Maine with Kids - 3 days in the Portland, Maine area

 

We just got back from a week in Maine and I am already planning our next trip to go back!  The catalyst for us was the power outage but Maine was the perfect first pandemic overnight trip for our family.  All of our vacation plans were cancelled this summer so the kids were very excited for this road trip.  Maine lifted their quarantine restrictions for those from surrounding states but it is important that you check before traveling as these restrictions can change.

Our first stop was Ogunquit Beach on our way to Portland, Maine.  Ogunquit Beach was a nice clean sandy beach.  There was a daily fee for parking of $30 but after 4pm the fee was reduced to $20.  There is a river side and ocean side to choose from, a restroom and place to rinse off your feet.  From the parking lot there was a ramp leading down to whichever side you choose.  We chose to explore the ocean side since the tide was low leaving a large sandy shallow beach area for my younger kids to splash around.

We picked up dinner from the Lobster Shack in Ogunquit before driving to our hotel in Portland.  We tried their lobster roll and crab roll which came with potato chips and coleslaw.  They were delicious!

Day 2 was spent at Old Orchard Beach.  This beach was much more crowded than Ogunquit.  Public parking was available on the street leading up to the beach for $2/hour with a max of 2 hours.  

We picked up dinner from Scarborough lobster.  We tried a lobster roll, a crab roll, and a shrimp roll.  All three were delicious!

Day 3 we went to visit Portland head lighthouse in Fort Williams.  Portland head light house was commissioned by George Washington in 1787.  The lighthouse was completed in 1791 making it the oldest lighthouse in Maine.  The paved path to the lighthouse was easy with a stroller.  There was a large public parking lot nearby and we paid $2/hour using the pay station. 

Fort Williams was a beautiful park with lots of paved paths and a small beach area.  After walking around the lighthouse we went to the small beach.  There was a small parking lot with another pay meter charging the same rate.

Day 4 We explored Popham State Beach along our way to Acadia National Park.  This beach provided a military discount so the fee was waived!  Large parking lot with restrooms and changing stations but no rinsing off station.  The walk out to the beach was a long walk but it was a beautiful and clean beach.  There was also a small island within view that you could walk out to when the tide was low enough!

Have you visited Maine?  If so, what are your favorite spots?  Next up is Bar Harbor!  I will highlight our few days in Bar Harbor in a separate blog post.