With a Castle, Playground, and Pond, This Family-Friendly Park in Maine Is the Best Summer Day Trip

One of the wonderful things about Maine is that we have such a wide variety of parks. Whether you want to take in beautiful coastal views, hike in lush green forests, or enjoy a family day trip, we have parks in Maine for every kind of activity. One of our favorite public parks in Maine is Deering Oaks Park in Portland. Deering Oaks Park is one of the oldest parks in the state. It was designed in 1879 and had no lighting for almost 100 years. It was originally intended to be a green space to reconnect with nature and wasn’t planned as a family park with various attractions.

As the years passed, more was added to the park, like a grandstand in 1883 and this Victorian duck house, which was built in 1887. Later, a fountain was added to create an idyllic duck pond for families to enjoy. Now it’s the perfect destination for a family day trip in Maine.

This small castle with intricate stained-glass windows was built in 1894 and was used as a shelter with a fireplace for people who were skating in the winter. It spent a few years as a restaurant and is now a visitor’s center.

In 1902, a small playground was added, and it’s since been expanded and upgraded and is a great place for the little ones to play to their heart’s delight and expend some energy. More upgrades are in the works, like a sandy beach with plastic lobsters and starfish to dig for, wooden climbing structures, an adventure mound, a performance space, and much more.

There are fun spots for climbing around, picnic tables for nice family picnics, tennis and basketball courts, swings, jungle gyms, and so much more for a full day of frolic and play.

If you’re at the park on a Saturday, you can purchase fresh produce and yummy treats at the farmers' market, where every booth provides the bounty from local farms in Maine.

One attraction that the kids absolutely love is the splash pool with its little fountains. Playing in the water is a wonderful way to cool off on a hot summer day.

Whatever you do at this historic and fun-filled park, you’re sure to have a ton of family-friendly adventures. It’s certainly worthy of a day trip in Maine all by itself.

Have you enjoyed a day of family fun at Deering Oaks Park in Portland? What was the most fun activity there? If you haven't yet visited, be sure to share this article with a fellow explorer and let the adventures begin! If you feel like immersing yourself in Maine's natural beauty and getting some hiking in, check out these stunning state parks in Maine.