Portland, Maine, has a lot of educational things to do for both its residents and visitors, from museums to research centers and from historical sites to hiking trails. Whether you're visiting for the first time or the 100th time, or even if you've lived in Portland all your life, you're sure to find some educational and interesting things to do.
Museums
Bring the children to the Children's Museum of Maine, where they can spend all day exploring. The children will meander through the many exhibits, such as Coco's Diner, the theater, Have a Ball, Toddler Park, Fire Truck and many more. They'll spend hours repairing a car, playing in the market, learning about how to take care of animals in the animal hospital exhibit, and pretending to be a sea pirate.
Aquarium/Research Institute
Make sure you visit the Gulf of Maine Aquarium and Research Institute located in the heart of Portland. There you will learn what researchers go through to ensure the safety and prosperity of the Gulf of Maine marine life. The researchers even provide an atmosphere for Maine students to learn about the state's fresh and saltwater ecosystems while using the latest technology. The students can use the research technology in the institute's laboratory, then go out in the field to apply what they've learned.
Architectural and Historical Sites
For a brief look into Portland's history, stop in at the Charles Q. Clapp House. Clapp himself built the home in 1832 in the style of a Greek temple. Visit the Portland Observatory and take a look back at how the routes of ships were monitored. Visitors can tour the museum and learn about the history of the observatory.
Hiking Trails
You can get in some great exercise and even learn a thing or two while on a hike through one of Portland's many trails, like the Back Cove Trail. The 3.5-mile trail loops around Portland's Back Cove where you can get amazing views of the Portland skyline.
Try Riverton Rail Trail, a 1.5-mile trail that winds through the Riverton neighborhood. Once a set of railroad tracks, this trail is now mostly flat and level for even the beginning hiker. Or, visit the Baxter Trail, a short .75-mile trail that is located on a 30-acre nature preserve with beautiful views of the trees and the river.
Books
If you are a book lover, you will no doubt enjoy one of Portland's many bookstores. Visit Books Etc., Longfellow Books, Back East Books or Rabelais Books. Most bookstores offer a large selection of art, fiction, music, philosophy, history and more. Many of the bookstores offer a special service to help you locate those hard-to-find books.
Rabelais Books specializes in books about food, wine and farming, as well as hosts book signings, art exhibitions and other events. Books Etc. also carries specialized books concerning the state of Maine--books about Maine, books by Maine authors, guidebooks to Maine, field guides and more.
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