Town of Freeport, Maine

Nestled just off of Route 1, on the rocky coast of Maine, is the bustling town of Freeport. Freeport was once home to shipbuilding, salt-water farming, and the timber industry. Now, it has the distinction of being home to the L.L. Bean flagship store and numerous outlet stores. Freeport still retains the quaint feel of a quintessential New England village. Once you get to know it, you’ll discover that besides the shopping opportunities, Freeport is home to many delightful, hidden “little gems.”

Visitors to Freeport are surprised to learn that there is so much to explore “just a stone’s throw” away. For those wanting a coastal Maine experience with activities for everyone, Freeport is an inviting town with so much to offer.

Exploring Freeport Outdoors

Wolfe’s Neck State Park

Wolfe’s Neck State Park, located right at the water’s edge, is a gorgeous park with a mix of forest and waterfront hiking trails along Casco Bay. Visiting this park is a “not to be missed” event.

From estuaries to the rocky coast to shaded forest land, Wolfe’s Neck has so much to offer. There’s bird watching and picnicking in the warmer months, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the colder months, plus year-round hiking.

There are breathtaking views of Casco Bay and the Harraseeket River, and also spots where you can observe osprey fish and return to their nests to feed their young. And if you’re there at the right time of year, you can see lobstermen hard at work hauling traps and catching lobster.

Desert of Maine

The Desert of Maine is many things: tourist attraction, museum, and campground, but most of all, it’s a 40-acre tract of ever-shifting sand and a geological wonder!

The story of how this expanse of glacial sand that came to be in Maine is as intriguing as visiting the desert for yourself. The short version- the desert has been 27,000 years in the making, starting way back when the area was covered by a massive ice sheet and ending with what you see today.

The campground is one of the “hidden gems” in the area and has plenty of 5-star reviews. Desert of Maine and its accompanying campground are conveniently located (at least for now, deserts do shift) close to Freeport. The campgrounds are a wonderful, family-focused, wooded area where you can pitch a tent, build a fire and get comfortable. It’s a great location to use as your base for exploring the area.

Bradbury Mountain State Park

Are you looking for a great place to hike with spectacular views of Maine? Bradbury Mountain State Park has hiking and biking paths (for all skill levels) that offer panoramic perspectives well worth the effort. All trails take you to the top. Just be sure to pick the route that best suits your skill level; despite its stout appearance, Bradbury does offer challenging hiking.

Fun and Unique Activities

L.L. Bean Summer in the Park

Summers are for getting outdoors to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, family, and friends. L.L. Bean hosts Summer in the Park, a series of family-friendly events that are sure to make your stay in Freeport memorable. Outdoor concerts, movie nights, fitness activities, and educational events are but a few of the many free events you can explore.

The events occur at Discovery Park stage, which is right next to L.L. Bean on Main Street. Activities are constantly taking place, so if you are visiting off-season, check out their website to see what’s scheduled.

Cruise Casco Bay

A trip to Maine isn’t complete without getting out on the Atlantic and viewing the rocky Maine coast from a new perspective.

Several cruise and tour companies feature day-trips to Eagle Island, the summer home of Admiral Robert E. Peary (1856-1920), the famous North Pole, and Arctic Explorer. There are also boat outings where you can view seals, shorebirds, and other marine life and experience what it’s like to catch Maine lobster.

Why wouldn’t you want to get a day out on the bay and have the Maine experience of a lifetime?

Shopping and Dining

It’s impossible to think of Freeport and not think of shopping. The beauty of browsing in Freeport is that even with all the outlet shopping, there are many quirky and fun little local shops tucked in amongst the giants. And Freeport has many options to either grab a bite to eat or sit yourself down and linger over lunch or dinner.

Many of the smaller stores are owned and operated by Mainers and are truly “little gems” for finding unique arts and crafts, clothing, gifts, and mementos of your visit. Abacus Gallery, established in 1971, features handmade jewelry and crafts. A visit here is always inspiring.

And don’t miss The Mangy Moose and its marvelous array of Maine-themed “tees and rustic goods.”

Finding a great dining experience in Freeport is more a matter of deciding what you have a hankering for, given the number of excellent choices.

Here are a few favorites, depending on our mood: Bucks Naked BBQ never ever disappoints! A lively, local watering hole that specializes in dry-rub barbeque. And it’s hard not to mention lobster rolls when you mention great dining experiences in a coastal New England town. Get yours at the Broad Arrow Tavern in the Harraseeket Inn right on Main Street. Not only are they known for sumptuous lobster rolls, but they also serve tasty fare, from steaks to brick-oven pizzas.

We thought we’d wrap up by mentioning this “little gem.” Local artists and arts supporters formed Freeport’s Arts and Cultural Alliance to establish the town as “a vibrant center for arts and culture.” The alliance has a home, Meeting House Arts on Main Street in Freeport, and is an excellent resource for local art happenings and other Freeport events.

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