Savor your vacation one day at a time with excursions that showcase Maine’s diversity. From cosmopolitan Portland to beachside Cape Elizabeth, southern Maine has it all: natural beauty, historical sites, breathtaking beaches and capes, and diverse art.
Higgins Beach Market
On Spurwink Road in Scarborough, this little market offers big selections. Choose from seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy and bakery items, and wines and cheeses. Open mid-May to late October; call 207/883-2766 for more information.
Maine’s First Surf Camp
The entire family can hang 10 this summer, or at least try. This surf camp, located on Scarborough Beach, offers weeklong programs for kids as well as group lessons for anyone 10 years of age or older. Sessions are offered from late June through late August. Visit surfcampme.com or call 207/423-1986.
Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Light
This park on Cape Elizabeth welcomes locals and tourists year-round. The museum and gift shop are only open seasonally, but the lighthouse can be easily photographed from the park throughout the year. For more information, visit portlandheadlight.com or capeelizabeth.com.
Gallery Art Walk
The first Friday of every month, more than 30 galleries, art studios, and museums in Portland participate in the monthly Art Walk. You can stroll at your own pace between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Visit firstfridayartwalk.com.
Portland Museum of Art
Maine’s largest museum features 15,000 pieces in its permanent collection, and is home to works by Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth. If you are in Portland between June 28 and October 8, 2007, check out the exhibit “Frank Lloyd Wright and the House Beautiful.” Visit portlandmuseum.org.
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House
On Portland's Congress Street, tour the childhood home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882). Be sure to visit the Colonial Revival garden behind the house (open May through October). The house remains open to the public May to December. Visit mainehistory.org or call 207/774-1822.
Maine Lobster Festival
The town of Rockland (a couple of hours north of Portland) comes alive with a parade, arts and crafts, a lobster race, and a cooking contest. The festival runs August 1 to August 5, 2007. Visit mainelobsterfestival.com.
L.L. Bean
Every once in a while we get a midnight craving for a monogrammed canvas boat tote or a pair of classic waterproof boots. Located in downtown Freeport, the flagship L.L. Bean store remains open 24 hours a day. Visit llbean.com or call 207/373-2700.
