If you’re planning on visiting Maine or would like some ideas of places to take your family that you may not have visited before, this list of the top 10 things to do in Maine is for you. Not all of these places are cheap to visit, so if you’re looking for more frugal ideas, you may want to stay away from the expensive ones.
- York’s Wild Kingdom – York’s Wild Kingdom is located in York Beach, Maine, just a hop, skip and a jump from the beach. YWK is home to 75 animal exhibits and 18 rides and five food and ice cream stands. I’ve been to YWK many times over the years and I have very fond memories from my childhood of trips there every summer with family.
- Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine – The Children’s Museum is located in Portland, Maine, on Free Street. Hours of operation vary depending on the time of year. I have never been there but it’s definitely some place I want to take my children in the future. The prices for the museum are a lot cheaper than most of the places/things on this list. You definitely get your money’s worth since there’s many different exhibits and events that occur throughout the year. It’s a place that will definitely bring your child a lot of joy and smiles.
- Maine Wildlife Park – Back when I was a kid, Maine Wildlife Park was always referred to as Gray Animal Farm and it’s still known by them to the locals. It’s undergone some changes over the years, and it’s now a very beautiful place to take your children to see animals that are native to our state, as well as other areas. The last time I was there, we found a tail to what we believe was a fox in the flower bushes. I think he met an untimely demise, but I can’t be certain.
- Fryeburg Fair – This fair is an annual event held every year during the first week of October in Fryeburg, Maine. It’s my all-time favorite fair to go to. There are a ton of rides for adults and kids. There are many different craft and animal barns to walk through. There are numerous food booths where you can get fried dough, apple crisp, fried seafood, smoked meat sandwiches, deer meat sandwiches, sausage subs, you name it. It’s definitely not a cheap trip, though, but if you plan ahead and save money every week, it’s not so bad. It’s a nice splurge.
- Fort Knox – If you love exploring places with historical significance, Fort Knox is a must-see place. I stopped there with my ex-husband when I was pregnant with our daughter and I fell in love. The fort is in amazing condition and offers a gorgeous view of the Penobscot River Valley. It’s a great educational experience for children. For those of you are paranormal enthusiasts, you may remember that this fort was featured on an episode of Ghost Hunters.
- Palace Playland (OOB) – Palace Playland is a beachfront amusement park located in Old Orchard Beach. My kids love going there but it can get expensive, so I recommend buying a day pass for unlimited rides opposed to purchasing tickets. After you’re done with the rides, you can grab a bite to eat on the pier or at one of the nearby restaurants and even do some shopping at one of the many shops located in the area.
- Acadia National Park – This is one of the best places to visit in the state, especially if you love breathtaking views. One thing to note, though, is during the winter months, many of the roads and facilities are closed, so the best time to visit the area is between mid-April and October. When you do, make sure to bring a camera because that’s one trip you’ll want to document so you can remember it for years to come.
- Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge – The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is located in Wells, Maine. If you love to hike and love seeing wildlife in their natural habitat, this is a great place to take the family. There are miles of trails to explore, so make sure to set aside plenty of time to take in all the refuge has to offer. Also, if you’re a hunter or fisherman, there are options for you, as well. You’ll need to check the site for more information, though.
- Funtown/Splashtown – Now as far as expensive places to visit go, this is one of the higher priced ones. Even if you’re not riding rides and you’re just taking your kids to Splashtown, you still have to pay a fee because of a limited amount of space. However, there are a lot of fun rides to go on and kids thoroughly enjoy it. I know I did, so if you can plan ahead and save up a little money at a time, it’s easier to afford. If you have the money available, the best bet is to buy season passes and then you can go as often as you want. If I had the money, that’s the option I would choose.
- Maine State Aquarium – The Maine State Aquarium has nothing on New England Aquarium in Boston, but it’s still a nice place to take your family. It’s located in West Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Admission prices are very cheap and children and adults are able to touch sharks and skates and take a look at the aquatic life native to our coastline, like lobster.
Photo courtesy of yellowssub.