Memorial Day might mark the unofficial start of summer, but plenty of Mainers will tell you it doesn’t really feel like summer until the Fourth of July — when the rain finally tapers off, and the water gets warm enough to swim in. However you count it, Labor Day has a way of sneaking up fast. Here are 10 ways to make the most of Southern Maine before summer slips into fall and it’s time to head back into the classroom.
1.
Cool off at a new swimming spot
Southern Maine’s beaches, rivers, and lakes are calling — here are seven worth adding to your summer rotation.
East End Beach
This small beach right on Portland’s Eastern Promenade has great island views and is perfect for a quick dip on a hot day. It’s also one of the city’s best seaglass hunting spots, especially at low tide.
Kettle Cove
This rocky cove in Cape Elizabeth is protected from the wind, making it a calm, easy spot for a swim. Grab a picnic table overlooking the water and stay for sunset — the view here is unbeatable.
Higgins Beach
For those who want actual waves, Higgins Beach in Scarborough delivers. Try your hand at surfing, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, or just splash around in the waves.
Ferry Beach
Tucked away in Scarborough, Ferry Beach is quiet, scenic, and a little more under-the-radar than some of the bigger beaches nearby. Perfect for when you want fewer crowds.
Presumpscot River Preserve
Skip the ocean chill and float down warmer river water instead. Located in Portland, the Presumpscot River Preserve offers a gorgeous walk along the shore, calm water perfect for swimming, and excellent birdwatching along the way.
Shaw Park
Right in Gorham on the Presumpscot River, Shaw Park has a designated swimming beach — plus a grassy area for picnicking and a launch if you want to bring a kayak or paddleboard. Close enough to campus for a quick after-class dip.
Tassel Top Beach
For lake lovers, Tassel Top is hard to beat. Sebago Lake’s turquoise, crystal-clear water — and, of course, no sharks — make this sandy beach a favorite.
2.
Island hop across Casco Bay
Casco Bay Lines connects Portland to a handful of islands, each with its own personality. The Busky can get you from campus right to the ferry terminal, so you don’t even need a car to start the adventure:
Peaks Island
The classic choice — just a 15-minute ferry ride from Portland. Grab lunch downtown, check out the Umbrella Cover Museum (just trust me on this one), then head to Sandy Beach to relax. Before catching the ferry back, stop for ice cream at Down Front.
Long Island
A 45-minute ferry ride takes you to this quieter island. Pack a picnic and bring a bike if you’ve got one — it’s a quick ride to South Beach, where white sand meets blue water. Craving something sweet? Stop by Byers & Sons Long Island Bakehouse before heading back.
Chebeague Island
The furthest out at 60-90 minutes, Chebeague feels worlds away from the mainland. Grab lunch or a snack at the Chebeague Island Inn, then spend the afternoon at Hamilton Beach.
Don’t want to get off the boat?
Take the Mailboat Run instead. This working ferry delivers mail and freight to the islands while you sit back and take in the views — 2.5 to 3.5 hours of pure Casco Bay scenery, passing lighthouses and old forts along the way.
3.
Treat yourself to Maine-made ice cream
A scoop in hand is basically required gear for a Maine summer. Here’s where to start:
Beal’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream
Right in Gorham, Beal’s is a longtime local favorite with flavors for days. The closest stop to campus, and worth the short trip.
Sammy’s Scoops
Walking distance from USM’s Portland campus, Sammy’s serves Gifford’s ice cream and dozens of soft serve flavors. Grab a cone and take the scenic walk around Back Cove to and from campus.
Smiling Hill Farm
This Westbrook dairy farm has been making ice cream from its own cows since 1720. Grab a cone at the Ice Cream Barn, then wander over to the barnyard to meet the goats, sheep, and the rest of the crew.
Toots Ice Cream
Out in North Yarmouth, Toots serves homemade ice cream out of an old red caboose parked on a working farm. Wander the fields with your cone before heading back to campus. It’s a little out of the way, but that’s part of the charm — it’s definitely not your typical ice cream run.
4.
Catch live music outdoors
Summer in Southern Maine means live music almost every night of the week, and good news — most of it is free.
Gorham Summer Concert Series
Right on Gorham’s Municipal Center lawn, this free Tuesday night series runs through the summer at the Gazebo on South Street. Bring a blanket or chair and grab a spot, no ticket required.
Western Prom Sunset Concerts
Every Wednesday evening from mid-July to mid-August, Western Promenade Park in Portland hosts free concerts as the sun sets behind the White Mountains. Bring a blanket and get there early for a good spot on the lawn.
Thompson’s Point
Free and open to everyone, the Thursday and Friday night Summer Sunsets Live series in Portland brings local bands, food trucks, and lawn games to the waterfront, with one of the best sunset views in the state to close out the night. For bigger touring names, State Theatre also books a full lineup of ticketed shows at Thompson’s Point all summer — worth the splurge for the right act.
5.
Cheer on Portland’s pro sports teams
Maine’s pro sports scene has exploded in the last few years, and Portland’s two teams give you plenty of reasons to grab a ticket.
Portland Hearts of Pine
Portland’s USL League One soccer team sold out every home game last season and broke the league’s attendance record, drawing over 6,000 fans a night. Catch a match at Fitzpatrick Stadium, and keep an eye out for USM’s new banner in section 101.
Portland Sea Dogs
A Sea Dogs game is about as classic a Maine summer night as it gets. Grab cheap seats at Hadlock Field (tickets start around $14), get a Sea Dog Biscuit, and watch for the lighthouse that lights up in centerfield after every home run and win.
6.
Get yourself a wicked good lobstah roll
You can’t claim a Maine summer without at least one proper lobster roll. Here’s where to start:
Highroller Lobster Co.
Located in Portland’s Old Port, Highroller does a build-your-own lobster roll on a fresh brioche bun, with sauce options that include traditional mayo, lobster ghee, and lime mayo. It’s a playful take on the classic, and there’s no wrong combination if you like to customize.
Bite Into Maine
This food truck overlooking Portland Head Light in Fort Williams Park has been a staple since 2011, serving six different styles of lobster roll — from classic Maine to wasabi. Grab one and find a picnic table with an ocean view.
Luke’s Lobster
Head to Portland Pier, where Luke’s sits right beside its own lobster buying station on the working waterfront. Order the classic lobster roll and watch fishermen unload their daily catch a few feet away.
Go big at the Maine Lobster Festival
For the full experience, make the trip to Rockland (about 1.5-2 hours away) for the Maine Lobster Festival, running July 29 to Aug. 2, 2026. Admission is free, and the festival serves over 20,000 pounds of lobster alongside live music, a midway, craft vendors, and the Big Parade on Aug. 1. Pack a cooler, bring cash for food, and make a day — or weekend — of it.
7.
Pick your own berries
Berry season in Maine moves fast — strawberries first, blueberries right behind them — so get out to a local farm before it’s over.
Orchard Ridge Farm
Right in Gorham, this farm has u-pick blueberries running mid-July through early September, plus fresh eggs and farm animals — you can make a whole afternoon of it.
Pineland Farms
This New Gloucester farm runs a full pick-your-own season across its open fields, starting with strawberries in June and moving into blueberries by August. With acres to wander and a farm stand on-site for treats, it’s a lovely way to spend a summer day.
Jordan’s Farm
This Cape Elizabeth farm has been growing strawberries for five generations, with fields that have become a local tradition for summer picking. Bonus: you’re minutes from Kettle Cove and Crescent Beach, so cool off with a swim once you’ve filled your basket.
Estes Farm
Just four miles from Gorham, this family-run farm has been growing blueberries since 1954, with more than 2,000 bushes to pick through from mid-July into late August.
8.
Rent a kayak or paddleboard
You don’t need to own gear to get out on the water this summer, just rent it for an afternoon.
Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
The easiest, most beginner-friendly option on this list. Rent a canoe or kayak right at the center and paddle the river through the state’s largest salt marsh — flat water, herons overhead, and easy paddling.
Portland Paddle
Rent from their main spot at East End Beach in Portland, or pick up at their second location at Crescent Beach State Park in Cape Elizabeth. You can also bring your rental to a different spot entirely — no experience required, and it’s a great way to explore Casco Bay.
Fun And Sun Rentals
Based in Scarborough, this outfitter will deliver kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, and even beach chairs straight to you. A solid pick if you’re already headed to the beach and don’t want to make an extra stop.
Maine Island Kayak Co.
For something a little more adventurous, head to Peaks Island and rent from this longtime outfitter, paddling the sheltered waters just off the island or booking a guided tour around the coastline.
9.
Hike a Southern Maine trail
From easy waterfront walks to real summit payoffs, there’s a trail for every energy level this summer.
Mackworth Island
The easiest pick on this list. A flat, 1.5-mile loop around the island with bay views the whole way and beach access if you want to work in a beach day.
Presumpscot River Preserve
A short, scenic walk closer to the Portland campus, with river access for a swim along the way. Low effort, high reward — calm river views and a small waterfall to round out the trip.
Sebago Lake Land Reserve
Head to Standish for quieter, woodsy trails and beautiful lake views. Even though you’re not far from campus, it feels like a retreat. Bring towels and swimsuits if you think you might want to take a dip.
Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach
This 3.8-mile round trip in Phippsburg takes you over a small summit, through salt marsh and pine forest, and ends at a secluded beach. Easy to moderate, with parking that fills up fast, so be sure to get there early — the views at the end are worth the trip.
Cliff Trail
A 2.3-mile moderate loop in Harpswell that climbs to 150-foot cliffs overlooking the water — some of the tallest coastal cliffs you’ll find in this part of Maine. The trail winds through quiet woods and past a tidal creek before opening up to the view.
Stone Mountain
The hardest hike on this list, and the one with the biggest payoff. About 40 minutes from Gorham, this 5-mile hike rewards you with views of the White Mountains, plus wild blueberries at the summit if you time it right.
10.
Catch a movie at a drive-in theater
There’s nothing like watching a movie outdoors on a summer night. It’s a classic experience that’s getting harder to find. Here’s where to go:
Saco Drive-In
Head to Saco for a classic drive-in movie night. Grab snacks from the concession stand, pack pillows and blankets, and find your spot before the show starts.
Prides Corner Drive-In
Conveniently located in Westbrook, this is the closest drive-in to campus — and the biggest single-screen drive-in in Maine. The vintage marquee and classic concession stand make it feel like a trip back in time. Open Friday and Saturday nights.
Bridgton Twin Drive-In
Worth the drive out to the Lakes Region for this one. Running since 1957, the Bridgton Twin has its two screens going at once, giving you options on movie night.
