When people think of autumn colors in Maine, places like Acadia National Park in the midcoast often come to mind. However, if you are in Southern Maine, visiting Acadia is may a bit too far to travel if you are not planning an overnight stay. Luckily, there are plenty of great places to leaf peep within an easy drive of the Portland area. Some even give you great ocean views as well as great fall colors.
Mt. Agamenticus
At 692 feet in elevation, Mt. Agamenticus would be considered just a hill in other places, but in coastal Maine, it is a mountain. This 10,000 acre preserve offers hiking trails and amazing views. It’s Big A trail is designed for universal access. You can park at the base and hike to the top. Or, you can drive up and park at the top. At the top, if you look to the west you are treated to a panorama of the White Mountains in their autumn glory. To the east you spy the beaches of York and Oqunquit. Both views are spectacular and allow someone with limited time to see the best of southern Maine in a single trip. The preserve is on Mountain Road in York. The learning center is open on weekends. Parking is $2 per hour until November 16. Then it is free until mid-May.
State and National Parks
Places like the Rachel Carson National Wild Life Preserve (321 Port Road, Wells — Free) and Two Lights State Park (7 Tower Dr, Cape Elizabeth — $5 per person fee) offer views of both inland forest and coastal areas. Again, if you have limited time, you can enjoy both the ocean and the autumn colors on the same trip. Local parks typically offer hiking trails and wildlife observation stations.
Scenic drives
If you are looking for a scenic loop to drive, take Route 202 to 302 north from Portland to Bridgeton. Along the way, if time permits go left on Raymond Cape Road (just north of Raymond) to enjoy a view of Sebago lake. Then continue on 302 to Bridgton, a quaint New England town.
After visiting Bridgton, head out of town west towards Fryeburg. You will pass over Moose Pond and past the Pleasant Mountain ski area (formerly Shawnee Peak) which should be ablaze in fall colors. Fryeburg is a sizable town for the region. If you are traveling in early October, you could also visit the well-known Fryeburg Fair, one of the regions most extensive agricultural fairs.
From Fryeburg, you have a choice. Head into New Hampshire to visit the White Mountain tourist town of North Conway (about 20 min and worth it, if you have the time). Or, turn south toward Cornish on route 113 to Route 5. At Cornish, stop and take a few minutes to go antiquing along the town green. Take Route 25 out of Cornish towards Gorham. At Gorham, take a minute to visit the Babbs Bridge covered bridge Then head back to Portland. The entire loop (without the North Conway detour) is about 100 miles.
Another scenic loop is the 150-or-so mile roundtrip from Portland to Sunday River ski area in Newry. For this trip, take Routes 202 and 302 to Bridgton, but instead of continuing west, head north on 117 to route 35. Take 35 north to Bethel, a sweet New England town. Get lunch in Bethel then follow the signs to Sunday River. There is also a scenic Sunday River covered bridge in the area.
When it’s time to head home, take 35 south to 118 towards Norway. If you didn’t grab a bite in Bethel, enjoy one of Norway’s eateries. Then continue south on 118 to Gray, where you can catch I95 to Portland.
Things to Do in Southern Maine in the Coming Week
Here is a roundup of bargains and/or things to do in Southern Maine. This includes Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Portland, Maine and north to Brunswick along the coast. We also include inland communities in Cumberland and York Counties, and a tiny bit of Oxford County, too. This is all in the next week or so.
If we’ve missed an event you think people should know about, please drop us an email to let us know at news@southernmaineOnTheCheap.com or via our contact page.
Free and Cheap Things To Do in Southern Maine
Here are FREE and cheap things to do in Southern Maine in the coming week.