Family Activities

Create unforgettable family memories aboard Morning in Maine, a beautiful 55-foot sailboat cruising the scenic waters of Penobscot Bay. Whether you hop on for a morning, afternoon, or sunset sail, your two-hour cruise is packed with fun and discovery. Spot seabirds, harbor seals, and lighthouses as you relax on deck—or jump into the action and lend a hand in sailing the boat!

Families will especially love the Science Under Sail cruises, where a science educator leads hands-on activities using real oceanographic tools—perfect for curious kids. For a bigger adventure, set off on the six-hour trip to Monroe Island, ME, complete with beachcombing, hiking, and a lobster picnic lunch. Looking for something more personal? Private charters are also available.

Create some family memories that will last a lifetime when you book a rafting trip with family owned and operated Crab Apple Whitewater in Maine. Experienced guides will lead you on extraordinary journeys on the Kennebec and Dead Rivers, from dramatic plunges and huge rolling waves to smaller rapids where you can get out and float next to your self-bailing raft. At the base camp on the Kennebec River, you’ll find a heated outdoor pool, paintball fields and a conference room where you can watch video of your day’s adventure. Lodging at the base camp runs from bunk-style rooms to suites with whirlpool tubs, and there’s a welcoming pub and restaurant. Stay over two nights and spend a day hiking to Maine’s highest waterfall, Moxie Falls.

Get your tickets to the zoo at yorkzoo.com - Use the promo code VNEzoo25 to receive $2 off each adult ticket you purchase. In order to get this discount, you must buy your tickets online only. Discount codes may NOT be used at the in person ticket box. 

Create unforgettable family memories with our extensive activity program at Huttopia Southern Maine. Children love our heated swimming pool and sandy beach area at Sand Pond, perfect for building sandcastles and safe water play. Family favorites include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and exploring our forest trails. Evening entertainment features nightly campfires with s’mores, live music, magic shows, and outdoor movie screenings under the stars. Our game room offers ping-pong, foosball, and board games for rainy days. During summer, join organized activities like guided nature walks, children’s games, yoga classes, and our popular storytelling sessions. The main lodge creates a welcoming gathering space with string lights, hammocks, and comfortable lounge areas where families naturally connect.

The whole family will enjoy a trip along Portland, Maine’s waterfront in a historic narrow gauge railway coach, a perfect place to go during your next vacation when you are searching for fun family activities. Magnificent views of Portland's working waterfront aboard antique rail cars pulled by steam and diesel locomotives. Discover the unique two-foot gauge trains that linked rural Maine to the rest of the world. The museum is open daily from May 1 to October 31, and seasonally for special events such as the Christmastime Polar Express trains.

Built in 1754, this National Historic Landmark is America's oldest surviving wooden fort. Visitors can tour the fort and its store, which contains hundreds of farming and forestry tools essential to the economic life of the settlement.
Hours: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10am - 4pm. ; Check website for winter season dates & times.

Interactive exhibits at this Museum and theater span four floors, and special programming is offered daily. Features and exhibits include Toddle Park, Tide Pool Touch Tank, a rock climbing wall, the Space Shuttle, and the Music Garden, all great options for family activities on your next vacation or trip to Maine. Programs change frequently. Fun for all ages, but best for children younger than 12.
Hours: Open Wednesday thru Monday 9am - 4pm. Closed Tuesdays. General admission is $15.

This 33-mile railroad line is one of the oldest continuously operating railroads in the United States. Scenic excursion trips leave from the historic depot in Unity at noon on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, following a turntable demonstration at 11:30 a.m.