Free Things to Do While Vacationing in Maine

Maine is so much more than lobster, sea coast and potatoes. Thousands of visitors enjoy the sights in Maine each week. Mainers and experienced vacationers know where to find places that are free to visit which makes the vacation budget stretch further.

Playgrounds When our boys were very young my husband would feel badly that we could not take them on vacation while we were adjusting to a new home and expenses. I told him that there were things to do that would make the kids happy and it would cost nothing. The boys would be happier than a Maine clam when we packed up a picnic lunch and took them to a school playground. Children want to spend time with their parents when the gift of free time is available. Our children would run, play and laugh when we spent an hour or two at one of the hundreds of playgrounds across the state of Maine. There are also a number of parks in towns and cities in the state where you will find a nice expanse of lawn and a series of playground swings, slides, tubes and places to climb. These playgrounds are child safe and a source of amusement for any young child. We found one near the coast in Belfast which gave the kids a chance to play and we could enjoy the scenery while having lunch.

Museums The city of Augusta is the Capitol of the state of Maine. If you are in the area you must visit the State of Maine Museum. The museum features exhibits, collections, anthropology and Maine gems. Marvel at the exhibits of Maine life, tourmaline jewelry and tool collections from generations of Mainers. You will find other interesting museums with free admission or free admission days while planning your Maine vacation.

Water Sports You can bring a boat, kayak or canoe on your vacation for days of enjoyment. Many municipalities have public boat landings where you can put your boat in and spend hours on a lake or river. Look at the travel maps for the area you are in or inquire at the municipal office for directions to the nearest boat landing. Many areas have community swimming pools that are open to the public. Some have large picnic areas which give you a good day of activity for your children.

Tours and Travel When you are visiting coastal Maine you must visit the lighthouses and take a drive along Route 1 for views of the region. Fort Williams Park, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine is the gem that opens the world up to panoramic views of the ocean and the famous Portland Headlight. A group, singles, couple or an entire family can easily spend a day on the many acres for a wonderful vacation day. Pack up coolers of picnic foods, snacks and cool drinks including water. You can walk your dog, fly kites with the children play with Frisbees or swim at the small ocean beach. Walk the trails for a restful and romantic time away from it all. Settle on to a bench and watch lobster boats or ships go by. You may even be surprised with a hot balloon fly over. Turn your trip in to a lighthouse adventure and travel along the coast seeking one of the more than sixty sentinels in Maine.

Moose and Wildlife Take a trek up in to the northern areas of Maine and you have a good chance of seeing a moose. Travel to the Greenville, Moosehead Lake area and keep on the look-out for the giant animals. Eagles, hawks, osprey, raccoon, deer, bear, turkey, coyotes and fox may also show up in the more forested areas of the state. Keep in mind that you are in the habitat of wild animals. These are subjects for distance watching or photographing but you should never approach any wild Maine animal.

You can enjoy Maine during any season. Autumn brings foliage trips in to the Western Maine mountainous area, winter skiing in several areas of the state along with sledding and cross-country skiing then a spring search for flowers, fishing and fiddlehead picking adventures. You can always find enjoyable things to do for free in Maine. Just ask a Mainer.