Inland cottage resorts feature either traditional cottages or gatherings of rustic cabins. Pat Lacey, Down East reader. I appreciate your time. 2 Western Ave. 207-967-3321. Been ahotel on this spot since 1872, but generations of modernization and expansion have rendered it quite contemporary. Watch purple sandpipers and puffins settle onto the rocky coastline or look for black-capped chickadees (the Maine state bird) in the forest. The deskbound can get a moment of zen thanks to live webcams operated by the nonprofit Marginal Way Preservation Fund. 96 Seguinland Rd., Georgetown. 9. Moderate use. 1945 Harpswell Islands Rd., Bailey Island. You may even have the opportunity to see birds that dont normally visit the mainland. Plummer Point Rd., off Rte. Kittery Inn and Suites. Portland, Maineoffers a city feel with a twist. Where should we go to see whales, seals, puffins without a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 51 Main St., Stonington. A seaside destination resort within walking distance of Crescent Beach and Kettle Cove, with stylish rooms, legendary service, a trendsetting seafood restaurant, and a garden pool, bocce court, and fire pit that attract families. . Seaside Inn. Maines southern coast offers the American summer vacation at its beach-blanket best. FromKitterytoOld Orchard Beach, the Southern Maine Coast is the perfect vacation getaway. 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. 14. Reid State Park .eb-thumbnail { width: 99%; } In addition to whales, a number of other marine creatures will be waiting to make your acquaintance seals and dolphins among them. From Kittery to Old Orchard Beach, the Southern Maine Coast is the perfect vacation getaway. It is thought that females from Massachusetts migrate to quiet islands in New Hampshire and southern Maine to pup. Since the last retreat of the ice sheet, Dykstra says, the coast of Maine has been slowly rising . 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. Best Places To See Wildlife in Southern Maine - Dunes On The Waterfront Moderate use. 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). 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. You can share 5 more gift articles this month.. According to the Marine Mammals of Maine, on southern Maine beaches, many people try to help these young seals by feeding them or wrapping them up and bring them to the water. The 17th running of the islands scrappy jazz fest is spread out across three venues: the Stonington Opera House(1 Opera House Ln., Stonington), The Reach Center for the Performing Arts (249 North Deer Isle Rd., Deer Isle), and gWatson Gallery (68 Main St., Stonington). 207-497-5769. Portland to Bar Harbor - is the best way? The Southern Mainecoastal Wells townis popular for its beaches, but also its many antique shops, used and antique book stores. After watching and learning about the lighthouse, seabirds, and seals youll have a little fun with the boat in front of Kennebunk Beach. Acadia National Park,a couple hours north of Portland, Maine,is one of the best places to see wildlife in Maine for many reasons other than moose. The most dramatic finding was in Saco, where there was a report of a dead seal on the beach early Monday morning. Deer Isle Jazz Festival .eb-p {width:100%; margin-top:0;} Dont leave logs on the beach or fires unattended. Learn more. Whatever your vacation preference, the Southern Maine Coast has it all especially sandy beaches and ocean views. With a box of chocolatepeanut butter in hand, stroll out on the rocks, have a seat, and indulge in the fudge and the view. 8 Islands Off The Coast Of Maine You Need To Visit ASAP - OnlyInYourState 207-967-2321. Races start at 10:30AM - registration accepted up to 1 hour before the race. Named for the architectural gem of a cribstone bridge that connects Orrs and Bailey islands a one-of-a-kind cobwork of granite slabs Morses restaurant is a landmark in its own right. Shop Now. Morses Cribstone Grill Across the street is Camden Harbor Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers. 207-883-5100. 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. Golden Road Our boat puts you up close and personal with all of what the ocean has to offer. Down south, though, glacial rebound has been more subdued these last couple thousand years. does not look like an American town at all in place or in architecture. 140 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport. Historically, harbor seals pupped in Massachusetts, and there are increasing sightings of very small pups here in May and June. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, toilets. 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. Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. A gospel-tinged bluesy act with virtuosic pedal steel. If so,where would a good area be? Glenn Dochtermann (go ahead and call him Doc) learned to fish off the beach from his dad some 60 years ago, and hes been out surf-casting ever since for stripers, pollack, and more. Birds are the main source of the flu, and seals in the region have caught the flu from passing birds before. The shopping in the Old Port is fun at boutiques along cobblestone streets. 17 Post Rd., Wells. Late founder Billy Tower concocted this fruity sipper, so popular that the Ogunquit institution mixes it up in 5-gallon batches. 1. The island is teeming with thousands of birds. Partially enveloped by the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, it supports only a fraction of the tourism infrastructure that beachgoers expect out of neighboring Kennebunk, so while you wont find showers or lifeguards, you may well spot harbor seals sunning on the white sand or hermit crabs skittering around the tide pools. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, Old Orchard Beach, 934-2001. Would it be worthwhile to do a kayak tour to see seals? Planning a trip with the kids and dont want to leave spotting a moose to chance? Ride a rollercoaster at Sacos Funtown Splashtown. Battie Trail (each isa half-mile). Seals Seals are the most commonly-seen marine mammals along the shores of Maine. The institute also tends to a hatchery that produces soft-shell seed clams to replenish clamflats in Maine, New Hampshire, and Canada. Go before sunset, grab one of the tables on the harborside patio, sip a beer, and sigh contentedly as the sky turns red and streaky. } Things To Do On The Southern Maine Coast Region - VisitMaine.Net Hollis Burgess, writing in The Rudder magazine, 1917. The lobsterboats bobbing off the wharf are your first indication that youre in for some of the freshest crustaceans served in Maine its never tanked, and you can pick your own bug. Their combined trail network offers 6 miles of mostly gentle hiking through cattail marshland and quiet mixed forest, with periodic lookouts taking in the Sasanoa River and Robinhood Cove (watch for ospreys soaring overhead). 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. For a little more seclusion, though, visitors can follow the footpaths to adjacent, undeveloped Kettle Cove (which also has its own parking area), a pebblier pocket beach flanked by dramatic granite shelves. The museums permanent collection (selections of which fill out an exhibit this fall) prominently features artists like Robert Laurent, Isabella Howland, and others associated with Ogunquits early20th-century art-colony heyday. Been looking online - there is one at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sandy, paid parking, concessions, showers and toilets. 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. Southern Maine Coasts Saco and Biddeford add oceanside haunts and typical Downtown Maine attractions to visit. 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. . @media screen and (min-width: 900px) { 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. Youll see Goat Island Light in Cape Porpoise and then travel to Goose Rocks for more seals and back down the coast to Wells. 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. Ninety-two gray and harbor seals were reported stranded in Maine between May 10 and July 4. Credit. Back-door access to Goochs Beach from what is very likely Americas oldest hotel: an inn has occupied the spot since at least 1660. Boat traffic is minimal, and sightings of bald eagles, ospreys, and other raptors are common. Explore gentle wooded trails at Kennebunkports lovely Edwin L. Smith Preserve. But dont worry about that last part. Rhumb Line .eb-col a { text-decoration: none; } Kennebunk andKennebunkportattract the famous each summer includingformer President George Bush and his family. Alternatively, you may use. Sandy, paid parking, concessions, lifeguards, showers and toilets. Located right along the coast, Portland has some of the best chefs inspired by Maine seafood and local farm raised food. 207-367-2788. Multiple species visit the state's waters, including humpback, finback, minke and pilot. Coveside Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. What a legacy Mary Louise Curtis Bok has given to the town of Camden! Pay a visit to the Maine Wildlife Park where youre guaranteed to spot a moose, among many other kinds of fascinating creatures, at this special wildlife sanctuary. 207-967-4461. Dont disturb piping plover or least tern HABITAT. Ogunquits paved, mile-and-a-quarter seaside footpath is a classic Maine stretch of the legs. 207-204-8888. southernmainekayaks.com. 9. Fresh (round!) Old Village Inn. The ship skeleton made its most recent and most publicized appearance, following one of the winter storms the media dubbed a bomb cyclone.. Glass bottles are also a no-no, regardless of whats in them. The entire Kennebunkport Coastline in an epic 1 Hour adventure. If youre hoping to encounter wildlife, the Allagash is where you want to be. From the majestic moose to the huge humpback, Maine has long been known for its vast and unique wildlife. Voted #1 in New England by Yankee Magazine for the best chance of finding Moose! When you look out on the Jonesport and Beals harbor, you see only working lobsterboats. Dawn breaks over Five Islands Harbor, in Georgetown. Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center. .eb-button { color: #fff; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; border: 1px solid #8d8457; width: 300px; padding: 15px 0; text-align: center; background: #8d8457; font-family: Vans-Bold,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-size: .75rem; text-decoration: none; display: block; margin: 20px 0 30px; } The best times to spot moose are at dusk and dawn from mid-May through July and again in the fall during their breeding season. 2. Harborside Cottages, nestled over small, working New Harbor, has been in business since 1950. While all of Maines wildlife is spectacular, nothing quite compares to the whale. , Millinocket, 59 Morrill Rd Where receptacles are available, dont fill them with huge bags or large items like broken umbrellas or chairs. The southern coasts best breaks are at Scarboroughs Higgins Beach, Yorks Long Sands Beach, and Wells Beach, and each has surf shops that offer rentals and lessons for newbies. If you do a search for puffin images you may, like a lot of folks, imagine puffins are related to penguins. Built by a Connecticut bridge company in 1898, its a remnant of the golden age of Atlantic beach towns, when seaside boardwalks and pleasure piers sprang up from Atlantic City to Daytona Beach. 42 Bayview Dr., Beals. Visitors can view a live camera feed of puffin activity and learn about conservation efforts to protect puffins and other seabirds of Maine. 207-646-6263. Like all mammals, seal pups begin life drinking . Moderate use. recipe from 1935. Thats what geologists call a beach made primarily of pebbles and/or cobbles (the former measure 4 to 6.4 centimeters across, the latter 6.4 to 25.6 anything bigger is a boulder). The park is home to animals that have been injured, orphaned or are too dependent on humans to be released back into the wild. This does not include mammals, such as seals and whales, that must live in ocean environments or domestic mammals like cattle, dogs, and people. Get outside on your next vacation, and visitsome of the best places to see wildlife in southern Maine. 24 Hills Beach Rte. Perkins Cove Where is the best place to see seals in the wild. Peek over marine scientists shoulders as they research lobsters, mussels, scallops, and other shellfish. 40 Bowery Beach Rd., Cape Elizabeth. Frye Island, Sebago Lake, Cumberland County. See what 40,000 pounds ofcandy looks like at Yummies Candy & Nuts in Kittery. It was amazing! Isle au Haut, Isle Au Haut, ME, USA. 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. .eb-button-wide { width:400px; } In addition to two lab buildings that students use for marine and terrestrial studies visitors should be mindful of active research sites as they explore the property offers 3.6 miles of public trails that wind through spruce forests, meadows, and stands of hardwood en route to the jagged shoreline. You name, it you can enjoy it in Wells. Heavy use. Photograph by Benjamin Williamson, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Acadia National Park in Winter is a Little-Visited Marvel, Campobello Island Is Neither Here nor There, At Sunday River, The Best Doughnuts You Can Buy On a Ski Trail, Lynne Drexler Saw the World Through Kaleidoscope Eyes. We have on goal: to help you fall more in love with the state of Maine! June and July are the best months to see puffins, but the general season is May through August. Harbor seals range in color from brown to gray, with visible spotting, and blend in well with their surroundings when hauled out on a rock or ledge. Pebbly/sandy, paid parking, lifeguards, no facilities. And were not using the word massive lightly. Infections are more likely. 1447 Five Islands Rd., Georgetown. Get free ice cream with your kids meals at Kens Place, a locally beloved, counter-service seafood joint near Scarboroughs Pine Point Beach. Catch the weekly Thursday night fireworks at Old Orchard Beach. Crescent Beach itself is a mile-long half-moon scattered with skipping stones and ringed with beach roses. Box 633 207-371-2616, Every year, I return to this spot. Including approximately 5,000 pairs of puffins, 1,000 pairs of razorback auks and 500 pairs of common murres. Served with an orange slice, pineapple chunk, cherry, and a sprinkle of what witty servers will say is beach sand (its nutmeg). PARKING often requires a trip to the town office for a permit. Mt. The stand goes through 250,000 pounds of potatoes a season. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2019-2022 Dunes on the Waterfront. Walk the coastal trail, explore the childrens garden, and admire Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. The vibe is rustic elegance, and the back patio overlooks the working harbor. It is against the law to handle a marine mammal without proper authorization, and their sharp (dog-like) teeth can be very dangerous. .eb-col img {width: 100%;} $10 admission, $9 students and seniors. } Moose can be spotted diving for dinner in wet boggy areas, chilling out in gravel pits, and doing some sightseeing of their own on hiking or snowmobile trails. PO Box 160 This humble one-room museum on Stoningtons main drag is centered around a working model of one of the granite quarries that once operated on the surrounding islands basically, the most elaborate educational train set youve ever encountered. Males weigh from 120 to over 300 pounds and run about five to six feet in length; females are slightly smaller. The Best Places To See Puffins In Maine Ferry out to the 19th-century Wood Island Lighthouse in Biddeford Pool, part of a guided tour offered by the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse. Barnacle Billys Your email address will not be published. The southern and coastal regions are influenced by air masses from the south and west. Sitting right on the dock alongside Camden Harbor, Rhumb Line combines the carefree spirit of Jimmy Buffett with fresh, simply prepared Maine seafood and killer craftcocktails. Experience the 9 Buildings of the Museums of Old York Maine, Locals Guide to the Best Kennebunkport Boat Tours. 9. In southern Maine, not all the best places to see wildlife are remote islands or national parks. You can reach us at: 1063 McGaw Avenue, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92614 714-834-1111 714-834-1128 (Fax) Contact Us. Marine Mammal Strandings Allied Whale College of the Atlantic Gray seals are bigger; they're between 7 and 8 feet long, and can. Moderate use. All the way out on Bailey Island, where the road abruptly cuts off at a cement barrier and the land literally ends, sweeping views of Casco Bay draw a steady stream of travelers. All of your picnicking needs in one cute little store fresh bread, nice wine selection, local produce. Hello! Open 364 days a year, the institute offers tours and a marine-life touch tank. Where to kayak, see seals, forage for mussels and blueberrie - Maine .eb-hero-content p { width: 80%; } @media only screen and (min-width: 1200px){ New this summer: a breezy rooftop deck overlooking rocks and sea. Home to rare plants like beach-head iris and birds-eye primrose, the islands managed by The Nature Conservancy. Spring is harbor seal pupping season in northern New England.