Escaping Portland in Peaks Island
With its salt-washed jetties, bobbing fishing skiffs, chowder shacks, and hearty New England charm, you might be surprised to find little Peaks Island is just 17 minutes by ferry from downtown Portland. But there it is, washed over by the sloshing Atlantic swells and imbued with a wonderful small-town character. Between the independent art galleries and timber sailor taverns, you'll also find an enticing mix of Peaks Island vacation rentals: wood-covered cabins in the backcountry forests, Victorian mansions on the seaside, family homes with roaring wood fires and verandas _ the list goes on.
Enjoy Portland from quiet Peaks Island
While the main attractions on sleepy Peaks Island are certainly the independent art galleries and pretty coastal reaches, it's always worth remembering that the delights of Portland await just across the bay. A short ferry means delving into the cosmic displays and swashbuckling pirate exhibits of the Portland Science Center, for example. Or, it means finding your inner Zen in the Portland Japanese Garden. Or it means wondering at the prestigious sculpture works and portraiture in the Portland Museum of Art.
Golf carts and sea kayaks in Peaks Island
Self-guided tours of pint-sized Peaks Island are usually conducted on one of the local golf carts, which ferry visitors from the boat terminals, past the handsome timber townhouses, and over to the coves on the windward coast. Alternatively, you can linger by the harbor to enjoy a smorgasbord of lobster and clam chowder courtesy of the New England kitchen, or cycle along the shoreline meeting the local fishermen, harbor seals, and artists. Sea kayaks and boating excursions are also a great way to survey the place by water.
Maine summers on Peaks Island
Peaks Island vacation rentals are always in more demand during the summertime, and it's certainly worth searching for your place to stay between May and August if you're eager to make the most of the al fresco dining scene, coastal kayaking tours, and overland driving routes that the destination is so famous for. Weather wise, you can expect largely sunny days in the summer, along with pleasant sea breezes and temperatures that hover around the mid-60s.
Bay it forward in Peaks Island, Portland
The 730-acre Peaks Island lies in Casco Bay, just off the coast of mainland Maine. The island's shoreline is generally rocky, and the surrounding inlets, coves, and streams of Casco Bay offer plenty of opportunities for adventurous kayakers to explore the island's periphery. Peaks Island is relatively flat, which makes biking a popular mode of transportation, too. The scenic Peaks Island Land Preserve boasts almost 150 acres of preserved wilderness, including ponds, wetlands, and meadows, and you'll find loads of hiking and birdwatching spots within a stone's throw of your Peaks Island vacation rental.
Transportation to and around Peaks Island
The nearest airport is in Portland Intl. Jetport Airport (PWM), located 6.1 mi (9.8 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Auburn, ME (LEW-Auburn - Lewiston Municipal), which is 27.3 mi (43.9 km) away.