Winter in Maine is nothing short of magical, and there’s no shortage of family-friendly fun to be had! Whether you’re bundling up for outdoor adventures in the snow or looking for cozy indoor escapes, Maine offers endless ways to make the most of the season. From sledding and ice skating to visiting charming small towns and exploring kid-friendly museums, here are some of the best things to do in Maine in the winter with your family.
Outdoor Adventures
- Go sledding or snow tubing – check out the hills at Fort Williams Park, spend an afternoon at Seacoast Adventure in Windham or Camden’s Snow Bowl, or even just find a great neighborhood hill that you enjoy!
- Try ice skating at the Thomson’s Point Rink in Portland or find a local frozen pond or lake.
- Visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
- Hit the slopes at one of Maine’s 19 ski resorts (many of which have snow tubing options as well).
- Eat a meal in an igloo – So many local restaurants offer igloo dining this time of year. Places like Pineland Farms, Cliff House Maine, and Clay Hill Farm are just some of the many options available.
- Visit a lighthouse in the off season – So many lighthouses are open year-round and are gorgeous to visit in the winter months. We personally love and recommend Portland Head Light, Portland Breakwater, and West Quoddy Head this time of year.
- Attend a winter carnival – Check out winter festivals like the Maine Lakes Winter Carnival (Bridgton), Camden Winterfest, Snodeo (Rangeley), and so many others.
- Explore snowshoeing or cross-country skiing – Check out trails at Pineland Farms, Wolfe’s Neck Woods, or Acadia National Park.
- Go on a winter hike – Enjoy scenic trails like Bradbury Mountain or Camden Hills State Park.
- Try ice fishing – Introduce the family to ice fishing at local lakes and ponds (with proper safety precautions). Generally, the further north you go, the thicker the ice will be.
- Winter Wildlife Watching – Visit Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge for a chance to see moose, deer, and winter birds.
- Head up north and try dog sledding – The Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience up in Canton has many different tour options depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.
- See a dog sled race live! – Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race (Fort Kent) and Moosehead Lake Region’s Wilderness Sled Dog Race (Greenville) are two great options!
Cozy Indoor Activities
Cold weather not your thing? Try one of these cozy indoor activities instead!
- Try swim lessons – get the kids ready for summer with swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School
- Explore the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine – Interactive exhibits and a fun play space in Portland.
- Visit the Maine Discovery Museum – A great hands-on experience for kids in Bangor.
- Check out a local library – Many Maine libraries offer winter story times and activities for kids. Be sure to check out their calendars to learn more.
- Take a scenic drive – Enjoy Maine’s winter wonderland from the comfort of your car, especially in coastal towns like Bar Harbor or Kennebunkport.
- Go Bowling or find an arcade – Family-friendly spots like Bayside Bowl (Portland), Spare Time, (Portland), Junction Bowl (Gorham), and Round One (South Portland) are great for winter fun.
- See a live performance – Watch a kid-friendly show at Merrill Auditorium or a local community theater.
- Check out a local museum – There are so many museum options depending on your kids’ ages and interests from the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (Bethel) to The Museum of Art (Portland) to the Seashore Trolley Museum (Kennebunkport).
- Check out a local indoor play space – Maine has so many great indoor play spaces to try out from Raise Playspace in Scarborough to The Village in Augusta (among so many others). There’s something for all age groups!
- See a hockey game – Check out the Maine Mariners schedule to see when they’re playing!
- Attend an art class – the girls love studios like Color Me Mine
