Day Trips

DAY TRIPS BETHEL Maine’s Mountains

Nestled in the western mountains of Maine, only 45 minutes from Auburn, Bethel is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with trails ranging in different levels and offering scenic views of wildlife, caves, waterfalls, lakes, forests, and more. Summer activities include biking, hiking, ziplines, rock climbing, swimming, golf, canoe rentals, river rafting, and horseback riding. During the winter months, During the winter months, Bethel doesn’t miss a beat and offers snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, downhill skiing, ice fishing, tubing, and snowboarding.

If you’re not the outdoor type, Bethel has you covered with laser tag, an art gallery, a movie theatre, a variety of dining experiences, shopping, and antique stores.

CAMDEN + ROCKLAND Maine’s Coastal Jewel

A little more than an hour east of Lewiston sits Camden and Rockland. Considered the jewel of the Maine coast, Camden is a working harbor with lobstering and fishing boats going out daily. Rockland is a working seaport, rich in tradition and artistic culture, with museums, galleries, the Maine State Ferry, as well as farmers’ and fish markets.

There are hiking trails in Camden Hills State Park, outdoor venues at the Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre, a variety of restaurants, and live entertainment during the summer months. If you’re venturing to Camden for the beaches, you will not be disappointed with Barrett’s Cove Beach, a freshwater beach located on Megunticook Lake that offers views of the Camden Hills State Park. Laite Memorial Beach is a pebble beach next to Camden Harbor with scenic views and a grass hilltop perfect for picnics. Camden Hills State Park offers year-round trail activities, camping, and even winter camping complete with rustic shelter for adventurers.

DAY TRIPS FREEPORT Home to LL Bean

Only 20 minutes of Auburn, Freeport is a walkable town with outlet stores and LL Bean’s Flagship store, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. While Freeport is a shopper’s paradise and is considered the birthplace of Maine, it is also rich in history and immersed in culture to explore.

The Desert of Maine is a unique opportunity to see a desert in Maine, with 30-acres of sand dunes that provide walking trails and historical tours — you can even pitch a tent and stay a while. Freeport is a working harbor, so visitors can dine on fresh lobster while watching the boats travel on the Harraseeket River. There are scenic ocean cruises, boat rentals, and tours to explore the tidal rivers and even take hikes with goats. Coupled with numerous fairs and festivals throughout the year and summer concerts in the park, Freeport is a great way to spend the day when staying in the LA region.

PORTLAND’S OLD PORT Maine’s Fishing Heritage

The Old Port takes you back in time with cobblestone streets, 19thcentury warehouses, and a working wharf. Once a world-renowned port, the town offers some of Maine’s best dining experiences. The Old Port delivers something for everyone with daily brewery tours, the Portland Museum of Art, antiques, and shopping. On the must-do list is a visit to the Portland Head Light, the oldest lighthouse in Maine. You can experience a pub crawl with local tour guides, a Duck Tour on a land/sea bus that provides 60-minutes of legends and sightseeing tours, or venture out on a boat chartered for fishing, foodies, lighthouses, or even whale-watching tours. As night falls, the Old Port is just getting started with outside live entertainment, pubs, theme bars, comedy clubs, and dance clubs. For the truly adventurous, there is a walking tour dedicated to the Legends and History of a Haunted Old Port. If you’re a sports fan, come and root for one of the home teams — the Portland Sea Dogs (baseball), Maine Celtics (basketball), and Maine Mariners (hockey).