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| 20 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Maine
(Summer Vacation Ideas) 
Often when people think of vacationing in Maine, activities come to mind such as hunting, fishing, leaf-peeping and relaxing.
While some children may enjoy these activities, we all know that the best thing for kids is to keep them moving! Maine offers an abundance of activities that are just for kids or that are especially kid-friendly. 1. Maine Wildlife Park 
The Maine Wildlife Park is located in Gray, Maine, just west of Portland. The Park doubles as the state's wildlife rehabilitation program and as an educational facility encouraging public awareness of Maine's wildlife. Moose, lynx, white-tailed Deer, bears, bald eagles and bobcats are only a few of the animals visitors will see at the Maine Wildlife Park. Picnic areas, nature trails and summer programs are included in the fun. MORE INFO: 207-657-4977.
Admission:.....$4.50 - ages 13 - 60 ......................$3.00 - ages 5 - 12 ......................$3.50 - ages 61 and up ........................Free - ages four and under. 2. Wolfe's Neck Farm 
Wolfe's Neck Farm, just outside Freeport, Maine raises natural beef on 600 acres of saltwater farmland. The animals are given no growth hormones, antibiotics or animal by-products. The coastal Maine farm offers educational programs about preserving the environment and farming. Calf Watch (in April), nature trails, and internships in agricultural production are just a few examples. Last summer, more than 1,000 children spent days at the Farm, learning about agriculture and food production. MORE INFO: 207-865-6927.Admission: FREE! 3. Digging for Clams 
Digging for clams is a Maine tradition where clam diggers wait until the tide goes out and then venture out onto the muddy bottom of a cove or bay to dig just under the surface and find fresh, juicy clams. All along the coast, children of all ages will enjoy letting the mud ooze between their toes, and finding a plethora of clams that can be cooked for dinner! For more on clam digging in Maine, visit: The Coast of Maine; Beautiful Coves, Tasty Steamers, and the Attack of the Crab Monster 4. Old Orchard Beach 
Old Orchard Beach has a wonderfully sandy Maine beach with good waves for boogie boarding and light surfing. The beach is 7 miles long and has a scenic pier complete with shops restaurants and an amusement park and arcades. The town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine offers a variety of events throughout the summer months including concerts, dances and festivals.
Parking is available at Memorial Park across from the Chamber of Commerce for up to $7.00/day. Nearby privately owned parking lots range from $5.00 - $10.00.
5. Visit Lighthouses 
Maine is known for its rocky coast, clear Atlantic waters, and the lighthouses that keep the shore safe for fisherman and sailors. Lighthouses are the beacons which stand on the edge of the dangerous rocks, sending out their safety signals during storms, fog, and in the dark of night. A trip to Maine would not be complete without visiting some of its many lighthouses.Visit our page on Lighthouses to find out about locations, hours of operation, and cost, if any. 6. Visit Eagle Island 
The Friends of Peary's Eagle Island offers guided tours conducted by Cdr. Edward Peary Stafford, (USN ret), grandson of the Admiral. A chartered boat, the "Marie L" will leave from Harpswell, Maine at 9:30 and return at noon. The cost is $35.00 per person and each trip is limited to only 24 passengers. The Island is open to visitors between June15 and Labor Day. Because of bird nesting, the trails are open only after July 15. The Island is open from 10AM to 5PM. 7. Portland Sea Dogs Game 
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor-league baseball team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. They play in the Eastern League and their home stadium is Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine. Take the family to a Sea Dogs game this summer and see what Maine baseball is all about! General Admission is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children.For more information, visit the official web site of the Portland Sea Dogs or call 1-800-936-3647. 8. Climb Mount Katahdin 
Mount Katahdin is located in Baxter State Park in central Maine. The highest mountain in Maine, Katahdin sits 5,267 feet above sea level. The many routes to the summit all involve from second to fourth class hiking; this hike isn't for toddlers, but children as old as 6 or 7 can usually hike one of the easier routes up. For further information, visit Katahdin Climbing Information. 9. Go Whale Watching 
Take the entire family on a boat ride off the coast of Maine to catch a glimpse of the giants of the deep. While out on the boat, learn about migration, what whales eat, and what is the best time of year to see them. Children and adults will love the ride, the Maine seabreeze, and the beautiful whales. For more information, visit: Whale Watching in Maine 10. Bicycle the Acadia Carriage Roads 
Rent some bicycles or bring your own and take the kids for a ride along the extensive Acadia carriage road system. 45 miles of the broken stone roads weave in and out of the woods, offering stunning views of the Maine coastline. Safety measures include border stones, wide bridges, sign posts, and two gate houses.There is no cost to use the carriage roads in Acadia. For more information and a short history, visit: The Carriage Roads. 11. Go to a Maine Fair 
Agricultural fairs are an important part of Maine culture. Take the children to one of the many fairs around the state (there is one just about every week of the summer) and learn about local farming, Maine school children, community groups, and politics. See what people have made with their hands or from their gardens, enjoy amusement park rides and games, and of course, visit the animals! The whole family will enjoy a day at a Maine fair. 12. Funtown/Splashtown 
Known as the #1 tourist attraction in Maine, Funtown/Splashtown is an amusement park for the entire family. With gentle rides for small children as well as terrifying roller-coasters and other grown-up rides, Funtown offers something for everyone. After the rides, cool off in Splashtown with multiple waters slides, tubing rivers, and a giant wading pool. For more information or to obtain tickets, visit the Funtown/Splashtown web site above, or call 1-800-878-2900. 13. Palace Playland 
Palace Playland is a four-acre, family-oriented amusement park located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Maine. The park features over 25 rides and attractions and admission is always free. The park's location at the center of seven miles of wide, sandy beach allows families to alternate between beach activities, Maine shopping, dining and amusements. A variety of ticket options is available including a "Pay-One-Price" all-day-pass. For more information, visit their web site or call (207) 934-2001. 14. York's Wild Kingdom 
York's Wild Kingdom is a combination zoo and amusement park. With exotic animals from around the world, the park is recognized for its rare species and knowledgeable curators. They offer a variety of family rides, paddle boats, an 18 hole miniature golf course, a petting zoo, scenic picnic grounds and even a Haunted House. Educational learning sessions take place throughout the day and a special member of the zoo Rewa---Maine's only White Bengal Tiger---will amaze and delight the child in everyone! For more information call 207-363-4911.
Indoor Fun!15. Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company
Take a trip back in time at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum! The whole family will enjoy magnificent views of Portland's working waterfront aboard antique rail cars pulled by hard-working steam and diesel locomotives. Discover the unique two-foot gauge trains that linked rural Maine to the rest of the world. For tickets or more information, visit the web site above or call (207) 828-0814.
16. Maine State Museum 
Parents and children will enjoy learning about the geological, sociological and cultural history of Maine at the Maine State Museum in Augusta. The exhibits are life-sized and extremely well-done. Admission: Adults $2.00 ..................Children 6-18 $1.00 ....................................Children under 6 Free ....................................Family Maximum $6.00 ....................................Senior Citizens (62+) $1.00 17. The Children's Museum of Maine 
Located in downtown Portland, the Children's Museum of Maine offers a plethora of activities for children and adults including: a lobster boat, an interactive supermarket, a vet clinic, a fire truck, a farm, a soft gated play-and-learn area for toddlers, and a car repair shop. Young explorers love the Explore Floor, a series of interactive science exhibits depicting the natural resources of the State of Maine. Exhibits feature a Ranger Station, climbing wall, water table, tree house, yellow submarine, a tide pool touch tank, and so much more! For more information, call 207-828-1234.
18. Maine Maritime Museum 
Located on the banks of the Kennebec River and just south of Bath Iron Works, home of "The World's Greatest Shipbuilders", the Museum will delight the entire family. Maine's maritime history is told here daily through gallery exhibits, an historic shipyard, educational programs and narrated boat cruises to points of historic significance and natural beauty. For more information call (207) 443-1316.Admission: Adult $9.75 Seniors $8.75 Child (under 17) $6.75 Child (6 & under) Free Same Household $28.00 Active Military (spouse & family) 50% off 19. Visit the Capitol 
Learn about the Maine State Government when you take the children to visit the Maine State House. Built in the early 1800s, much of the original building was destroyed, but much has been preserved. The Governor's offices are on the second floor as well as the Hall of Flags and the extensive Law Library. At either end of the third floor are the Maine House of Representatives and Senate Chambers. For information about visits and tours, call (207) 287-2301. 20. Eat a Lobster! 
After all, this is one of the things for which Maine is known all over the world.Learn: how to catch a lobster how to cook a lobster how to eat a lobster And visit our dining pages for an extensive list of restaurants in Maine, most of which serve lobster in some fashion! 
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