We have now stayed twice in the cabins with family. Would highly recommend this experience. Just…read morelove Ranger Sue which is extremely nice however unlike what Angela feels about her from the above review..Sue is the park Ranger and you must follow the rules WHICH ARE POSTED EVERYWHERE Angela NO DOGS!!!! Even when the park is closed. And why on earth did you even enter the park when it was closed? No one else can but I guess some people feel more privileged than others!! The beach is extremely clean and well maintained. They have staff out and about all day to help answer any questions. Love this place but warning, it's fills up very fast. Donna P. S.

We went during the week so I am not sure about the crowd on the weekends. We had a great time and…read morestaff is super friendly. We will definitely come back.

Great library. Quaint And quiet. The librarians are friendly and they will help you with all your…read morebook questions. I also like the separation of the children's section from the rest of the library. Keep on reading!

A window to the…read moreworld The Freeport Community Library is a new facility that was completed in 1997 and still has that squeaky clean look to it. A sprawling building that is the home to many events and programs. Even though many parts of the library look very new, it still has a very comfortable and homey feel to it. Lots of nice chairs, furniture and huge windows in places to let in natural light. The library has a great genealogy and local history room, free wifi and all the things necessary to do some serious research of just sit and read a book or magazine. A Window to the World, is the library's motto, and it certain is appropriate. A wonderful library where people can seek the past or look forward into the future.

If you've ever passed through this area of South Portland, you've most definitely seen Mill Creek…read morePark. It's a charming, extremely well manicured 10-acre urban green space that boasts of a gazebo, a pond (with a fountain in the warmer weather), a veteran's monument (located a bit off from the main area), and birds a plenty - this is a particularly favorite spot of Canadian geese. It's not very big, so you're not coming here to spend a day. But, it's a fabulous spot for a picnic, or to grab a coffee and sit with a friend, or to bring a book for some quiet time, or just to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Despite the heavy car traffic surrounding it, it still feels peaceful. The park is also home to some lovely seasonal activities: in the summer they host Art In The Park; in the winter, you can buy your Christmas trees here (which I strongly suggest doing), go skating, or even just enjoy a stroll through the lit up trees during the holidays!

This is a lovely park in the center of South Portland, about half a mile from the Casco Bay Bridge,…read moreand walking distance to numerous stores and businesses including Hannaford, CVS, Goodwill, Pet Life, True Value Hardware, several banks and restaurants, City Hall, the public library, the Mill Creek Transit Hub, the summer farmers' market, and the Knightville neighborhood. This park has almost everything you'd want in a park: grass, shade trees, flowers, water features, benches, and a gazebo. The pond offers a lovely ice skating experience in the winter, weather permitting. South Portland's parks department does a fine job of maintaining this park, and the city has invested a considerable amount of money over the past few years to preserve and upgrade some of the park's features. South Portland's nickname is "the park city," a tribute to its large number of parks and public open spaces. Mill Creek is the centerpiece, and we're all very proud of it.

My first time exploring the Spear Farm Estuary Preserve was immediately after The Great Maine Wind…read moreStorm - and the damage it caused to the trails and trees was both devastating and breathtaking at the same time. To be walking alone through such a scene of natural wreckage on a beautiful sunny day in the fall felt haunting and peaceful - was this scene from some apocalypse film? Admittedly, I probably shouldn't have been walking through here when so much of the walking path was obstructed by downed enormous trees, but it was like an adventure crawling under and climbing over them! Despite the unique circumstances of my first visit, this is a spot that I would absolutely come back to again and again (I bet it's amazingly serene in December before the first snowfall!). There's off street parking, and the preserve itself is a 55+ acre area with a big freshwater pond and benches overlooking it, woodlands and a high-canopy forest, and open salt marshes as it abuts the Royal River. With over a mile and a half of accessible, extremely well manicured, well marked trails that loop and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a picnic, it's one of those hiking spots that I'm genuinely glad to know about (it was fun meandering around here without fear of getting lost since all the trails connect and the ocean acts as a natural border. You know you've found a good trail when you feel sad after you've "reached the end" of your first walkthrough of it! Before you go: hunting is allowed - though it has to be 300+ feet away from the trails - so be sure to rock your orange in October and November; beware of ticks; and, don't stomp around off trails too much (that way we can actually preserve this amazing, diverse habitat).

This inn has a back to the past feel that is perfect for those quiet travelers who can appreciate…read morethe solitude and peace of nature. It is a block away from the Atlantic Ocean and beach. It is operational seasonally and closes the end of October. After reading recent reviews, the facts in them are true! This is not a HOTEL, there are no elevators, minibars, pools, daily maid service and plenty of stairs to climb. The place is a couple of hundred years old but pretty well maintained and my room was very clean. I booked a larger room on the first floor that was pretty quiet and very clean. The furniture was basic, had a minifridge and large bathroom. Coffee and muffins were put out for all at 7 AM and coffee and cookies at 2 PM. There is a restaurant on premises that serves breakfast starting at 8 AM and dinner from 4 to 9 PM. The bar is open during dinner hours only. So, this is a basic B&B in an out of the way beach town. DO NOT come here if you need modern furniture/wall art, minibars, pools, in room coffee or need pampering. Do not bring kids. Stay at one of the chain motels along the highway. You'll be happier!

(SIDE NOTE: I usually come to Higgins during the off season, so I can't speak to what it's like in…read morethe height of summer.) I always like walking Higgins. There's a shipwreck from 1897 there! I don't know if any other locals have noticed, but it seems like it's less and less exposed (the sands seem to be shifting a lot) these past few years. But the last time we came at low tide, it *was* there with its incredible ecosystem that exists in its adjacent tide pools! Higgins is super popular with: 1. Surfers! 2. People walking their doggos! 3. Plovers! There is an incredible amount of signage here in spring/summer educating and informing folks about where they can't bring their dogs because of the nesting area of our endangered/near-threatened shorebirds. If you're visiting: please, please pay attention to this and respect where both you and your four-legged friend can't run around in. It's tough parking here (from May 1st to September 15th if you park on the road you have to pay an hourly fee; there's also a public lot a few blocks away that's $10 a day), but it's a beautiful space with an expansive stretch of sand with a tidal river to the left.

An early morning walk proved to be quite peaceful as I meandered along the wooded trails in this 71…read moreacre park. Early on I did encounter a dog that raced by followed a 1/2 hour later by its owner calling out its name. The set of interlocking trails offers the opportunity to customize the length of each individual's walk with much of it appearing to be handicap accessible.

I love these trails for peaceful walks, jogging, Geocaching (there's a bunch), and hopefully this…read morewinter I will remember to hit this place up for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. There are plenty of trails to pick from to help make your adventure different from your prior adventure here. The main trails are well packed for safe running while the narrow side trails have some rocks, roots, and stumps to navigate. Most of the trails are well marked with blazes while some of the side trails need a keen eye to keep on track. Be aware that some of these trails hug residental areas, so please be respectful of boundary lines. There are a few picnic tables that located near the main entrance. Some of these are nestled in wooded areas by themselves to offer a more secluded feel to your picnic lunch. Come and enjoy nature! Taken from www.brunswickme.org By their vote of May 8, 1719, the Pejepscot Proprietors "Granted one thousand acres of land to lay in general commonage." Unlike the village green or town common found in the center of many New England towns, the Brunswick Town Commons was a specific grant from the private lands of the Pejepscot Co., and not from town-owned common and undivided land. Located near the geographic center of town, the Commons has influenced the growth of the Brunswick region. Upon the promise of two hundred acres of land from the Commons, Bowdoin College was established in Brunswick. In the late 1800's the Town appropriated money to plant and cultivate blueberries on the Commons. Granite monuments placed in 1891 by D. E. Campbell, Civil Engineer, marked all angle changes of the boundaries. Monument E marks the south western corner and is located in the Peat Heath. Five more of the historic granite markers are located within the boundaries of the Naval Air Station. In 1905 the Town began a planting and management program for White Pines and Red Oaks. In 1930 Brunswick voted to establish an airport on the Commons and the first aircraft landed in June, 1934. Later known as the Brunswick Municipal Airport, this land was the nucleus of what is now the Brunswick Naval Air Station. Today the Commons provides year-round recreational opportunities for Brunswick citizens and serves as a living laboratory for local elementary school children. The Town Commons Planning Committee oversees the general management of the Commons, but policy decisions are by vote of the Town Council as "successors in office" of Nathaniel Larrabee, Andrew Dunning, and William Stanwood, Selectmen at the time of the Pejepscot Proprietors' grant. The Town recognized the unique status of the Commons in the Town Commons Resolution adopted February 1968, which states, "We, the Selectmen of the Town of Brunswick, being mindful of the history and heritage of our Town; respectful of the inspiring wisdom of the first Planners of our community; and proud of the part they have played in preserving to our use a portion of the lands with which they were so richly endowed knowing full well our later needs in that respect; do declare that the Commons (thousand acres) is an HISTORIC LANDMARK."

A HUGE thank you to Deni for writing a review on this place. We had no idea it existed and…read moreseriously this place made our Memorial Day Weekend. It's super cool how a tiny path enters into an amazing park and offers placards of its' historical past. Our dog loved it and we loved the dog bag stations, trashcans, and super nice benches, picnic tables and look out spots. The bridge was AWESOME too. We found a great little cafe off the path called Forest Falls Cafe, which next time we will definitely eat at. There was enough shade for our dog and a nice breeze off the river. We'll be able to come back through the summer with him even on hotter days. There were a few families that passed us on bikes, a few others eating lunch at the picnic tables, and couples walking the paths. This place should be on Boston's Chronicle as a hidden gem or tank of gas episode. Wow, we LOVED it.

We entered the park by the William Rowe School on the aptly named School Street. Some of you may…read moreknow this area of ball field and tennis courts as the space used to set up the rides for the Yarmouth Clam Festivals and have eaten your fried dough here and then had a turn on the Zipper. There are signs that caution you to leash your pet and there are rules posted for your canine companion. Please be a good dog companion ambassador and follow the rules. This is a great park for the whole family. The paths are paved so they are accessible to all (there is a hill so you may want to help anyone in a wheelchair along that section). Be aware that the river has a really fast current and rapids so children, pets and anyone else not being safe can be swept away! If you are a dog owner and want to let your pal romp free of leash, there is a designated spot at picnic point where you can "unleash the beast" and let them play. There is also a sandy spot with access to the water for your pup to jump in and cool off which one of ours gladly took advantage of. The trail winds along the rapids and falls and there are signs of old industry and left over parts of buildings. There are informational signs along the way to read. There is a bike rack and picnic area (not in an off leash section) on the side of the park near the Yarmouth History Center as well as another trail head. There are open fields where your kids can play and you can play too! without being cramped in with too many other people. I wish there were maps of the area showing the intersecting trails as this park meanders through and between many neighborhoods. We met many other people walking these trails and everyone was friendly. While dogs are supposed to be leashed, we did encounter a few off leash, however, the owners did have voice control and we had no issues. The views are amazing, the history lessons insightful and this is a great space to spend time and hang out. *as a side note... we did find an "alligator" strategically placed which made me laugh out loud. If you walk this trail and see that red eyed monster too, let me know!*

If heading to Peaks in the summertime sounds far too overwhelming for you, Long is the solution…read more Although Long is far more than a tourist destination, it's severely overlooked by Portlanders who want to take a day trip out to the islands. They have a couple fantastic white sand beaches. Perfect place to bike around for the day!

Apparently (according to the captain of the ferry I was aboard during my first visit here), Long…read moreIsland used to be a part of Portland until Portland made their already painfully high property taxes even higher. Residents of Long Island felt this was pretty unfair because they weren't really benefitting (especially with city services) from this at all, so they voted to secede from Portland; and, on July 1st, 1993 they became their own Town of Long Island (and, interestingly enough, the first new town in ME since 1925). When we got off the ferry, and walked through an impressively large parking lot, we didn't know which way to turn - left or right. Luckily for us, we overheard some other tourists ask some locals which way they suggest. "Left's really got nothing but houses; right's got the post office and store and stuff." Sounded good to us, so off we went. I think one of the things that struck me the most about Long Island was the sense of community and how protective people seemed to be of their little oasis - it was seems like such a well maintained space from the community garden to the fresh water pond. Every single person or vehicle that passed us waved. At one point we watched a mom in a sundress holding a giant platter of watermelon slices lead a parade of very excited, very tan children down the street. It looked like something out of an L.L. Bean ad. When we ended up at the beach - which I believe was Fowler - we were very clearly the only mainlanders as most people were older, settled in with books and sweaters like they had been sitting there for days and no where else they needed to be, or were openly enjoying wine and playing bocce ball. Also... at one point we were walking down Harbor de Grace St - locally known as Bunny Hop. Uhm, as a rabbit lover this entirely unexpected quirk made me a fall a little in love as there are quite literally bunnies - handmade, purchased, big ones, little ones, normal looking ones, cartoony looking ones - in the woods, right off of both sides of the streets. I have no idea why this is, but I like it. A lot. I'm thrilled I now know this little slice of heaven exists. There's not really anything "to do", so it really is for those people who just want a good walk, or some uninterrupted and peaceful beach time, or are in need of a little solitude and serenity in nature, or just a break from the hustle and bustle of Portland. I can see, Long Islanders, why you seceded indeed!

Beaver park is one of Maine secret gems. You'll find yourself navigating cute paths in this sweet…read morelittle woodsy park. Hike, swim, fish or take your kayaks for a peaceful ride amongst the ducks that often reside here.

This is our local town park in Lisbon, it's sort of our hidden gem! Want to hike? Lots of trails…read more Want some peace and quit? Beaver park is the place. Do you like to fish? Yes, you van and you should of course you need a fishing license. We have a gauge field, with two softball/ baseball fields. The cost is a few bucks it's worth it. I'm all about local, so if your in the Lisbon area stop by sometime.