Visitor's Guide 2015

City Fun, Island HOPPING No visit to Portland is complete without venturing out to one of the nearby Casco Bay Islands. Dine at a fine Portland restaurant, stay in a comfortable hotel, then get out onto the sparkling waters in a number of fun and affordable ways. Photo: Tim Greenway

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The Casco Bay Lines ferry offers daily trips to seven of the nearby populated islands as well as sunset and moonlight cruises, and a sunrise cruise for early risers. Peaks Island, a commuter neighborhood of Maine’s largest city, is only 15 minutes away but feels like a world apart. Rent bicycles or kayaks, or simply take a leisurely stroll through the lovely town streets lined with gift shops, cafes, and ancient elm trees, which survived the blight due to their secluded island location. Visit the Fifth Maine Regiment Museum, built in 1888 as a memorial and reunion hall for veterans of the 5th Maine Regi- ment, and now maintained as a Civil War and local history museum. Top off the day with drinks or dinner at the Inn on Peaks Island, a stone’s throw from the ferry back to Portland. Chebeague, the largest of the Casco Bay islands, can be reached by a leisurely 1 ½

hour ferry ride from Portland or a 15 minute jaunt from nearby Yarmouth. The island contains many Greek Revival homes that were built by the “stone sloopers,” men whose ships carried granite for many of the nation’s most spectacular monuments and churches. Play a round of golf on the nine-hole golf course and have lunch at the Chebeague Island Inn, which offers great food and a spectacular panoramic porch view of the ocean. Looking for an authentic old-fashioned schooner sailing experience? You can enjoy sunset cruises on the bay provided by Maine Sailing Adventures and Portland Schooner Company, both located next to the ferry terminal. For a tasty and educational evening, join sommelier Erica Archer of Wine Wise who offers fine-wine experiences as part of some of the evening schooner excursions. Or take the ferry to Great Diamond Island for a romantic dinner at Diamond’s Edge.

And for a great family excursion, head up to South Freeport for a trip with Captain Tom Ring on Atlantic Seal Cruises, bound for nearby Eagle Island. Eagle Island was the summer home of Admiral Robert E. Peary, the first man to reach the North Pole. The magnificent home has ocean views on all sides, lovely indigenous flower gardens, and is filled with Peary’s belongings. Captain Tom will show you seals playing on nearby rock outcroppings and even pull a lobster trap or two on the way back. No matter which adventure you choose (and we suggest trying them all!), once back from the islands there is so much to do in Portland, including a visit to the Portland Museum of Art, which has assembled some of the best paintings frommany of Maine’s museums into one fabulous summer-long show. See article on pg. 23

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