While the town of Freeport, Maine is famous for shopping, having been voted as "Best Weekend of Shopping in New England,” there is much more it has to offer visitors than outlet stores. Nicknamed the “Birthplace of Maine,” the town boasts a rich history with colonists gathering at Jameson Tavern, which still operates today, to plan a separation from Massachusetts back in 1820. Thanks to the Freeport Historical Society, there are also numerous historic buildings that can still be seen today. The area also offers plenty of opportunities to get out into nature and explore the outdoors.
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park covers over two hundred acres of land in Freeport, located on a peninsula between the Harraseeket River and Casco. Even though it’s only minutes away from the middle of town, the diverse terrain will make visitors feel like they're in a completely different place.
Popular recreation activities in the park include bird watching, clamming, boating, and kayaking. Tours and programs are offered as well. There are also opportunities for hiking on around five miles of trails winding along the seacoast and through pine tree forests. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also possible in Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park during the winter months.
426 Wolfe's Neck Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, Phone: 207-865-4465, Map
Desert of Maine
One of the state’s most unique tourist attractions, the Desert of Maine is a forty-acre natural phenomenon, an area of glacial silt that’s surrounded by vegetation. However, it’s not a “true desert” since it receives a good amount of rainfall. The area has become a popular attraction in the Freeport area, featuring a barn museum and offering guided tours. Children can look for gemstones in the sand or climb the natural playground. The Desert of Maine also provides camping facilities, as well as a disc golf course open from the beginning of May until the winter season.
Desert of Maine, 95 Desert Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, Phone: 207-850-3025
Wolfe's Neck Farm
The mission of the Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment in Freeport, Maine is to transform people’s relationship with food and farming for “a healthier planet.” Set on more than six hundred acres of carefully preserved coastal landscape, the center includes a demonstration farm, historic buildings, wooded trails, an oceanfront campground, gardens designed for both adults and children, and a campus serving as a hub for exploration and education. Open seven days a week to visitors,
Wolfe's Neck offers opportunities for bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and hiking. Guests can also simply wander the grounds and visit the animal barns.
Wolfe's Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, Phone: 207-865-4469
Freeport Historical Society
The Freeport Historical Society has been around for more than fifty years and has played an active role in creating an inventory of historic districts and buildings throughout the area. Headquartered in the Harrington House, which dates back to 1830, the historical society was founded in 1941 by Hillbert Johnson, the historian and judge of Freeport at the time, along with several other members of the community.
The Freeport Historical Society has a Reception Room in which it displays a variety of artifacts showcasing the town’s character and history, such as a 1777 13-star flag and items from the American Revolution.
Freeport Historical Society, 45 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032, Phone: 207-865-3170
Mast Landing Sanctuary
The Mast Landing Sanctuary in the New England town of Freeport has a primary mission of providing a natural refuge for a variety of different species of wildlife.
However, while the sanctuary primarily exists for the benefit of the animals, the Mast Landing Sanctuary along the Harraseeket Estuary is also open to the general public, offering trails for visitors to use to explore the area and possibly catch a glimpse of the wildlife that call it home. During the summer months, the area is a popular spot among locals for hiking, as well as cross-country skiing during the winter season.
Mast Landing Sanctuary, 65 Upper Mast Landing Rd, Freeport, ME 04032, Phone: 207-781-2330
Jameson Tavern Restaurant
The Jameson Tavern Restaurant is a popular place to go in Freeport, Maine to dine on fresh local seafood, as well as several other dishes that are made to order.
The history restaurant, which dates back to the year 1779, offers something for a wide range of palates, from burgers paired with a local microbrew to the traditional Maine lobster delicacy. A first-come, first-serve eatery, the menu at Jameson Tavern includes award-winning chowders and soups, a variety of appetizers, tavern favorites, sirloin steaks, seafood cakes, and more. The tavern is open daily, but closes earlier on Sundays during the winter.
Jameson Tavern Restaurant, 115 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032, Phone: 207-865-4196
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