17 Best Day Trips from Portland Maine (By a Local!)
Although Portland has many fun activities nearby, sometimes you just want to take a day trip and explore other places! And luckily, Portland is within driving distance of many beautiful areas. Whether you want to hike the day away, visit a charming coastal town, go on a lighthouse road trip, or relax on a beach, you can easily find a day trip destination from Portland!
Having grown up in New England, I have spent many years exploring Maine and beyond. Trust me when I say that no matter what you want to do or what season you visit, there is a beautiful place to day trip to!
If you are looking for the best day trips from Portland, you are in the right place! I am going to tell you the best places to visit that are within driving distance of Portland. Get your bucket list ready because you are about to add some beautiful places to it!
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Best Day Trips from Portland Maine
Portland has many places to visit as day trips, and I am going to tell you my favorites! Whether you want to relax on a beach, hike a mountain, or ski the day away, this list will have amazing places for you to visit.
Peaks Island
Distance from Portland: 15 minutes via ferry
Things to do: beaches, swimming, amusement parks, biking If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
If you are looking for a fun day trip idea that does not require a long drive, I recommend visiting Peaks Island! It is a short ferry ride from Portland and has biking trails, hiking trails, and other fun activities. Many people visit Peaks Island in the summer, so I recommend booking the earliest ferry time.
My favorite thing to do in the summer is hike around the island. Would you believe me if I told you that you can walk around the entire island in a few miles?! Yes, it is true! You can walk 4 miles in a big loop around Peaks Island, enjoying the beautiful ocean views. I recommend walking around, then ending your day with a delicious meal.
One of the best things to do on Peaks Island is to enjoy its food! Honestly, you cannot go wrong with where you eat because trust me, they are all delicious, but my favorite restaurants are The Cockeyed Gull Restaurant and Island Lobster Company.
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Distance from Portland: 30 minutes
Things to do: beaches, swimming, amusement parks, biking
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Old Orchard Beach is one of the closest beaches to Portland, making it the perfect day trip if you want to lie on a beach all day. It has a beautiful 7-mile-long beach, making it the longest in the state, with delicious pier fries and fun rides.
Old Orchard Beach has family-friendly activities, including Palace Playland. It is a small amusement park along the beach with rides for the entire family. As a kid, I loved swimming all day on the beach, then having fun on the rides at night.
From late June to late August, Old Orchard Beach also has fireworks every Thursday night. It is a fun way to end a beach day before heading back to Portland.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Distance from Portland: 40 minutes
Things to do: beaches, swimming, hiking, biking
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
If you want to visit a cute coastal town not too far from Portland, I have got you covered! Kennebunkport is a beautiful town you can visit year-round. In the summer, it has beautiful sandy beaches, and in the winter, it is decorated for the holidays.
If you want to visit in the summer, Goose Rocks Beach and Mother’s Beach are two of my favorite beaches. Goose Rocks Beach is my favorite, offering a beautiful sandy beach and ocean views. Mother’s Beach is smaller, but well-protected, and it has a nearby playground for kids. Both are perfect spots to swim!
If you want to bike, you have endless opportunities. I love biking along Ocean Avenue or the Eastern Trail. Ocean Avenue is perfect for enjoying an afternoon bike ride along the ocean. The Eastern Trail is 65 miles long, connecting Kittery and South Portland. Of course, you do not have to bike the entire thing, but the path is well-maintained and perfect for enjoying a quiet bike ride.
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is another beautiful nearby area that has hiking trails and bird-watching opportunities. The trails are easy and well-maintained, bringing you through a gorgeous marsh area. It is open year-round, and I recommend hiking here in every season.
York, Maine
Distance from Portland: 45 minutes
Things to do: beaches, swimming, hiking, biking, lighthouse
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
York is another coastal town you can visit year-round, but my favorite time to visit is in summer. The beaches in York are my favorites in the state!
If you want to lie on the beach, Long Sands Beach is the perfect place. The 1.5-mile-long beach offers a gorgeous sandy beach, and it was one of my favorite beaches growing up!
No matter what time of year you plan a day trip, you can visit Mount Agamenticus to enjoy fun outdoor activities. It has a few trails to its summit that you can hike to in the summer and snowshoe to in the winter. My favorite hike is a 1.6-mile loop to the summit, and you may even find some wild blueberries along the trail in the summer.
If you are a lighthouse lover, I highly recommend visiting Nubble Light House. It sits on a small island, making it one of the most picturesque lighthouses in Maine. It is a fantastic sunrise spot, or if you visit during a full moon, a great place to watch the moon rise!
Sebago Lake, Maine
Distance from Portland: 50 minutes
Things to do: lakes, boating, swimming, hiking, biking
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
If you are looking for a fun day trip to a lake, look no further! Sebago Lake is one of my favorite lakes in Maine, and it is under an hour from Portland, making it a great place to visit if you want to swim in a lake or boat for the day.
Of course, one of the best things to do on Sebago Lake is to explore it by boat. You can rent a boat to enjoy a full day exploring, swimming, and taking in the views.
If you do not want to boat but still want to swim, I recommend heading to Sebago Lake State Park. It has a nice beach and a few hiking trails. This area becomes crowded quickly in the summer, so I recommend arriving early.
Seacoast Adventures is a family-friendly place to visit, with mini golf, go-karts, and a small waterpark. It is the perfect place to visit with kids.
Ogunquit, Maine
Distance from Portland: 1 hour
Things to do: beaches, swimming, biking
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Ogunquit Beach is a 3-mile-long beach about an hour south of Portland. It is the perfect place to take a day trip to if you want to swim in the ocean, lie on a sandy beach, or walk through a quaint coastal town.
I grew up going to Ogunquit Beach, and it was always my favorite few days of the summer. I know you will love visiting it!
My other favorite thing to do in Ogunquit is walking along Marginal Way, a 1.25-mile-long cliff walk with incredible views of the ocean. I highly recommend walking along it during sunrise because watching the sunrise over the ocean is magical.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Distance from Portland: 1 hour
Things to do: shops, beaches, biking
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Portsmouth is a small town on the border of New Hampshire and Maine, with fun things to do for the entire family. Whether you want to enjoy a delicious lobster roll or walk around the harbor, Portsmouth has something for everyone.
Of course, one of my favorite things to do in Portsmouth is walk around downtown. Portsmouth has many shops and restaurants along the water, and you really cannot go wrong with a delicious seafood dish here!
Prescott Park is right downtown, offering a beautiful place to walk along the water and through gardens. I love coming here for an afternoon stroll in the summer!
Odiorne Point State Park is another great place to enjoy ocean views. My favorite way to enjoy the park is hiking its 2.8-mile loop. And you can hike it year-round, so no matter what season you take a day trip, you can enjoy the peaceful trail.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Things to do: boat tours, hiking, biking If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Boothbay Harbor is the perfect day trip from Portland if you want to go on boat tours. The picturesque coastal town has many shops and restaurants, but the real stars of the town are the amazing tours.
You can go on a boat tour for pretty much anything you want! You can see islands, lighthouses, or wildlife, including puffins, seals, and whales. Going on a boat tour was one of my favorite things we did in Boothbay, so I know you will love it!
You can also visit New England’s largest botanical gardens. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has beautiful walking paths through flowers and a fun hike to visit giant trolls! In the summer, it is our favorite place to visit when everything is in bloom. The smells are amazing!
Bethel, Maine
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Things to do: mountains, hiking, biking, scenic drives, skiing, scenic gondola rides
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Bethel is an amazing year-round day trip from Portland! It has something for everyone, including beautiful hikes, waterfalls, scenic drives, covered bridges, downhill skiing, and scenic gondola rides. You will not be disappointed!
One of my favorite places to visit near Bethel is Grafton Notch State Park. It has a stunning 21-mile scenic byway with overlooks, hikes, and waterfalls. My favorite time to drive through Grafton Notch is in the fall, but it is a beautiful scenic drive in every season.
If you are a waterfall lover, you can visit Screw Auger Falls and Step Falls. Screw Auger Falls is my favorite of the two, but Step Falls offers better views of the surrounding mountains. You cannot go wrong visiting either!
If you want a challenging hike, you can hike to Old Speck Mountain, one of the tallest mountains in Maine. The 7.4-mile trail offers stunning views, overlooking the White Mountains, the Mahoosuc Mountain Range, and the surrounding area.
Bethel is also home to Sunday River, which is a favorite ski resort for many. It has 500 acres and over 130 trails, making it one of the largest ski resorts in Maine. I love going to Sunday River because it has all ski trails for all levels! I usually ski on easy trails, and Sunday River has plenty to enjoy.
And in the summer, Sunday River has a scenic gondola ride taking you up the mountain so you can get breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It is also dog-friendly, which I love!
North Conway, New Hampshire
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Things to do: mountains, hiking, biking, skiing, scenic drives, rivers
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
North Conway is easily one of my favorite day trips from Portland, especially if you love the outdoors. It is a major hub in the White Mountains, offering endless hiking opportunities. I spend most of my time hiking here, so trust me when I say, you will quickly fall in love with the area.
A few of my favorite hiking trails in North Conway are South Moat, Black Cap, and Kearsarge North. South Moat’s 6-mile trail and Kearsarge North’s 6-mile trail offer spectacular 360-degree views, and you can see Mount Washington on a clear day. Black Cap is one of the most popular trails near North Conway because the hike is relatively short at 2.3 miles long and offers incredible views looking north.
If you want to enjoy views without hiking, I have got you covered! Cathedral Ledge has a driveable overlook with stunning views of North Conway and the surrounding mountains. You can also visit Echo Lake at the bottom of Cathedral Ledge for an easy 1-mile loop hike.
You can also enjoy scenic drives! North Conway is near the Kancamagus Highway, Crawford Notch, and Pinkham Notch, all of which have breathtaking views from the road. And of course, each has fun hiking trails you can enjoy, too.
And if you visit in the winter, do not worry, North Conway has many fun things to do! North Conway is near many ski resorts. Cranmore Mountain is the closest, but you can easily drive to Attitash Mountain, Bretton Woods, and Wildcat Mountain.
I could list a million fun things to do in North Conway because, truly, there is so much to do! If you are looking for an outdoorsy day trip near Portland, you will love North Conway.
Rockland, Maine
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Things to do: lighthouses, hiking, biking, boat tours, islands
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Rockland is another coastal town in Maine, just under two hours north of Portland. I love taking a day trip to Rockland in the summer because nothing beats being by the ocean in warm weather!
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is one of the best things to do in Rockland, especially if you love lighthouses. It can be seen from the coast, but I recommend hiking along the breakwater to get an up-close-and-personal view of it.
If you want to see another lighthouse, I recommend visiting Owls Head State Park! The beautiful state park is home to Owls Head Lighthouse, which sits on a cliff, offering views of Rockland Harbor. The hike to the lighthouse follows an easy 0.5-mile trail, which is perfect for the entire family. Owls Head Lighthouse is one of my favorite lighthouses in Maine, so I know you will love it!
Rockland is also the perfect starting point to visit a few islands off the coast of Maine. Vinalhaven is the larger island nearby, offering swimming at Quarry Ponds, hiking in Huber Preserve or the Basin Preserve, lighthouses, and delicious food. New Haven is Vinalhaven’s neighbor, and although it is a smaller island, it does not lack things to do.
Camden, Maine
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Things to do: hiking, biking, boat tours, islands
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Camden is easily one of my favorite coastal towns in Midcoast Maine, so I know you will love a day trip here! It has sailboat cruises, hiking trails, and relaxation by the ocean. I have visited in winter and summer, and both are beautiful in their own way. Winter is peaceful, but many stores are closed, and summer is stunning, but it can be very busy.
Exploring Camden Hills State Park should be at the top of every bucket list because it has stunning hikes, including Maiden Cliff and Bald Rock. You can also drive the auto road to Mount Battie to see the breathtaking views of the ocean and lush green landscape without hiking.
Camden also has many sailboat cruises in the summer. I highly recommend going for sunset because there is nothing like watching the sunset from the ocean.
Salem, Massachusetts
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Things to do: museums, parks, historic sites
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Salem is a beautiful coastal town in Massachusetts, north of Boston, and it is another fun day trip from Portland. It is known for being the home of the Salem Witch Trials, so if you love learning about that part of history, you will love Salem!
Although Salem is one of the best places to visit around Halloween, it offers fun things to do year-round. You can enjoy delicious food, visit cute shops, go on a ghost tour, or explore museums.
If you love learning about history, I highly recommend visiting the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, The House of Seven Gables, and The Witch House at Salem. Salem holds so much history, and these are a few of my favorite places to visit.
After visiting some historic sites, I recommend walking through Salem Common. It is a peaceful park near downtown, offering a great spot to relax. You can also venture a bit further to Salem Willows Park if you want to enjoy ocean views. I love eating lunch here, then walking along the beach.
Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
Distance from Portland: 2 hours
Things to do: lakes, swimming, boating, hiking, skiing
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
The Lakes Region in New Hampshire is home to the most beautiful lakes in the state, making it the perfect day trip idea if you want to explore lakes. You can enjoy boating, hiking, and eating delicious food.
And the best part? It is a perfect place to visit year-round! The summer and fall are the busiest times because it is a paradise for boaters. Winter is a quieter season, but it still offers many things to do! No matter what season you visit Lake Winnipesaukee, you will love your time there!
Of course, one of the best things to do is explore the lake by boat! You can easily spend the day boating around the 72 square miles of Lake Winnipesaukee. Or if you want to swim without boating, you can visit Weirs Beach.
M/S Mount Washington Scenic Tour Cruise is another fun way to explore Lake Winnipesaukee. They offer cruises in the summer, and the views along the way are beautiful.
If hiking is your jam, you are in luck! Lake Winnipesaukee has some of my favorite trails in the Lakes Region. The 4-mile loop to Mount Major is the most popular because of its incredible lake views. If you are looking for an easier trail, I recommend the 1.8-mile loop to Lockes Hill.
Gunstock Mountain is another place you can visit year-round if you want to hike or ski. In the summer, you can hike 2 miles to its summit, and in the winter, you can ski on its 49 trails.
Boston, Massachusetts
Distance from Portland: 2 hours
Things to do: museums, historic sites, duck boat tours
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Boston is the largest city in New England, with something for everyone. You can spend a lifetime exploring Boston, but you can see the highlights in a day. You can walk through history, eat at delicious restaurants, explore parks, and enjoy ocean views.
The Freedom Trail is a fun way to explore the city in a day. The 2.5-mile trail brings you to historical sites throughout Boston, including the Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere House, Old State House, and Old South Meeting House. I recommend beginning at the Old North Church and finishing near the Boston Commons.
The Boston Common and Boston Public Gardens are located in the heart of Boston and are at the end of the Freedom Trail. The beautiful parks offer gardens, picnic areas, ponds, Swan Boat rides in the summer, and ice skating on Frog Pond in the winter.
And of course, you can walk around Newbury Street, the North End, and Faneuil Hall to shop and eat at fantastic restaurants. Faneuil Hall is my favorite area to visit during the holidays because everything is beautifully decorated!
Lincoln, New Hampshire
Distance from Portland: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Things to do: hiking, biking, scenic drives, waterfalls, mountains, skiing
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
Lincoln is a mountain town on the west side of the White Mountains near many of the best outdoor activities in New Hampshire.
If you visit in the winter, Loon Mountain is in the heart of Lincoln and has over 60 skiable trails over 370 acres. Cannon Mountain is also nearby and offers 97 ski trails over 265 acres. Both are among the best ski areas in New Hampshire!
If you are looking for one of the most unique things to do in the area in the winter, you can visit the Ice Castles! You can walk around the Ice Castles and explore ice slides, fountains, and tunnels. And yes, it is as beautiful and fun as it sounds! I always love stopping here in the winter.
One of my favorite areas in New Hampshire to visit year-round is Franconia Notch. Franconia Notch State Park has many things to do, including hiking through the Flume, snowshoeing to Lonesome Lake, and taking a scenic drive through the park. It has many stunning trails that you will quickly fall in love with.
Rangeley, Maine
Distance from Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Things to do: lakes, hiking, biking, scenic drives, waterfalls, mountains, ATVing
If you want to spend the night, here are places to stay:
And last but not least, we have the furthest day trip in this list. Rangeley is a stunning area in the northwest corner of Maine, surrounded by beautiful forests, mountains, and six lakes. It is known as one of the best winter destinations with incredible snowmobiling trails, but it is also one of the best places to visit in summer. Whether you want to drive a scenic byway, hike to waterfalls, or explore the lakes, you will love visiting Rangeley.
One of my favorite things to do is drive the stunning Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. The 52-mile scenic drive has beautiful viewpoints, hikes, and waterfalls. The Height of Land will quickly become one of your favorite viewpoints along the drive.
If you want to enjoy beautiful waterfalls, I recommend visiting Angel Falls, Coos Canyon, Smalls Falls, or the Cascades. All of these waterfalls are stunning, but Angel Falls is my favorite. It is the fourth-tallest waterfall in Maine, standing at 90 feet tall, and requires a 1-mile hike to its base.
If you want to hike, I recommend hiking Bald Mountain! The 2.3-mile hike leads to a fire tower, offering incredible 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
Visiting in the winter? I recommend snowmobiling or skiing. Saddleback Mountain has 68 runs for skiers, and since the area receives an average of 200 inches of snow each year, it is many people’s favorite winter destination.
Now that I have given you some of the best day trip ideas from Portland, you can plan some fun getaways! Hopefully, this guide has added many places to your Portland bucket list.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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