Local Area Guide: Things to do / Activities / Attractions
Find out what makes Southern Maine & New Hampshire so special. From the great New Englanders to the beautiful lakes and beaches to the majestic mountains. This part of the country is rich in history with it's beautiful architecture, rolling hills & farms. If you enjoy being outdoors there is much to do and see.
New Englanders enjoy the four Seasons -We cherish our Summer because it is short. But then comes the beauty of Autumn with a burst of glorious color. Then winter sets in - time to get outdoors and embrace that crisp air and white snow! Before you know it, Spring arrives with all the joy and hope it brings.
In Maine & New Hampshire we do not have complicated highways or freeways. Country roads take you to beautiful discoveries.
Come and discover what makes New Englanders - New Englanders!
Places to Visit:
Beautiful Seaside Communities:
Portland Maine - Tour waterfront, shops, great restaurants Under 1 hour
Peaks Island, Portland - Take the Casco Bay Ferry - Walk or Rent Bikes Just over 1 hour
Camden Maine - sweet stop - great Lobster Rolls! Just over 1 hour
Freeport Maine - LL Bean! Visit the Discovery School - learn a new outdoor sport! Just over 1 hour
Kennebunkport Maine - Tour waterfront, shops, great restaurants 1 hour
Wells Maine - Hike thru Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge 45 minutes
Ogunquit Maine - Walk Marginal Way - Beautiful Beach 45 minutes
York Maine - Nubble Light House - Beautiful Beaches 50 minutes
Visit the Granite State - New Hampshire!
Wolfeboro New Hampshire 40 minutes
North Conway New Hampshire 1 hr 20 minutes
Visit the White Mountain National Forest 2 hours
Kancamagus Highway 34 mile scenic road stretching from Conway to Lincoln NH 1 hour to start in Conway
Portsmouth New Hampshire - Tour waterfront, shops, great restaurants Under 1 hour
Strawberry Banke Outdoor History Museum - Special Events All year Portsmouth NH 1 hour
Boston - Drive or take Train from Wells Maine 2 hours
Activities
Bring your Canoe/Kayak/Paddleboard Right here!
Fishing - Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Large & Smallmouth Bass - Right here!
Ocean Fishing:
Deep sea fishing – Bunny Clark 50 Perkins Cove Rd Ogunquit 207-646-2214
Shore Fishing – Wells Beach.
Jetty Fishing in Wells Maine – Mouth of Webhannet River, off Wells Beach and Drakes Island Beach.
Pier fishing - Fishing from the Wells Maine Town Dock
For more details, go to: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/recreational-fishing/anglers-guide/wheretofish/kitterytocapeelizabeth.html#wells
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/maine-outdoors-laws.html
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/fishing-resources/online-angling-tool.html
Thurston and Peters sugarhouse: Take a tour to see how they make maple syrup - “the new-fashioned way”. Taste a sample – Oh, and they sell ice cream! Recommended by one of our guests and it is nearby. 299 Bond Spring Road (Route 11) West Newfield Maine 207-793-8040. Check website for hours. www.thurstonandpeters.com
Smiling Hill Farm: Call us at (800) 743-7463 781 County Road, Westbrook, ME 04092
We encourage visitors to our farm and welcome the opportunity to show how we care for our animals and the environment. There is no charge to visit the farm, parking is free and the dairy store is open daily. Some activities at the farm do have an additional charge, please check website for more information. www.smilinghill.com
Whale Watching – First Chance Whale Watch 4 Western Avenue (Route 9), Kennebunk Maine 207-967-5507
Swimming: If you are not staying at a lakeside cottage, there are public beaches to enjoy.
Kayak/Canoe/Paddle board: Bring your own! Or rent from Michauds Marine Supply on Route 109 in Acton. 207-636-2519 or mobile 207-651-6133. They will deliver to local lakes, provide paddles and life vests.
Rental rates:Kayaks: Single $110 weekly Daily $30
Tandem: $175 weekly Daily $55
Stand up Paddle Boards $125 weekly $45 daily.
Canoes $210 weekly $75 daily.
Rent Skiffs, Pontoon Boats & Jet Skis from Everett's Cove Marina www.everettscove.com/rentals-slips. 207-658-9104 They will deliver to most lakes.
Kawasaki 3 seat Jet Skis $385 daily $1395 weekly
14' Fishing Boat with Motor $100 daily, $500 weekly
Pontoon Boat - see website for choices
Play board games: A fun way to spend time with family & friends.
Golf: Province Lake Golf Course 18 Mountain Rd. Parsonsfield ME 207-793-4040,
Sanford Country Club 588 Country Club Rd Sanford ME 207-324-5462,
The Links at Outlook 310 Portland St. South Berwick ME 207-384-4653,
Dutch Elm Golf Course 5 Brimstone Rd. Arundel ME 207-282-9850
Auto Racing: Beech Ridge Motor Speedway 70 Holmes Rd. Scarborough Maine 207-885-0111
New England Dragway 280 Exeter Rd. Epping NH 603-679-8001
Lee USA Speedway 380 Calef Highway Lee NH 978-462-4252
Go Cart Racing: Maine Indoor Karting 23 Washington Ave, Scarborough Maine 207-885-0058
Skydive New England 40 Skydive Lane, Lebanon, Maine 207-339-1520
Casino: Oxford Casino 777 Casino Way Oxford ME 207-539-6700 approx. 2 hours from Shapleigh area.
Massage anyone? Check out Helping Hands Massage & Wellness 63 Emery Mills Road, Shapleigh. Marianne Normand 207-432-9485
For the Kiddos:
Story Land (Amusement park best suited for children between ages of 2-12) 850 NH Route 16, Glen, NH 603-383-4186
Canobie Lake Park (Amusement & water park) 85 N Policy St. Salem, NH 03079 603-893-3506
Wonder Mountain Fun Park – Go carts, mini golf, human maze – 270 Post Road, Wells Maine 207-646-9655
Water Country Portsmouth NH 2300 Lafayette Rd Portsmouth NH 603-427-1111
Fun Town Splash Town 774 Portland Rd Saco Maine 207-284-5139
Mountain View Golf Range & Miniature Golf 1569 Main St. Rt 109 Sanford Maine 207-324-0436
Fitness for Kids and Adults - Indoor rock wall climbing check out evo Rock & Fitness in Portland Maine. https://www.evorock.com/portland-me
For the Beach Lovers: (hint – parking fills up quick- get there early! Or evening!)
Ogunquit Beach 124 Beach St Ogunquit ME
Wells Beaches: At the end of Atlantic Avenue, Wells ME (FYI: Forbes and Crescent beach low tide only).
Drake’s Island Beach Drakes Island Road Wells Maine
Parson’s Beach Parson’s Beach Road, Kennebunk ME Limited parking, no rest rooms
Old Orchard Beach Old Orchard Beach Maine Chamber of Commerce 207-934-2500
Short Sands Beach York Beach Maine
Long Sands Beach York Beach Maine
While in York – visit Cape Neddick Light aka Nubble Light Cape Neddick, Maine
Come Fall – Acton Fair Thursday August 22- Sunday August 25, 2019
Fryeburg Fair Begins Sunday September 29 thru Sunday October 6, 2019. 1154 Main Street. Fryeburg ME
If you're up for a HIKE (short or long):
Download the App called All Trails. Allow the App to know your location and you will see all the local trails. It let’s you know if they’re easy, moderate or difficult, dog friendly, etc. There is a map you can download and get driving directions to get there.
Recommendations from the Real Estate 2000 Team
The Williams Property in Shapleigh is very pretty and an easy trail for families and pets. You can access the property from both County Road and Gulf Road. It is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic only.
Knox Mountain, Newfield ME Super easy and well marked. Beautiful views.
Sawyer Mountain Trail in Limerick or Limington
Burnt Meadow and Pleasant Trails are both nice and in Brownfield.
Green Mountain trail is in Effingham NH (it is steep) and rated hard.
Champney Brook Trail to Mount Chocorua - New Hampshire. It's a great hike and moderate as far as ability goes. The last little bit to the top is pretty much what we call bouldering which is a couple steps down from rock climbing. But the views are absolutely breath taking.
Keeping it Local sells trail maps.
Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge offers a perfect one mile walk on an even terrain. 321 Port Road, Wells Maine 207-646-9226
Mount Agamenticus, 21 Mount Agamenticus Rd York, Maine -Trails are mostly moderate to difficult.
Ogunquit Perkins Cove – Perkins Cove Way Ogunquit Maine – once there, Walk Marginal Way
Entertainment!
Ogunquit Playhouse 10 Main St. Ogunquit Maine 207-646-5511
Hackmatack Playhouse Berwick Maine Live Theater! 30 minutes
Raining:
Movie Theater: Smitty’s Sanford Cinema & Pub – Enjoy a cocktail, beer or wine and have some pub type food in addition to that popcorn. Comfortable recliner seating.
They moved across the street! – New address: 1327 Main St. Sanford, ME 207-490-0000
Shopping: Kittery Outlets, North Conway NH Outlets, very cute shops in Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, York.
Visit Wells Antique Mile along route one. Freeport Maine – Lots of shops here including LL Bean.
Reading: Oh no, you finished all your reading materials! Head to Shapleigh or Acton Public Library. For a larger selection and opened more hours is Goodall Public Library in Sanford.
Cooking/Grilling: You’ve rented a cottage instead of staying at a hotel! Prepare your meals right at your cottage. Bring the steaks, burgers & hot dogs for the grill. Or perhaps you’d like to cook your own lobster? If that seems too adventurous, the local grocery stores will cook them for you.
Good eats:
Keepin’ it Local Country Store, Shapleigh. Eat in or take out. Awesome Breakfast sandwiches & lunch.
120 Emery Mills Rd, Shapleigh Maine 207-432-0313
Ted’s Fried Clams – Since 1950! Great Burgers too! Rockhouse Ice Cream – part of Ted’s
227 Emery Mills Rd, Shapleigh ME
Shapleigh Corner Store – Good home cookin’ - Love their Pizza!
3 Back Rd, Shapleigh ME 207-636-1262
Iron Tails Saloon – biker bar but everyone is invited.
559 Maine 109, Acton ME 207-850-1142
Willy’s Ale Room – great wings, watch the game, live music at times.
1060 Maine Route 109, Acton Maine 207-636-3369
Mel’s Raspberry Patch in Springvale Breakfast & Lunch. Yum! Good home cookin’.
630 Main St, Springvale ME 207-324-9741
Publick House in Springvale – Lunch & Dinner.
481 Main St. Springvale, ME 207-850-4677
Lord’s Clam Box for Chowder, fried clams and more (including PB&J…).
1465 Main St So. Sanford, ME (At the traffic circle in Sanford.) 297-324-4700
Good Eats - A little further away but worth the drive:
Joshua’s for Fine Dining – Definitely make a reservation!
1637 Post Rd, Wells, ME 207-646-3355
Clay Hill Farm for Fine Dining
220 Clay Hill Road Cape Neddick, ME 207-361-2272 ClayHillFarm.com
Village Tavern in West Kennebunk
110 Alfred Rd, Kennebunk ME 207-604-7954
Mike’s Clam Shack in Wells (not a shack – good size restaurant)
1150 Post Rd., Wells ME 207-646-5999
Merriland Farm Café in Wells – Country Setting - Beer and wine. Breakfast & Lunch
591 Coles Hill Road, Wells Maine. 207-646-5040
The Steakhouse
1205 Post Road, Wells ME 207-646-4200 www.the-steakhouse.com Expect to wait. Cocktails are good! Closed during winter months
Krista’s in Cornish Village – Make reservations!
2 Main St. Cornish, ME 207-625-3600
Funky Bow Brewery & Beer Company in Lyman. Super Casual and off the beaten path- They serve beer and pizza, seating is outdoors - dogs are hangin’ out with everyone.
21 Ledgewood Lane, Lyman ME 207-409-6814
Fairgrounds Pizza and Pub – Greek and American Cuisine
156 Maple St. Cornish, ME 207-625-9253 www.fairgroundstavern.com
Poor People’s Pub in Sanbornville NH – Their motto: Nothing Fancy – Just good grub.
1 Witchtrot Rd, Sanbornville, NH 603-522-8378
Tumbledown Café
21 Meadow Street, Sanbornville, NH 603-522-8500 www.tumbledownfarms.com
Practical Information:
No public transportation so having a car is best.
Grocery stores: Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy 800 Main St Sanford ME 207-324-1554
Shaw’s 1364 Main St Sanford ME 207-490-5309 Osco Pharmacy is inside this Shaw’s Grocery Store 207-490-3562
Small Shops: Keepin’ It Local which offers a Farmer’s Market & Frozen locally farmed meats (beef, chicken, pork, duck, turkey & lamb), deli, some baked goods. 120 Emery Mills Rd, Shapleigh Maine 207-432-0313
For fine meats, seafood and lobster:
Jerry’s Market 1022 Main St. Sanford ME 207-324-5834
Sleepers Market 45 Lebanon St #A Sanford ME 207-324-7371
Convenience/General stores:
The Boonies General Store
1007 Shapleigh Corner Rd (Rt 11) Shapleigh ME 207-636-1130
Acton Trading Post
57 Route 109, Acton ME 207-636-9907
Gas: The Boonies, Acton Trading Post
Emergency Medical Services:
York Hospital Walk in Care Sanford, 1474 Main St Sanford ME 207-608-8425 8am-6pm
Maine Medical Center Hospital Portland 22 Bramhall St Portland ME 207-662-0111 Garage: 880 Congress St Portland, ME. Parking Level 7 for emergencies and surgery only.
Portsmouth Regional Hospital Portsmouth NH 333 Borthwick Ave, Portsmouth NH 603-436-5110
Sanford Goodall Hospital 25 June St Sanford ME 207-490-7310
For your Fur babies: Acton Veterinary Clinic 470 Youngs Ridge Road, Acton Maine 207-477-8144 - call for hours
ATM: Closest is Acton Trading Post - 57 Route 109, Acton ME
Laundromat: Pleasant Suds Laundromat 53 Pleasant St Springvale ME 207-432-0718 open 6am-10pm