Maine Adventures

As soon as you pull into the parking lot, the tantalizing smell of applewood smoked meats hits you and ignites your taste buds. It’s all about the smoke and type of wood chips used that imparts so much flavor to anything you smoke.

*COMING SOON*

You would expect to find an award winning restaurant in Portland’s Old Port, the foodie capital of all things delicious, or at one of the tourist-favorite diners found along the coast… But you wouldn’t think to find a national award winning restaurant at a mini strip mall off Route 1 in Scarborough. For the best iconic Maine dinner of Lobster Rolls, chowder, and whoopie pies, “ayuh”, you can’t get any more Maine than that.

What better way to spend an afternoon than by visiting a local garden center? I’m getting ready to plant my garden, and when I purchase my seedlings, whether it be veggies or flowers, I want healthy plants and always buy local.

Each year, the Portland Museum of Art (PMA) holds a special "Art in Bloom" event that brings together florists, farmers, and artists. During Art in Bloom, the museum is alive with fragrant blooms, extravagant multi-hued displays, and incredible floral installations of all types—each inspired by a selected artwork from the museum’s collection.

On the edge of the West End, the bar and restaurant is not far from the Cross Insurance Civic Center, Old Port, State Theatre, and the PMA. For people headed to an art opening, sporting event, or concert, I'd say this establishment is a perfect go-to spot for a drink or snack beforehand or afterwards, with the added bonus of being within walking distance. 

Enjoy trying a little bit of Philly right here in Portland, Maine and help support a local business, one bite of sandwich at a time.

Maine is such a beautiful place to live and Gorham combines all this natural beauty with hometown community.

For candy shop owner Jackson, who has been in the candy business since college, Sweetz & More is the continuation of a lifelong passion. His motto is ‘Making the world a sweeter place, one day at a time.” I couldn’t agree more.

Looking for wine, whiskey, and tapas? This place is Gorham's own Top of the East.

Returning for its ninth season, the annual celebration will feature new walking routes and paths to explore, as well as some new vistas and old friends. With more than 750,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens, the Gardens is amplifying the brightest light display in Maine with new designs and sustainability initiatives.

Fuller Farm Preserve in Scarborough is the largest trail network of the Scarborough Land Trust comprising 230 acres, sweeping over fields, forests, streams, a seasonal waterfall, and frontage on the Nonesuch River. The trails cover a variety of elevation gains and vary in width and tread type making Fuller Farm Preserve the perfect place for an easy afternoon walk.

Known for skiing, the Bethel area is home to both Mt. Abram Ski Resort and Sunday River Resort. But when you are not hitting the slopes, there are a number of antiques and collectibles shops where you can find treasures and pass the time of day.

Whether it is for a celebration with friends or intimate dining for 2, you will be helping to support local cooks, servers, and bartenders in the community.

Located on 500 acres, the Resort has many activities to enjoy inside and outside. Their most well known is the award winning Donald Ross Golf Course but for us non-golfers, they also have grass tennis courts, hiking and mountain biking trails, a crystal clear swimming pool, two museums, shuffleboard, bocce, tether ball, swings, horseshoes, playground, putting green, exercise room, ping pong, badminton, game rooms, mini golf course, driving range, disc golf, canoe/kayak rentals, and even a 10,000 volume library.

Kennebec Cabin Company, Home of the Maine Cabin Masters. How fun it was to discover the Maine Cabin Masters’ new retail shop after an afternoon of home showings up in the greater Augusta area. I was driving through Manchester and remembered that the folks of HGTV’s show Maine Cabin Masters had opened up a speciality retail shop in town.

There's nothing better than a crisp autumn day spent with friends or family picking apples.

Hot apple crisps, maple bacon sundaes, corn chowder, YUM!

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are breathtakingly beautiful! As I had only previously seen them in the wintertime with the seasonal “Gardens Aglow”. I had always wanted to visit the gardens in the summer to see the full majesty of all the gardens naturally “aglow” with the vibrant colors of the flowers themselves and not just lighting.

There are several tables for indoor dining, and all items are available for take-out. The atmosphere is light and sun filled with ample seating. It is perfect for having a cozy spot for breakfast and tea or meeting up with friends for a more substantial fare.

So much more than smoothies. Although smoothies are the star making up more than half the menu, freshly squeezed juices, smoothie bowls, crepes, salads, and soups are also available. 

An off-road pathway enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors each year, this trail treats walkers, runners, and cyclists to easy strolls and three distinct vistas of the Portland waterfront.

It’s flower time! Sure, you could go to a big box store to purchase your daisies and dahlias if you want plants from out of state or even out of the country. Or you could find locally grown flowers and vegetables from Patten’s Farm located on County Road in Gorham.

Now in its eleventh year, the market continues to grow adding new vendors each year. Found at the municipal parking lot behind the Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham on Saturday mornings 8:30am-12:30pm, May-October. 

The restaurant’s name is linked to Hallowell’s granite quarries of the past and the artisans of that time, “the movers, shakers, and hard rock breakers” that mined, sculpted, and shipped from the wharves in Hallowell to the shores of many seas. It is a taproom and restaurant that has been called a “modern day saloon” with its rustic and rugged features that remind of yesteryear, where granite carvers & quarrymen would certainly enjoy their cheer! A perfect nod to Hallowell’s history.

Maple Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast Inn and Conference Center is a charming retreat nestled on 62 acres of hills and woods. The Inn is located just 4 miles from the state capital and 3 miles to downtown Hallowell. It makes for a quick get away from business or for business.

Located in Hallowell, Maine, the shop harkens back to the decades ago vibrant main street booming with antiques trade. Owned by husband and wife team, Lexi and Sam Joyall, the shop is a fun mixture of their offerings along with a few carefully chosen vendors.

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Please let me know! Email me!

It was a longtime dream of Graeme Miller to open a restaurant where he could share and celebrate his own family’s and his culture’s food traditions. That dream came true when Graeme and wife, Caitlin Miller, opened BenReuben’s Knishery in May 2021, with the knish, often relegated to a side dish, taking center stage.

Buck Luck - The Bin Store is the first bin store of its kind in Maine. The retail sales concept is very straightforward with what they sell, how they sell, and their prices. All the merchandise is the same price, regardless of what the item is, from high end electronics, clothing, tools, decor, toys, and pots and pans.

It was a pleasure to have found Gurley Antiques Gallery on Route 1 in Scarborough. It is a quality, multi-dealer shop with both quality antiques and fun and funky vintage finds. I found a bakelite bracelet, and brought home a collection of orange pool balls. My favorite items were the eclectic oddities that some might even call macabre. 

Valentine’s Day, the day of love, is synonymous with chocolate. It is known that chocolate is a mood enhancer so it can make any day Valentine’s Day. Thank goodness I can satisfy my chocolate cravings with Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections, located just a mile down the road from my real estate office, known for their award winning chocolate confections.

Every day is Valentine’s Day when it comes to our precious pets. The love that we get from our furry friends is so powerful and heart-warming. They help us through the dark times by giving us their unconditional love, and they inspire us to be better humans.

This multi-vendor furniture and decor shop specializes in painted furniture and also offers vintage collectibles, local manufactured goods, and handmade items. Situated in a 7000 sqft historic building in the center of Standish there are 3 floors of 50 local artists, collectors, and entrepreneurs showcasing their merchandise.

The shop houses a combination of several vendors with collections of antiques, collectibles, and new product inventory. Owners Ty and Adrienne Dunbar, present seasonal vignettes throughout the store that were creative and captivating with attention to detail, creating individualized time capsules.

A locally owned family restaurant located in Standish, Maine, committed to serving fresh homemade breakfast and lunch. The space is warm and inviting with its rustic Americana design and homey atmosphere that welcomes all diners.

This holiday season, instead of rushing around shopping at crowded malls, dealing with long lines and retail shortages, shop at your local small shops. Here are some I visited in Freeport.

Cornish is the perfect place to stretch your legs — and go on an antiques-shopping spree. The small village, on Route 25, contains a half-dozen or so antiques shops, and there are many more scattered throughout the town.

What better way to start a day of antiquing in a quaint historical village than having breakfast at the center of town at its namesake inn, The Cornish Inn, or more precisely, Lindsay’s at the Cornish Inn?

Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal is a beautiful place to hike and easily accessible for camping. The trails are the primary attraction, especially the short hike to the top of the Mountain.

You may not think of the Maine Mall as a lunch destination, but after eating at Jaffa, that will most likely change. With delicious options such as chicken shawarma, hummus, falafel, and fresh veggies and herbs, you will crave to return.

Maine Street Bee beeswax body products are also sold in over 150 stores in Maine, as well as on a national and global level. This shop offers a well curated collection of gifts, homewares, and a variety of honey products.

A diversified vegetable and flower farm dedicated to growing healthy, affordable food for the community and to supporting other local producers.

The farm offers wreath making classes, onsite “glamping” opportunities, princess themed lemonade and lavender cookie parties, and playtime with farm favorites, the Nigerian dwarf goat herd.

We are lucky to live in Maine where blueberries are plentiful and harvesting starts in late July.

With a menu that encompasses pizzas, burgers and sliders, subs, sandwiches, steaks, fish, shrimp, an array of classic appetizers, a great variety of salads, options for kids, and many desserts, there’s something for everyone here.

Anyone can participate in working the polls. It is a great opportunity to give back to your community but even more so, to observe first hand how democracy works.

Flavored margaritas, sangrias, and street tacos. It's a party!

With locations in both Saco and Portland, they feature deliciously refreshing smoothies, and fresh Latin American eats.

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With delicious burgers, hot sandwiches, vegetarian options, and bento boxes for kids, Chef Christian "Nighthawk" Noe's new place is a great spot to meet up with friends and family or to grab a quick meal to go.

Bliss Farm Inn is a Maine farm bed and breakfast in Durham, full of historic charm and modern luxuries.

It was a difficult decision on what to select from their vast display of tasty goodies. The aroma of the baked goods hit us as soon as we entered the bakery.

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Thank you to the Gorham Recreation department for offering and maintaining these sites free of charge for all to use.

You can't miss Big Al’s retail space on Route 1. For over 35 years, Big Al’s has been a colorful fixture in Wiscasset. Downeast Magazine calls Big Al’s Super Values Store one of the most recognizable icons of summer in Maine.

Easily accessible on Route 1, this restaurant is known for its seafood - one of Maine's best places. In 2017, the restaurant was awarded "Best of the Best" for Midcoast Maine's Best Seafood Restaurant by Market Surveys of America.

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If you ever find yourself downtown, hungry, and needing to buy a gift, I know of a place where you can eat and shop at the same time. Not only does Portland Pottery Café have delicious food, drinks, and treats, they also have selections of local artists' creations.

Spend some quality time with friends or family while having fun, being creative, and making a nice keepsake item to gift or enjoy yourself for years to come.

This holiday season, instead of rushing around shopping at crowded malls, dealing with long lines and retail shortages, shop at your local small shops. Here are some I visited in Gorham.

Spread out over a 20 acre campus, the museum encompasses the country's only surviving shipyard and offers a variety of exhibits, sculptures, preserved buildings, and cruises.

Embarking from the pier at the Maine Maritime Museum, the Merrymeeting sets sail on a one hour cruise to explore the lower Kennebec River.

Like a pawful of honey after a long winter hibernation, these dishes are delectable.

From beeswax candles, hobbyist beekeeping supplies, and specialty foods and beverages made with honey, this Portland shop promotes all things honeybee.

An iconic 1946 diner in Gardiner where retro meets bistro.

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Oceanside and forested trails, tucked away picnic spots with grills, benches overlooking scenic vistas, grassy expanses, playground equipment, clean restrooms with running water, and plenty of parking.

Established in 1955, Fat Boy Drive-In is a local destination in the heart of Brunswick during its regular open season and a tourist mecca in peak summer months.

Brewery and wood fired pizza restaurant in Historic Downtown Augusta

America’s oldest surviving wooden fort, Old Fort Western is now maintained as a museum and is open to the public from June to October. 

Serving hearty East African specialties, the wafting aroma of pungent seasonings and spices enveloped me, teasing me to taste everything on the menu. 

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Located in Oxford and known for its seafood, we were also impressed with it’s strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

Matinicus Island - a small, scenic, and working island community on the outer reaches of Penobscot Bay

Hilary Nangle has been writing about her home state of Maine for over 20 years. You'll find lots of great adventures in her blog.

A blog about exploring the Pine Tree State and beyond

Scarborough Land Trust conserves land for people, for wildlife – forever. They conduct guided nature walks and other programs to connect more people to Scarborough’s beautiful and diverse landscapes, and the incredible natural world around us. Their trails are open year-round, for all ages, in all seasons.

Portland Trails is a nonprofit urban land trust that transforms Greater Portland into a healthier and better-connected community through a 70+ mile trail network.