Best Outdoor Recreation Near Portland, Maine - Cumberland Crossing by OceanView

Notorious for its beautiful coast and lush variety of landscapes, every quintessential New England experience you’ve imagined from the sea to the mountains is just a short drive away from the up-and-coming Portland area.

Interested in the best outdoor recreation Portland Maine has to offer? Keep reading to learn about our favorite outdoor recreation for active senior living!

Sail Casco Bay

Casco Bay is the gem of Portland, the coast that makes this waterfront city unique and beautiful. Calm waters make for easy and enjoyable seaward trips, whether you’re taking a ferry to one of the many coastal islands or chartering your own sailboat.

If you’re looking for an easy afternoon adventure, head out to the quaint Peaks Island, about 30 minutes by ferry out of Portland. Peaks is quite small, about 2 miles around, and is best seen by bike or golf cart. There is a tiny beach by the docks which is notorious for incredible sea glass that you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to grab an ice cream cone from Down Front before you hop back on the ferry home!

Explore Lighthouses

The lighthouses in the Portland area look to be straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting (his art studio is, in fact, located the next town over in Prouts Neck, Scarborough). They are picturesque – big crashing waves, jagged rocks and dramatic backgrounds will take your breath away. There are countless lighthouses along the coast of Maine, but the Portland area especially boasts some spectacular ones.

Portland Head Light – Cape Elizabeth, ME
The most well-known lighthouse in the area is the Portland Head Light, located in Fort Williams Park, which is an old military base that houses several historic bunkers and structures. The park is gorgeous, walkable, and great for flying kites on a windy day. There is a small rocky beach where you can sometimes spot seals bobbing in the water. Make sure you grab a lobster roll or fried seafood from the Bite Into Maine food truck that parks there!

Ram Island Ledge Light – Cape Elizabeth, ME
Keep an eye out for this lighthouse while you’re checking out the views of the Portland Head Light. Ram Island Ledge Light lives on a tiny rock “island” in the middle of the Casco Bay.

Two Lights State Park – Cape Elizabeth, ME
There are actually two lighthouses that can be viewed from Two Lights State Park. While you’re there, walk through the park and take in the stunning landscape. Plus, grab one of the best lobster rolls in town while taking in the view at Lobster Shack at Two Lights. Fun fact – it’s BYOB!

Portland Breakwater Lighthouse (also called ‘Bug Light’) – South Portland, ME
This lighthouse is tiny yet mighty. You can walk right up to it, which is the perfect spot for a late afternoon picnic by the water or a bit of fishing.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse – South Portland, ME
Located at the base of Southern Maine Community College and at the cusp of Willard Beach, you can step inside this lighthouse on a regular basis with weekend tours. To access it does require a walk down a breakwater, so keep an eye on the weather as it can get slippery.

Biking, Hiking & Walking Trails

With almost too many options to name, you can’t go wrong with any of Maine’s nature trails and hikes. Some of our favorites include:

Falmouth Community Park – Falmouth, ME
Bradbury Mountain – Pownal, ME
Jewell Falls Trail – Westbrook, ME
Mt. Blue State Park – Weld, ME
Mt. Agamenticus – York, ME
Mackworth Island – Falmouth, ME
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens – Boothbay, ME
Acadia National Park – Bar Harbor, ME
Saco Heath Preserve – Saco, ME

East Coast Skiing

There are an abundance of world-class ski resorts throughout Maine that make for the perfect winter weekend, all of them less than 3 hours away from the Portland area. Sugarloaf is the most well-known, boasting 1,200 ski-able acres with 163 trails and glades. Once you’ve exhausted your runs for the day, enjoy a beverage by one of the many crackling fire pits located outside the lodges. Sunday River is a slightly smaller mountain with about 870 ski-able acres, boasting a local feel and fun apres-ski options. Mt. Abram and Shawnee Peak are smaller mountains, standing as great options for beginning to intermediate skiers who are looking to make a shorter trip – they also offer night skiing for a discounted rate.

There is truly no better place to enjoy your retirement than in the breathtaking state of Maine. Cumberland Crossing by OceanView is centrally located, just a short drive from Portland and close to all the wonderful outdoor activities the area has to offer. To learn more about the advantages of retiring in Maine, contact us at Cumberland Crossing today!