When we found out we would be driving past the world's largest rotating globe, we knew we had to…read morestop. Luckily for us it ended up being late in the evening so it was very dark and quiet and peaceful when we pulled in. Because it was so late we didn't end up going inside, but you really don't need to. We stood for about 15 minutes and watched her through the glass rotating slowly. It's actually quite beautiful to see and it's one of those things where you have to see it in person to really understand it. This could easily have been a 5-minute stop, or if we had come during the day, most likely a much longer stop because I would have wanted to go inside and examine everything close up. If you're driving through the area, especially after dark. It's definitely worth a quick detour. It's simple, unique, and it's way cooler in person than you can tell from the photos.

Fun stop on US 1 between Portland and Freeport. It used to be the DeLorme map company now it is…read moreGarmin. It is nice they kept Eartha in their lobby. Eartha is visible from the road and can be visited during business hours. Eartha is the world's largest rotating globe measuring over 41 feet and 5,600 pounds and is to scale. There is a coffee shop in the lobby and chairs around the lobby to sit and admire Eartha. There is educational material on the wall. Eartha is worth a quick stop if traveling between Portland and central/northern Maine

One of Boothbay Harbor's calling cards, the Pedestrian Footbridge. While not very long, it takes…read moreyou over the water and offers some nice views, albeit brief. While nothing exciting, this is definitely one of the things where it's about appreciating the little things. Its just a short wooden bridge across the water, but at the same time its so much more.

What a cool spot! We went to explore boothbay harbor and we didn't know this bridge was here. It…read moreconnects the two sides so you can go shopping and check out some other spots. They also have benches where you can just sit and enjoy the view. The history is also super neat!

If you are passing through Bath or Edgecomb this is a great quick stop, it is a quick detour of US…read more1. There is a small gravel parking lot. There are a lot of picnic tables which would be great for a lunch with a beautiful water view. You can walk down some cobblestone stairs towards the water. It is a 2 story octagonal shaped fort built in 1809 to protect the port of Wiscasset. It was active during the War of 1812 holding British prisoners and reactivated again for during the Civil War. It was purchased by the state of Maine in 1923 for $501. I recommend stopping at Fort Edgecomb if you are in the area.

Gorgeous hidden spot! Walked around the grounds-beautiful 180 degree views. Picnic tables available.read more

Super cool suspended rope bridge. I went a a drizzly day and it was awesome. The parking lot is…read morereally small and has about 5 spots for cars. I walked across the the river and back. There are great views of the river. I jumped up and down at a couple of spots and could definitely feel the bridge swing. Definitely would visit again.

We love swinging bridges so we made sure to make a stop at this one. It happened to be raining when…read morewe were on our way through this area but we didn't let that stop us. If anything, the fact that it was dusk and the rain was so gentle, kind of made the whole experience feel more visceral and intimate. The bridge itself is really beautiful with great views of the river on both sides. There's definitely enough movement so that you don't forget you're on a swinging bridge, but it didn't feel unsafe and even our little dog was fine walking back and forth across it. My husband and I hung out in the middle for a while, enjoying the views, cuddled in the cool wet air. It was actually pretty romantic. We probably spent about 15 or 20 minutes here and in that time multiple people crossed the bridge and at least five or six stopped to take photos in front of it, including a group of 4 that asked us to take their photo for them (pictured below) so this is a busy area even in the rain. But once you're here, you know why because it's a pretty cool experience. I definitely recommend a quick stop here if you can make the time.

While at Fort Williams Park we were able to check out the remains of the Abandoned Ruins of the…read moreGoddard Mansion located there! Very Eerie yet beautiful at same time! Surrounded by fencing but still in few view along the coast there!Built in 1870s! Free to enjoy!

Just at the very tail end of the day, we raced to see our final lighthouse of this Saturday tour…read more Arriving just at sunset, it is located at the end of about a mile or so of dirt road that could use some love from the local town transportation department. Yes, it's private property. And if they want to keep people off it, they can do what the folks at the Hendrick's Head Light did - post signs and enforce them. Located on the Kennebec River, the lighthouse was established in 1898 and remains an active aid to navigation today. It points out a sharp turn in the river for those going to or from the Bath Iron Works. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The light station includes a tower, keeper's house, shed, and oil house. The tower is an octagonal wood frame structure, finished in wooden shingles, with an iron walkway around the lantern chamber. It is accessed via a three-span footbridge. Around the base of the lighthouse, there are some spots where you can walk out to get different angles. Some interesting driftwood on the ground if that's something that interests you. [Review 14897 overall, 399 of 2021, number 79 in Maine.]

We visited this historic lighthouse on our recent vacation, but as others have previously mentioned…read moreI would not return because it feels like you are, and in fact you are, in someone's backyard. I have no idea how or why such an arrangement arose, but it is is odd to say the least. Also, the access road is not not well maintained so be aware. The lighthouse itself is very interesting and it affords a nice view of the Kennebec river.

This is a historic statue of John Ford. He was a famous movie director and did a lot of John Wayne…read moremovies. If you're into older statues and the history of this sort of thing such as directing walk by and check it out. It's out on the street corner so it's not the easiest thing to find. He was raised and we lived in Newport Rhode Island for many years.

I purchased a combo ticket with the Historical Society Museum and Wadsworth House. The house was…read moreworth it. The docent was very amiable and informative. He was able to answer every question put forth. The rooms were well maintained and very interesting. Loved seeing the antiques.

Why do I love the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Monument? 1. He…read morealways has the most seasonally appropriate flowers and other flora decorating his base (well done, City of Portland). Oh, and for winter, the trees in his little park are a-glow with color (some years it's blue and green lights; some it's purple and red... why does this make me happy sigh?). And now some poetry: "The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." 2. He is home to some serious Congress St. characters.. Some more poetry, say I: "If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." 3. He dresses up for Christmas. I don't know of any other statue that dresses up for Christmas, do you? Annually, ole H. W. Longfellow pulls out his knitted scarf and beautifully decorated gifts, and tackles the season head-on. Good on him for getting his shopping done so early each year. One more poetry-bit for old times sake: "I heard the bells on Christmas Day/Their old, familiar carols play,/And wild and sweet/The words repeat/Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" (It's a really cool statue, okay?)