Maine kids trails in Greater Portland & Casco Bay are a trove of adventure

Casco Bay Lines

56 Commercial St. Portland, ME 04112 Phone: 207-774-7871

This commuter ferry company also offers scenic cruises. Some examples are the Bailey Island Cruises past lighthouses, forts, turn-of-the-century summer colonies, and lobstermen at work; the Diamond Pass Run, which follows an inner bay route past the Victorian cottages on Little and Great Diamond Islands; and Sunrise On The Bay, for a peaceful dawn departure to observe seabirds, seals, and the local fishing fleet.

Children’s Museum of Maine

142 Free St. Portland, ME 04101 Phone: 207-828-1234

Open: Labor Day-Memorial Day, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Memorial Day-Labor Day, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon–5 p.m.; Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 24- 25, January 1, Easter, July 4.

Interactive exhibits span four floors, and special programming is offered daily. Features and exhibits include Toddle Park, Tide Pool Touch Tank, a rock climbing wall, the Space Shuttle, and the Music Garden. Programs change frequently. Fun for all ages, best for children younger than 12.Cost: $6; under age 1, free

Children’s Theater of Maine

317 Marginal Way Portland, ME 04101 Phone: 207-828-0617

Live theater for adults and children. Season runs October through August. Call for schedule.

Desert of Maine

95 Desert Rd. Freeport, ME 04032 Phone: 207-865-6962

A glacier moved over this area 11,000 years ago and left sand and mineral deposits, forming the region known today as the Desert of Maine. Visitors will see living trees half covered in sand, wild flowers, and other flora. Narrated coach tours, walking tours, barn museum, gift shop. Open early May to mid-October.

Fort Williams Park

Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Phone: 207-799-2868

One of the most treasured sites of Cape Elizabeth, this 90-acre park is home to Portland Head Light and a place for tourism, recreation, and unlimited ocean views. Offers playing fields, tennis courts, beach, cross-country skiing, sledding, and skating. Special events such as Family Fun Day, the Labor Day Art Show, a 10k road race, and performances by the Portland Symphony Orchestra are scheduled yearly.

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company & Museum

58 Fore St. Portland, ME 04101 Phone: 207- 828-0814

The whole family will enjoy a trip along Portland’s waterfront in a historic narrow gauge railway coach. Magnificent views of Portland's working waterfront aboard antique rail cars pulled by steam and diesel locomotives. Discover the unique two-foot gauge trains that linked rural Maine to the rest of the world.

The Museum at Portland Head Light

1000 Shore Road Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Phone: 207-799-2661

Situated along the spectacular shores of Fort Williams Park, the museum is contained within the former keeper’s quarters. The museum contains a number of lighthouse lenses and interpretative displays as well as a seasonal shop featuring lighthouse- and Maine-related gifts. Open daily Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Open weekends only Columbus Day to Christmas and mid-April to Memorial Day.