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Inland & Upbeat
–Gorham &Westbrook
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
boundaries—turning the flowing water
into a source of energy for industry.
Agriculture was always important in
these inland towns, and it remains so to
this day; stop at a local orchard to pick
some apples or select your Halloween
pumpkin from out in the fields.
The University of Southern Maine
makes Gorham a college town and
enhances the intellectual life of the com-
munity. From coffee shop discussions
to gallery openings, the influence of the
university is felt throughout the area.
In Westbrook, the intimate Performing
Arts Center is a modern venue in which
to enjoy theatrical, musical, and dance
performances. Despite the old-fashioned
architecture of downtown Westbrook,
this up-and-coming area is buzzing with
great places to eat and shop.
There are multiple parks in the area,
from the well-groomed and popular
Bicentennial Park & Skate Park to the
more isolated trails that run along the
river. In the winter, ice-skating is a popu-
lar pastime, as is cross-country skiing.
In the summer, take a dip at the public
pool in Westbrook, or bring your fishing
rods up to Highland Lake. You can also
rent kayaks and stand-up paddle-boards
from the City of Westbrook and enjoy
a beautiful stretch of the Presumpscot
River between Saccarappa Falls and the
historic Elms.
Village Life
–Falmouth, Cumberland
and Yarmouth
Just a few minutes north of Portland
on Route 1, these residential towns
offer salt-water views, acres of forest,
and easy access to islands. Follow road
signs for Falmouth Foreside just north
of Portland on I295 and enjoy a walk or
cross-country ski around Mackworth
Island, with panoramic views of the city
across the bay.
Continue north on Route 1 in Falmouth
and turn onto Route 88, one of the most
beautiful drives in America. Stop into
Town Landing Market in Falmouth
Foreside and walk down the hill to
Falmouth Town Landing, offering spec-
tacular views of the harbor. Continue
up Route 88 to explore Cousins Island,
easily accessible by car. From here, you
can hop a ferry to Chebeague Island, or
stay to wander around the town parks
on the mainland.
With this much coastline, it’s only logi-
cal to have top-notch seafood spots, but
if you really want to sample the best
of the ocean’s bounty, visit Yarmouth
during the third week in July, when the
annual Clam Festival takes over the
town center. The family-friendly event
features plenty of clams and chowders,
as well as amusement rides for the kids.
One of Maine’s largest agricultural fairs
is held annually in Cumberland; it's a
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