5 Maine Nature Centers That Make Excellent Family Day Trip Destinations

Maine overflows with amazing places to get into the great outdoors. But sometimes you don’t want to simply get outside. Sometimes you want to learn more about the surrounding nature. So for those of you wanting to gain some knowledge about the beautiful natural world, check out one of these five great nature centers in Maine.

Fields Pond Audubon Center/Facebook

Fields Pond Audubon Center is located in Holden and Orrington, which is seven miles southeast of Bangor, Maine. This gorgeous area has a nature center, a 191-acre pond, and a 229-acre sanctuary for wandering through wetlands, forests, fields, and lakeshore.

Fields Pond Audubon Center, 216 Fields Pond Rd, Holden, ME 04429, USA

Fields Pond Audubon Center/Facebook

The center is perfect for a family day trip. Here you can take a variety of guided and self-guided walks, exhibits, and nature trails. Spend the day doing a nature study, wildlife and bird watching, or hiking. Or in the winter, go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Learn more about The Center here.

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Sieur de Monts Nature Center, 2 Sieur de Monts Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA

Andrew Trautman/Google Local

Sieur de Monts is one of the visitor centers in Acadia National Park. This great center highlights the important work of the park's biologists and researchers in maintaining and protecting the park's resources. Learn more about the nature center here.

Mrs JC's WildLife Ecology Center!, 40 Crowley Island Rd, Corea, ME 04624, USA

Mrs. JC's WildLife Ecology Center!/Google Local

Located in Corea Harbor, this nature preserve includes a half-mile hiking loop to Mill Pond Cove. This cove is a designated migratory bird habitat. At the preserve, you have access to about nine acres of land and five ecosystems. Learn more about the nature preserve here and then go visit.

Hidden Valley Nature Center, 131 Egypt Rd, Jefferson, ME 04348, USA

Linn Caroleo/Google Local

This family-friendly nature center is located in Jefferson, Maine. With 1,000 acres of protected land, there are miles of trails for a variety of activities. Grab the family and come hiking or biking. In the winter, grab your cross-country skis and try some of the rolled and groomed trails. Learn about sustainable forestry at the center or join one of the 30 programs to learn new skills. Visit the website for Hidden Valley here then spend the day exploring.

Merryspring Nature Center, 30 Conway Rd, Camden, ME 04843, USA

Kimberly Benford/Google Local

This charming nature preserve is located near Camden and Rockport, making it perfect for a day trip. The area has stunning gardens and offers nature education programs year-round. The park has an arboretum, vernal pool, and a kid-friendly Interpretative Trail. Start planning your visit by checking out the Merryspring website.

So start planning your next day trip to one of these great nature centers. You will love getting outside and learning more about the natural wonders around us.