2013 Visitor's Guide

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Portland is home to three semi-pro sports teams, so bring the kids along and catch the wave of excitement at a home game.

Photo: Thomas Mitchell, Portland Sea Dogs mascot Slugger

P L AY ING Whether you’re planning a family trip, a romantic getaway, or traveling with friends, we’ve got abundant options for creating fun-filled days and nights. You may run out of time but never things to do.

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With its own art museum, countless galleries, a symphony orchestra, and professional theater, Portland’s arts scene rivals that of cities much larger in size; from classical to cutting-edge, performance and visual arts are vibrantly alive and infuse the region with a surprising sophistication. Known regionally for its thriving local music scene, Portland boasts some of the best eclectic venues for rock, hip-hop, jazz, reggae, and bluegrass — it’s all here. Greater Portland is also steeped in history and anxious to share. Trolley tours, guided walking tours, and lovingly restored museum homes will expose you to the careful craftsmanship and fine architecture of past eras. Maine Maritime Museum in Bath is devoted

to the state’s rich maritime history, and a museum of Maine Civil War history is housed in the Fifth Maine Regiment Memorial Hall on Peaks Island. With our region’s proximity to the sea, there are naturally plenty of things to do on and around the water, from narrated cruises to sunset schooner sails, exciting kayak excursions to lazy beach afternoons. You can combine a love of history with one for the sea on a half-day excursion to Admiral Robert E. Peary’s Eagle Island with Atlantic Seal Cruises. Golf enthusiasts will find numerous beautifully situated courses, either beside the ocean or amid the mountains. Maine’s other regions offer superb

downhill skiing, plentiful wildlife, thrilling whitewater rafting, and fishing and swimming in crystal clear lakes. Maine is “The Great Outdoors,” so get out and enjoy it! There’s also plenty to keep the kids busy, from wildlife and amusement parks to the alluring world of antique trains, planes, and trolleys, even their own Children’s Museum & Theatre. They’ll also be fascinated by a visit to the living history museum at 19th Century Willowbrook Village. The excitment peaks at fairs and festivals throughout the summer and fall; be sure to check the calendar listings on pages 29-31 for special events for you and your family to enjoy.

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