Destination - Maine

For those in Yarmouth County, the ferry provides an often-overlooked mode of transportation to the U.S., especially for foot passengers.

Pat Eltman, director of the Maine office of Tourism describes her state as “a four-season, world-class destination that 140,000 people are working very hard to keep”.

“Once you come to Maine, as with Nova Scotia, you always want to come back,” she said.

Public transportation to continue south of Portland is readily available. Visitors can choose between bus or train to major cities like Boston or New York for a very low cost.

Three miles from the Ocean Gateway terminal where the Cat docks is the Portland Transportation Centre where Concorde Coach buses depart several times daily and the Amtrak Downeaster offers regular service to Boston.

Bus fare is $35 round trip to Boston’s South Station (which connects to subway system) and $48 return for the train.

“They make Boston and New York so much more accessible,” says Jenn Tomlinson, manager of visitor information centres at the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland in Maine.

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Must see attractions in Maine

www.visitmaine.com

Bar Harbor:

Mount Desert Island

Home to Acadia National Park, this island off the coast of Maine with its beaches, sweeping cliffs and mountains offers visitors numerous recreational activities, from hiking, biking and following nature trails to swimming, sailing and kayaking.

In addition to the many activities available in Acadia, the Bar Harbor area has a diverse selection of activities that include a zoo, an Oceanarium, and museums. Tourists can also enjoy rock climbing, paddling, and sailing, tours of breweries, local cruises, and golf. If you want to do a little shopping, take a stroll through the unique boutiques and shops that feature regional art and crafts.

In Portland:

Step aboard the extraordinary at the Portland Schooner Co. with two- hour public sails and overnight windjammer cruises aboard the Maine-built 72-and 88-foot classic wooden schooners, Bagheera (1924) and Wendameen (1912). Toll free: 1-87-schooner.

Discover three centuries of art and architecture at the Portland Museum of Art, open everyday during the summer. Free admission. www.portlandmuseum.org

The Portland Observatory Museum (1807) is the only historic maritime signal tower in the U.S. Guided tours and spectacular views of Portland and Casco Bay. www.portlandlandmarks.org

Travel on to Boston or New York:

Concord Coach: www.concordcoachlines.com

Downeaster information

www.amtrakdowneaster.com