Home to LL Bean and over 170 outlet stores, the coastal village of Freeport, Maine, 15 minutes north of Portland, is a shopping destination. But there's more to this historic village than LL Bean and a myriad of discount outlets.
Things To Do and See in Freeport, Maine
If you stick to Freeport's downtown shopping area and the outlet stores, you may never discover that the town offers access to the ocean, a beautiful tidal river teeming with wildlife, uncrowded beaches, a working fishing harbor, and a state park with breathtaking ocean vistas and broad views of Casco Bay from rocky beaches and high bluffs. All of this is just ten minutes from the shopping district.
Winslow Memorial Park
Swim in the Atlantic Ocean, lie on the warm sandy beach, and explore 90-acre Winslow Park on Casco Bay, reachable from Staples Point Road off the South Freeport Road. Picnic tables with scenic water views are scattered throughout the park and a boat launch and camping are available. Call 865-4198.
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
This scenic Freeport park lies on a finger of land that juts out into Casco Bay. The five miles of hiking trails on 233 acres of forest and shoreland take you through the woods, along the Harraseeket River, and along the rocky shores of Casco Bay, offering many opportunities to observe wildlife, including great blue herons, snowy egrets, osprey, crabs and other sea life, and a variety of birds. Hike, climb on the granite ledges, explore a pocket beach, or sit on the rocks and watch the osprey that nest on Googins Island, just a few feet offshore, catch fish and feed their young.
Desert of Maine
Two-a-half miles from downtown Freeport on Desert Road, off Route 1 and Interstate 95, is a natural phenomenon - 40 acres of real desert in coastal Maine. Take a narrated safari coach tour through giant 70-foot sand dunes, watch sand art demonstrations, explore nature trails, and visit a 1783 barn housing a museum and gift and souvenir shop. Open mid-May through mid-October. Call 865-6962
Mast Landing Sanctuary
Operated by the Maine Audubon Society, this sanctuary a short distance from Freeport's outlet stores offers more than three miles of trails through 150 acres of evergreen forests, meadows, marsh, and orchards on Upper Mast Landing Road. The park is open free year-round from dawn to dusk. Call 207-781-2330.
Wolfe's Neck Farm - This 600-acre working farm at 10 Burnett Rd in Freeport is open all year on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free. Kids are especially interested in the cows, sheep, and chickens. There are also demonstration gardens and a hiking trail, and in October you can enjoy hayrieds, cider pressing, wool crafts, and pumpkin carving. Call 865-4469.
Atlantic Seal Cruises
Sail beautiful Casco Bay on a seal-watching cruise daily from Memorial Day through October or take a cruise to Eagle Island, home of Admiral Peary of North Pole fame. A 4th of July fireworks cruise and fall foliage cruises are also available. Cruises depart from the Freeport town wharf in South Freeport. Call 865-6112.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Bring your canoe or kayak and explore the shoreland at Winslow Memorial Park or the area around the town wharf in South Freeport, or rent a canoe or kayak from Ring's Marine Service, located at 22 Smelt Brook Road in South Freeport. Call 866-865-6143.
Bradbury Mountain
Located six miles from Freeport on Route 9, this 600-acre state park provides a panoramic view of Casco Bay and the surrounding area from the summit, an easy 15-minute hike. Hiking trails, picnic facilities, ballfield, playground, and camping are also available. The trails are shared with horseback riders and mountain bikers. In winter, cross country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers enjoy the park's trails. Call 688-4712.
LL Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools
The famous outdoor outfitter offers courses, trips and tours from kayaking and fly fishing to clay shooting and cross-country skiing. Call 888-552-3261.
Eagle Island
The 1904 summer home of Arctic explorer Admiral Robert E. Peary can be visited by excursion boat from Freeport and South Freeport. The 17-acre island is a nature preserve with hiking trails and a picnic area.
Freeport Sailing Adventures
Enjoy a day of sailing along the coast of Maine on a 44-foot sailing yacht out of Freeport. Private charters are available for day sails, overnight trips, lobster luncheons, birthday parties, weddings, and other celebrations. Sail past historic coastal landmarks, islands, lobstermen hauling their traps, and ocean wildlife. Call 865-6399.
Saltwater Fishing
From May to October, spend a day saltwater fishing aboard "Slow Jo," Freeport Family Charters' fishing boat out of Brewer's Marina in South Freeport.Call 865-1742.
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