CONVENTION + VISITORS BUREAU /
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well represented in these cute little
towns. Charming main streets look
particularly picturesque in the fall,
when the leaves begin to change color.
Another amazing attraction is
Eartha
,
the world’s largest rotating and
revolving globe, located at the DeLorme
headquarters in Yarmouth.
Finally, after you spend some time
admiring this supersized globe, head
out to Gilsland Farm, an Audubon
nature center in Falmouth where you
can see earth’s bounty close-up. It’s
the perfect way to connect with the
environment before heading back into
town for a hot coffee or local brew.
Famous for shopping,
there is much more to
F
REEPORT
than
the bargains found at the outlets
(though you really can’t beat the deals).
Home of famous outdoor retailer
L.L.Bean, it makes perfect sense that
the area is rich with natural beauty, and
offers plenty of opportunities to get
out and enjoy the sunshine. Outdoorsmen
and shopaholics will be equally com-
fortable vacationing here, which is just
one of the many things that makes
Freeport so unique.
Driving into downtown Freeport, it’s
impossible not to notice the vast and
bustling strip of restaurants and stores,
many of which occupy historic homes
and buildings. National companies like
TommyHilfiger and Cole Haan offer
great fashion at factory prices alongside a
mix of locally-owned boutiques. Whether
you are searching for dress shoes or a
sundress, youmay find a new favorite on
Main Street, or just around the corner.
While many visit L.L.Bean to stock up
on boots, sweaters and jeans, Freeport
is also home to the L.L.Bean Outdoor
Discovery School, which offers reasonably
priced classes in everything from
snowshoeing and fly-fishing to kayaking
and paddle boarding. In the summer,
L.L.Bean hosts its Summer in the Park
live music series, hugely popular events
that are free and open to the public.
Various themed weekends devoted to
outdoor sports and hobbies are offered
throughout the year, as are more specific
and family-friendly events, like the
Freeport Fall Festival and Sparkle
Celebration inDecember.
Of course, outdoor adventures aren’t
limited to the center of town. Venture a
few miles east and you’ll find yourself in
the calming green acres of Wolfe’s Neck
Woods State Park. Beautifully maintained
trails meander through forests, into a
picturesque salt marsh estuary, and along
the coast. It’s a great place for birdwatching,
family outings, and ocean side hikes.
But perhaps a craggy climb is more your
style. If so, there is always Bradbury
Mountain State Park located close by in
P
OWNAL
.
Summit this peak and see the
sea from an entirely new perspective.
Hiking trails to the top range from easy
to intermediate level, and true thrill-seekers
will love the well-planned system of
mountain biking trails. Nothing gets the
blood pumping quite like a two-wheeled
careen down a Maine mountain!
After all that hiking, biking, and shopping,
you’ll probably need to fuel up. Foodies
will be happy to note that Freeport has
plenty of great places to eat—while the
freshest of lobster and seafood are
plentiful, neither your curry cravings
nor your dumpling desires will go
unsatisfied. Spend the night in an
elegant B&B or iconic New England Inn
and wake up ready to explore some more
of this vibrant, historic village.
Photos, from top: Autumn view from Bradbury Mountain
in Pownal and shoppers enjoying the quaint village of
Freeport that is home to high-end outlet stores as well
as the world headquarters of outdoor outfitter L.L.Bean–
whose flagship stores never close, Tim Greenway
For more information and links to the
communities of Greater Portland go
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