CONVENTION + VISITORS BUREAU /
15
known, Bug Light—will be charmed by
this small lighthouse which sits at the
end of a pink granite breakwater. First
constructed in 1855, the graceful design
has been guiding ships to port for
decades. On a sunny day, you’ll see
plenty of kite-flyers enjoying the ocean
winds. Take a moment to contemplate
themonument to theWorldWar II
Liberty Ships whichwere built on the
current park’s site between 1941 and 1945.
Finally, before heading out of town, be
sure to check out the coffee shops, cafes,
and stores in Knightville; business
is booming in this lesser-known
neighborhood. Or enjoy a fabulous
meal just around the corner at Saltwater
Grille where the quality of dining is
matched by the unobstructed view of
the dramatic city skyline. It’s all just a
hop, skip, and a bridge away from the
City of Portland.
Travel a bit west
of Portland and you’ll be surprised at
how quickly the sea-soaked air turns
cool and green. Touched with the
tranquil beauty of inner Maine, yet
still within shouting distance of
the sea, the towns of
G
ORHAM
and
W
ESTBROOK
are thriving, backed by
rich history and packed with character.
If you’re looking for quaint New Eng-
land charm, you couldn’t have picked a
better region. Historic buildings
abound in these sleepy towns, from
lovely old churches to stately libraries.
Mills once stood along the rivers—
Westbrook can count both the
Presumpscot River and the smaller
Stroudwater River within its bound-
aries—turning the flowing water into a
source of energy and a fuel for industry.
Agriculture was always important in
these inland towns, and it remains so to
this day. Just stop in at a local orchard
to pick some apples or grab a pumpkin
and you’ll see what we mean.
If Portland is the metropolitan hub of
the area, Gorham is the cute little
college town. There may not be much
nightlife, but those seeking higher
education need look no further than
the University of Southern Maine, an
institution that helps thousands of
students advance their careers and
pursue their dreams every year. And, as
with any college town, the school also
enhances the intellectual life of the
community. Fromcoffee shop discussions
to gallery openings, the influence of the
university is felt throughout the town.
If classrooms and lecture halls aren’t on
your itinerary, you can still feed your
mind at the GorhamHistorical Society
& Museum. Visitors will enjoy the
University of Southern Maine Art
Galleries, and theater fans can stop
in at Acorn Productions, where they
offer acting classes for children and
adults, or catch a theatrical, dance or
musical act at the intimate Westbrook
Performing Arts Center.
Photos, clockwise from top left: University of Southern
Maine campus in Gorham offers a pastoral quad for
students and visitors to meet, courtesy USM; Kayaks
brave the rapids at Saccarappa Falls, courtesy City
of Westbrook; Charming Cape Cod-style homes and
stately farms accent the autumn beauty west of
Portland, Cynthia Farr-Weinfeld
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