3 Ways to Make the Most of Your Family Vacation
- At February 20, 2022
- By admin
- In Maine Vacation News
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As a child, you have always looked forward to vacations with the family, some of which are the best memories you have ever had. Now that you have a family of your own, you want your children to build happy memories, too. Family vacations are essential, not only because of the beautiful memories they leave but because it provides respite from everyone’s daily routine. Work and school can be stressful, and everyone looks forward to breaking away even for a while, to relax and recharge in the company of loved ones. Studies even show that time spent with your family away from your usual routine improves your health and puts everyone in a positive state of mind.
Read More»What To Know Before Your Maine Road Trip
- At October 22, 2018
- By admin
- In Maine Vacation News
- 0
Road trips represent 39% of the vacations that United States travelers take each year. The top two reasons are the flexibility of being able to stop along the way and of being able to pack whatever and however much people want to take in the car. Seeing as the coastal part of Maine is home to one of the most scenic road trip routes down US Route 1, there is a lot to see and do by car in the beautiful Pine Tree State. In order to take advantage of all that Maine has to offer and really optimize your travel experience, however, you’ll want to be fully equipped with a few tips before heading out to the open road.
Choosing the right road trip vehicle
One of the great things about traveling through Maine’s coastline is that there aren’t any cliff-hugging curves here, which means you can choose just about any car you’d like to indulge in a little coastal exploration. However, depending on when you travel through the state, you might want to splurge on a convertible as the summer months and zipping down the roads near the Acadia National Park will make for a beautiful, unforgettable experience. If you are looking to go green and reduce the impact you’re having on Maine’s environment, try going with a smart car that has off-road capabilities for combined safety and convenience.
Understanding Maine’s driving laws
If you live in the US then you won’t really need to equip yourself with much additional knowledge. There are a few different driving rules, however, such as the fact that it’s illegal to drive barefoot in Maine as well as drive too slowly in the passing lane on a highway. You’re also not allowed to have an open container of alcohol anywhere in the car, even in the backseat, but it is legal to have headphones in while driving in Maine. A valid driver’s license and up-to-date car insurance are required and will be necessary when renting a car to travel through Maine as well.
Visiting the most scenic routes
The cascading coastlines that are native to Maine provide some of the most stunning views you’ll get to witness all across the United States. Maine offers travelers diverse landscapes such as the Western Mountains and the rugged Downeast coastline, making it a dream for any individual or family looking to road trip up the coast. You can choose from All-American roads, national scenic byways or Maine scenic byways depending on the style and interests of your group.
The best way to visit Maine
While it’s debatable as to what’s the best way to visit Maine, there’s no doubt that visiting any place this beautiful by car is a great idea. From the freedom to get up and go whenever and wherever you want to the ability to access roads and places that you wouldn’t otherwise get to visit, traveling Maine by car is a great way to enhance your experience here and really immerse yourself in the local culture.
Start Planning for Maine’s Fall Foliage Season
AUGUSTA, Maine – While the State of Maine is enjoying an abundance of sunshine and beautiful late summer weather, now is the time to start planning your fall foliage trip. Beginning Wednesday, September 9, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) and the Maine Office of Tourism will provide an update on gradual change in leaf color from north to south culminating in peak conditions in late-October.
“Maine fall foliage is world-renowned and draws visitors from all over the country and around the globe,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “The fall foliage season is an example of how Maine welcomes visitors and is ‘Open for Business.’ Anyone can see the best places to go by visiting the fall foliage website and through weekly foliage updates.”
DACF Commissioner Walt Whitcomb noted that the Department’s forestry employees have been reporting foliage color changing conditions since 1959. “The Department’s fall foliage website got over 500,000 page views last year,” said Whitcomb. “Many people and businesses use Maine’s fall foliage season to showcase products, events and the beauty of the entire state. We encourage families to enjoy this colorful season and use the website and weekly foliage updates to plan trips this month into October.”
Maine’s official fall foliage website: www.mainefoliage.com has a number of resources, links to scenic byways and to the Maine office of tourism. State officials are optimistic that the 2015 fall foliage season will be spectacular.
According to Bill Ostrofsky, Forest Pathologist within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, “The overall timing of peak color change will be near average this year – about the last week in September through the first week in October for the Augusta area; a bit earlier North, and a bit later South. With a return to cooler temperatures (more typical of what we have seen all year, with the exception of the past ten days or so), we should be in for a glorious season.”
To produce the weekly report on fall foliage conditions, DACF forest rangers submit on-the-ground observations each week throughout the reporting season (September 9 through October 21, with a final report on October 28 if needed) at www.mainefoliage.com – Maine’s official fall foliage website. The site includes a map indicating current foliage conditions with a useful foliage color key that is updated weekly. Visitors to the site can also find information on Facebook.
While navigating the website, leaf peepers can register to receive weekly reports and submit their favorite fall foliage photos. The site also provides information about complimentary ranger-led fall foliage tours in Maine State Parks.
Generally, the northern region of Maine is at or near peak the last week of September into the first week of October. Central, Southern and Western mountains are nearing peak conditions October 6 through October 18. Coastal Maine reaches peak conditions October 13 through 25.
Now is the time to plan a late-September getaway to Zone 6 and 7 in northeastern and northwestern Maine which includes Fort Kent, Caribou and Presque Isle to experience the first colors of autumn. There are scenic driving tours recommended on www.mainefoliage.com for the St. John Valley Cultural Byway and the Aroostook County circuit.
Maine’s Fall Foliage Season on Tap to be One of the Best Ever
Augusta, ME (September 11, 2013) The official start of the fall foliage season begins today in Maine. The 2013 Fall Foliage Report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry reports that the northernmost part of the state is experiencing subtle color changes of less than 30% with very low leaf drop at less than 10%. However, the state anticipates an outstanding foliage season according to the Maine Forest Service.
“The native maples, particularly the red and sugar maples, which are considered to provide the great backdrop of seasonal color, have vigorous, healthy foliage with no notable problems. Given our moderate summer weather, and allowing for this trend into the fall, I expect an outstanding vibrant show, overall,” said Bill Ostrofsky, forest pathologist for the Maine Forest Service.
Maine Wildlife Park Opening for the 2012 Season
- At April 13, 2012
- By admin
- In Maine Events, Maine Vacation News
- 0
GRAY MAINE — The Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray will be opening for the 2012 season at 9:30am on Saturday April 14th this year. With close to 97,000 visitors during 2011, we are looking forward to welcoming both returning and new folks this year.
Visitors will be enjoying a new, state of the art mountain lion exhibit, funded by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park and the Park itself. This new, spacious exhibit is a total of 3500 square feet, the largest exhibit of its kind in New England! It features boulders, caves and large trees to simulate cougar’s natural habitat; as well as large glass viewing panels the length of the exhibit to allow for wonderful viewing and photography opportunities.
With the relocation of the mountain lions, our 4 bobcats have moved into the former cougar exhibit, giving them much more room to roam both horizontally and vertically. This active family of wild cats should provide great viewing for Park visitors.
In 2011, over 8100 visitors took advantage of our free, guided audio tour of the park’s exhibits via their own personal cell phones! By dialing the access number provided, and punching in the number of the exhibit they’d like to hear more about, a short recording gives fun wildlife facts, information and history about the individual animal(s) being viewed. The most popular animals were surprisingly the fisher and the raccoon – for the 2nd year in a row!
Over 20 weekend events have been scheduled throughout the summer and into the fall, as well. Our kick off day is May 5, with Maine’s Big Cats and the grand opening of the new Mountain Lion Exhibit. Other weekend presentations throughout the summer include the Endangered Species Coalition, Sparks Ark, ATV Maine, the Ancient Ones, Maine Apple Day and much more. The Final Charge, a museum quality re-creation of the final battle between 2 adult bull moose with antlers locked together will be exhibited at the park through the week of August 18th.
The wildlife park will be open just in time for school vacation in April, so pack up the kids and a picnic and plan a day long visit. There’s plenty to see and do, with lots of room for the kids to roam. Hope to see you this year!
Basic Information
The Maine Wildlife Park has over 30 species of native wildlife on display, plus wildlife gardens, nature trails, a fish hatchery and other interactive exhibits and displays. The park is open daily from April 15 through November 11th from 9:30am-4:30pm; visitors must exit the premises by 6:00pm.
Admission to the park is free for ages 3 and under; $5.00 ages 5-12; $7.00 for adults, and $5.00 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more are $3.50 per person. Bring a picnic and spend the day! Family and Community Season Passes are available, and are an incredible bargain for families and groups that visit the park several times over the course of the summer.
The Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The park exists to promote an understanding and awareness of the wildlife, conservation and habitat protection programs and projects of MDIFW.
A summer series of wildlife exhibits and demonstrations provided for our visitors are offered throughout the season at the MAINE WILDLIFE PARK, located on Route 26 in Gray. ‘Summer Wildlife Days’ are held on consecutive weekends through the summer, and are sponsored by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park. Presenters featuring a variety of wildlife topics set up their exhibits and demonstrations from roughly 11:00am to 2:00pm (unless otherwise noted) on most Saturdays and some full weekends. We encourage our visitors to stop by, observe, ask questions and even participate in some activities.
A popular and unusual ‘Night Visit’ is also scheduled, when the park opens on a moonlight evening for a Saturday July 14th ‘Predators of the Night Visit’ from 7:30-9:30pm. The ever growing and very popular “Halloween Fest” will run on both Friday and Saturday nights this year, October 19 and 20, from 6-9pm.
The Wildlife Park Nature Store is full of new wildlife and nature merchandise for all ages; and the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park ‘Snack Shack’ sells ice cream, soda and light snacks, with all monies raised donated to the Wildlife Park for wildlife exhibit improvements and new construction.
For more information about any of these programs, please call the Maine Wildlife Park at 207-657-4977; or visit us out online at www.mainewildlifepark.com, www.mefishwildlife.com or on Facebook!
Gems of Route 26
Rich in culture, ecology and history, the Maine Wildlife Park, Shaker Village, Poland Spring Inn and Resort, Poland Spring Preservation Society, Poland Spring Preservation Park, Harvest Hill Farm and the grounds of McLaughlin Garden truly are “The Gems of 26.”
Visitors are encouraged to go and experience the park, as well as five other unique sites — all less than an hour from each other on the picturesque Route 26 in Western Maine. Route 26 connects Western Maine to the rest of the State via Maine Turnpike’s exit 63 in Gray; meandering through gorgeous countryside and boasting culturally, historically, and ecologically significant attractions. Just thirty minutes north of Portland, a family can spend a day or several days visiting all five important and interesting destinations for very little money – a true value. www.gemsof26.com