Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Sebago Lake

"Four miles southeast of Portland on Cape Elizabeth, 90-acre Fort Williams Park is worth visiting simply for the panoramas and picnic possibilities. Stroll around the ruins of the fort, a late-19th-century artillery base, checking out the WWII bunkers and gun emplacements that still dot the rolling lawns (a German U-boat was spotted in Casco Bay in 1942). The fort actively guarded the entrance to Casco Bay until 1964. A favorite feature of the park is the Portland Head Light."

"It’s located within Fort Williams State Park and well worth a visit. The Press Hotel is a member of Autograph hotels so naturally everything about this place is immaculately designed!. Formerly a printing plant, the hotel redesigned the space with spacious rooms, (comfy king size beds and huge bathrooms!)."

"Just under a half hour from Kennebunkport is Fort Williams State Park and the Portland Head Light guarding the entrance to Portland Harbor. Commissioned by George Washington, the Portland Head Light is a Maine icon, and worth a selfie for sure."

"Fort Williams Park, on Cape Elizabeth, has rolling lawns dotted with bunkers and gun emplacements. Within the park stands the beloved, and much-photographed, Portland Head Light, the oldest of Maine’s 52 functioning lighthouses. It was commissioned by President George Washington in 1791 and staffed until 1989, when machines took over. The keeper’s house is now a museum, which traces the maritime and military history of the region."

"We stayed at Higgins Beachhotel, right next to the beach, then did a couple quick trips to check out Cape Elizabeth and its lighthouse as well as Fort Williams Park and the Portland Head lighthouse. We also noticed Scarborough is very family friendly and a much more affordable place to stop if Portland isn’t your thing (they’re about 15 minutes driving distance apart)"

"Just under a half hour from Kennebunkport is Fort Williams State Park and the Portland Head Light guarding the entrance to Portland Harbor. Commissioned by George Washington, the Portland Head Light is a Maine icon, and worth a selfie for sure."

"Not quite a zoo but a great place to view native Maine wildlife, this park is a bucolic reserve with picnic tables, short walking trails and animal enclosures. Residing here are various animals (30 species, including bears, moose, lynx, eagles, cougars and a beaver) that can't be released back into the wild because they were injured, orphaned, or raised in captivity."

"Be sure to spend some time shopping and grazing your way through Portland’s Old Port where you’ll find shopping galore. A popular stop is Duck Fat, for their fabulous fries cooked in you guessed it…duck fat. Another famed restaurant here is Eventide Oyster Co, renowned for their oysters and fresh seafood."

"Tucked in an out-of-the-way location away from the hustle and bustle of Portland's more touristy neighborhoods, Back Bay Grill is a quiet, contemporary spot that has been serving refined American and European cuisine for the past 20 years. Chef/Owner Larry Matthews presents an ever-changing seasonal menu of fresh seafood, prime meats and poultry, and organic salads and vegetables, using fresh locally sourced ingredients and regional produce. Signature dishes include seared foie gras, beef tartare, and handmade pasta plates, and the cuisine is accompanied by an indulgent wine list with vintages from around the world, as well as craft beers and craft cocktails."

"Chef-Owner Larry Matthews is revered among diners and colleagues alike, as there are few restaurants as iconic in Portland as The Back Bay Grill. Although the menu changes with the seasons, there are certain elements, like seared Hudson Valley foie gras, that always remain (albeit with different accompaniments), lest their disappearance start a riot among the loyal patrons. Technique-driven dishes like the sausage-stuffed chicken leg and the grilled rack of lamb conjure up a lost era of supper club dining that befits the supple leather banquettes, and the level of service and hospitality here is second to none throughout the city."

"The Back Bay Grill may be the perfect spot to go for a fancy evening out. This high-end restaurant is well known for its hand-rolled pasta and fantastic seafood dishes. Pop open a bottle of wine and enjoy an elegant dinner in low lighting for your next anniversary dinner in Portland, Maine."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. The Great Lost Bear has been a mainstay in the Portland area for years now, and for good reason. This small, yet popular restaurant serves up some of the most delicious and indulgent comfort food in the area!"

"Named after a small mining town in southwest Texas, which just so happens to be the home of America’s foremost chili cook-off, Terlingua focuses on small-batch BBQ and Tex-Mex fare. The ribs, pork shoulder, brisket and chicken are rubbed down with the house spice mix and slow-smoked until insanely tender — and have become so popular that the locals know to arrive in the early evening to make sure they get their fix before it’s all gone. Others come for the house chili, served in both a green and a red variety, as well as tamales, tacos and flaky empanadas filled with mushrooms, greens and fresh local cheese."

"The gist: Owners Pliny Reynolds and his wife, Melanie Kratovil, along with chef Wilson Rothschild brought Austin-style Tex-Mex barbecue to Portland’s Washington Avenue in 2015. After a short COVID closure, they’ve reopened in a larger space complete with a two-tiered outdoor deck and festive margarita garden. The food: From tortillas, hot sauces, and chile-laced vinegars to house-smoked meats cooked in a custom-built, wood-fired smoker, just about everything on chef Rothchild’s menu is made from scratch."

"Texas barbecue may not be the first thing you think you want when you go to the Northernmost part of the United States, but Terlingua might just change that. Think Tex-Mex-inspired dishes made with Maine ingredients, like a rotating ceviche or brisket with homemade tortillas and a decent mezcal, wine, and beer list. Their open-air deck and margarita garden are warmly welcoming (literally with their heat lamps) and large enough for relaxing or for kids to roam free."

"Four miles southeast of Portland on Cape Elizabeth, 90-acre Fort Williams Park is worth visiting simply for the panoramas and picnic possibilities. Stroll around the ruins of the fort, a late-19th-century artillery base, checking out the WWII bunkers and gun emplacements that still dot the rolling lawns (a German U-boat was spotted in Casco Bay in 1942). The fort actively guarded the entrance to Casco Bay until 1964. A favorite feature of the park is the Portland Head Light."

"It’s located within Fort Williams State Park and well worth a visit. The Press Hotel is a member of Autograph hotels so naturally everything about this place is immaculately designed!. Formerly a printing plant, the hotel redesigned the space with spacious rooms, (comfy king size beds and huge bathrooms!)."

"Just under a half hour from Kennebunkport is Fort Williams State Park and the Portland Head Light guarding the entrance to Portland Harbor. Commissioned by George Washington, the Portland Head Light is a Maine icon, and worth a selfie for sure."

"Though a mention of Portland, Maine still brings to mind lobsters for many, the city offers so much more than seafood. Gone are the days when everyone flocked to the waterfront district of Old Port. Impressive pockets of eateries have sprouted up in places like Longfellow Square, the east side of Washington Avenue and the historic West End."

"Located in the elegant Hyatt Place Portland in the Old Port, Evo Kitchen + Bar is a stylish Middle Eastern bistro that specializes in Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, bring the bold taste and flavors of the region to the heart of Portland. Boasting a chic, energetic vibe, Evo serves a seasonal menu of creative riffs on classic cuisine prepared with locally sourced and regional ingredients with dishes like Pork Sausage with Halloumi, Beef Kibbeh with Yogurt, Chicken and Onion Dolmades, and Skirt Steak. The cuisine is accompanied by craft cocktails made with fresh, local ingredients, five local Portland draft beers and a wine list featuring a wide variety of wines from around the world, including Greece, Spain, and Crete."

"This trendy eatery puts a Mediterranean spin on classic Maine dishes. Floor-to-ceiling windows make it great for people-watching, and you can also see the chefs working their magic in the open kitchen."