Acadia National Park
A 3-4 hour drive from Harpswell, you can spend 1-4 days exploring this park, including “the loop” which is a wonderful drive around the park with fabulous scenery. Bar Harbor is the adjacent town. The Lobster Hatchery in downtown Bar Harbor is a hole-in-the wall that’s worth every penny of the modest entrance fee. Visit Website
Aquaboggin Water Park
Located in Saco, Maine. Travel through Portland on 295, then go South on Rte 1. Expensive, but a full day of fun. Visit Website
Casco Bay Cruise Lines
You will see many leaflets for this cruise line. They offer many different cruises. One of their cruises leaves from Portland at 9 or 10, travels to Cook’s Lobster House for a 1 ½ hour lunch stop, then back to Portland by 4. This is a fabulous cruise in and amongst many of the islands of Casco Bay. Bathrooms and snacks available, shade available even on top. A hefty price per person, but a beautiful experience on a clear day. You do not have to eat at Cook’s – you can pack a lunch if you want. A shorter cruise departs from Cook’s at noon, and takes you on a 1 ½ hour Nature Cruise. Visit Website
Cruises from Freeport
There are a variety of cruises from Freeport Marina’s, including lighthouse tours, seal-watching tours, and excursions to Eagle Island, the summer home of Admiral Peary, who traveled to the North Pole. Eagle Island is visible from Pott’s Point, and is a state park. View and tour the home, and hike a 1 mile trail around the island. Picnic on the grounds. Dock and bathrooms available. This is a state park, there is a small fee.
The Desert of Maine
The Desert of Maine is truly a desert – if you look at a geographic map which details the deserts of the world, you will see a tiny pinpoint in Maine! It’s a tiny desert, on Route 1 in Freeport. Of course, there’s a gift shop! Visit Website
The Dolphin Marina
(visible to the West from Pott’s Point, or from the Town wharf)
Just for the fun of seeing a marina and taking another nice drive. . From the cottage, drive about 2 miles Northeast on 123 to the school on the left. (nice playground at the school). Turn left at the school, take the next right on Basin Pt Road, and follow this road around a bay and it will end at the marina. You can see the Marina looking due West from the end of Potts Point. At this time, the Marina will rent boats for a half day, full day or a week (call Bill’s Boat Rentals (207) 798-0445). It’s also possible to have someone from the marina motor you over to Eagle Island (summer home of Admiral Robert Peary – North Pole adventurer), then come to get you at a pre-determined time. For a fee, of course. Visit Website
Land’s End and/or the Giant Staircase
Travel route 123 to Vegetable Corner. Turn right at the blinking light. Drive and cross the bridge 2+ miles (?) to the end of this road, where it intersects Rt 24. Turn right onto 24. When you get to a small commercial district you will see the Cribstone Bridge. Built of granite blocks so the tide can rise and fall, it’s the only one like it in the world. Continue on Rt 24 to the very end and you will find a spectacular view and a nice giftshop (Land’s End). Before you reach Land’s End you can turn left onto Washington and follow small signs to the Giant’s Staircase, a natural formation of giant boulders on the water. There’s a small community hall with parking, then you walk the rest of the way to the Staircase. No cost involved.
