Fryeburg & North Conway Area
This area is along the eastern edge of Maine and New Hampshire’s White Mountains (White Mountain National Forest), which offers many fun outdoor activities. If you are interested in hiking or exploring, we suggest visiting the National Forest or Appalachian Mountain Club website, going to a visitor center, or using an app like AllTrails to select an appropriate hike. Some trailheads are very busy, but generally you do not need reservations or permits for hiking in New England. Certain National Forest campsites require reservations.
Our favorite hikes closest to Fryeburg:
- Strenuous: Bald Faces (recommended route - Bald Face Circle Trail)
- Medium: Mount Kearsarge (there’s a beautiful old fire tower on top!)
- Easy: Black Cap (lots of driving up so you don’t have to hike as far)
- Super Easy: Jockey Cap (very short hike in Fryeburg with great views)
Water activities:
- Swimming holes: Emerald Pool (~1/2 mile walk from Bald Face parking area), Diana's Baths (very popular, easy access, and conveniently located just outside of North Conway)
- Saco River (kayaking, canoeing, floating - depending on water level)
- Lots of lakes!
Biking:
- Mountain biking: There are lots of good options in the area - visit Stan & Dan Sports or Red Jersey Cyclery in North Conway for rentals and appropriate recommendations.
- Road biking: The country roads around Fryeburg, Lovell, and Bridgton Maine are great for road biking. Experienced road bikers who are not afraid of hills may want to try riding Route 113 through Evans Notch (bordering NH/ME), or even the beautiful Kancamagus (“the Kanc”) Highway from Conway to Lincoln, NH.
Portland Area & Coastal Maine:
Portland is just 1.5 hours from Fryeburg. The Portland area offers a great food scene, beaches and rocky coastline, and beautiful summer weather.
Portland area classics:
- Fort Williams Park/Portland Headlight (famous local lighthouse)
- Lounge on the Eastern Prom (large park overlooking Casco Bay). Lots of food truck options on nice days.
- Ride the Casco Bay Ferry to Peaks Island (beach options + Battery Steele, historic abandoned fort on the back of the island)
- Local breweries: we love Rising Tide (in Bayside), Allagash, and Belleville
- Dancing at the iconic Bubba’s Sulky Lounge
- Restaurants: Too many to list. Visit Portland Food Map to explore!
Bowling:
- Candlepin Bowling (a New England classic!): Big 20 Lanes in Scarborough
- “Big ball bowling”: Bayside Bowl in Portland, home to Portland’s popular bowling scene and numerous PBA championships. Bonus: best roof deck in Portland.
Road Biking:
- North on Route 88 from Portland to Yarmouth, then loop west to North Yarmouth for a stop at Toots Ice Cream on Walnut Hill Road
- South on Route 77 from Portland through coastal South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Scarborough to Prouts Neck (this peninsula is home of Roger Goodell and formerly Winslow Homer). Beach and ice cream breaks available!
Beaches:
- Higgins Beach (great at low tide, best for surfing)
- Willard Beach (nice beach close to town, don’t miss Scratch Bakery and Willard Scoops)
- Scarborough Beach (classic Maine beach, also surfing beach)
- Pine Point Beach (Dana's childhood beach, great for long walks)
- Crescent Beach (Tillie’s favorite and free parking if you walk from Kettle Cove)
- Popham Beach (~1 hr from Portland, expansive and stunning beach and option to walk to island at low tide. Drive down the road and visit historic Fort Popham)
Downeast, Midcoast, & Northern Maine
If you have lots of time to explore, Maine has much more to offer further afield! If you are going to a popular location like Acadia National Park or Baxter State Park, you will need to plan in advance. However, there are many beautiful state parks and beaches throughout the state.
If you have questions or need more recommendations, just ask Maggie and Dana!