I have nothing to compare it to, but we booked the Portal and thought it was challenging and…read moreintriguing activity on a rainy day - 2 adults and one 14 year old. The teen and her mom worked so well together solving the puzzles - that was a joy to witness. Our guide was chill, helpful without giving anything away, and very friendly. This isn't some slick corporate production but instead made by game masters using hand-crafted props, challenges, and maps. Really clever! For the Portal, yes, wear hot bright colors b/c those colors really pop.

We came and went to do The Portal. We enjoyed the room. Not anything over the top. Props are pretty…read morebasic. Worth stopping by.

Great indoor play space for children. Inflatable bounce houses, play structures, building blocks,…read moreand climbing walls. There is something for all children!

This is Christian camp I teach at over the summer. They are great folks, appreciate them and their…read moreministry to kids and families in Maine. It's a Blessing to be a part and get to know these people and these teens.

Delightful experience, away from the fracas, cacophony, disorganization, lack of service, and…read moreanonymity of the corporate ski areas. Black Mountain of Maine is a wonderful anti-corporate answer to the "big" areas. Cozy, friendly, and beautiful runs down the mountain. A place where kids can run around without fear or the need for parental hovering. A kick-butt bar with live music. Simply, what skiing was and should be.... We got here for the first time on the Indy Pass as we have been visiting Indy areas, some of them for several years in a row. Black Mountain is a short drive away from downtown Rumford, a paper mill, quaint town of 6,000 people featuring historic homes and a working downtown. Arriving at Black Mountain, the large lodge is quite welcoming, with just about every conceivable need within the lodge. Once outside, the beginner's Novice Lift provides optimal runs for novices or warmups. The main lift, although a slow fixed triple, allows access to most of the 1,100 vertical terrain and a variety of trails. It should be said that with some effort and uphill hiking, there is another side of the mountain, glades galore, that is accessible from this area. There is yet another T-bar that provides access to even more terrain. Apres-ski, we were treated to a superb pub with great rock music, plenty of beer, and great company. Overall, the vibe in this mountain is what I remember skiing was like from my youth. Unhurried, civil, friendly, and simple. Awesome place.

Great place to ski and I spend time Snowtubing with family and friends…read more I would recommend it definitely for family events

I feel the need to preface all of my nature reviews with this: being 90% forested and having around…read more3500 miles of coastline, Maine (and NH) has a tremendous amount of spaces, walkways, paths, and trails of all kinds and of all levels. There's something for everyone. What I'm reviewing is how a spot compares to similar outdoor spots in my personal opinion. Being in nature - and remembering to carry in, carry out - is always five stars! :) Parking? Yes. Loop trail? Yes. Well marked signs? Yes. Element of surprise? Yes. This is a gem of a hike. And it's proof that just when you think you know Maine... you don't. Will I ever run out of incredible places to explore here? Mt Pisgah proves I won't. I had never heard of this spot before, but was doing research for somewhere to play outside near the Augusta area, and this came up. It was everything I was looking for: 2 to 4 miles, meandering through the forest, and absolutely outstanding views at the top. I took Blueberry Trail (1.3 miles) which was mostly a very windy path through woodlands; what makes it so special, though, is the wild blueberries that grow near the top. From the informational sign: "...In natural settings native highbush blueberries are typically found in areas with wet, acidic, organic soils. Mt Pisgah, where highbush blueberries occur, does not resemble these preferred habitats. At this site, the highbush blueberries are found in an upland forest with dry soil and no nearby water source. It is unclear how the highbush blueberries came to be in this less than ideal habitat." TLDR: There are magical blueberries here. When I reached the top I climbed up the historic fire tower for impressive 360 degree views of the surrounding area. To come down from the summit there are two options: Tower Trail (which is about .7 miles) which passes through rich forest (expect lots of wooden planks over streams) OR the access road which is a straight shot on a well groomed, relatively accessible (think stroller-friendly) road back up and back from the parking lot. Side note: Ledges Trail, 1.4 miles, adds steps but not views. (From the informational sign at the top of the mountain: "In Hebrew, Pisgah means a lookout or place with a view, and refers to the place on Mt Nebo from which Moses looked out over the promised lands. In the 19th century, before the fire tower was constructed, the summit of Pisgah was an open pasture that provided panoramic views. Mt Pisgah has a rich agricultural history. Old stone walls, second growth pine and hardwood forest, and gnarly sugar maples with tap holes tell the story of intensive land clearing, pasturing, cultivation, and farm abandonment.")

A nice 1-2.5 hour hike (depending on which trails one takes), especially for winter hiking, and a…read moregreat panoramic view atop the high scalable tower.

Old fashioned camping exists! This is a perfect family campground-- kids can ride their bikes,…read morefolks can stroll through the campground or adjacent trails, and meeting and chatting with other campers and rangers is a joy. The beach has the best view of any in the world. Area hiking trails are challenging and breathtakingly beautiful. Coos Canyon is nearby and a super fun day trip. There are flush toilets and showers and a brand new playground. This is a jewel.

Summer review! Get…read morethat Maine State Park Pass out and head to Mt Blue State Park Campground (even if it's just for a day outing)! It's like a smaller, more intimate, more highly concentrated version of everything you love about Sebago and Rangeley. Clear, clean, cold water to swim in; surrounding mountains (like Mt Blue) that ring Webb Lake making it picturesque in every way. There's also some low stakes hiking, including a 1-mile loop (apparently called Hopping Frog Nature Trail) near the Nature Center. The Nature Center is also very cool, offering hands-on exhibits, interpretive programs, and displays about the local flora and fauna. I learned how big my wingspan is and played a round of outdoor checkers. I was extremely delighted by this spot and can't wait to explore it again in the future!

You'll find this fantastic hidden gem of nature as you head north into the Rangeley Lakes region -…read moreand it's well worth a stop! The main draw (for me anyway) is the 15-foot waterfall where the Swift River gushes over the smooth carved boulders - it's beautiful! Definitely a lovely visit in the fall colors - they were just starting to show on my visit in late September. But it's my understanding that this is a great place to frolic in natural swimming holes and jump off the rocks and enjoy the water in the warmer months. I had a great time exploring the area! There were butterflies EVERYWHERE!! Many different species - but one species was being particularly cooperative and I had a great time with my camera - and turns out it was a Pink-edged Sulfur which is the State Butterfly of Maine! It's easy to find - right off Swift River Rd and it's free. Theres a picnic area with several tables and a fun giant chair with a story about Paul Bunyan next to it. Everything is well maintained and there's a campground nearby. I didn't see any bathrooms.

Actually I love this place. But Cassie made me feel very very unwelcome. I have been a Coos Canyon…read moreand rented cabbage twice, the first time I just figured maybe Cassie was having a few bad days because I did stay a few days. But the second time I went she was even worse. It's a shame that a wonderful place like this has such a mean spirited and rude person working for them

Currently residing in Portland, we are always looking for a new place to easily plop in our canoe &…read morepaddle away during the beautiful summer days. After some online searching, we decided to check out Highland Lake due to the proximity to Portland, boat launch for easy access to the water, and available parking. And what a wonderful decision this was!! When we arrived, there was plenty of parking still available and just a short walk of muscling the canoe to the water. Once we got out onto the lake we saw a variety of water activities: kayaking, fishing, boating, tubing, waterskiing, & jet skiing. Although there were quite a bit of people and activity on the lake, it is definitely large enough to peacefully canoe and still feel immersed in the nature surrounding you.