While looking up the best stops along our roadtrip (day 1: Cambridge MA to Portland ME), Marginal…read moreWay cliff trail walk came up as a beautiful place to stretch one's legs. Parking is either metered at $6.25 an hour, or a lot for the day $20-25 in Ogunquit, ME. Public restrooms available a 5 minute walk from the entrance to the trail. Lots of boutique shops and places to eat lobster rolls if you crave them in Perkins Cove. The stretch we walked was about 1 mile one way. It's narrow but well maintained. You'll pass by many benches along the way for resting and viewing the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean has really calm waves and is remarkably clear green blue with rocky beaches. The autumnal sea breezes are chilly and refreshing! SO glad we walked it!

A hallmark of many a trip to Southern Maine, the Marginal Way is one of those experiences that…read moretruly captures the beauty of the state. I remember walking the Way as a kid during our annual summer vacations to the area, but it wasn't until I was an adult that In fully appreciated it. So what exactly *is* the Marginal Way? Well, it's a man-made path along the coastline of Maine in Ogunquit. There are several hotels that line this coast and provide views as well as their own entrances to the Way, however the general public also has access via an entry path along one of the main streets. There is really not much to do here except walk along the path and take it all in. The sea air, the rocks, the plants - put that phone down and touch some grass! All the while, you can get some steps in - so it's a win win. Overall, Marginal Way is definitely worth checking out - either by tacking it onto your Ogunquit explorations or visiting outright.

This gorgeous historical site is the perfect bit of peace when we don't want to sit among the…read morenoisy, too-close-for-comfort crowds lining every inch of southern Maine beaches. It's an oasis of green trees, bushes, and grasses dotted with the most beautiful variety of flowers. There's classic statuary, stone walls, an artists cabin, scattered chairs and benches, the stately old home and, of course, marvelous views of the calm Salmon Falls River. If you look closely, you might spot a heron or several turtles coming out of the mud, marching slowly toward the tidal waters as the river's edge fills back in. You can even access Vaughan Woods from a footpath, if you'd like to get a hike in. Of course, you can always bring a blanket, a picnic, and just enjoy the gorgeousness that surrounds you. Bathroom situation: in season there's a wee house-type structure that opens into a single, large bathroom. It appears to be cleaned and stocked regularly.

Lovely and stately mansion adjacent to the Salmon Falls lake and Vaughn Woods, Hamilton House is…read morenamed for the first owner . It is built for a wealthy merchant/privateer and it clearly shows with its rich wood carvings and grand front hall. Tour guide is friendly and shows the house at a good pace. No awkward silences. There is one bathroom on the grounds and lovely gardens for visitors to walk through. People book the venue for weddings.

I absolutely adore visiting this beautiful gallery. It's perched on the southern Maine coast in a…read moresmall town, on a residential street. It feels tucked away like a secret. Theres limited parking, but an overflow lot helps. Even as you walk across to the entrance door, you'll see some artwork in the gardens. Inside, there are multiple rooms and the exhibits change throughout the year. The signage and commentary is excellent, and it's very well curated. The best part is the sculpture garden out the back, but the views of the ocean are quite distracting - so make sure you save time to wander around and take it all in! OMAA is well worth the visit.

A small and intimate museum, but very well curated! I visited for the Looking For America and…read moreAmerican Conversations exhibits. I liked that these exhibits didn't just feature art that was conventionally pretty, but rather featured works that were more provocative. This surprised me considering the museum is relatively small; I expected more traditional and old-fashioned works. I felt like each piece challenged the idea of what it truly means to be American. As an added bonus, the museum grounds are GORGEOUS. They are a must-explore when visiting Ogunquit. Next time I will bring a picnic blanket and plan to spend the day there. I think you can even take a dip in the ocean on their pebble beach. Overall such an amazing experience.

This is the cutest store with real, local items to shop for! They have very unique items! People…read morethat work there are very kind and knowledgeable about the town!

Centrally located downtown - this place needs more hype PR. The cutest dining area, I love a…read morerepurposed space. Everything here is reasonably priced and delicious. All of the workers are very laidback and kind - I love their monthly specials and that they serve their in house items in mugs and glasses. Huge applause for their grilled muffins, chai lattes, and raspberry chocolate crepes. LOVE the mission behind this place also, if you're in the neighborhood and you're spending the money anyways, why not do it somewhere with a purpose? 5 stars, no notes.

Great coffee and tasty pastry. The atmosphere is very much college student, study cafe.read more

This memorial is great for the price and truly shows how submariners lived and functioned in this…read morewonderfully sub.

A fun and interesting way to spend some time in Portsmouth. I visited town during off-season and…read morethis was one of the few tourist attractions still open. Touring the actual sub can be done in 20-30 min. If you're claustrophobic, the first couple areas are tight but it soon opens up. If you have mobility issues, it'll be tough to maneuver. This doesn't take away from my experience but something to consider for others. The attached museum/gift shop is nice and packs in a lot. It's a one time visit for me but glad I went.

The Woodman Museum was a very pleasant surprise. It contains a wide variety of exhibits and…read moreitems/specimens. People working there are pleasant and helpful. Parking is on street we grabbed a spot on Summer St next to the museum). There are three buildings total to walk through. There are stairs involved once you are in the museum. Plan to spend a couple of hours there. It's a hidden gem in Dover, NH.

The last time I went to the Woodman Museum, I was in utero. But I found out today that they have a…read moreteacher discount, so I should have gone again much sooner! There were several highlights but I'll just share a few. First was the room dedicated to our nation's 250th anniversary. This historical tribute renewed my respect in the values upon which the United States was founded. Thomas Jefferson writes about King George: "He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States: for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners: refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither..." Jefferson reminded me that like the Woodman Museum, the country was built on a foundation of open arms. I have to mention the bronze statues of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mounted on granite in a special exhibit dedicated to these lovable heroes. It was an impressive and whimsical display. If there is a movement to make a grand-scale version in a public park in town, sign me up to campaign for that! This would be so cool with a splash pad in the center of it for kiddos. Finally, I have to say how impressed I was with the staff who were friendly, helpful, and incredibly well-versed in the history of the grounds. They answered all my questions with ease in a welcoming Dover style. It was totally gnarly, dude.

Heart of Biddeford is an organization dedicated to revitalizing downtown Biddeford. They're…read moreinvolved with museum tours, entrepreneur's groups, the riverwalk project, the City Theater, and seemingly everything else happening to bring back the downtown. And this could work out really well. There's plenty of affordable space in town, an organized community, really interesting old buildings, and potential customers with disposable income nearby. The city is already on the edge of becoming an accidental artists colony, and it will be interesting to see what else can take root in Biddeford.

Thank you for all you do. Biddeford is a wonderful place, so full of great food, culture and fun…read morethings to do. I wish I could spend more time there! Amybeth Hurst, Portland