12 Amazing Maine Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
When planning a day trip in and around Maine, several iconic images and experiences, like lobsters, Adirondack chairs, lighthouses, and its quintessential New England coastal vibe, usually come to mind. The vibrant autumn colors draw leaf lovers to the state known for its vast wilderness and natural beauty, with nearly 90% of its land covered in forests. Fall is the perfect time of year to book a rental car at Portland International Jetport (PWM) and discover these twelve amazing Maine day trips that are well worth the drive.
Portland Head Light - Cape Elizabeth
Visitors don’t have to drive far to see a lighthouse in Maine, as it is home to 65 of them. Erected initially as warning beacons to sailors nearing the rugged Maine coastline, the lighthouses are icons of coastal Maine and attract visitors worldwide. The annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day attracts over 15,000 lighthouse admirers every year to climb and learn about more than a dozen historic Maine lights, including the Portland Head Light, one of the oldest and most photographed lighthouses in the U.S., which is only open to the public on that day every year. Fort Williams Park is a 90-acre park next to the lighthouse, where visitors can visit the museum and gift shop, hike walk on the cliffside loop, and admire endless views of the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse is twenty minutes from the airport.
Old Orchard Beach
There’s nothing like visiting a classic old beach town to conjure up nostalgic memories of long family drives in the old station wagon, but happily, this drive to the beach is only twenty-five minutes from the airport. Since the 19th century, Old Orchard Beach has been a popular resort destination, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant boardwalk, and iconic pier whose casino once hosted acts like Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. The old pier and casino are gone, but in its place is New England’s only beachfront amusement park, Palace Playland, with over 25 rides to thrill on. There are plenty of popular boardwalk favorites to chow on, like French fries, fried Snickers, Maine lobster rolls, and much more.
Seashore Trolley Museum - Kennebunkport
In the pretty coast town of Kennebunkport, a short forty-minute drive from Portland International Jetport, railway enthusiasts and trainspotters will treasure a visit to the world's first and largest electric railway museum—the Seashore Trolley Museum. The museum has the most extensive collection of historic streetcars, trolleys, and transit vehicles from around the world. Visitors can book a guided tour to learn about the history of the trolley cars, visit the restoration shop to see how the vehicles are maintained, and take a ride on a heritage railroad in a vintage trolley from the 1900s.
Maine Wildlife Park - Grey
With guaranteed animal sightings of moose, lynx, bobcats, black bears, and more, this wildlife park and refuge is the perfect thirty-minute drive from the airport in Portland. The Maine Wildlife Park is home to over 30 species of Maine wildlife that cannot live in their natural habitats for myriad reasons. In addition to viewing the popular mammals, there are bald eagles, owls, and turkey vultures to see, a fish hatchery to discover, and trails and gardens for kids to explore. There’s a Snack Shack on site, but visitors are welcome to pack a picnic.
Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory - Prospect
Constructed in the mid-1800s, the Fort Knox Historic Site is one of the best-preserved examples of coastal defense fortifications on the East Coast. It is located on the banks of the Penobscot River and was built to protect the river and Maine’s coastline from potential British naval threats during the War of 1812. History buffs will love wandering around the massive granite fort and exploring its cannons, underground tunnels, and barracks. The adjacent Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory is the world’s tallest bridge observatory open to the public. It offers stunning 360-degree views of the river and landscape and is the perfect backdrop for photos from this one-hour-and-forty-five-minute day trip from the airport.
Desert of Maine - Freeport
This unique natural area offers visitors of all ages a chance to explore rolling dunes of sand amidst the pine forests of the “Pine Tree State”—forty-five minutes from the airport. Despite its name, it isn’t a bonafide desert but a 40-acre expanse of exposed glacial silt. The quirky destination has something for everyone, from families with kids, history buffs, science nerds, or curious travelers. There’s a natural playground, a labyrinth, exhibits, and a mini golf course. Take a self-guided tour to learn about the Desert's history, geology, and ecology, and visit the restored 1800s farmhouse and living museum. Kids will love the experience, while adults may wander away from the visit to look up the term “desertification.”
Portland Museum of Art - Portland
Maine's largest and oldest public art institution, over 140 years old, is the Portland Museum of Art in downtown Portland, a quick ten-minute drive from PWM. The museum collection contains more than 18,000 pieces of artwork, ranging from Andy Warhol to Claude Monet, as well as works by Renoir, Wyeth, and Winslow Homer. The museum is light and airy, with numerous galleries to explore and a spacious green area between galleries, the David E. Shaw and Family Sculpture Park, where families can wander around or enjoy a cold drink and a snack on the lawns.
Maine Maritime Museum - Bath
In the “City of Ships,” Bath, maritime enthusiasts, seafarers, and weekend boaters will enjoy this forty-five-minute excursion from the airport to the Maine Maritime Museum on the banks of the Kennebec River. Located on 20 acres of waterfront, the museum includes the only surviving historic wooden shipyard in the U.S. called “The Percy & Small Shipyard,” a Victorian shipbuilder’s home, and a working boat restoration shop. Book one of the daily cruises aboard the “Merrymeeting” and spend 30 minutes to 4 hours touring the bay and river to see some of Maine’s landmark lighthouses and abundant wildlife.
Marginal Way - Ogunquit
Spend a leisurely morning walking along the Marginal Way, a scenic cliff walk along the Atlantic Ocean. Starting in the popular beach town of Ogunquit, the 1.24-mile path has 39 benches at ideal viewing spots, perfect for watching the sun rise or set, quiet contemplation, or simply enjoying the stunning scenery. Along the path, visitors will pass spectacular hotels and beautiful inns and wind up in pretty Perkins Cove, full of charming seaside-inspired shops, lobster restaurants, and a tiny harbor where the lobster boats come in. This not-to-be-missed walk is only forty-five minutes from the airport.
Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park is Maine’s crown jewel and a haven for nature lovers, with hiking trails, scenic drives, and beautiful vistas. It’s a two-hour drive from the airport to Bar Harbor, so to make the most of a day trip to the park, visitors should consider the 27-mile Park Loop Road traversing Mount Desert Island's perimeter. Some highlights of the drive include Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic Seaboard in the U.S; Sand Beach, which is the trailhead for popular hikes in the park like the 1.5-mile Beehive Loop Trail; and the landmark Thunderhole, a small cavern that compresses air and water inside the cave during high tide, creating a dramatic splash and thunder clap.
Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine - Portland
Located just fifteen minutes from the Portland International Jetport, the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is a must-visit day trip for families with infants, toddlers, and children in their early teens. It is a hands-on experience where kids can navigate three floors of exhibits and immersive experiences, like “From the Mountains to the Sea,” to discover who lives at the bottom of a mountain lake, meet turtles and hermit crabs, and touch an anemone. Maddy’s Theatre is the oldest children’s theatre in the U.S. and makes its home at the museum, where rotating performances include “Beautiful Blackbird,” “Winnie-the-Pooh,” and “Pete the Cat.”
Kennebunkport
Kennebunkport is a pretty coastal town known for its historic homes, shops, restaurants, and beautiful beaches. It’s only forty-five minutes from the airport, but it's well worth the drive. Its quiet streets are lined with the historic homes of former ship captains and owners, which visitors can learn about by taking a self-guided walking tour through town. The downtown area known as Dock Square is fun for visiting galleries, shopping, or indulging in fresh Maine lobster. Parsons Way Shore Walk, a scenic path, begins from the square and leads to Walker's Point, where visitors will find the summer home of the late 41st President George H. W. Bush, as well as Spouting Rock and Blowing Cave, two natural landmarks near the famous 1887 St. Ann’s Episcopal Church.
Summary
Maine offers many fun and scenic day trips within a few hours of Portland International Jetport. Families can enjoy exploring Portland Head Light, one of the oldest and most iconic lighthouses in the U.S. A visit to Old Orchard Beach provides classic boardwalk fun, and the Maine Wildlife Park gives visitors a rare chance to see native species like moose and black bears. Train enthusiasts will love the Seashore Trolley Museum, where they can ride vintage trolleys, and history buffs can explore Fort Knox and enjoy breathtaking views from the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory, all within a short drive.
