Town of Gray, Maine

Gray is often referred to as “the crossroads of Maine” because of its location at the intersection of state Routes 4, 26, 100, 115, and 202. Located about a half-hour northwest of Portland off of I95, Gray is close enough to Maine’s most populous city for a reasonable commute, yet far enough away that it has a homey, rural, small-town feel. Gray shares water frontage with Little Sebago Lake, Crystal Lake, and Forest Lake and is just a stone’s throw from magnificent Sebago Lake.

Like many Maine towns and villages, Gray’s roots were in agriculture endeavors. It branched out into developing light industries, including Mayall Mills (1791-1902), the first successful water-powered woolen mill in North America. Today, Gray is mainly a residential community for Portland, popular because of its proximity to lakes, forests, and year-round recreational activities.

There’s so much to do in Gray and the surrounding area with plenty of options for shopping and dining. You’ll appreciate getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the slower pace of life Gray offers.

Exploring Gray Maine

Take a step back in time and see what education was like in the mid-1800s when you visit the Dry Mills Schoolhouse Museum. Dry Mills, built in 1857, is the last remaining one-room-school house of twelve built in the area. Not only can you tour the structure, but you can also be part of an “experiential visit” and learn what it was like to attend a one-room schoolhouse.

For a unique back-to-nature experience, visit the nearby Maine Wildlife Park, managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries—you’ll see more wildlife here than in a day out in the woods. The park is a refuge for animals, birds, and reptiles who cannot return to the wild. Orphaned, injured, or human dependent, these critters have a haven—and a second chance here.

And if seeing an alpaca is on your bucket list, head over to Carrageen Suri Alpacas and have a gander at these gentle relatives of the lama.

If you’re still wanting to see (and interact with) more animals, there’s The Ten Apple Farm, a homestead and agritourism destination, where you can hike with a herd of goats. This daily ritual started many years ago as a friend and family trek and has evolved into an event where everyone is welcome. And after the hike, watch (or help with) milking the goats or wander around the farm. There’s a schedule of the goat walks and other activities at the farm in the link.

If you’ve ever wondered where the weather information and warnings come from in the area, Gray is home to the local office of the National Weather Service. The NWS monitors the weather in southern Maine and all of New Hampshire (this bit of information might come in handy someday).

Recreational Activities

If you are looking for activities that will get you out in the fresh air, there are plenty of outdoor adventures to choose from. Little Sebago Lake is one of the many lakes and ponds that dot the area. Fishing, swimming, and boating in the summer and ice fishing, skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter are but a few of the many year-round pursuits. There’s Libby Hill Forest Trails, a community space that offers mountain biking, ATV, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The trails are beautifully designed, moderately used, and well maintained.

Or practice your swing at Spring Meadows Golf Course, named the top New England Golf Course in 2021. Spring Meadows is the first Maine golf course to receive the award, and for good reason. The golf course, run by the same family for 21 years, is a beautiful course with ponds and wetlands and has an excellent reputation for “being one of the best-conditioned golf courses in Maine.”

Where to Dine and Shop in Gray

If you’re looking for a quick bite or a fresh cup of joe on the fly, there’s a drive-thru—Aroma Joe’s is right downtown and will satisfy your caffeine craving. Founded by four cousins (two sets of brothers) from Maine, Aroma Joe’s never disappoints.

Craft Curbside is a newcomer to the Gray scene and focuses on offering “hyper-locally sourced” foods and bevies. You can dine in or grab pre-made meals to heat at home or get your to-go wine, cider, beer, and house-made cocktail mixers. Also offering CSA (community sourced agriculture) farm boxes, Craft Curbside nails it with wonderfully fresh entrees paired with great drink options.

On your way in (or out) of Curbside, pop into Howell’s Indoor Range and Gun Shop, “Maine’s premier indoor range and gun shop.” Everything to do with guns and archery is sold here, and you can even sign-up for a membership that offers free-range time.

Just down the road from the gun shop is a Marden’s Surplus and Salvage—this location doesn’t carry fabric, flooring, or furniture, but you can count on finding just about everything else under the sun here. The beauty of this Maine company is that you never know what you’ll find here—every visit is like a treasure hunt.

With humble beginnings in a barn, Birchwood Brewing has since opened a taproom right in the heart of Gray. They specialize in making classic American ales and lagers and have an extensive selection of hard seltzers. There’s a great local vibe here, and it’s family-friendly. Besides the excellent brew, everyone is raving about the warm pretzels made fresh and delivered daily. For a little something sweet, B & R Dairy Bar serves up homemade ice cream and fresh-baked brownies and is very involved in giving back to the community. This adorable little ice cream shop has been a fixture in Gray since 1971 and is well worth the visit to satisfy your sweet tooth.

And that’s a wrap for the town of Gray—we know there are things we may have overlooked about Gray—one thing is for certain tho, whether you live here or you’re just visiting you find your fill of things to do and see in this laid-back lakeside community.

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