Day 3

The last day of our Maine getaway has you heading fifteen minutes up the road to spend the day in Freeport. Here are two choices of ways to fill your day. You can do both, if you manage your time well, or choose one for a slower paced day.

L.L. Bean Flagship Store/Shopping Center
In my mind, visiting the L.L. Bean Flagship store in Freeport is another “must-do” activity when visiting Maine. To me, L.L. Bean represents the New England way of life and particularly epitomizes everything “Maine”. Even if you don’t feel quite as passionate about the store, you have probably received their catalog and found something you like. The L.L. Bean complex is quite large and houses the original flagship, hunting and fishing, and factory stores. The flagship store is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Aside from L.L. Bean, the entire area surrounding it is an outdoor shopping center with some of your favorite brand name designer shops. If you like shopping, you could spend day 3 here alone.

Eagle Island
Eagle Island is the home of explorer Robert E. Peary, better known as “the first man to lead a party to the North Pole without the use of mechanical or electrical devices” in April of 1909. He built his dream home using indigenous materials such as timber, beach rocks, and cement mixed with sand and pebbles from the beach, wherever possible. The home and island are now state historic sites. Excursion boats from Freeport, like Atlantic Cruisers (207-865-6112) can take you to the island where the home, trails, and picnic areas are all located. It generally takes a half day to take the cruise and tour the house and island. Eagle Island is open June 15-Labor Day from 10am-6pm. You can contact the Friends of Eagle Island for more information at 207-624-6080 or visit their website at www.pearyeagleisland.org.

Boothbay Harbor
Just in case the above activities do not peak your interest or you somehow finish early, another option for Day 3 is to spend it in Boothbay Harbor. Boothbay Harbor is located just north of Freeport and has a week’s worth of things to do.

• Lighthouses: If you haven’t had your fill of lighthouses yet, Boothbay offers a handful more. Some are accessible by land others can only be viewed by boat. Lighthouses in the area include Sequin Light, Cuckolds Light, Ram Island Light, Burnt Island Light, Pemaquid Point Light, and Monhegan Island Light.
• The Lazy Jack: If sailing sounds fun, then you can sail aboard Boothbay Harbor’s historic schooner, the Lazy Jack built in 1947. Two hour sails or private charters are available by reservation from May-October. For more information log on to www.sailschoonerlazyjack.com.
• Excursion Cruises: There are a number of excursion cruises that will take you to view the lighthouses and tour Burnt Island and Monhegan Island. Other cruises offer seal and whale watching adventures.

For more information on this and other attractions found in and around Boothbay Harbor, visit www.boothbayharbor.com.

This is just one example of how to spend a three day getaway to the Maine coast. If you visit during the summer, you could spend the entire time lounging on fabulous beaches in the area such as York Beach near Kittery! For every attraction mentioned above, there are ten more things to do and see, making the possibilities endless.