Town of Falmouth, Maine

An upscale, coastal suburb of Portland, Falmouth is home to just over 12,000 residents. From its wooded, expansive areas to its waterfront neighborhoods, Falmouth offers residents and visitors alike scenic views and plentiful opportunity for recreation.

Exploring Falmouth Maine

The town offers the conveniences of a large city and the environment of a luxurious suburb. Falmouth is among the wealthiest towns in Maine and is home to amenities like the Portland Yacht Club that belie that fact. The Falmouth Foreside area of the town is one of the more affluent areas, with a median home value of $725,000.

Route One goes through the town, and I-295 and I-95 are both easily accessible from Falmouth.

Shopping & Dining

Falmouth draws visitors to the Route One corridor for shopping and dining. The area has a combination of big box stores and local shops and restaurants.

Wal-Mart anchors one of the shopping plazas, with another plaza that’s home to Ocean State Job Lot and Shaw’s just down the road. Goodwill and Lots for Tots are popular destinations for thrift and consignment shopping, and Book Review is an independent bookstore that draws readers in.

Route One in Falmouth is also a popular destination for antiquers. Foreside Antiques, Foreside Consignment Gallery, and F.O. Bailey Antiquarians are all located along Route One.

Gardeners can find plants, seeds, and everything else they need at Skillins Greenhouse or Allen, Sterling, and Lothrop.

Local food fans will enjoy stopping in to Rosemont Market to pick up lunch or something for dinner, and Falmouth has plenty of restaurant choices to please any palate. Ricetta’s is a locally-owned pizza restaurant, and Orchid Thai is a local favorite for Asian food. Leavitt & Son’s Deli and Waldo’s General Store offer quicker sandwich options, and fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts also dot Route One.

In the Foreside area of town, the Town Landing Market is a popular spot for people to grab a breakfast sandwich or lunch, or to stock up on snacks and beverages before heading out on their boat. It’s also a great spot to pick up live lobsters, whether you’re visiting and need a classic taste of Maine, or you’re a local who just wants a treat.

For more upscale dining, you can head to the Dockside Grill and look out over the ocean as you eat.

Outdoors & Recreation

Whether you prefer to be out on the ocean, walking in the woods, or playing a sport indoors, Falmouth has a way for you to be active.

Mackworth Island is accessible from the mainland via car, foot, or kayak. The small island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is a favorite destination for those who want a short, but scenic hike. Along the 1.25 mile trail you’ll have views of Portland’s East End, a chance to beachcomb, and you’ll even see Governor Baxter’s Pet Cemetery and a fairy village.

Falmouth has numerous other trails throughout the town, offering hikers, bikers, and cross-country skiers a chance to enjoy the outdoors. Locations like Underwood Park give families a chance to enjoy a playground and then head out on the trails for a walk. Visit Maine Audobon Society’s Gilsland Farm location to enjoy 65 acres of nature along the Presumpscot River.

Golfers and tennis players will enjoy Falmouth for its Country Clubs, and sailors and kayakers will love the easy access to the ocean. Or, head to the Blackstrap Canoe Launch to put your kayak or canoe in the Presumpscot River.

The Falmouth Town Landing has a public beach and a boat launch. According to the town’s website, it is the largest recreational anchorage/mooring field north of Marblehead, Massachusetts.

The Family Ice Center has indoor and outdoor rinks, drawing hockey players, ice skaters, and their families to the town. In the spring and summer, the Falmouth Little League Complex is filled with cheering families.

Cultural Attractions

Falmouth is home to the Footlights Theater, a local performance venue that hosts plays, concerts, and comedy shows. They put on shows throughout the year, giving locals the chance to enjoy entertainment in all seasons.

Maine State Ballet is also based in Falmouth. The school has about 500 students and puts on performances both at their own location on Route One in Falmouth, as well as at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Their annual Nutcracker shows are always popular during the holiday season.

The Falmouth Historical Society operates the Falmouth Heritage Museum and Barn on Woods Road. The early 19th Century building houses displays and the society’s archives, which include items related to Falmouth’s early history as a much larger town that extended into what is now Portland.

The Falmouth Memorial Library is a cultural hub for the town. It hosts art exhibits, welcomes writers’ and crafters’ groups, and has storytimes for children and other events for teens.

Education

Falmouth has three public schools in the town – an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. Early childhood options in Falmouth include the Winfield Children’s House, a private Montessori school.

With Falmouth’s location near Portland, there are many private education options available to residents. Cheverus, the local Catholic High School, is only a few minutes from Falmouth and other options like Breakwater for younger students aren’t much farther.

Healthcare

You won’t find a hospital in Falmouth, but primary care physicians and specialty doctors have practices throughout the town. Maine Medical Partners, part of the MaineHealth organization, has a family medicine practice in Falmouth, and Northern Light Mercy operates a primary care practice on Gray Road.

Coastal Maine Direct Care has a practice focused on senior citizens, and parents can bring their children to Falmouth Pediatrics.

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