We made a short stop to view this garden finding it quiet, tranquil and less than impressive though…read moreobviously your mileage may and very likely will vary.

Really pretty, I love coming here. It's nice all year round and even has a Geocache in it.read more

We love swinging bridges so we made sure to make a stop at this one. It happened to be raining when…read morewe were on our way through this area but we didn't let that stop us. If anything, the fact that it was dusk and the rain was so gentle, kind of made the whole experience feel more visceral and intimate. The bridge itself is really beautiful with great views of the river on both sides. There's definitely enough movement so that you don't forget you're on a swinging bridge, but it didn't feel unsafe and even our little dog was fine walking back and forth across it. My husband and I hung out in the middle for a while, enjoying the views, cuddled in the cool wet air. It was actually pretty romantic. We probably spent about 15 or 20 minutes here and in that time multiple people crossed the bridge and at least five or six stopped to take photos in front of it, including a group of 4 that asked us to take their photo for them (pictured below) so this is a busy area even in the rain. But once you're here, you know why because it's a pretty cool experience. I definitely recommend a quick stop here if you can make the time.

Super cool suspended rope bridge. I went a a drizzly day and it was awesome. The parking lot is…read morereally small and has about 5 spots for cars. I walked across the the river and back. There are great views of the river. I jumped up and down at a couple of spots and could definitely feel the bridge swing. Definitely would visit again.

This magnificent establishment is really multiple attractions in one: flowers, landscaping, natural…read morewonders (waterfalls), wooden troll sculptures, walking trails, and more. A single visit doesn't necessarily need to incorporate all of the aspects, much less cover all the ground, but a well-planned lengthy visit could. Everything is laid out very nicely, artfully, and such that you'll get some great photographs-- even "Instaworthy" ones if that's your thing. I also like that the volunteers are friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to answer questions and provide advice. Some of MY advice: - Arrive early, as it gets hot, especially in certain areas. - Bring bug spray. - Being sun protection, including a hat. - Bring water. - Take advantage of the free shuttle to get transported to/near the farthest destinations first, possibly getting there before the crowds gather and the sun heats up. You can then work your way back and still get plenty of steps in. Since discovering it, my wife and I return practically every year. It never gets old. The facility works hard to ensure that the opposite is the case, with good upkeep and occasional expansion.

This is a huge botanical garden with the famous trolls as a major draw. I obtained two adult…read morepasses from my local library (many Maine libraries offer free passes). We visited on a beautiful Sunday in May. There is so much to see there. I found it a little difficult to get oriented (I am certain I missed several gardens. I did enjoy the children's area and the senses garden. My companion needed to rent a scooter which i learned about on the website. They also have wheelchairs to borrow for free. What I might have overlooked on the website (if it is there) is that there are many parts inaccessible with scooter or wheelchairs. We weren't able to see a few of the trolls because of this restriction. There are trolleys circulating the park to allow folks with mobility restrictions to see those areas. However, we only saw one trolley spot and the trolley was already full. The driver did say they come around every 20 minutes. Next time, I will pack my lunch in a backpack and perhaps take advantage of one of their tours.

Explored Skolfield Shores Preserve in January and it was absolutely breathtaking. I drove up from…read morethe Mississippi Gulf Coast (about 24 hours) just adventuring - as soon as I laid eyes on the end of the trail I was walking, I thought, "Now this... is what I came all this way for!" (even though this stop was a random passing selection off the map of my route). If my phone was not shutting down due to the below freezing temperatures, and if I'd been able to feel my toes, nose, and fingers longer, I could have wandered the area all day. So happy to see such a well-kept, beautiful piece of nature.

For me, this is a destination walking trail and one I'm excited to check out again and again…read morethroughout the seasons. So if you're in the Brunswick area, be sure to make your way to Skolfield Shores Preserve - it's got a little bit of everything that makes Maine's notable natural world so great: thick forest, salt marshes, fields, ocean views, wildlife, Parking is in front of the Merruconnegan Farm (when you see the large Harpswell Heritage Land Trust kiosk, you're in the right place!) - note that this is a working farm, so be thoughtful of their privacy and stick to the trail (which is extremely well marked). The trail itself is super accessible and sort of shaped like a big figure eight (Hemlock Loop with a wooden bridge that connects to Merrucoonegan Loop) with a spur trail beforehand that leads down to a beautiful meadow, the shore, and a historic boathouse... which is a dramatic, sweeping, stunning site straight off a postcard for the state of Maine. It overlooks Middle Bay Cove and couldn't be more peaceful or lovely. Sit and stay a while; enjoy the incredible birds here (osprey, meadowlarks, eagles), the hermit crabs that apparently come out in spring, the remoteness, and the very cool broken shell "beach" area. Afterwards, continue your walk, keep an eye out for hen of the woods mushrooms, and enjoy the scenic views along the way. Please, please, please practice "carry in, carry out", be careful of tickets, and remember to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.

Walking along the Cathance River reminded me a lot of Swift River in the Kancamagus - a stunning…read morehike through the forest alongside a rushing body of water (stretches of which include Class IV rapids). So much of it felt so organic too - rocks and tree roots making paths and stairs through the gently winding quiet woods. It's well marked, the directional signs are in the perfect places, and the trails are all extremely well maintained. What a fantastic way to spend an autumnal morning - had a picnic on some of the rocks that were jutting out into the river with the sun pouring down around me. For sure the way to go for maximum water views, with the most privacy, is: park at the Ecology Center, walk down to it and hook a left on Highland Trail (blue), which connects to Cathance River Trail (white), take Cathance River Trail to Rapids Trail (yellow), Rapids Trail back to Highland Trail and the Ecology Center. I say this because... You should know that this hiking area is basically within a housing development on a golf course and is currently undergoing a lot of construction on the eastern side of the trail system (anything around and beyond the actual Hiker Parking area - didn't see the wooden bridge near Old Quarry Road or the Clay Brook bridge to Head of Tide Park because I wasn't allowed to access them when I came). Also, you can hear the traffic from 295 pretty clearly throughout most of the trail system. I didn't know either of these things, so both were a bit off-putting. As an aside, I was yelled at twice: once by a golfer and once by some lady in her backyard who could see me through the trees. Both wanted to know what I was doing, why I was doing it, and where my destination was (not even kidding). It seems to me there needs to be bit more communication with these folks about the trail system here - that people actually come to hike them. Until that happens, my advice is to avoid anything and everything to do with the heath (all trails to it and around it since this is where golfing and people's backyards seem to be). I'm looking forward to coming back when construction is done and the area is a less confusing and awkward place to navigate as a hiker. But I will stick to the trails near the water!

This was a beautiful snowshoe hike. It's a great way to clear your mind on a Sunday afternoon…read more Maybe 4 miles of trails if you want to do it all in one day. Well marked and they have maps.

Just at the very tail end of the day, we raced to see our final lighthouse of this Saturday tour…read more Arriving just at sunset, it is located at the end of about a mile or so of dirt road that could use some love from the local town transportation department. Yes, it's private property. And if they want to keep people off it, they can do what the folks at the Hendrick's Head Light did - post signs and enforce them. Located on the Kennebec River, the lighthouse was established in 1898 and remains an active aid to navigation today. It points out a sharp turn in the river for those going to or from the Bath Iron Works. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The light station includes a tower, keeper's house, shed, and oil house. The tower is an octagonal wood frame structure, finished in wooden shingles, with an iron walkway around the lantern chamber. It is accessed via a three-span footbridge. Around the base of the lighthouse, there are some spots where you can walk out to get different angles. Some interesting driftwood on the ground if that's something that interests you. [Review 14897 overall, 399 of 2021, number 79 in Maine.]

We visited this historic lighthouse on our recent vacation, but as others have previously mentioned…read moreI would not return because it feels like you are, and in fact you are, in someone's backyard. I have no idea how or why such an arrangement arose, but it is is odd to say the least. Also, the access road is not not well maintained so be aware. The lighthouse itself is very interesting and it affords a nice view of the Kennebec river.

Detailing my arrival lacks in interesting traction - nobody was at the little mustard colored front…read moreoffice. So, I penned my arrival time, parking slot and attached the fee and slipped it through the mail slot. The second day, the spring thunder was rolling across the sky, filling all the upper and lower spaces with it's rumblings, then a moment of faded distance, followed by a final wrathful roar coming from behind the clouds. For you see, more and more - rightly or wrongly, I'm developing my desire to be alone with the sights and sounds of nature. From thunder clap to the little water crystals of mornings first dew, it all makes me feel a special way. As if nature is harmonizing within the depths of my souls mood. I'll sit for hours watching nature lay before me in a hush and there is no sense of movements, but I feel the flow of vital natural energy that no humans can disturb. It's here, below the trees sitting upon the grass which seems to offer soft words of comfort and sympathy. And now, in these moments - any human that might pierce suddenly upon my natural mood, seems to effect me greatly. Because one bad thought - problems in NYC, etc - and my souls tranquility is thrown into confusion.

The beach and campground are always pristine. There are numerous events to attend over the summer…read moreseason - I visited the Highland Games, Bluegrass Festival, to name a couple. Very kid friendly, great food, and yummy ice cream. I am not a camper, but so many people who are travel here every summer because it is so welcoming.

A gentle hike…read more Penny Lake Preserve was opened in the fall of 2005 and is roughly 55 acres. It contains a couple of miles of trails and nothing that is difficult or strenuous. A very nice hike for older folks, kids, or people that want to be outside but can't negotiate a more difficult terrain. The hike features wide and slightly hilly trails with nice views. The main trails goes through some open fields, woody areas with lots of mature pine trees and then down to the water. The entrance can be a bit difficult to locate but if you go right behind the Carousel Music Theatre you will find it. It can get a bit mucky at times and during the warmer weather the bugs and ticks can be pretty brutal but the trails are nice in the winter for snow shoeing and cross country skiing. A pleasant little area that is great for anyone that wants an interesting short hike that is accessible to a wide variety of different people