Where to Go for a Family Trip in Southern Maine? Itinerary

📍 Southern Maine Maine’s coastline is dotted with charming small towns, all worth a visit. This guide shares some photogenic and family-friendly beaches, lighthouses, museums, plus delicious restaurants in Portland—perfect for a trip with kids! 🌟 Must-Visit Spots for Families ❤️ Portland Head Light More than just a lighthouse—it’s a large park with expansive lawns, ideal for picnics 🧺. Photography Tip for the Cover Shot: After walking toward the lighthouse entrance, keep going straight. Head to the picnic area on your left, then shoot toward the lighthouse. Use a telephoto lens or zoom in with your phone for the best effect. There’s a big slope on the left lawn near the lighthouse—stand at the bottom of the slope for that Studio Ghibli-style vibe (dreamy and whimsical, just like a cartoon)! ❤️ Portland Children’s Museum A compact but wonderful 3-story museum—small in size but packed with fun for kids! 1st floor: Features a large, photogenic slide (kids will want to ride it over and over!). 3rd floor: The “ball run” (where kids drop balls to watch them roll through tracks) and water play area are huge hits—kids can easily spend hours here. Outdoor area: Has a sandpit and playground, great for burning off extra energy after indoor play. 🏖 Beaches for Kids ❤️ Ogunquit Beach Hands down my favorite beach in Maine! The sand is super fine and soft—perfect for little feet. Pro Tip: Check the tide chart and visit during low tide. The exposed tide pools are amazing for kids (they’ll love hunting for small crabs or seashells 🐚), and the beach feels extra spacious. When the wind is calm, the water reflects the sky like a “mirror”—the photos turn out absolutely magical! Bonus: Great facilities nearby, with plenty of food stands and ice cream shops (perfect for post-beach treats 🍦). Old Orchard Beach A more commercialized beach, but still fun for families—especially if you have older kids! Palace Playland: An amusement park right by the beach, with rides mostly suited for older children (think roller coasters and carnival games 🎢). Sand: Slightly coarser than Ogunquit Beach, but still comfortable for walking. Famous Landmark: The long pier (see Photo 8!)—lined with cute restaurants and small shops. It’s also very photogenic during low tide. 🍜🍣🦞 Food Recommendations (Kid-Friendly & Delicious!) Izakaya Minato (Japanese Izakaya): So tasty! We ordered two servings of kimchi fried rice (it’s that good). The Japanese-style grilled fish is melt-in-your-mouth tender and fresh—even picky eaters might love it. ISF Trading (Popular Seafood Shop): A Xiaohongshu-famous seafood retailer. The Chilean sea urchin is good, but the sweet shrimp is outstanding—my kid went crazy for it (and it’s fresh, so parents can feel good about it too 🦐). Bite into Maine (Food Truck/Café): Their chipotle lobster roll is delicious—spicy, creamy, and packed with lobster meat. Next time, I want to try the curry flavor (sounds unique!). Yosaku (Japanese Restaurant): Offers tatami tables where you sit cross-legged—such a fun, immersive experience for kids (they’ll love the “special seating”). The sushi and teriyaki are kid-friendly too. Holy Donut (Famous Donut Shop): Known for Maine’s potato flour donuts. I thought they were just “okay,” but my kid absolutely loved them—sweet, moist, and not too heavy. Great for a quick snack! #Maine #MaineInSummer #FamilyTripWithKids #BostonLife #ComeTakePhotos #MaineFood #Beaches #Lighthouses #SandBeaches #Travel