, Millinocket, PO Box 160 Boat traffic is minimal, and sightings of bald eagles, ospreys, and other raptors are common. Southern Maine Coasts Saco and Biddeford add oceanside haunts and typical Downtown Maine attractions to visit. My family and I will be visiting Acadia and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? .page .lead { padding: 0 20px 0 20px; } You can share 5 more gift articles this month.. A 4.5-mile trail loops around the northern section of this 1,576-acre preserve, more than half of it crossing over breathtaking, wide-open coastal headlands. 207-361-1000. A best-in-class spa, cool mod art collection, breathtaking ocean-view infinity pool, and crisp seaside dcor help make Cliff House among Maines swankiest splurge lodging options. $10 admission, $9 students and seniors. Kayak Excursions SUP tours, 1 hours, $50. 6. With a box of chocolatepeanut butter in hand, stroll out on the rocks, have a seat, and indulge in the fudge and the view. Chef Devin Finigan cut her teeth at some of the countrys finest restaurants (including Thomas Kellers Per Se and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in the Hudson Valley) before opening Aragosta in Stonington in 2013. Battie Trail (each isa half-mile). 17 Post Rd., Wells. Vazquez Mexican Food See these historic lighthouses first-hand. , Bingham. Required fields are marked *. Make faces at the monkeys (not the white tiger) at Yorks Wild Kingdom. The VisitMaine.Net team is the small team of authors and editors that research and write our in-depth guides throughout the site and update past articles to make sure it's still super valuable to you. Seals like to "haul out" to rest, sun themselves on rocky ledges or rocky shorelines on islands. Lets start with the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland. 207-244-7600. On the way out, Kettle Cove Creamery and Caf is a stone-cold classic for cones and lobster rolls. Many of the small islands off the coast of Maine are filled top to bottom with these charming little birds. Maines Birding Trail highlights the best spots to watch feathered friends of all types. Back-door access to Goochs Beach from what is very likely Americas oldest hotel: an inn has occupied the spot since at least 1660. Copyright VisitMaine.Net 2022Images Courtesy Greg and Heather Burke unless otherwise noted. Little Coveside might have the finest deck dining in the state, overlooking the harbors gnarly little outcrop islands and often hosting some al fresco troubadour. , Bingham, PO Box 773 Plus, the map displays our unique regions, cities, counties, convenient roads, and things to doso you'll have no problem picking points of interest and planning vacation routes. Her farm-to-table approach means the menu is always in flux, but lobster figures prominently (the states most productive lobstering fleet is out her back door) and often unexpectedly par for the course is a recent dish of applewood-smoked lobster beignets, served over local greens. @media screen and (min-width: 410px) { Walk the coastal trail, explore the childrens garden, and admire Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. Birds are the main source of the flu, and seals in the region have caught the flu from passing birds before. Gray seals are bigger; they're between 7 and 8 feet long, and can. The entire Kennebunkport Coastline in an epic 1 Hour adventure. 100 % of Cadillac Mountain Passes Sold 2 Days in Advance? The Port can only be found in the coast of Southern Maine; a distinctive coastal blend of food, shopping, and beaches combine with beautiful scenery and charming hotels and BnBs for a memorable visit. 127 in Georgetown, 500 feet east from where it crosses the Sasanoa River. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Learn more. Visit the Easterseals Store. There are actually two. National Marine Fisheries Service Law Enforcement division has established the following toll-free number for reporting potential violations: 1-800-853-1964. Aragosta Rangeley Lake State Park, Mount Blue State Park, Lily Bay State Park, and Peaks-Kenny State Park are all campground parks located in or near parts of Maine with ample moose-watching opportunities. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Mt. Driving from NJ where to stop for a night, Boston to Acadia via the coast and White Mountains. In southern Maine, not all the best places to see wildlife are remote islands or national parks. To up your chances of seeing a moose in Maine, or to put your wildlife photography skills to the test, contact one of the outfitters that specialize in moose watching tours, also known as moose safaris. Thurstons Lobster Pound Call Doc at 207-384-5160 or visit parksandlands.com for more details. Ogunquit Beachis a peninsula beach with water on three sides and was rated by Good Housekeeping as one of the top ten beaches in the United States. . Coast Guardcertified captains from Old Orchard Beach Parasailing & Jet Ski (5 Bay Ave., Saco; 855-359-2759) head a ways off the OOB shorefront with groups of up to six, and the parasail itself accommodates up to three for what is basically a tranquil, 15-minute aerial cruise with lighthouse and Ferris wheel views ($90 per person, extra if you want pics or to wear a GoPro camera). Free admission. As it turns out, theyve been in social networks a lot longer than we have. Bass Harbor Island Cruises 207-646-0455. Races start at 10:30AM - registration accepted up to 1 hour before the race. 140 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport. Perkins Cove Watch purple sandpipers and puffins settle onto the rocky coastline or look for black-capped chickadees (the Maine state bird) in the forest. These little-visited, adjoining parcels are protected, respectively, by the Maine Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy. Home to rare plants like beach-head iris and birds-eye primrose, the islands managed by The Nature Conservancy. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-57909508', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland. Whales can be seen up and down Maines coastline, but are best viewed by booking a whale watching boat tour. 47 Shore Rd., Bass Harbor. You ll have the opportunity to safely and comfortably view these magnificent creatures and other wildlife as you learn about moose habits and habitat from a knowledgeable guide. 27 Pine Point Beach Rte. Acadia National Park. Just over the bridge from Jonesport on Beals, Bayview delivers on the promise of its name plus, its lobster roll was voted number one in Maine and Massachusetts by USA Today readers. Immerse yourselves in the history and lore, that include rescues, heroism, Sailor the bell ringing dog, even an 1896 murder/suicide. In Maine, please call the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline at (800) 532-9551. Address: Our midwestern kids have never seen seals other than the zoo.Is there a place either in Boston, Acadia, or somewhere along the way that we could find them? Seals can sometimes be seen but they like to sun and rest on the more isolated islands. This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. We traveled to Maine several years ago and stayed at a private vacation rental near Bar Harbor. Deer Isle Jazz Festival Artists renditions of the coast can be seen in the many galleries and art museums in town. Afternoons are devoted to seal and bird watching around the entrance of Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor Head Light. You wont find fresher lobster anywhere, so keep it simple and go for the traditional lobster dinner with corn on the cob, house-made slaw, and blueberry cake. Local officials have said that its typically buried beneath 6 or 7 feet of sand. Built in 1883, the downtown inn, a half-mile from Ogunquit Beach, We have on goal: to help you fall more in love with the state of Maine! They can also take out chunks of wall and pathway, and storm damage can make for tricky footing. Light use. Late founder Billy Tower concocted this fruity sipper, so popular that the Ogunquit institution mixes it up in 5-gallon batches. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113316404', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');New England Aquarium without going inside. Ninety-two gray and harbor seals were reported stranded in Maine between May 10 and July 4. Credit. The record served in a day is 923 punches thats with a three-drink limit on this potent stuff. Grab a towel and come with us. All of your picnicking needs in one cute little store fresh bread, nice wine selection, local produce. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113315485', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Boston in July. 22 Fortunes Rocks Beach Fortunes Rocks Rd. The most important step members of the public can take to assist investigators is to immediately report any sightings of seals in distress or dead stranded seals. 207-204-8888. southernmainekayaks.com. 1945 Harpswell Islands Rd., Bailey Island. .page .lead {padding: 0 110px 0 110px;} Any help would be appreciated. .page .content .inner { padding: 20px; } 80 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. Pat Lacey, Down East reader. 207-646-7088. If you love seals, beautiful scenery, or just want to be on the ocean, this is the tour for you! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-57646747', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Bar Harbor and another on the Cape. From moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, bald eagles and mountain lions to porcupines, coyotes, hawks, owls, turtles and many others, you can see them all up-close and safe. Come see us at the Visitor Center Monday to Friday, from 8:00-4:30. Grab a towel and come with us. Ride the Ferris wheel at Palace Playland for a birds-eye view of the iconic Old Orchard Beach pier. .eb-thumbnail { width: 99%; } 398 Rte. 40 Bowery Beach Rd., Cape Elizabeth. To report seal strandings south of Maine, please call the NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline: (866) 755-6622. .eb-hero-content p { width: 80%; } If you do a search for puffin images you may, like a lot of folks, imagine puffins are related to penguins. Desert Island or mainland ports like Jonesport, Cutler, Bar Harbor, Millbridge, Stonington, Rockland, Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor and Port Clyde. Most of Maines beaches are shingle beaches, particularly northeast of Portland, and many of those shingles were deposited there by the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which scraped them up inland as it moved across the continent some 15,000 years ago. @media only screen and (min-width: 600px){ Seafood Ketch Stonington . Bayview Takeout Miles of surf and white sand, funky beach towns with a foot in yesteryear, pockets of unspoiled splendor (if you know where to look), and more oddball family attractions than you can shake a souvenir lobster-claw at. Play Skee-Ball, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and more at the retro Fun-O-Rama arcade pavilion on York Beach. Alternatively, you may use. Look out for the worlds largest mammals aboard one of southern Maines whale watch boats, and get ready to be splashed! Light use. I was at Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth yesterday and there were seals right off the point in front of where I was sitting. Been looking online - there is one at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sandy, free (limited) parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. When you look out on the Jonesport and Beals harbor, you see only working lobsterboats. Pete Erskine, co-owner of Mexicali Blues, one-time summer person turned year-round resident of South Bristols Rutherford Island. Thirty-nine benches face the ocean, each with a sponsorship plaque that sold for $5,000 to fund trail maintenance which is necessary. 207-967-6065. The southern and coastal regions are influenced by air masses from the south and west. Come to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Admire the endangered birds from a distance, stay out of signed restricted areas, and fill any beach holes (since chicks can tumble in). Eli Strauss, owner of Bass Harbor Island Cruises. IF NOTHING SAYS Maine to you quite like the mingled scents of salt water and sunscreen, the crisp tug of a wetsuit around your torso, or the damp slap of flip-flops on a wooden boardwalk, you are far from alone. On the shoreline, you see a village that probably looks very similar to what it was in the 1930s and 1940s. Our Programs. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. There were also hiking trails close by where we found wild blueberries. Light use. All rights reserved. If you love whales, this is your chance to see these incredibly intelligent mammals up close! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I'd drive either way. It is thought that females from Massachusetts migrate to quiet islands in New Hampshire and southern Maine to pup. 9. Plus, theres always some Maine-y blueberry variation blueberry coffee cake, blueberry with lemon glaze, blueberry maple bacon. But the real draw, as far as were concerned, is the creamy and house-made frozen custard. "Seal Island" (don't let the name fool you) is the only island you can actually land on and observe puffins from behind blinds. . Pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and even tomatoes at Spiller Farm in Wells. On Sundays, hit up the Kittery Community Market for picnic supplies, live music, and a kids corner with art and science projects. This is our most adventurous tour and has something to offer for everyone! Moderate use. A large number of seal pups appear each year on New England beaches, apparently stranded, but these pups are often only temporarily abandoned by their mothers, who are feeding nearby. Instructors at Black Point Surf Shop (134 Black Point Rd., Scarborough; 207-939-6016) lead 90-minute tutorials by appointment ($90 for one person, $140 for two, with discounts if you BYO gear); Liquid Dreams Surf Shop (171 Long Beach Ave., York; 207-351-2545; 696 Main St., Ogunquit; 207-641-2545) has a whole catalog of 3-day beginners programs ($170), kids clinics and mini-camps ($50$90); private lessons ($70$105), and ladies nights ($40); Maines original surf shop, Wheels N Waves (365 Post Rd., Wells; 207-646-5774) offers multiple 2-hour tutorials daily in summer ($40$90, depending on group size and gear needs). I'd drive either way. The Southern Mainecoastal Wells townis popular for its beaches, but also its many antique shops, used and antique book stores. Morses Cribstone Grill (Vaping, if not banned, is still obnoxious.). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. does not look like an American town at all in place or in architecture. Maine is one of the few states in the U.S. with a sizable moose population. Other puffin-preferred places on the Maine coast include eastern Egg Rock in the MidCoast & Islands region, and Seal Island and Matinicus Rock at the mouth of Penobscot Bay. The 3-mile beach consists of two well-protected crescents, and the slope is gentle, making Goose Rocks a favorite of families with young kids. Ride a restored streetcar at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. Taffy technicians have been stretching masses of boiled sugar at the Goldenrod, in York Beach, since 1896 today, passersby watch through the windows as mechanical pulling machines do their thing. The Southern Maine Coast region is a year-round vacation spot with miles of sandy beaches, many hotels, motels and inns,excellent restaurants, and both indoor and outdoor activities for every season. Light use. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 77. Started by a Mexican family who first came Down East to feed migrant wild-blueberry harvesters, Vazquez has the most authentic Mexican street food in the state: freshly made tortillas, beef tacos, chicken chimichangas, empanadas, and, sometimes, flan oh, man! And if you're into loons, in July 2015, Maine Audubon Society volunteers counted more than 3,000 loons on 300 lakes and ponds the largest population of common loons in the US after Minnesota and Wisconsin. 207-967-3331. $4 Maine residents, $6 non-residents. 15 Mothers Beach Beach Ave. Sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, toilets. 105 Coveside Rd., South Bristol. John Steinbeck, writing in Travels With Charley, 1962. 207-967-2321. Shop Now. The OOB pier is one of the great American boardwalks and a slice of southern Maine at its unassuming best. So what is a puffin? Two miles of moderately challenging trails weave through this 71-acre property on a peninsula between Seal Cove and Long Cove on the Damariscotta River. Our daily, two hour long, sunset tours are one of the best ways to see seals in southern Maine in June-August! Live. Including approximately 5,000 pairs of puffins, 1,000 pairs of razorback auks and 500 pairs of common murres. The Nubble Light is a beacon for photographers and lighthouse lovers visiting Yorks Sohier Park. 207-799-5871. maine.gov/crescentbeach. .eb-p {float: right; width:65%; margin-left:2%; margin-top:-9px;} What a legacy Mary Louise Curtis Bok has given to the town of Camden! Maine artists loom large: through the end of August, youll find the abstract landscapes of John Marin and the stylized portraits of Will Barnet. Address: Then, you can catch a puffin tour boat from Mt. Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre 111 Perkins Cove Rd., Ogunquit. However, these actions usually do more harm than good. 1 Fort Foster Beach Pocahontas Rd. Only 2 days for park - driving only, disabled, Looking for jacuzzi room in southern maine or coastal nh. A gospel-tinged bluesy act with virtuosic pedal steel. Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research and Education Businesses and locations related to: Maine Wildlife, Golden Road Plus, theres room to roam. 207-303-0137. Get ready for some adventure because this tour has it all. 29 Scarborough Beach State Park Black Point Rd. Inn by the Sea. The southernmost section, known as the Main Beach, has copious concessions and spots to rent everything from beach chairs to bodyboards, along with warm(-ish) commingled waters where the Ogunquit River spills into the sea. When you visit the Museums of Old, Read More Experience the 9 Buildings of the Museums of Old York MaineContinue, The Maine Waterfront Dining Experience Food and water. Bass Harbor natives Kim and Eli Strauss offer passengers their insiders view of Mount Desert Islands hardest-working harbor. Colonial or post-colonial shipbuilders launched the vessel either a sloop or a schooner, probably about 60 feet long, judging from the hull fragment thats left on the beach. Getting pulled behind a speedboat is more relaxing than it sounds when youre drifting 1,200 feet above the waves. 1. FromKitterytoOld Orchard Beach, the Southern Maine Coast is the perfect vacation getaway. 13. Moderate use. Join us today! The best time to spot sea glass, Mehlhorn says, is at sunset. 207-729-5181. While sightings are not common, moose have been known to roam the park and reveal themselves to visitors. A great spot for a none-too-challenging family hike. A few doors apart are three indie bookstores: cozy Owl & Turtle Bookshop Caf (33 Bay View St.; 207-230-7335), with a fine collection of fiction, nonfiction, and childrens books; Shermans Maine Coast Book Shop (14 Main St., Camden; 207-236-2223), with a large selection of Maine books and souvenirs; and the charming Stone Soup Books, a nook of a secondhand store tucked above Marriners Restaurant (35 Main St., Camden; 207-763-3354). Camdens one literary town. They provided 2 kayaks and we were right on the water where we could kayak out to a mussel bar and sea seals. Pebbly, free (limited) parking, no facilities. At Acadia you will occasionally see harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) just offshore and in the area harbors. Ride a rollercoaster at Sacos Funtown Splashtown. A noreaster removed enough sand from the beach to uncover the wreck for the first time in modern memory. Whoever has once visited this delightful region will never forget it, as the scenery is not surpassed in any part of Maine, and it is a veritable yachtsmans paradise. }, Moose | Whales | Puffins | Birds | Wildlife Parks & Refuges. P.O. Visit Fort McClary State Historic Site, also in Kittery, where an 18th-century fort overlooks the Piscataqua River. Thank you! In the early part, puffins are all about taking care of business, flying sorties from the island to the water and back to feed their young. 37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk. Unless youre in Maine and you know exactly when and where to look. Island Grocery The seals congregate in the Kennebec rivermouth every spring to gorge on returning baitfish that swim upriver. $6 Maine residents, $8 non-residents. If you have a boat you can see seals basking on the rocks around Cundy's Harbor in Harpswell at mid to low tide most days all summer. 1. 207-646-4909. Watch for wading birds. Though distinctly different in design, the two parks complement each other so well, they feel like one. 207-371-2616, Every year, I return to this spot. Its anchored York Beach since 1868, but the Bluff feels like a clean, contemporary conference hotel albeit with huge balconies overlooking Short Sands Beach. The best things to do, great lodging, unique restaurants, and more. Access the island viaferry from Port Clyde, New Harbor, or Boothbay Harbor. 207-799-3134. Another itinerary question-Moosehead Lake? Heavy use. Its made-to-order (takes about 6 minutes when the staff breaks out the machine) and you can enjoy a cone in an Adirondack chair on the sunny deck. FAST FACTS ABOUT OGUNQUIT'S MARGINAL WAY, MAINE'S MOST BELOVED SHORELINE STROLL. So where in Maine is the best puffin habitat for puffin watching? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you come right now and for about the next month or so you can see dozens of seals fishing in the mouth of the Kennebec River at Popham Village in Phippsburg for free from the beach. @media screen and (min-width: 900px) { 591 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. Voted #1 in New England by Yankee Magazine for the best chance of finding Moose! An Ogunquit landmark since 1961, Billys is where you go for boiled lobsters and steamers if youre tying up in Perkins Cove. 207-363-1277. The stand goes through 250,000 pounds of potatoes a season. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. It's hard enough to find them by going ten miles out to sea. Do you consider yourself a history buff? Ashley Billman, Down East reader. Your email address will not be published. 8 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA Moderate use. The Wells National Estuarine Reserve at Laudholm Farm and the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge are ideal for nature lovers, and those that enjoy a good walk by the seaside and in one of Maines largest salt water marshes. Steve Dunne ran the place from 1993 to 2014, then opened his own stand across the way, serving generous scoops of Shains of Maine right in between Short and Long Sands beaches. The Strausses share stories about their community and the fishing way of life, and they stop to haul a lobster trap. .eb-col { width: 31%; float: left; margin: 7px 2% 0 0;} The institute also tends to a hatchery that produces soft-shell seed clams to replenish clamflats in Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada. One of southern Maines consistently excellent restaurants, Mark Gaier and Clark Frasiers 12-year-old seaside eatery manages to thread the needle of upscale ($30 dinner entres that wow, like an Indian-spiced braised lamb shank) and approachable (Thursday burger nights in the shoulder seasons, when a creatively topped burger and a local pint run you $13). Sea Kayaks were originally invented by arctic peoples such as the Greenland Inuit for seal hunting, and these quiet, sea worthy crafts give you an up close, seals eye view of the world. Maine has three well-defined climatic zones: central, southern interior, and northern. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); VisitMaine.Net The unofficial guide to experiencing Maine. A few best bets for paddling day trips: Harbor Adventures leads kayakers on a half-day lobster luncheon paddle that takes in Fort Foster and heads up shady Chauncey Creek, with a lunch stop at a lobster pound. The low-pressure system will strengthen into a nor'easter as it moves away from Maine tomorrow. Theyll be back up again before you know it. Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. On some days, you may be lucky enough to see the Humpback breeching right next to your boat, butitisnt the only whale youll spot on your tour. Stroll to the top on the gently graded Carriage Trail or scramble up the steep Mt. We're a non-profit and community-based organization dedicated to seabird conservation and preserving Maine's coast in hopes that we can preserve the habitats of Atlantic seabirds and other wildlife. 4. Hot tip: sub sweet potato wedges as a side and wash everything down with a slice of the otherworldly blueberry pie. Sucking down an ice cream cone while admiring Cape Neddicks Nubble Light has been a tradition since 1967, when a stand called Browns opened up at Nubble Point. Plummer Point Preserve 31 Crescent Beach State Park Rte. 9. Been ahotel on this spot since 1872, but generations of modernization and expansion have rendered it quite contemporary. Take a Hardy Boat Cruise, based in New Harbor, around the island, and watch these birds swim and romp in their natural habitat. Lands End Portland to Bar Harbor - is the best way? Camden Hills State Park, 280 Belfast Rd., Camden. .page .content .inner { padding: 20px 10px 20px 20px; } Not a hiker? Brian Beal, Jonesport native and director of research at the Downeast Institute for Applied Marine Research & Education. Head north, and the crowds thin out at Footbridge and North beaches with their own parking and access, theyre technically extensions of Ogunquit Beach, and a beachcomber can spend a lovely afternoon wandering there and back. The 3-mile beach consists of two well-protected crescents, and the slope is gentle, making Goose Rocks a favorite of families with young kids. Sandy/pebbly, paid parking, no facilities. 7. Heavy use. 119 Cedar St. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.