Portland - Surroundings

The Androscoggin Historical Society Museum in Auburn contains a variety of exhibits related to the history of the area, including American Indian artifacts, natural history displays, Civil War items, photographs and farming equipment.

Bath (pop. 9,000) has been a ship-building center since the early 17th century. Today nuclear naval vessels are produced at Bath Iron Works.

The town also features an historic district with a number of older buildings including Greek Revival and Victorian mansions which were once the homes of sea captains and merchants.

The Chocolate Church Arts Center offers concerts, gallery shows and theater productions, workshops and special events. Chocolate Church Art Gallery features year-round exhibits of many of Maine's visual artists.

The Maine Maritime Museum in Bath is located on the site of an old shipyard. The Maritime History Building displays a collection of paintings, models, and artifacts pertaining to ships.

Biddeford (pop. 22,000) is located just south of Portland and is an important manufacturing center. The city has close ties with its sister city Saco. The restored 1895 opera house is interesting.

Docked at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath is the "Sherman Zwicker", a 1942 142ft/43m wooden schooner. Today it is fully operational and does three-week voyages and serves as a traveling museum.

The Bridgton Museum and Archives contains information on the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad of 1883-1941. Also on display is a 1911 Sears "Horseless Carriage", more commonly known as an automobile.

The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse was built in 1826 and marks the entrance to Muscongus Bay and John Bay. Pemaquid Point was responsible for many ship wrecks prior the building of the lighthouse. Today it is a major attraction in Maine and receives almost 100,000 visitors each year.

The keepers house has been converted into the Fishermen's Museum. On display are items related to the local maritime history.

The Portland Head Light is in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. It began operation in 1791 and was the first light to be completed after the founding of the United States. Today it is one of the oldest continuous operating lighthouses in the USA. There are a museum and walking trails in the area.

The East Point Sanctuary has a coastal trail along this 30 acre sanctuary offers some of the best bird watching in the state. The area is owned and managed by the Maine Audubon Society.

Nearby Wood Island and Stage Island, accessible only by boat, are important bird colonies.

The Gilsland Farm Sanctuary covers more than 65 acres and is owned and managed by the Maine Audubon Society. The land includes meadows, woodlands, orchards, and a marsh. There are two miles of hiking trails at the sanctuary.

There is a Environmental Center Building with birds exhibits, a Children's Discovery Room, a Teachers' Resource Center, and a Nature Store.

The Josephine Newman Sanctuary covers 119 acres and is owned and managed by the Maine Audubon Society. The land includes tidal mud flats, forest, and marshland and incorporates hiking trails.

The Maine Wildlife Park displays wildlife native to Maine and also cares for injured or orphaned animals.

Lost Valley Ski Area features two lifts and a tow bar which service 15 runs. During the summer months the area is also used for mountain biking.

The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum is in the complex of one of the last remaining functioning Shaker villages. Six buildings in the complex contain exhibits on the history of the Shaker community and are open to the public.

The Hardy III Boat Tour offers cruises of varying length of the area including trips to Monhegan Island, seal watching and puffin watching cruises.

Willowbrook at Newfield is a complex of restored buildings which represent a 19th century village. Numerous exhibits feature rural Maine and New England daily life from historic houses to historic trade shops to a red schoolhouse and more. Unique objects include an 1894 operating wooden carousel, over 60 restored carriages and sleighs, the second oldest Concord Coach in the nation, and a roadable airplane.

Willowbrook is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ogunquit (pop. 1,200) is a popular summer resort with plenty of shops and restaurants. The area offers dramatic scenery with rocky shoreline and cliffs, as well as a beach.

The Ogunquit Museum of American Art features the works of American artists in permanent and changing exhibits.

John Lane's Ogunquit Playhouse opened in 1933 when Walter and Maude Hartwig brought a performing arts company to Ogunquit. The current playhouse was opened in 1937 and contiues today as a premier destination for Broadway classics and children's theatre.

This beach resort offers several recreational opportunities. With 7mi/11km of beach there are great opportunities for swimming and relaxing in the sun. Golfing, fishing, and tennis are also available in the area.

The Fifth Maine Regiment Center on Peaks Island is a Civil War Memorial and Cultural Center. The Memorial Hall was built in 1888 and was the Headquarters of the Fifth Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry 1861-1864. Today it serves as a Civil War and history museum.

The Marsh Nature Center covers more than 3,100 acres of salt marsh and is home to birds, mink, muskrat, deer and other wildlife. Walking trails and canoe tours provide access to the area.

ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.

The Jones Museum of Glass and Ceramics features a collection of glass and ceramic decorative arts from around the world.

CLOSED - merged with Maine Maritime Museum.

The Portland Harbor Museum is located at the Southern Marine Technical College on the grounds of historic Fort Preble. It features exhibits on the maritime history of the area and Casco Bay. Nearby is Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse.

The Marrett House was built in 1789 and owned by the Rev Daniel Marrett. Antique furniture and a letter written by Helen Keller are the major attractions on display in the house.

Westbrook is a suburb of Portland with the Presumpscot River flowing through the center of the city. There are a number of parks and recreational areas.

The Peekaboo Children's Center is a 5,100 sq.ft. indoor playground (for children ages 0-5) that focuses on learning through purposeful play. Displays include wooden structures; colorful themed rooms such as a dolls' pink room, construction zone, music room, and nature corner; a large hand-made train table is available; infants' space; child-size doll house; play kitchen; ball pit; enclosed trampoline; and an eight foot-long paint wall.

Smiling Hill Farm is a 500 acre working dairy farm with a petting zoo, pony rides, sleigh rides, ice-cream shop and other activities.

The Woolwich Historical Society Rural Museum is located in an early 1800s home. The museum features a variety of old household items, furniture and farming equipment.

The Yarmouth Museum of History offers displays on the history of the area and includes photographs, clothing, furniture, documents, and other historical artifacts.

Also of interest in Yarmouth is a 40 foot rotating globe in the entrance of Delorme, a mapping company.