2014 Visitor's Guide

well represented in these cute little towns. Charming main streets look particularly picturesque in the fall, when the leaves begin to change color. Another amazing attraction is Eartha , the world’s largest rotating and revolving globe, located at the DeLorme headquarters in Yarmouth. Finally, after you spend some time admiring this supersized globe, head out to Gilsland Farm, an Audubon nature center in Falmouth where you can see earth’s bounty close-up. It’s the perfect way to connect with the environment before heading back into town for a hot coffee or local brew. Famous for shopping, there is much more to F REEPORT than the bargains found at the outlets (though you really can’t beat the deals). Home of famous outdoor retailer L.L.Bean, it makes perfect sense that the area is rich with natural beauty, and offers plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Outdoorsmen and shopaholics will be equally com- fortable vacationing here, which is just one of the many things that makes Freeport so unique. Driving into downtown Freeport, it’s impossible not to notice the vast and bustling strip of restaurants and stores, many of which occupy historic homes and buildings. National companies like TommyHilfiger and Cole Haan offer great fashion at factory prices alongside a mix of locally-owned boutiques. Whether you are searching for dress shoes or a sundress, youmay find a new favorite on Main Street, or just around the corner. While many visit L.L.Bean to stock up on boots, sweaters and jeans, Freeport is also home to the L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery School, which offers reasonably priced classes in everything from snowshoeing and fly-fishing to kayaking and paddle boarding. In the summer, L.L.Bean hosts its Summer in the Park live music series, hugely popular events that are free and open to the public. Various themed weekends devoted to outdoor sports and hobbies are offered throughout the year, as are more specific • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

and family-friendly events, like the Freeport Fall Festival and Sparkle Celebration inDecember. Of course, outdoor adventures aren’t limited to the center of town. Venture a few miles east and you’ll find yourself in the calming green acres of Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park. Beautifully maintained trails meander through forests, into a picturesque salt marsh estuary, and along the coast. It’s a great place for birdwatching, family outings, and ocean side hikes. But perhaps a craggy climb is more your style. If so, there is always Bradbury Mountain State Park located close by in P OWNAL . Summit this peak and see the sea from an entirely new perspective. Hiking trails to the top range from easy to intermediate level, and true thrill-seekers will love the well-planned system of mountain biking trails. Nothing gets the blood pumping quite like a two-wheeled careen down a Maine mountain! After all that hiking, biking, and shopping, you’ll probably need to fuel up. Foodies will be happy to note that Freeport has plenty of great places to eat—while the freshest of lobster and seafood are plentiful, neither your curry cravings nor your dumpling desires will go unsatisfied. Spend the night in an elegant B&B or iconic New England Inn and wake up ready to explore some more of this vibrant, historic village.

Photos, from top: Autumn view from Bradbury Mountain in Pownal and shoppers enjoying the quaint village of Freeport that is home to high-end outlet stores as well as the world headquarters of outdoor outfitter L.L.Bean– whose flagship stores never close, Tim Greenway

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For more information and links to the communities of Greater Portland go to visitportland.com/towns.aspx

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