2014 Visitor's Guide

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The waters of Casco Bay are a fantastic playground— rent kayaks in Portland or Freeport for a day exploring on the sea.

Photo: courtesy Maine Island Kayak

P L AY ING Whether you’re planning a family trip, a romantic getaway, or traveling with friends, we’ve got abundant options for creating fun-filled days and nights. You may run out of time but never things to do.

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beautifully situated courses, either beside the ocean or amid the moun- tains. Maine’s other regions offer superb downhill skiing, plentiful wildlife, thrilling whitewater rafting, and fishing and swimming in crystal clear lakes. Maine is “The Great Outdoors,” so get out and enjoy it! There’s also plenty to keep the kids busy, from wildlife and amusement parks to the alluring world of antique trains, planes, and trolleys, even their own Children’s Museum & Theatre. The excitment peaks at fairs and festivals throughout the summer and fall; be sure to check the calendar listings on pages 34-36 for special events for you and your family to enjoy.

With its own art museum, countless galleries, a symphony orchestra, and professional theater, Portland’s arts scene rivals that of cities much larger in size; from classical to cutting-edge, performance and visual arts are vibrantly alive and infuse the region with a surprising sophistication. Known regionally for its thriving local music scene, Portland boasts some of the best eclectic venues for rock, hip-hop, jazz, reggae, and bluegrass — it’s all here. Greater Portland is also steeped in history and anxious to share. Trolley tours, guided walking tours, and lovingly restored museum homes will expose you to the careful craftsmanship and fine architecture of past eras. Maine Maritime Museum in Bath is devoted

to the state’s rich maritime history, and the only active Shaker community in the world welcomes visitors to its New Gloucester farm, founded in 1783. A museum of Maine Civil War history is housed in the Fifth Maine Regiment Memorial Hall on Peaks Island. With our region’s proximity to the sea, there are naturally plenty of things to do on and around the water, from narrated cruises to sunset schooner sails, exciting kayak excursions to lazy beach afternoons. But don’t miss the mountains with superb downhill skiing, plentiful wildlife, thrilling whitewater rafting, and fishing and swimming in crystal clear lakes. Golf enthusiasts will find numerous

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