Is there anything that screams school is out and summer is officially in session more than a trip to play mini golf? We say no and that's why we're always on the lookout for the best spots to visit. In a place like Maine where tourism is huge and people love to be outside, there's certainly no shortage of great spots to try. We recently came across one in southern Maine that we can't get enough of!
Driving along Portland Road in Arundel, you might not guess that dinosaurs roam just feet away! The sign for Raptor Falls Mini Gold & Ice Cream is unassuming. Just the way we would plan it if we were home to ancient creatures.
From the water features to the perfectly manicured lawns, Raptor Falls truly feels like a vacation. Even for those who are already on vacation in Maine.
This is a fantastic place to visit with kids, but don't be afraid to make a trip with grown-up kids as well. Everyone will find something to love here.
Raptor Fall Mini Golf & Ice Cream is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can learn more by checking out their website or following them on Facebook. They can be reached at 207-467-3131.
You know it’s summer in Maine when the wildflowers bloom; jackets are doffed in favor of t-shirts, and we are out enjoying the warmth of the sun taking part in festivals, enjoying hikes in nature, and having a fun day outdoors. If you’re looking for some ways to have some summer fun in Maine this year, check out these things that belong on everyone’s Maine summer bucket list:
Seeing a movie at a drive-in theater has been a fun summer pastime for decades and thankfully there are still a few of these places around. Saco Drive-In Theater is the perfect place to take in a movie on a summer evening from the comfort of your car. Get some popcorn and soda from the concession stand and after the movie, you won’t have to wander the parking lot looking for your vehicle.
The Skowhegan State Fair has been running for over 200 years and is the oldest festival in Maine. It is usually held in mid-August. Ride on massive carnival rides; enjoy a demolition derby; snack on fair foods; watch truck pulls, and enjoy so many more activities and take in tons of entertainment at this fantastic fair.
Tubing down a lazy river is the ultimate summer activity. You can plop your tube in the river, or rent one and join Bullfrog Adventures on an adventure along the Kennebec River or the Dead River. Bring your friends along and enjoy the day together.
Viles Arboretum is astoundingly beautiful throughout the year, but summer is special with all the sunflowers in bloom. There are six miles of trails to explore, spread out over the 224-acre preserve. Your kids can take part in summer camps and the arboretum is kind enough to scale the price to your income.
Maine and lobster have gone hand in hand since statehood was established. Lobster rolls are on most menus, so of course there will be a festival centered around Maine’s favorite food. The Maine Lobster Festival takes place in Rockport each summer, and you’ll enjoy tons of entertainment and activities while scarfing down your fill of delicious lobster rolls and other delicacies.
A waterpark is always an excellent way to beat the summer heat and Aquaboggan Waterpark is a Maine favorite. Ride the legendary Yankee Ripper; slide down the Turbo Drop; play in the Wave Pool, and even enjoy some mini-golf. It’ll make for a very full summer day.
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7. Spend a whole day antiquing at Fairfield Antiques Mall
Get inside with some air conditioning and browse through artifacts from decades past at Fairfield Antiques Mall. It’s the state’s largest antique shop and it has more than 100 vendors spread out over 30,000 square feet. You can bring home objects of nostalgia and find some whimsical and old-fashioned items to decorate your home. You’ll surely find a wonderful treasure here!
8. Hike or bike the Eagle Lake Carriage Road Trail
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a lakeside trail. Whether you want an easy stroll or get your bicycles out, bring the whole family along on the Eagle Lake Carriage Trail. It’s a six-mile loop trail and it’s easy to traverse. You can travel along as much or as little of it as you like. Maybe even stop for a bit of fishing along the way.
9. Get an old-fashioned ice cream at Red’s Dairy Freeze
When you’ve been out and about working up a sweat with a summer adventure, few things are better than a good old-fashioned ice cream to cool off and enjoy a sweet treat. Red’s Dairy Freeze is the ideal place for an ice cream cone, a shake, or a sundae. Families have been coming here since 1952.
A day at the beach is always a fantastic way to spend a summer day. Swim, bodysurf, sunbathe, read a book, and stroll around searching for sand dollars. Long Sands Beach is known as a good spot to find them. Just remember that the fuzzy ones are still alive and should be left alone, but the dried shells of expired ones are an intriguing find. The best time to find them is after a storm.
How many of these things were already on your Maine summer bucket list? What are your favorite summer activities in Maine? Let us know about your favorite experiences in the comments. If you want to get out and about and explore by car, these road trips in Maine are wonderful for summer adventures.
There is nothing like getting out on the water and river tubing in Maine in the summertime. And luckily, our state is chock-full of options for floating. So, if you’ve recently searched for river float trips near me, we’ve got you covered. Relax the day away in nature on one of these awesome lazy rivers in Maine for a summer unlike any other. If you’re ready, grab your kayak and paddle and let’s head out on these exhilarating river float trips in Maine.
This little river is one of the best floats in Maine, and it's located in a beautiful part of the state. You can access the river from Sebago Lake State Park in Naples, where you can launch from Sebago Lake. Or plan on staying at the
The folks at Three Rivers Whitewater Rafting will plan the perfect day for you and your friends if you prefer to leave the logistics to someone else. You can enjoy tubing along a natural lazy river in Maine, whitewater rafting down something more challenging, or even make use of inflatable kayaks. The tubing trips take place on the Kennebec River, while inflatable kayaks can be used on the Dead River or the Seboomook.
For those in southern Maine, this trip is an easy one. About 20 minutes outside Portland, you'll find a lovely, easy paddle opportunity. Put your tube, kayak, or canoe in at the Portland Trails parking lot and head down the river for about a mile and a half toward the Tate House Museum. You'll be getting out at the River’s Edge Drive trailhead, so plan on parking a car there before you leave. Learn more about Stroudwater River and its trailhead.
Head to Bethel Outdoor Adventure and you can make a weekend of tubing in Maine. There's a campground and you can also rent tubes for trips down the river. You can take advantage of these tubes even if you're not staying overnight. Plus, for an additional cost Bethel Outdoor Adventure can help arrange a shuttle to drop you off and pick you up when you're done. For more information, check out our previous article about Bethel Outdoor Adventure.
While we still think this is one of the best floats in Maine, some folks feel it's gotten to be a bit busy. To avoid other people, plan to arrive early or even on a cloudy day. The trip will be about four hours if you put in at Swans Falls and get out at the Canal Bridge. If you choose to visit on a sunny day, wear plenty of sunscreen. There's not much shade here. Read about kayaking on the Saco River.
You can combine this particular outing with your weekly grocery shopping trip if you'd like! To access the river, you'll park at the Hannaford located in the Riverside neighborhood. This natural lazy river in Maine will take you to the trailhead on Blackstrap Road. To make it a longer trip, continue on until you reach the trailhead on Overset Road. Just be sure to get off the river before the falls! Learn more about recreation near Presumpscot River.
If you have a whole lot of time and looking for things to do in Maine, this very lazy river might be just the thing! The water here is pretty slow moving, so you might want to bring a kayaker with you to help pull if necessary. No, that's not a joke! The best way to access the water is by taking Route 9 to Old Town House Park. You can float about 5 miles to the town boat launch near East Elm Street. And kayaks can be rented in town. Get all the details about Royal River and its highlights.
This one is an organized trip, which makes it great for celebrating special occasions or just a fun day out with friends. Bullfrog Adventures offers self-guided or group trips down the Kennebec or Dead Rivers, both known as some of the best places for Maine river tubing. Do some further reading on planning your trip with Bullfrog Adventures.
This is a wonderful way to enjoy a short, but fun ride! But you'll need to time this one just right. Most of the time, this natural lazy river in Maine is calm, but show up between high and low tides, and the current is rushing toward the ocean. Jump in, go around the bend, and then head back to the beginning to do it again! Learn the ins and outs of both the town and the Ogunquit RIver.
Now that you've got some ideas about the best lazy rivers in Maine, how about some ways to build up a sweat? Here are 10 hikes in Maine you'll love!
