Portland and Freeport
Portland and Freeport have become a recognized region for Maine coastal visitors seeking seaside and foodie fun. For many first-time visitors, Freeport is introduced as the “home of LL Bean” but it doesn’t take long realize the town is way more than its 24-hour shopping.
Freeport is often credited as the birthplace of the State of Maine. Meetings which led up to the states separation from Massachusetts in 1820, where held in Jameson Tavern which is still standing in downtown Freeport.
Exploring Portland and Freeport has taken on new dimension in the last ten years as the dining and shopping scene in the Old Port have exploded. Visitors continue to seek out the best lobster roll and a tasty brew, but now that search has expanded to enjoy James Beard Award winning cuisine, artisanal beer and spirits or the chance to partake in a cooking class to better savor it all.
If you ever find yourself wide awake at 3am and yearning to buy a tent, head to Freeport. LL Bean’s famous customer service is overshadowed only by its 24 hour – 7 day a week hours. After more than a year, the LL Bean flagship store is returning to its 24 hour service! The locks put on the doors due to the coronavirus pandemic are coming off.
Why is Freeport’s outdoor recreation so fun to explore? Maybe it’s the injection of the LL Bean spirit (“there’s no bad weather, just bad gear”) or maybe it’s inspired by the natural beauty. Travelers to Freeport and Portland are treated to a wide range of active adventures year-round.
A visit to Maine is not complete without a visit to at least one of the hundreds of lighthouses that dot the coastline. Make a day trip of exploring Portland and Freeport’s lighthouses which would include a trip to Cape Elizabeth’s Two Lights State Park to see the two side by side lighthouses, and enjoy some seafood amidst the rock cliffs at the Lobster Shack at Two Lights.
While many people think of visiting Maine in the summer, more and more guests find the winter, fall and spring just as enjoyable given the lighter traffic on the roads, less congested sightseeing and availability of a table at the most sought after restaurants.