Fun for Kids

Monkey Trunks- high rope and zipline park

Situated in Saco, ME and opening May 2011, you can now release your inner monkey on our brand new King Kong Course, a 48 challenge high ropes course with 3 ziplines, giant swing and a 50' leap of faith! This is the largest course we've ever built! Younger Chimps can enjoy the lower level elements whilst safely harnessed on the continuous expo glide systems and monkeys 48" and above will use the smart belay system to push themselves to the limit on this giant course!

Rte 1, Saco ME. [email protected] (603)-452-8812

Children’s Museum of Maine

The Children's Museum of Maine and the Children's Theatre of Maine are merging to create Maine's first environment of interactive exhibits, programs and theatre. Located in the Arts District of downtown Portland, the Children's Museum of Maine features a wide variety of interactive exhibits and activities for children and families!

142 Free Street, Portland t: 207-828-1234 f: 207-828-5726

The Children’s Theatre of Maine

The Children's Theatre of Maine engages children and the community in the magic of live theatre, enabling a growing universe of young people to gain confidence while discovering their unique power.

142 Free Street, Portland, Maine For Information and Reservations: 207.878.2774

Maine Wildlife Park

The Maine Wildlife Park is open from mid-April through Veteran's day. Gates open daily at 9:30 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. See more than 25 species of Maine wildlife. See the Visitor center, Nature Store, and Hatchery. Visit the Snack Shack, or picnic or barbeque. Take a walk on the Tree Trail, Game Trail, Wetland Trail, or take a tour. Visit the Warden Museum and Gardens. Feed the animals. Listen to story hour and wildlife talks. Check out the list of events.

56 Game Farm Road, Gray ME. (207)-657-4977 ext. 1

Maine Audubon Society

Maine Audubon's naturalist-guided nature explorations introduce participants to the natural world around them. They are open to groups of all ages including school classes, community groups, families, and scout troops.

20 Gilsland Farm Road Falmouth, Maine 04105 Telephone: (207) 781-2330 Fax: (207) 781-0974

Mackworth Island Trail

Stop in the magical village of fairy houses to build your own fairy abode!

Mackworth Island is a legislated bird sanctuary and is connected to Falmouth by a causeway at the mouth of the Presumpscot River. It is the former home of James Phinney Baxter and of his son, Governor Percival Baxter, and was deeded to the State of Maine in 1943. Currently it is the site of the Baxter School for the Deaf. The island is open to visitors from dawn to dusk. The perimeter path is maintained by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. A detailed trail map can be borrowed from the guard at the gatehouse near the parking area. An outhouse is also available in the parking lot.

This easy trail circles Mackworth Island and offers excellent views of Casco Bay. The trail surface is wood chips and packed soil, which may be slippery when wet, but the terrain is generally level, with moderate slopes not exceeding 10%. There are no steps or other major barriers to wheelchairs on the main loop. Small side trails follow steep slopes to the shore and may be inaccessible to some visitors. A new staircase with handrail has been added to a side trail on the south side of the island.

Rte 1 Falmouth at the School for the Deaf

Willard Beach and Fort Preble

On the Southern Maine Community College campus. The lighthouse (Spring Point) is open for public tours on Saturdays in the summer months.

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad

Take a trip back in time where you’ll enjoy magnificent views of Portland's 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.

58 Fore St. Portland Maine 04101. Telephone: 207- 828-0814.

Capisic Brook Trail 0.5 miles

Capisic Park is a city-owned 18-acre nature preserve that affords fine views of Capisic Pond, Portland 's largest freshwater pond. Offers great birdwatching as well as ice skating in the winter. Open from dawn to dusk.

Moderately sloping dirt path through woods and fields from Macy Street (off Capisic Street ) to Lucas Street (off Brighton Avenue ). Several undeveloped side trails offer exploration of the pond and surrounding wetlands. Benches are provided along the trail.

Trail access: To enter the park at the south end, park on the north side of Capisic Street by the bridge. Additional entrances are located at Rockland Avenue and Lucas Street.

Broadturn Farm

Pick your own strawberries. 388 Broadturn Rd. Scarborough, Maine 04074; 207-510-1682 cell: 207- 233-1178. Take I-95South to Maine Mall exit, veer right to Maine Mall/rt 114. Then, with mall in front of you, veer left, heading towards Payne Rd and signs for the airport. Turn left at the light onto Payne Rd. Follow to Holmes Rd. Turn Right on Holmes follow for 3.9 miles. Turn right onto Broadturn Rd at the blinking red light. Continue for 2.4 miles and you are at the farm!

Bradbury Mountain State Park

Bradbury Mountain State Park is a wonderful place to spend a day or afternoon exploring trails, taking in the magnificent view from the summit, or enjoying a picnic under a canopy of trees. One of the original five state parks, Bradbury Mountain was acquired by the Federal government in 1939.

Situated on Route 9 about halfway between Portland and Lewiston-Auburn, the park attracts visitors who enjoy picnicking, hiking and camping on its 610 acres of forested land. Bradbury Mountain is the only state park in southern Maine to offer shared-use trails for horseback riders, mountain bikers and snowmobilers. Snow shoe rentals are available.

Sculpted by a glacier, Bradbury Mountain is the park's most outstanding natural feature. Today the park's forest is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Fall is a busy time at the park when visitors watch migrating hawks and eagles ride the thermals and enjoy the views of fall foliage from the summit. (Spring is best time to watch hawk migration)

528 Hallowell Road Pownal, ME 04069 Telephone: (207) 688-4712

Sebago Lake State Park

Opened to the public in 1938 as one of the five original state parks. This forested lakeside park is situated on the shore of Maine's deepest and second largest lake which provides year-round recreation for thousands of visitors each year. Near the foothills of the While Mountains, the park's 1,400 acres features sandy beaches, extensive woodlands, ponds, bogs a river and diverse habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Swimming, sport fishing, camping and boating are some of the summer activities enjoyed by visitors. The park's 250-site campground is a popular destination for family vacationers and provides lasting memories season after season. Wooded areas offer a respite from the sun and activity on the beaches. Whether hiking on marked trails or bicycling on park roads, visitors find many way to enjoy the park.

Carved by ancient rivers and scoured by Ice Age glaciers, Sebago Lake fills a basin made of granite that has been weathered for millions of year. Thanks to those glaciers, visitors today an enjoy an array of water sports on Maine's 45 square mile lake.

Location: U.S. Route 302 between Naples and South Casco. 11 Park Access Road Casco, ME 0405. In-season: (207) 693-6613 Year round: (207) 693-6231.

Fort Williams

On April 13, 1899, President McKinley named the one-time subpost of Fort Preble, Cape Elizabeth's first military fortification, Fort Williams. Named after Brevet Major General Seth Williams, Fort Williams grew to be a tremendous military asset during World War II. Besides protecting the shoreline of Cape Elizabeth, the infantry and artillery units provided the Harbor Defense for Portland. After the war, many of the forts in Casco Bay were closed, including Fort Williams, which traded in its defense of the coast for caretaker status and Army Reserve accommodations. Fort Williams was officially closed and deactivated on June 30, 1963.

Although often a place full of runners, bikers, baseball games, and picnics, Fort Williams has managed to maintain some of its historic past. When the Town of Cape Elizabeth purchased the beautiful 90+/- acre park on December 1, 1964 for $200,000, the old military buildings became Town property as well. Along with the various batteries is Goddard Mansion. Although not in the condition it was when Colonel John Goddard and his family lived in it during the mid to late 1800s, the walls of the great mansion still stand high on the hill overlooking Fort Williams.

To reserve the picnic shelter or other areas of the park for group gatherings, please call Community Services, 207-799-2868.

Casco Bay Lines

Provides year-round ferry service for the Casco Bay Island Transit District, carrying passengers, vehicles and freight between Portland, Maine and the islands of Peaks, Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Long, Chebeague, and Cliff. They also offer scenic cruises, summertime music cruises, private charters and lobster bakes.

Ferry Terminal: 56 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine | Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4656, Portland, ME 04112-4656.Phone: (207) 774-7871 | Fax: (207) 774-7875

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park is a five minute drive from the center of Freeport's bustling shopping district, and as visitors approach the park, marshes and open fields provide a tranquil transformation back to nature. In 1969, this area of more than 200 acres was given to the State by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence M.C. Smith of Freeport. The park contains varied ecosystems, including climax white pine and hemlock forests, a salt marsh estuary, and the rocky shorelines on Casco Bay and the Harraseeket River.

The park's signature residents are the ospreys who nest on nearby Googins Island. An interpretive panel on the trail explains the life cycle of this magestic, graceful bird which summers on the island and makes its annual trek to South America each fall. Visitors who participate in a nature walk with the Park Naturalist can view the baby birds on their nest through a high-powered lenses and learn that these birds mate for life.

The popular Casco Bay Trail carries visitors along Maine's legendary coast to a point where the surrounding islands of Eagle, Counsin and others are described on an interpretive panel. After a discovering the trails, visitors can enjoy picnics under a canopy of oak trees or a group barbeque is possible at the park's new shelter area. Loon conservation license plates paid for the construction of this new facility and groups may rent the shelter for a day.

Guided Nature Programs are offered in this beautiful natural setting. These one hour programs may include walks, short talks, and activities.

Location Four and a half miles from Route 1 in downtown Freeport, via Bow Street and Wolf Neck Road. 426 Wolfe's Neck Road Freeport, ME 04032. Park season: (207) 865-4465 Off season: (207) 624-6080.

Windham Skate Park

In Windham, where kids can rollerblade, skateboard, and scooter to their hearts content (all under the eye of its well-supervised staff). Head South on Rte 202. At the Rotary take the exit straight across (Rte 202 heading towards Gorham). Skate park is on the left.

Maine Rock Gym

An inside rock climbing facility. The gym is a great spot for climbers of all ages and provides instruction as well.

127 Marginal Way Portland ME 04101 Phone & Fax 207 780 6370

Prides Corner Drive In

Catch a double feature at the drive in. Arrive early. Head South on Rte202 towards rotary. Go around the rotary to Rte 302 heading towards Portland. Drive-in is on the left hand side of the road.

Amusement Parks

Palace Playland

New England's only beachfront amusement park. Giant arcade, beautiful carousel, Kiddieland. Gondola Ferris Wheel and Galaxi Coaster. Fireworks every Thursday night by the Pier.

Funtown/Splashtown U.S.A.

Family amusement and waterpark. Home of Excalibur, Maine's only wooden roller coaster ranked one of the top ten in the world. Voted one of the cleanest parks in America and offers many rides, slides, pools, giftshops, games, arcades and eating facilities. Free parking.

Maine Indoor Karting

Maine's only premier indoor formula karting course. State of the art track. They also offer indoor mini golf and a cafe. Everyday is family day at Maine Indoor Karting.

York’s Wild Kingdom

Located in York Beach, Maine has something to offer every member of the family. Each year more than 200,000 people come to visit the largest zoo and amusement park in the area. With exotic animals from around the world, York’s Wild Kingdom is recognized for its rare species and knowledgeable curators.

A variety of family rides, paddle boats, 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!

Upcoming Events