Freeport, Maine Shopping and More

Freeport , Maine is a refreshingly beautiful coastal town that has a working harbor, restaurants with great seafood, historical sights and scenic ocean cruises. Located approximately an hour from Boston (by car,) near the Kennebec River and the Atlantic seacoast, Freeport was founded in 1820 and is called "the birthplace of Maine." As a yachting destination, you will delight in the picturesque Freeport Town Wharf, historic coastal landmarks, island colonies, ocean wildlife and watching lobstermen hauling in their traps. Points of interest in Freeport include the oceanfront Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, Winslow Park with a beach on Casco Bay, the Desert Dunes of Maine and the Mast Landing Sanctuary, which is open daily for nature walks and guided tours. Freeport is home to famous L.L. Bean and over 170 upscale outlet shops, eclectic boutiques, casual cafes and fine restaurants. Boating, sailing, canoeing and kayaking are all popular sports in Freeport, and several yacht charters and scenic cruise ships operate from within the city. Narrated Casco Bay Seal and Osprey Watch cruises depart in summertime from the Freeport Town Wharf in South Freeport. Eagle Island Adventure tours take visitors to the museum of famous arctic explorer, Admiral Peary, and the Robert E. Peary State Memorial, which is located in the island park.

Freeport is a village rich with history, much of which is preserved for enjoyment today.Freeport was founded in 1789 and folklore credits Freeport with being "the birthplace of Maine". It was in Freeport at Jameson Tavern that many meetings were held, where colonists debated a separation movement from Massachusetts. Historical points of interest include the Harrington House (1830), home of the Historical Society, housingexhibits and archives. The Pettengill Farm is a 19th century salt water farm wherevisitors and local people alike can find exhibits of 19th century coastal farm life. The Gore House is the home of a truly unique McDonald's which visitors find extraordinary. Points of interest include oceanfront grandeur of Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, Winslow Park with a beach on Casco Bay, and Mast Landing Sanctuary open daily for nature walks and guided tours; and we can't forget Maine's natural phenomenon - the Desert Dunes of Maine. Charming South Freeport Village offers a panoramic view of a working harbor, restaurants with great lobster, and scenic ocean cruises. For more historical information, contact the Freeport Historical Society located at 45 Main St. (207) 865-3170. With all there is to do in Freeport, plan to stay two or three days. A variety of overnight accommodations welcome the weary traveler. Choose from homey country inns, charming bed and breakfast, cabins in the woods, motels, and scenic campgrounds. Some of the best things in life are in Freeport, Maine!

The Freeport Maine outlet stores are a world-renowned shopping destination. Every year, millions of visitors flock to the beautiful coastal village of Freeport to shop at over 150 outlets, boutiques and designer shops. The Freeport Maine outlet stores are located to the north of Portland and to the south of the mid-coast region. The majority of the Freeport Maine outlet stores can be found either along Route 1 or on Main Street.

If you can think of any major chain store, it probably has an outlet shop in the Freeport Maine shopping district. You can find The Gap, Mikasa, Abercrombie & Fitch, The North Face, Yankee Candle, Liz Claiborne, Anne Klein and many other popular stores. However, one of the best parts of your Freeport Maine shopping experience will come from exploring the unique, smaller shops that specialize in crafts, jewelry, and "one of a kind" shops that often feature items that have been handcrafted in Maine.

The highlight of your Freeport Maine shopping excursion will most undoubtedly be your visit to the LL. Bean Flagship Store. Even if you don't plan on buying anything, a visit to LL. Bean is an experience in and of itself. The LL. Bean Company was founded in 1911 by avid hunter and fisherman Leon Leonwood Bean, who had developed a waterproof boot for hunters. The boot became so popular that by 1912 he was selling the "Bean Boot," otherwise known as Maine Hunting Shoe through a mere 4-page mail order catalogue.

In 1917, LL Bean moved from a 25 x 40 ft. basement to a larger space on Main Street in the town of Freeport Maine. By 1925, they had developed a major apparel and sporting goods line. The store achieved even greater popularity when Ernest Hemingway recommended Bean Boots to his hunting partner. In fact, in 1938, Eleanor Roosevelt paid a surprise visit to the store on a trip to the town of Freeport Maine. Then, in 1939, the store in the town of Freeport Maine expanded to 36,000 sq. ft.

LL Bean is open 7days a week, 24 hours a day! The employees are friendly and enthusiastic, and the entire store has an upbeat atmosphere. In addition to providing a fun shopping experience, LL Bean sponsors a number of workshops and special events in the town of Freeport Maine. Depending on the season, these may include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, turkey hunting or paddle sports. Over the summer, LL bean sponsors a concert series.

If you plan to stay in the town of Freeport Maine, there are a variety of inexpensive hotels. However, if you want a Freeport Maine camping experience, there are a number of campgrounds. The Recompence Shore Campgrounds have flush toilets and showers. You can also do some Freeport Maine camping at the Desert Dunes of Maine Campgrounds. Campers receive a free pass to explore the Nature Trails, the Desert, the 1783 Tuttle Barn and museums.

Next to Freeport in Yarmouth, the Delorme map store houses "Eartha", the world's largest globe. Eartha is tilted on a 23.5 degree axis, mimicking the real Earth's angle. The surface is composed of 792 panels printed from a computerized database and incorporating shaded relief and depth info, roadways and cities. According to DeLorme, it's the largest Earth image ever created.

Eartha takes 18 leisurely minutes to make a complete cycle, a speed that ensures that even the smallest visitor won't get sucked into her orbit. But Eartha can also reportedly can be accelerated to a speed that zips though an entire Earth year in 60 seconds.