{"id":62264,"date":"2022-02-14T16:07:46","date_gmt":"2022-02-14T21:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themainemag.com\/?p=62264"},"modified":"2022-04-15T13:32:30","modified_gmt":"2022-04-15T17:32:30","slug":"three-destinations-for-bachelorette-and-bachelor-parties-in-maine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themainemag.com\/three-destinations-for-bachelorette-and-bachelor-parties-in-maine\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Favorite Destinations for Bachelorette and Bachelor Parties in Maine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Portland<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Whether you want lobster rolls<\/a> or fine dining, Portland\u2019s celebrated food and drink scene has it. But even if you\u2019re not visiting Maine\u2019s biggest city for the restaurants or breweries, you and your bridesmaids or groomsmen will have plenty to do and see while touring its historic streets, unique boutiques, and waterfront sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Greta Rybus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tasting Room Hopping
<\/strong>Maine has more breweries per capita than any other state, and the greatest concentration is found in Portland. If you want to spend an afternoon trying as many breweries as possible, head to Industrial Way<\/strong> or East Bayside<\/strong>. Home to one of Maine\u2019s original breweries, Allagash Brewing Company<\/a><\/strong>, Industrial Way is ground zero for the state\u2019s craft beer scene. The business park is home to about a half-dozen breweries, including Definitive Brewing Company<\/a><\/strong> and Austin Street Brewery<\/a><\/strong>. Parking is limited in the business park, so plan to take an Uber, Lyft, or taxi to get there. East Bayside, located on Portland\u2019s peninsula, has a wider range of tasting rooms, including non-beer options like Apr\u00e8s<\/a><\/strong>, which has its own hard cider and seltzer on tap, rum distillery Three of Strong Spirits<\/a><\/strong>, and rhubarb wine maker Eighteen Twenty Wines<\/a><\/strong>. The neighborhood is also near some of the city\u2019s best restaurants, many of which are up the street on Washington Avenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking to the Sea
<\/strong>Portland\u2019s best views are from Casco Bay<\/strong>, and there are numerous ways to get out on the water. For the adventurous groups, Portland Paddle does sea kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours and rentals. If you\u2019d rather have the wind do the work, there are a number of sailing charters out of Portland, including Portland Schooner Company<\/a><\/strong> and Maine Sailing Adventures<\/a><\/strong>. Explore Casco Bay\u2019s islands by catching a ferry ride on Casco Bay Lines<\/strong>. Or, if you just want to just tour the bay without getting off the boat, book a cruise on the ferry service\u2019s Mailboat Run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boothbay Peninsula<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The Boothbay region is home to postcard-perfect coastal villages that come alive each summer. There are plenty of inns and seasonal rentals available, and the central location in the state\u2019s southern midcoast allow for numerous excursions to other coastal destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Peter Frank Edwards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Oceanfront Exploration<\/strong>
The Boothbay region has all of the coastal beauty you\u2019ll want for a Maine bachelorette or bachelor party trip, and many of the sights are easily accessible. Visit Hendricks Head Beach<\/strong> to catch a glimpse of Hendricks Head Light<\/strong> or climb to the top of the tiny Kitten Island<\/strong> during low tide. Nearby is the Hendricks Head Preserve<\/strong>, with an easy half-mile hike through pine forests just steps away from the sandy beach. At Ovens Mouth Preserve<\/strong>, one of Maine\u2019s lesser-known gems, you may see fishing boats cruising through the calm, emerald-tinted water. The preserve\u2019s western peninsula has a longer, more challenging trail network, but both sides offer unique coastal sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dining with a View
<\/strong>There is no shortage of restaurants with oceanfront views, especially if your party wants local seafood. One of the most unique dining experiences can be found at Cabbage Island Clambakes<\/a><\/strong>. You\u2019ll catch a ride on the Bennie Alice from Boothbay Harbor to Cabbage Island, where you\u2019ll be treated to a traditional New England clambake, with two lobsters, steamers, chowder, potato, onion, egg, corn on the cob, and blueberry cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Forks<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

If your bridesmaids or groomsmen would prefer an adventure in the woods over relaxing by the ocean, head north to the Forks, where you\u2019ll find some of the East Coast\u2019s best whitewater rafting and numerous options for outdoor recreation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Sean Thomas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor Adventures
<\/strong>Named for the confluence of the Kennebec River<\/strong> and the Dead River<\/strong>, the Forks is a whitewater rafting destination. Some outfitters like Three Rivers Whitewater<\/a><\/strong> and Northern Outdoors<\/a><\/strong> offer lodging and dining in addition to rafting tours, but there are plenty of expert guides who will bring you out on the river, whether it\u2019s your first or fiftieth time. The region is also known for its wildlife, fishing, ATV trails, and hiking, including a short trail to the 90-foot-tall Moxie Falls.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Portland Whether you want lobster rolls or fine dining, Portland\u2019s celebrated food and drink scene has it. But even if you\u2019re not visiting Maine\u2019s biggest city for the restaurants or breweries, you and your bridesmaids or groomsmen will have plenty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":62275,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2815],"tags":[],"locations":[],"people":[],"class_list":["post-62264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to-videos"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n