CONVENTION + VISITORS BUREAU /
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on the Casco Bay route, though it is
possible to access other islands through
private boats and shuttle services. For
a truly special dining experience, make
a reservation and grab a ferry to the Inn
at Peaks Island, Chebeague Island Inn,
or Diamond’s Edge on Great Diamond
Island. Enjoy fresh seafood surrounded
by the waters of the Atlantic as the sun
sets over Portland—what could be better?
If your calendar allows a little flexibility,
plan on visiting during one of the
Casco Bay Islands’ wonderful events.
In the summer, visitors flock to
Chebeague for the annual Chebeague
Chebang festival, a Fourth of July
celebration complete with live music,
lawn games, and loads of food. Book a
stay at the beautifully restored 1920s
Chebeague Island Inn and enjoy the
sunset, cocktails, and ocean breezes
from the wraparound porch.
For a more rustic experience, head to
Cliff Island, where the roads are dirt
and cars are rare. Like all the Casco Bay
Islands, bicycling is very popular here,
and this diminutive landmass is easily
explored on two wheels. If you find
yourself craving a lobster BLT after
all that pedaling, you can sate your
appetite at the seaside market.
Chances are good that you’ll find
Portland’s island communities so
charming that you want to extend your
stay past one day. Fortunately, there are
numerous inns, B&Bs, hotels, and house
rentals. Whether you want an outdoor
adventure, complete with a campfire,
or you are looking for old world charm,
the Casco Bay Islands are set to deliver
a rare and memorable experience.
This is classic Maine.
There are few places better suited to
enjoy the quintessential pleasures of
lobsters and lighthouses than
C
APE
E
LIZABETH
and the neighboring
community of
S
CARBOROUGH
. While
the state offers many other attractions,
it’s impossible to deny the persistent
draw of these buttery crustaceans and
regal structures. Cliché? No way.
Known throughout the state as
premium places to live, both Cape
Elizabeth and Scarborough are safe,
peaceful communities for their year-
round residents. Yet you don’t have to
hold a moose-marked license to enjoy
the quaint homes and quiet streets.
Visitors to the area will be struck by
the calm beauty of Cape Elizabeth’s
rolling hills and Colonial-style homes.
Scarborough, once known as
“Owascoag,” or the “place of much
grass,” holds a similar appeal. Gentle
marshes turn slowly into sandy
beaches, and boardwalks provide a
place to slow down and enjoy the
scenery. Scarborough Beach State Park
and Crescent Beach State Park are both
great places to spend an afternoon, and
unlike much of Maine’s coastline, these
beaches are covered in soft, comfortable
sand. And while we can’t claim the
water is warm, at 60 degrees and over,
the Scarborough shoreline is a nice
place to take a refreshing dip on hot
summer days.
Slightly more famous than its Southern
neighbor, Cape Elizabeth is an affluent
area filled with rich history and striking
scenery. Take a horseback riding lesson,
pick your own strawberries, or just
spend a day at the beach—this lovely
little town has it all. Several state
parks adorn the coastline, including
Photos from top: Scarborough Marsh sunrise, Cynthia
Farr-Weinfeld; Portland Head Light’s historic white
tower in Cape Elizabeth is complemented with
Rosa Rugosa at Fort Williams Park, Chris Lawrence
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