Freeport, which is situated on Casco Bay between Portland and Brunswick, provides travelers with a variety of things to do and stunning locations to see. Freeport, which is home to the LL Bean flagship store, is well-known as the epicenter of the classic outlet shopping experience and continues to draw large crowds as the northeast's premier shopping destination thanks to its steadily expanding selection of outlet retailers.

While shopping is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Freeport, it is by no means the only activity available. This is true not only because of LL Bean's outdoor activity centers, which encourage visitors to spend time outside and on the lake. Top family attractions include the state parks at Bradbury Mountain and Wolfe's Neck Woods, as well as the Desert of Maine and Blueberry Pond Observatory.

Our list of the top things to do in Freeport, Maine will help you determine which pursuits most appeal to you.

1. Examine the Maine Desert

The Desert of Maine was formerly a somewhat garish roadside attraction, but after Meela and Doug Headstand, Freeport natives, took control of it in 2018, it has transformed into a fun and instructive destination for people of all ages. The desert, which was formed by a glacier's dump of sand more than 12,000 years ago, was made visible when farming in the 1800s degraded the little topsoil that had accumulated over millennia.

Here, educating tourists about ecology is a top priority. As a result, you can find educational information all across the site explaining how this desert wound up in Maine, how people have used the land throughout history, and how nature is beginning to reclaim the dunes.

Although she is made of fiberglass, the bright camel that greets you as you enter the desert is much nicer than the real one that used to spit on travellers in the 1950s. You are welcome to stroll around the dunes, go to the Spring House, and take pictures by the Model T.

A renovated 1800s farmhouse museum and the Tuttle Barn, the final remnant of the farm's original owners, are also there.

The Gemstone Village is one of the best features for families. Kids enjoy it for its enigmatic labyrinth and gemstone excavation locations, and parents appreciate that each child can keep three gems without having to pay extra for a bag of sand. At the fossil dig and the secret sandbox, which are stocked with genuine and replica artefacts, there is still more digging to be done.

There is also a fantastic playground, so the kids will undoubtedly want to stay for a round of mini golf on the new course. They have a wonderful concession stand and shady picnic space if you're seeking for delicious and affordable meals.

On-site camping areas with A-frame cabins are also available. For the summer vacation season, the Desert of Maine is open from May through October.

In Freeport, Maine, at 95 Desert Road

2. Visit the Boot at the flagship L.L. Bean store

The main retail location of L.L. Bean is where it all began. With its expansive campus and three buildings perched on a hill above the rest of the commercial center, LL Bean's presence is still imposing even if it now more closely resembles a complex.

You should go to the main entryway and take a selfie with the L.L. Bean Boot even if you aren't into shopping for activewear and outdoor gear. This 16-foot-tall rubber-soled boot has become a recognised landmark in Freeport, and if you're lucky, you might be able to see their nearly-as-large Boatmobile.

The Discovery Park, a pleasant green area in front of the store, is a popular summertime location for outdoor events and live music. Both the campus and the actual store are very dog-friendly.

You can take all the time you need there before entering the store because the L.L.Bean Flagship Campus is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

In Freeport, Maine, at 95 Main Street

3. Browse the Freeport Village Station Outlets Until You Drop.

Freeport has a lot to offer, but let's face it, the majority of visitors come for the shopping. When the weather makes it difficult to engage in your preferred outdoor activities, browsing the outlet malls is one of the greatest things to do in Maine in the winter.

Customers can locate the majority of Freeport's retailers congregated around the L.L Bean complex, which is best recognized as the mecca of brand-name outlets. The most populated section is Freeport Village Station, which is home to a number of shops, including an Old Navy Outlet, Carter's, Orvis, Coach, Francesca's, J Crew, and Talbots (including, of course, another L.L. Bean shop).

Along with nearly as many eateries, Main Street is home to a number of additional stores, including American Eagle, LOFT, Patagonia, Jockey, North Face, and Sea Bags.

You may also go to the Freeport Antiques and Heirlooms Showcase, which is just next to the AE store, if you're looking for something a little different, or you can go another block south to find a lovely quilt shop and the When Pigs Fly bakery.

The Haberdashery, British Goods gift shop, and an excellent independent book store are just a few feet north of L.L. Bean on Main Street where you can buy premium secondhand apparel.

Between two L.L. Bean stores, there is a Ben & Jerry's, and across the street is a Starbucks, if you need a quick pick-me-up to keep going. Freeport offers cost-free parking for everyone.

4. Winslow Memorial Park Picnic with a View

The Delia B. Powers Winslow Memorial Park and Campground, run by the town of Freeport, has more than 100 waterfront campsites, as well as group recreation facilities and one furnished rental cabin with four bedrooms.

The park has a number of lovely nature trails that overlook the lake and is situated on a small point that divides Staples Cove from Casco Bay. Along with a beach, there is a sizable picnic area with an ocean view and a playground.

For a modest price, day visitors can also access the park. You can use the grill and picnic facilities, launch a boat (both trailered craft and personal watercraft are permitted), and go to the summer concert series, which frequently features live music.

RV campers should be advised that none of the sites have hookups and that the maximum number of consecutive nights is 14. From the end of May until the first day of October, the park is accessible for camping.

Freeport, Maine address: 10 Winslow Park Way

5. The L.L. Bean Flying Point Paddling Center offers kayaking lessons.

The L.L. Bean Flying Point Paddling Center is a great place to get top-notch instruction from the pros so that you can explore the coastal waters with assurance if you've always wanted to attempt sea kayaking but have been reluctant to strike out on your own.

From the fundamentals for beginners to specialist knowledge like advanced paddling techniques and marine navigation, they provide a wide selection of training. Private or group tours with durations ranging from a few hours to whole day are available.

The center also provides a range of escorted sightseeing excursions, such as individual and group tours of Casco Bay and the islands. You can also go on a full-fledged experience with a multi-day, women-only overnight camping tour.

Throughout the summer, there are additional kayak tours that take in the autumn foliage, the setting sun, and the full moon. The majority of kayaking courses and trips run from June through September, while some continue into October.

Paddling on Maine's lakes and rivers and sea kayaking might be very different from one another. When in doubt, always go sea kayaking with a native guide, especially if you're going into open ocean.

In Freeport, Maine, at 14 Marietta Lane

6. Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary

Visits to the Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary, one of the best free activities in Freeport, give visitors the chance to take in a range of natural environments in a tranquil environment.

Because so many ship masts were made from the trees cut down here in the 1700s, this 145-acre region was once a significant logging site. The property previously had multiple mills along Mill Stream, including a saw mill. The mills were destroyed in a fire in the middle of the 19th century, but the foundations may still be seen today. However, the residence of the mill master still exists and is used as the caretaker's home.

The refuge has a number of simple hiking trails. The Ridge Trail, which departs from the parking area and travels 1.6 miles through fields and a forest past the ruins of former mills, is the longest. The remaining routes, which diverge from the Ridge Trail to explore different parts of the preserve, are significantly shorter, measuring between 0.3 and 0.5 miles.

White-tailed deer and American mink may be seen, and a variety of migrant shorebirds may be seen by birdwatchers.

In Freeport, Maine, at 65 Upper Mast Landing Road

7. Gain Fresh Knowledge at the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery School

The L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery School is a sizable recreation facility that is located near Fogg Farm. This all-year-round sporting facility has lots to offer regardless of your hobbies. For all ages and ability levels, classes and guided excursions are available. They range from quick sessions to multi-day adventure trips that include all tents, equipment, and food.

You can pick up exciting new abilities like archery and clay-shooting in addition to more conventional activities like hiking, mountain biking, SUP, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Additionally, there are expert bird-watching sessions, fly-fishing and casting workshops, as well as outdoor first-aid and safety instruction.

Families will enjoy the kid's camps since they provide younger visitors a chance to meet new people and engage in physical activity while the grown-ups take care of the boring grownup stuff. Ages seven to thirteen are accepted for the summer sessions, and ages nine to thirteen for the winter sessions. They are offered as weekly or day programmed.

Also available is a week-long adolescent adventure camp for ages 13 to 16, which runs every week from June through August. There are also a number of women-only activities offered, including shooting classes and multi-day group adventure hikes.

They offer a wide range of paid lessons and excursions in addition to a number of free guided tours, the most of which take between one and two hours. Mountain bike excursions, SUP sessions on the Androscoggin River, and sea kayaking excursions in Casco Bay are all warm-weather activities. You can go on a guided cross-country ski or snowshoe excursion at Fogg Farm while there is snow on the ground.

In Freeport, Maine, at 11 Desert Road

8. The Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment is a great place to learn about nature.

This 600-acre working farm serves as an educational centre and is close to Wolfe's Neck State Park, but should not be mistaken with it. The Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment has beautiful paths that you may explore on your own, but its biggest feature is its top-notch programmers.

The center offers a wide range of seasonal educational tours and events with a focus on educating the younger generations about the significance of farming. The youngest guests can go on a nature walk to look for salamanders, play farmer with the laying hens, and cuddle up for story time in the barn.

All ages are welcome to participate in the guided goat hike, the naturalist-led tidal pool tour, and the vintage hayride. Daily viewing of the milking parlor is permitted between 4 and 5 o'clock, and the farm also provides canoe, kayak, and bike rentals.

Additionally, they provide a range of classes on subjects like growing winter vegetables, beekeeping, composting, making herbal salve, preserving, and pickling.

There are 150 campsites, including ones for tents and RVs, around the expansive seashore of the land if you truly adore it. Additionally, the farm has a café with a focus on farm-fresh food.

Location: Freeport, Maine, 184 Burnett Road

9. Pay a visit to the Freeport Historical Society.

Near the L. L. Bean main store, directly on Main Street, is where you'll find the Freeport Historical Society. The Harrington House, a brick Greek Revival house constructed around 1830, houses the museum's collections, exhibits, and administrative facilities.

Every year, the main exhibit within is updated, highlighting particular historical eras and locations. Past displays have looked at Mast Landing's past, the development of neighborhood commerce, and particular trades like cobbling and ironwork.

On-site resources include a sizable collection of antiquities and a sizable library.

Location: Freeport, Maine, 45 Main Street

10. Visit Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park to observe the Ospreys

More than 200 coastal acres of Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park are covered, and there are miles of trails to explore. The most well-known and best for viewing the ocean and islands is the Casco Bay route. Osprey choose to nest and enjoy their great real estate on one of these islands, Goggin's Island, each summer.

Give your kids an unforgettable winter vacation with a week's worth of activities at our February Break Kids' Camp in Freeport, Maine! Learn more and book today: https://t.co/8yhle3I0Md pic.twitter.com/B88KqDQGoG

— L.L.Bean (@LLBean) January 23, 2018

To find out exactly where to search, you can either take a guided nature walk or scout it out on your own. Just remember to bring your binoculars. The trail's viewing sites make it simple to see young osprey in their nests.

Check out the Feathers Over Freeport activities planned by the park if you're curious to learn more about ospreys and other local and migrating birds.

Address: Freeport, Maine, 426 Wolfe's Neck Road 12. 

11. Visit the Hedgehog Mountain Trail for hiking

The 196-acre park is home to a 2.9-mile loop trail that provides a straightforward climb to Freeport's highest point and is maintained by the Freeport Conservation Trust. Even though it is only 301 feet above sea level, the views are breathtaking. On the clearest of days, you can even see Mount Washington at New Hampshire's frozen tip from here.

You can skip the southern slope and continue straight up the summit trail if you don't feel like making the entire loop. This is a dog- and family-friendly hike that is well-liked by snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter.

In Freeport, Maine, at 100 Hedgehog Mountain Road

12. Discover Bradbury Mountain National Park

This charming Maine State Park offers camping, hiking trails, and day-use amenities just outside the Freeport town limits. Even though there is a minor entrance fee for the park, overnight camping for non-residents is only $18 per night.

A very detailed trail map with information on each route is available to visitors at the gate. There are various possibilities for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling on these year-round multi-use paths. The longest trail is 1.5 miles long, and each route is clearly signposted.

The park has a sizable shaded area with restrooms and a playground whether you're searching for a quiet spot for a picnic or a wonderful area for the kids to run around. Both dogs and horses are welcome in the park as long as they stay on designated trails and have responsible adults on hand to clean up after them if the need arises.

13. Visit the Blueberry Pond Observatory to View the Stars

Blueberry Pond Observatory provides a singular opportunity to learn about astronomy while using their big telescope and an ultra-powerful digital camera. The observatory is tucked away from the lights and commotion of civilization.

Each session is customized to the attendees' interests and level of experience rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, guaranteeing that you'll always learn something new. Questions regarding their celestial machinery or the enigmas of the cosmos are welcomed.

You can even retain some of the images you captured of the night sky after your session. Sessions are scheduled in advance.

In Pownal, Maine, at 355 Libby Road

14. Explore Pettengill Farm, please

The Freeport Historical Society owns and runs Pettengill Farm, which is home to numerous historic features dating to artefacts of Indigenous peoples. Self-guided tours of the property's trails and historical sites are available to visitors.

Highlights include the original Pettengill family dug well, a sizable bowl-shaped stone thought to have been used by Native Americans as a grinding stone, and the ruins of a dock and brickyard from the early 19th century.

The farmhouse itself isn't open every day, but it is accessible by appointment and during special occasions like an annual celebration in October.

31 Pettengill Road, Freeport, Maine is the address of Pettengill Farm.

15. View the Eartha Globe to See the World Rotate

Although it technically isn't in Freeport, you shouldn't miss this distinctive destination. This enormous globe, which can be found in the lobby of the Garmin offices in Yarmouth, was created by the mapmaker DeLorme in 1998.

During regular business hours, visitors can approach up close to observe the three-story globe's 23.5-degree rotation on its axis. Don't worry if you are passing by at any other time; it is illuminated throughout the night and is visible through the glass wall.