in the winter, the fun doesn’t stop and includes ice fishing, ice boating, snowmobiling, ice skating, or cross-country skiing. If downhill skiing is your thing, there are also three ski resorts nearby.
Rockport, MA
This is one of our favorites, and anytime we have friends or family in town, we took them to Rockport. A very traditional coastal New England town, with ocean views, beaches, and the most walkable downtown. They also have lots of signs and maps to help you navigate to all of the best stops in town. With a breakwater you can walk out on, you can really experience the power of the ocean as it’s on both sides of you. Very easily walkable to anywhere in town from the MBTA Commuter Rail Station. The whole town is only 17.5 square miles, and 60% of that is the ocean.
Rangeley Lake, ME
A cool fact about Rangley Lake is that it is one of very few lakes that serve as a runway for seaplanes This is completed with a GPS-enabled instrument approach. But, if you’re not flying into Rangely Lake, there is still 10 square miles of lake to enjoy. Surrounding Rangeley Lake is the state park with 900 acres of land to explore. Additionally for fishers, this is a cold-water stocked fish pond with 20 varieties of fish within it. Of course, there is plenty of space for swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, and relaxing.
Shopping, Restaurants & Bars
Old Port, ME
Technically, Old Port is part of Portland, Maine, so not really a road trip from Portland, but we’ll tack it on here anyway. Old Port is the nightlife portion of Portland, with more bars and restaurants per square mile than anywhere else in Portland. With so many places to eat and drink all within walking distance, it’s worth the visit. It’s very popular with college students, especially on weekend evenings. In addition to the consumables, there is also a great ocean view as it’s right on the pier.
Have 48-Hours in Portland? Check out our guide here for everything to do!
Freeport, ME
Home of the L.L. Bean Campus, which consists of 7 L.L. Bean branded stores. Within just these 7 stores alone, you could purchase new bedding, a bike, skis, dog beds, clothing, guns, bows, tents, or even a canoe. Anything L.L. Bean sells is in one of these stores, and open 24/7/365, it’s easy to stop by anytime. Additionally, Freeport is famous for its outlet stores, along with a number of smaller local stores. Finally, check out one of the prettiest McDonald’s while you’re there.
Lewiston & Auburn, ME
Separated by only a river, Lewiston and Auburn complement each other well. Boasting a large and growing list of local retailers, art studios, and restaurants all within walking distance. Even better is that they really focus on local businesses in their downtown cores, so you can really find some unique finds. If you want more chain stores and restaurants, the Auburn Mall is just a short trip away from downtown Lewiston. Additionally, Lewiston is home to Bates College, a large private college, so you’ll find lots of bars and restaurants in that area as well.
North Conway, NH
As New Hampshire doesn’t have a sales tax, you’ll immediately save some money shopping in North Conway. The easiest way to get all of your shopping done on one trip is going to Settler’s Green, which includes more than 70 stores in nearly every category. If you wanted to make two stops while you’re in North Conway, swing by the White Mountain Outlet Stores for even more choices. If you’re bringing kids with you, they also have two water parks, a mini-golf course, and even a moose tour.
Boston, MA
Boston is the largest city in the Northeast, with a population of over 650K, 25 colleges and universities, and home of the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots, and the Boston Bruins. The stores range from the very expensive on Newbury Street to the much more local Boston Public Market. Additionally, there are over 3,000 restaurants in Boston. There are so many choices. For restaurants, head to North End, which has more restaurants per square mile than anywhere else in Boston. Having lived in Boston for years, we have lots of other posts all about Boston, including the best places to eat and explaining the difference between South End and Southie. Traffic can be challenging in Boston though, so read up on that here, or just take public transportation.
History & Arts
Brunswick, ME
Home of Bowdoin College and its Museum of Art with their permanent collection of over 20,000 items. The museum itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, built in 1894. Also on the Bowdoin College campus is the Maine State Music Theatre which puts on 96 performances during the three-month summer season. Additionally the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and the Peary MacMillan Arctic Museum are found on campus. Off-Campus though, you have the Naval Aviation Museum, The Theatre Project, The Moving Company Dance Studio, and the Pejepscot History Center.
Bath, ME
Originally incorporated in 1781 as a shipping port, it has seen little change. Many of the 19th-century buildings continue to dot the city. Bath, actually, has a series of 34 historical markers telling you about the history of the city. Additionally as a coastal town, they focus a lot on nautical history with the Maine Maritime Museum. Also if you want to see some of the most modern ships in the world, look for them near Bath Iron Works, which builds ships for the US Navy. Of course, as a military contractor, security is very tight on the campus, so you won’t be able to get anywhere near the ships, but you can see them from afar. For my art lovers, the Chocolate Church Art Center, Earth Circle Studio, or Sarah Greenier Gallery are must-sees for you.
Portsmouth, NH
A city full of history, and a vibrant arts scene. Firstly, some historical sites you’ll want to visit include the Portsmouth Historical Society, Governor John Langdon House, and The Black Heritage Trail. Next, Albacore Park is a museum within a US Navy Submarine. For those art lovers, visit The Music Hall or the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC). The Music Hall has two theatres, one built in 1878 and listed as a National Treasure by the National Park Service. In addition, PMAC is a non-profit community music and visual arts center.
Moultonborough, MA
Home to the Castle in the Clouds, an entire estate built in 1913. Originally named Lucknow, the estate is 6,300 acres. This beautiful estate includes 16 rooms, 6 car garage, two gatehouses, a golf course, a tennis court, a horse stable, and a greenhouse. Now it’s all open for you to view with both guided and self-guided tours. An incredible site that regularly hosts weddings and private events.
Gloucester, MA
Home to the oldest Seaport in America, it is a town full of history. First discovered in 1605 and settled in 1623. Home to a number of museums and historic sites including the Hammond Castle Museum, Cape Ann Museum, the Rocky Neck Art Colony, and Maritime Gloucester. If you like either maritime history or beautiful ocean views, you should add Gloucester to your list of day trips from Portland. Although they are famous for their history, let’s not forget that they are also a beach town, with lighthouses, whale watching tours and lots of boat cruises.
Hiking & Camping
Given that these areas are a lot more rural or simply state parks, there are no restaurants to recommend. Make sure to pack your own meals if you’re staying out for a long time, many of the long hiking days truly require lots of snacks and water. Since summers are cooler, you might not feel like needing water, but definitely pack it.
Mount Agamenticus (York, ME)
For only a $2 admission fee, this is a beautiful hiking destination. The Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region is more than 10,000 acres, located with an additional 30,000 of conservation land, so there is plenty to explore. With more than 20 trails of various lengths, including a mix of hiking and biking trails. You can even bring your dog along to enjoy the hikes along with you. Being so close to the town of York, you can enjoy dinner or dessert in York after your hike.
Bradbury Mountain (Pownel, ME)
One of the original 5 state parks in Maine, it was eventually acquired by the federal government in 1939. It’s open all year from 9 AM until sunset with 18 trails, split between the east side and the west side. Trail maps clearly delineate the trail purposes as either hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing, snowmobiling, or a combination of those. It also ranks each trail by level of difficulty and total length, making it one of the best trail maps that I’ve ever seen. If you wanted to make it a multi-day trip, they have 35 campsites at the mountain that can be rented out. Day-use fees are $3 for Maine residents, $4.50 for non-residents, but free for children under 5. Camping is $10 per night for residents and $18 for non-residents.
Acadia National Park (Mount Desert Island, ME)
One of the largest National Parks in Maine with 47,000 acres located on an island, giving you incredible ocean views and a sea breeze. The park also features Cadillac Mountain, one of the highest points on the US East Coast. The park includes tons of wildlife, including moose, bears, whales, birds, and more. With 4 separate campgrounds and over 150 miles of trails, you could spend days at Acadia. The park also has areas for climbing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Of course, you can bring your pet on a leash as well for any of your hikes. The Acadia National Park website is very detailed with lots of great information. However it is one of the more expensive parks, with a $20 per person entry fee, or $35 per vehicle (which includes entry for up to 16 people.)
White Mountains (Woodstock, NH)
Part of the Application Mountain Trails, the White Mountains cover about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire, providing some of the most rugged mountains in New England. Because this isn’t just a park, it’s an entire mountain range, and the outdoor activities are numerous. Here are just a few options; Hiking, Camping, Biking, Skiing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Tubing, ATVing, Snowmobiling, Golf, Boating, Swimming, and Rock Climbing. There are also beautiful waterfalls to visit, lots of wildlife to enjoy, and the famous covered bridges. There are also a number of small towns along the mountains for shopping, theatres, art, or museums. They also feature a few scenic road trips if hiking isn’t your thing. I’d recommend starting by requesting your free travel guide to give you a sense of all of your options.
Skiing
If you’re into skiing, check out our full list of the best ski resorts in New England.
Lost Valley Ski Area (Auburn, ME)
With 22 trails and 9 glades, Lost Valley is a smaller ski resort served by 4 total lifts. Along with the ski trails, Lost Valley also hosts the Maine Family Snow Tube Park. All 45 ski-able acres are both fully covered by both snow-making capabilities and lighting for night skiing. Because it’s a smaller mountain, it comes at a lower cost. With high-quality instructors and an active ski patrol program, it’s a great mountain for new or practicing skiers or snowboarders.
Camden Snow Bowl (Camden, ME)
As the only ski resort on the east coast in which you can see the ocean from the top, you’ll get great skiing and great views. The US National Toboggan Championships are also held here each year. It’s a smaller mountain, but it has a real hometown feel. I personally worked at this mountain for years and never found myself feeling like I was missing out. The prices are reasonable, there is plenty of mountains to enjoy, and friendly people to help you along the way.
Attitash Mountain Resort (Bartlett, NH)
Part of the White Mountains, Attitash Mountain Resort consists of two mountains with ski lifts connecting them. With 68 total trails, 8 lifts, and 60+ acres of glades, they have enough room for even the more advanced skiers and snowboarders. In total, they have over 311 acres of skiable area with 23 miles of trails. Being in the Northeast, they have no shortage of snowfall to ensure a great skiing experience. Expect to pay a little bit more for lift tickets, but for a more advanced skier, it’s worth the cost.
Wachusett Mountain (Princeton, MA)
A beautiful mountain, which served as our home ski resort for years. With 27 total runs on its 125 acres of ski-able terrain. 8 lifts get you to the top of the mountain quickly with an uphill capacity of over 9,000 people per hour. Outside of the skiing, the mountain hosts 8 restaurants, cafes, and bars inside the lounge. Two additional options are on the mountain, with our very favorite being the Waffle Cabin.
Activities
Portland Museum Of Art (Portland, ME)
The largest and oldest public art institution in Maine. Located in the arts district, it was founded in 1882. Now it contains more than 22,000 pieces of art and has around 140,000 visitors per year. The museum hosts the largest collection of European art in Maine. Open Wednesday through Sunday each week, with free admission on Friday between 4 pm and 8 pm. They also offer free admission to anyone under the age of 21 at all times, with admission costing $18 for adults over 21 or $15 for seniors & students. They also have a café on-site, so you really can plan on spending a day soaking in the museum.
Eartha (Yarmouth, ME)
Located at the current home of Garmin, Eartha is the largest rotating and revolving glove in the world. Built at a 1:1,000,000 ratio, with the axis tilt and rotational speed to match, this is a very close approximation of our planet. It makes one full rotation about every 18 minutes. You can clearly see Eartha from outside the building due to it being surrounded by glass walls, and it is fully illuminated at night. On my last visit, there was public access to Eartha, along with a little coffee shop in the atrium. From inside, you can see the full size and scope of Eartha, along with the mechanics that make it work, and balconies that allow you to see it from different angles. At only 17 minutes, it’s worth the stop during one of your day trips from Portland.
Cruising Casco Bay (Portland, ME)
Whereas most of our destinations so far have been leaving Portland by car, train, or bus, this one leaves via the water. Casco Bay is easily accessible from the Old Port area. And the Casco Bay Lines ships make multiple trips per day to some of the smaller islands surrounding Casco Bay, to bring commuters home, drop off the mail and supplies, and ferry tourists. They operate a fleet of both passenger boats and ferry boats to allow you to take your car along. They cover 7 islands, as well as some specialty runs, including the Mailboat run that stops at most of the islands and returns to Portland Harbor. Tickets are generally $12 or less per person for most trips, and even lower in the off-season. They also offer a summer “concert series” aboard the boats that are worth checking out.
Portland Head Lighthouse (Cape Elizabeth, ME)
Completed in 1791, the Portland Head Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. In addition to marveling at the ocean views and the majesty of the lighthouse, there is also a seasonal gift shop and museum on site. Also on site, for more history exploration, is the Cape Elizabeth Historical Preservation Society. Admission to the grounds is free, but they do charge for the “premium parking spaces,” but free parking in the overflow lot. Visiting the museum is only $2 for adults and $1 for children over age 6. Dogs as welcome in the park on a leash. Unfortunately, for those interested in climbing the stairs in the lighthouse to see the view from the top – It’s only open one day per year, on Maine Open Lighthouse Day.
Travel Time: 16 minutes by car. No public transportation options.
Maine State Museum (Augusta, ME)
The official museum of the State of Maine is located next door to the Maine State House. Permanent exhibits include; Back to Nature, Maine Bounty: The people and resources that shaped Maine, Made In Maine, and 12,000 Years in Maine. As of this writing, the museum is currently closed, undergoing a major renovation project, expected to be completed sometime in 2025. In the meantime, there are lots of great online tours of the museum and a list of activities in the area around the museum worth considering.
World Travelers Signpost (Bethel, ME)
Although it’s cool to see once, I wouldn’t drive too far out of the way to visit this site. In Maine, due to a lack of creativity maybe, we named a bunch of our cities after cities that already existed in other parts of the world. So, this signpost will point you to Paris, 15 miles away, but it’s referring to Paris, Maine. The same thing applies to other destinations, such as Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, and China. It’s probably one of the most photographed signposts in Maine, but it is still just a signpost.
America’s Stonehenge (Salem, NH)
A privately owned attraction, consisting of around 30 acres of stone structures and archaeological finds. The owners claim that the site and the structures are more than 4,000 years old and are “likely the oldest man-made construction in the United States.” The tour is self-guided and is about a ½ mile loop, which they expect will take about an hour. Unfortunately, the trail is not wheelchair, or even stroller friendly, and they don’t allow dogs or pets, except service animals. They have a museum and gift shop on the site as well. Tickets are $16 per adult, $14 for seniors, and $9 for children, with those under 4 free. In the winter, they have a snowshoeing program that allows you to explore the site by walking over the snow. It’s open every day, year-round.
Bonus Day Trip: Spooky Halloween Adventures
Salem, MA
Known for the infamous Salem Witch Trials, Salem claims to be one of the most haunted cities in America. (Although, Savannah, GA also tries to claim this title.) Currently, Salem really holds on to the haunted history. They seem to celebrate Halloween all year round. The Salem Witch Museum, Gallows Hill Museum, the Salem Witch Village, Frankenstein’s Castle, and lots of spooky scary tours truly make Salem on of the most haunted cities. With plenty of “non-spooky” restaurants, shopping, parks, and events, it can also be a fun destination for even those who don’t like to be scared.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are The Transportation Options For Day Trips From Portland?
By Car: All of our destinations can be reached by car. Many can only be reached by car. If you want to go on a day trip from Portland and don’t have a car, might we suggest renting one. Here is our source for rental cars in Portland, Maine.
By Train: The Amtrak Downeaster heads both North and South from Portland. Heading north, it passes through Freeport and Brunswick. Heading south, it passes through Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Wells, and eventually Boston. Additionally, it is reasonably priced and a comfortable ride.
By Bus: Two major interstate bus lines support traveling from Portland, Greyhound Bus Lines or Concord Bus Lines. Greyhound doesn’t have a formal station in Portland, so they do their pickups and drop-offs at a Park and Ride. Concord has a station in Portland and has a more regular schedule of trips from Portland to Boston, or as far north as Bangor, hitting Augusta, Lewiston, and Orono along the way. For nearby trips, the Greater Portland Metro Bus has destinations as far out as Brunswick, Freeport, and Yarmouth.
What Other Cities In Maine Are Worth Visiting?
There are so many amazing choices of places to visit in Maine. Some easy recommendations include Bangor, Rockland, and Augusta. If you really want to experience more of Maine, I also recommend taking this beautiful road trip from Portland up the coast of Maine with 12 stops.
How Do I Fly Into Portland, Maine?
Portland International Jetport (PWM) is the only airport in Portland and the largest in Maine. With nearly 2 million passengers a year, it’s a busy airport for how small it is, with its two runways. Very well connected to the city by public bus and a taxi stand get you into the city easily.
Not used to flying? Here is our guide on getting both to the plane and from the plane to your destination.
In Conclusion: Day Trips From Portland, Maine
So, although I have lots of recommendations for things to do in Portland, Maine, there are obviously dozens of reasons to get out of Portland and explore more of New England. I hope that you’ll hop in the car and enjoy some of the incredible day trips from Portland. Breathe in the fresh New England air, watch the waves, and maybe even head up into the mountains to enjoy the views.
