Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Freeport
The fame and fortune of Freeport, 16 miles northeast of Portland, began a century ago
when Leon Leonwood Bean opened a shop to sell equipment to hunters and fishers head-
ing north into the Maine wilderness. Bean's good value earned him loyal customers.
Over the years the LL Bean store ( www.llbean.com ; Main St; 24hr) has expanded to add
sportswear to its outdoor gear. Though a hundred other stores have joined the pack, the
wildly popular LL Bean is still the epicenter of town.
The Victorian-era White Cedar Inn ( 207-865-9099; www.whitecedarinn.com ; 178 Main
St; r incl breakfast $150-185; ) is conveniently located within walking distance of the
shops. The former home of Arctic explorer Donald MacMillan, it has seven atmospheric
rooms, with brass beds and working fireplaces.
For the best atmosphere, head to the casual, harborside Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster
Co ( 207-865-4888; www.harraseeketlunchandlobster.com ; 36 Main St, South Freeport; mains
$10-26; 11am-7:45pm, to 8:45pm Jul & Aug; ) , 3 miles south of Freeport center, for its
popular lobster dinners, steamers and fried seafood. Feast at picnic tables within spitting
distance of the bay.
Bath
Bath has been renowned for shipbuilding since Colonial times and that remains the rais-
on d'être for the town today. Bath Iron Works , one of the largest shipyards in the USA,
builds steel frigates and other ships for the US Navy. The substantial Maine Maritime
Museum ( 207-443-1316; www.mainemaritimemuseum.org ; 243 Washington St; adult/child
$15/10; 9:30am-5pm) , south of the ironworks on the Kennebec River, showcases the
town's centuries-old maritime history, which included construction of the six-mast
schooner Wyoming , the largest wooden vessel ever built in the USA.
Boothbay Harbor
On a fjordlike harbor, this achingly picturesque fishing village with narrow, winding
streets is thick with tourists in the summer. Other than eating lobster, the main activity
here is hopping on boats. Balmy Days Cruises ( 207-633-2284;
www.balmydayscruises.com ; Pier 8; harbor tour adult/child $15/8, day trip cruise to Monhegan
adult/child $32/18, sailing tour $24/18) runs one-hour harbor tour cruises, day trips to Mon-
hegan Island and 1½-hour sailing trips around the scenic islands near Boothbay. The
Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce (
207-633-2353;
 
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