Best Family Attractions in Maine

Maine offers incredible family attractions beyond beaches and hiking, from classic amusement parks to hands-on museums, wildlife encounters, and unique adventures. Here are the best places to take kids across the state, organized by region and type.

Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Funtown Splashtown USA (Saco)

Ages: All ages (height restrictions on some rides) Best For: Classic amusement park + water park combo Season: Late May through Labor Day Time Needed: Full day

Highlights:

• Excalibur - Wooden roller coaster (Maine’s largest)
• Splashtown water park - Separate admission or combo ticket
• Dragon’s Descent - Log flume ride
• Kiddie rides - Carousel, small coasters, kid zone
• Arcade - Indoor games

Cost: Combo park tickets, with lower rates for height-restricted children. We could not read a current price list from the operator, so confirm at funtownsplashtownusa.com rather than budgeting from a figure quoted elsewhere Pro Tip: Arrive at opening to beat crowds; bring sunscreen Nearby: Old Orchard Beach (10 min)

Palace Playland (Old Orchard Beach)

Ages: All ages Best For: Classic oceanfront amusement park Season: Memorial Day through Indigenous Peoples’ Day Time Needed: 3-6 hours

Highlights:

• Ferris wheel - Ocean views
• Roller coaster - Classic wooden coaster
• Arcade - Old-school games
• Pier location - Walk to beach
• Pay-per-ride - No admission, pay for each ride

Cost: Free to enter, individual ride tickets, or a day pass. Day passes are priced by height, not age, and are weekday $52.50 over 48 inches / $44.00 under 48 inches, weekend and holiday $54.50 / $46.00. Note that day passes cannot be bought online: they are sold in person at the ticket booths on the day of your visit, and height is checked at the booth Pro Tip: Wristbands make sense if riding 10+ times Nearby: Beach, pier, restaurants all walkable

Aquaboggan Water Park (Saco)

Ages: All ages (toddler area + big slides) Best For: Water park focused experience Season: Late June through Labor Day Time Needed: Half to full day

Highlights:

• Wave pool - Large wave pool
• Slides - Multiple tube and body slides
• Toddler area - Shallow pool, small slides
• Mini golf - 18-hole course
• Bumper boats

Cost: Tiered by height and age, and higher than older write-ups suggest. The operator’s ticket page currently tops out at $39 for a full-day ticket, with junior, toddler and senior tiers below that. Check the tier you need before you go Pro Tip: Bring water shoes; surfaces get hot Nearby: Combine with Funtown (5 min drive)

Zoos & Animal Encounters

Maine Wildlife Park (Gray)

Ages: All ages Best For: Seeing native Maine animals up close Season: Mid-April through November Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Highlights:

• Moose - Guaranteed moose sighting!
• Black bears - Close viewing
• Mountain lion, lynx, bobcat - Native cats
• Eagles and owls - Birds of prey
• White-tailed deer, foxes
• All animals are rescues - Can’t survive in wild

Cost: Run by Maine IFW, and cheap by the standards of everything else on this page. We could not read a current rate from the department’s site on our last check, so confirm before you go Pro Tip: Morning feeding times most active Why It’s Great: All native Maine animals, educational, conservation-focused

York’s Wild Kingdom (York Beach)

Ages: All ages Best For: Zoo + amusement rides combo Season: Memorial Day through Indigenous Peoples’ Day (zoo open year-round on weekends) Time Needed: Half to full day

Highlights:

• Zoo - Tigers, monkeys, butterflies, more
• Amusement rides - Ferris wheel, carousel, kiddie rides
• Petting zoo - Goats, sheep, chickens
• Close to beach - Short Sands Beach nearby
• Combination tickets - Zoo only or zoo + rides

Cost: Separate zoo and amusement-ride pricing, with a combo option. Prices were not readable from the operator on our last check, so confirm at yorkswildkingdom.com Pro Tip: Zoo-only option great for younger kids Nearby: Short Sands Beach (walking distance)

DEW Haven (Wilton)

Ages: All ages Best For: Up-close exotic animal encounters Season: Memorial Day through October (by appointment) Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Highlights:

• Hand-feed animals - Zebras, camels, llamas, kangaroos
• Interactive - Very hands-on experience
• Exotic animals - Not typical Maine fauna
• Educational - Learn about each animal
• Small groups - Personal attention

Cost: Check with the sanctuary directly. It is a rescue operation and admission is donation-led rather than a fixed published rate Pro Tip: Reserve ahead; popular on weekends Unique Factor: You can hand-feed a zebra!

Interactive Museums

Maine Discovery Museum (Bangor)

Ages: 1-12 (best for under 10) Best For: Hands-on indoor play and learning Season: Year-round Time Needed: 2-4 hours

Highlights:

• Three floors - Different themes each floor
• Nature trails room - Indoor “hiking” and nature exploration
• Music room - Instruments and sound exploration
• Booktown - Maine author-themed play area
• Rainy day perfect - Indoor fun regardless of weather

Cost: Confirm at mainediscoverymuseum.org; the museum does not publish a price in readable page text Pro Tip: Best rainy-day activity in Bangor area Why It’s Great: Large, engaging, well-maintained

Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (Portland)

Ages: 0-10 (especially great for under 7) Best For: Hands-on learning, imaginative play Season: Year-round Time Needed: 2-3 hours

Highlights:

• Four floors - Each with different theme
• Lobster boat - Climb aboard life-size boat
• Camera obscura - See Portland from unique view
• Supermarket play area - Kids love this
• Art studio - Daily craft projects

Cost: $20 for ages 1 to 17 and adults, rising to $25 on peak days. Check the operator before going, since the peak-day calendar is not fixed Pro Tip: Friday evenings 5-8pm pay-what-you-wish Why It’s Great: Central Portland location, perfect for toddlers

Seashore Trolley Museum (Kennebunkport)

Ages: All ages (kids who like trains/trolleys) Best For: Riding historic trolleys Season: May through October (weekends in early spring/late fall) Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Highlights:

• Ride historic trolleys - Multiple trolleys operating
• Self-guided tour - Walk through trolley barns
• 100+ vintage trolleys - From around the world
• Kids ride free - Under 6 free with adult
• Unique - World’s oldest and largest trolley museum

Cost: $15 adults (17-59), $13 seniors (60+), $13 youth (6-16), $7 ages 3-5, free for 2 and under. Open 1 June to 25 October, Wednesdays to Sundays only, 9:30am to 4:30pm with last tickets at 3:45pm. Special events such as the Pumpkin Patch run at a higher rate Pro Tip: Ride multiple trolleys; each is different Why It’s Great: Kids love riding, not just looking

Owls Head Transportation Museum (Owls Head)

Ages: All ages (gear-heads love it) Best For: Vintage cars, planes, engines Season: Year-round; special events spring-fall Time Needed: 1-3 hours

Highlights:

• Working vehicles - They actually run them!
• Aircraft - Biplanes, vintage planes
• Cars and motorcycles - Ford Model Ts to modern classics
• Special events - Air shows, car shows (check calendar)
• Hands-on for events - Some vehicles you can touch/sit in

Cost: $17 adults (18-64), $14 seniors (65+), $11 youth (11-17), $7 children (3-10), free for ages 0-2, members free. Groups of 15+ are $12 each, booked ahead. Event days cost more: $20 adult and senior. Museums for All applies, at $5 per person for up to four people with a SNAP EBT or WIC card and photo ID Pro Tip: Visit during special events for flight demonstrations Why It’s Great: Moving vehicles, not static museum

Outdoor Adventures

Maine State Aquarium (West Boothbay Harbor)

Ages: All ages (best for under 12) Best For: Touch tanks, Maine sea life Season: Memorial Day through Indigenous Peoples’ Day Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Highlights:

• Touch tanks - Touch sea stars, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers
• Maine lobster display - Learn lobster life cycle
• Harbor seals - Outdoor seal pool
• Native fish tanks - See Gulf of Maine species
• Education programs - Daily talks

Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors/kids (3-18), under 3 free Pro Tip: Go at feeding time (check schedule) Why It’s Great: Hands-on, educational, good value

Monkey Trunks Extreme Adventure Park (Saco)

Ages: 5+ (height/weight requirements vary by course) Best For: Aerial obstacle courses, zip lines Season: May through October Time Needed: 2-3 hours

Highlights:

• Aerial adventure courses - Ropes, nets, zip lines
• Multiple difficulty levels - Green to black diamond
• Zip lines - Including long final zip
• Safe - Continuous belay system
• Outdoor - In the trees

Cost: Varies by course level and age. We could not read a current price list from the operator, so check their site directly rather than budgeting from a figure quoted elsewhere Pro Tip: Book online ahead; popular weekends Why It’s Great: Active kids burn energy, thrilling but safe

Acadia National Park Junior Ranger Program

Ages: 5-12 Best For: Engaging kids with nature Season: Year-round (most active summer) Time Needed: Varies (self-paced)

Highlights:

• Activity booklet - Pick up at visitor centers
• Self-guided - Complete activities throughout park
• Badge or patch - Kids earn official Junior Ranger badge
• Educational - Learn about park ecology, geology, wildlife
• Free - Just need park admission

Cost: Acadia admission, $20 per person on foot or bike, or $35 per vehicle, both 7-day passes. Non-US residents pay an extra $100 per person aged 16 and over unless entering on an Annual or America the Beautiful pass, which makes the $70 Acadia annual pass far cheaper for an overseas family Pro Tip: Great way to engage reluctant hikers Why It’s Great: Motivates kids to explore and learn

Unique Experiences

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf (Multiple Locations)

Ages: All ages Best For: Themed mini golf Season: May through October Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Locations: South Portland, Saco, Yarmmouth, Brewer Highlights:

• Pirate theme - Waterfalls, caves, pirate ships
• 18 holes - Well-designed course
• Kid-friendly - Not overly challenging
• Multiple locations - Convenient

Cost: Varies by location and round. Check the specific course you plan to visit Pro Tip: Go early evening to avoid heat Why It’s Great: Classic family fun, works for all ages

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay)

Ages: All ages (especially good for ages 5-10) Best For: Fairy houses, nature walks, gardens Season: May through October (9am-5pm) Time Needed: 2-4 hours

Highlights:

• Fairy houses - Dozens of miniature houses
• Children’s garden - Interactive, kid-designed areas
• Shoreland Trail - About three miles of footpaths ending at the Landing on the Back River
• Over 325 acres - Space to run and explore
• Story Time Trail - Book-themed garden areas

Cost (2026, online): $28 adults, $24 seniors 65+ and veterans, $19 students 18+ with ID, $12 children 3-17, under 3 free. Tickets bought on site cost $4 more each Pro Tip: Bring snacks; café pricey Why It’s Great: Engages imagination, beautiful setting

Lighthouse Tours

Ages: All ages Best For: Photography, coastal views, education Season: Year-round Time Needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour per lighthouse

Top Kid-Friendly Lighthouses:

• Portland Head Light (Cape Elizabeth) - Most accessible, park, beach
• Nubble Light (York) - Park viewing area, visitor center
• Bass Harbor Head Light (Acadia) - Short walk, tide pools
• Marshall Point Light (Port Clyde) - Walk-able shoreline
• Rockland Breakwater Light - Walk 7/8 mile on granite breakwater (adventure!)

Cost: Free (except parking at some) Pro Tip: Bring binoculars for wildlife watching Why It’s Great: Free, educational, beautiful, Maine tradition

Desert of Maine (Freeport)

Ages: All ages (quirky, not for everyone) Best For: Weird Maine attraction, sand in Maine Season: May through October Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Highlights:

• 40-acre sand “desert” - Created by erosion
• Guided tours - Learn how it formed
• Sand artist - Watch sand bottles being made
• Gemstone mining - Kids pan for gems
• Unusual - Weird Maine at its best

Cost: General admission $21 adults, $17 youth (4-19), $17 students with ID. Mini golf is separate at $13 / $12 / $12, or take a combo ticket at $32 / $27 / $27. Discounts: 50% off a same-day replay, 10% off seniors 65+ Pro Tip: Combine with Freeport outlet shopping Why It’s Great: Unique, kitschy, educational

Rainy Day Indoor Options

Seacoast Adventure (Windham)

Ages: 2-12 Best For: Indoor play center Season: Year-round Time Needed: 2-4 hours

Highlights:

• Climbing structures - Multi-level play areas
• Arcade - Video and ticket games
• Toddler area - Separate safe space
• Party rooms - Popular for birthdays
• Climate controlled - Perfect rainy day

Cost: Priced per child by activity, with adults generally free. Confirm current rates with the operator before you go Pro Tip: Less crowded weekday mornings Why It’s Great: Rainy day salvation

Libraries with Great Children’s Rooms

Ages: All ages Best For: Story time, free activities Season: Year-round Cost: FREE

Top Libraries:

• Portland Public Library - Children’s room, programs
• Curtis Memorial Library (Brunswick) - Excellent children’s section
• Rockland Public Library - Story times
• Bar Harbor Jesup Memorial Library - Summer programs

Why It’s Great: Free, air-conditioned, age-appropriate

Movie Theaters

Best for Families:

• Flagship Cinemas (Multiple locations) - Mainstream movies
• Nordica Theater (Damariscotta) - Historic theater
• Smittys Cinema (Various) - Budget-friendly, first-run
• Criterion Theatre (Bar Harbor) - Art deco, special features

Seasonal Attractions

Summer-Only

• Splashtown/Funtown (Saco)
• Palace Playland (Old Orchard)
• Aquaboggan (Saco)
• Most mini golf courses
• Beach activities

Winter Additions

• Sledding hills - Many towns have free hills
• Ice skating - Outdoor rinks (Portland, Camden, others)
• Skiing - Sunday River, Sugarloaf (see winter activities guide)
• Snowshoeing - State parks offer rentals

By Age Group

Best for Toddlers (0-4)

1. Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
2. Maine Wildlife Park
3. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
4. Portland Head Light (easy walk)
5. Library story times

Best for Elementary Age (5-10)

1. Funtown Splashtown USA
2. Maine Discovery Museum
3. York’s Wild Kingdom
4. Acadia Junior Ranger program
5. Pirate’s Cove mini golf

Best for Tweens/Teens (11-17)

1. Monkey Trunks
2. Funtown roller coasters
3. Zip line tours (various operators)
4. Kayaking adventures
5. Rock climbing gyms (Portland, Bangor)

Multi-Age Friendly (works for all)

1. Lighthouse tours
2. Boat tours (whale watching, harbor cruises)
3. State parks (swimming, hiking)
4. Beaches
5. Scenic drives

By Region

Southern Maine (Portland South)

• Funtown Splashtown USA
• Palace Playland
• Aquaboggan
• York’s Wild Kingdom
• Portland Children’s Museum
• Pirate’s Cove (multiple locations)

Greater Portland

• Children’s Museum & Theatre
• Maine Wildlife Park
• Portland Head Light
• Bug Light Park
• Monkey Trunks

Midcoast (Brunswick to Rockland)

• Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
• Maine State Aquarium
• Owls Head Transportation Museum
• Desert of Maine

Downeast & Acadia

• Acadia National Park
• Bar Harbor attractions
• Island ferry trips
• Whale watching tours

Western Mountains

• Bethel/Sunday River activities
• Rangeley outdoor recreation
• Grafton Notch State Park

Central/North

• Maine Discovery Museum (Bangor)
• University of Maine facilities

Budget-Friendly Options

Free

• Lighthouses (most)
• Beaches (many)
• State park hiking (no-fee parks)
• Libraries
• Junior Ranger programs
• Playground parks

Under $10/person

• Maine Wildlife Park
• Mini golf (single round)
• Some museums with discount days
• State park swimming

Under $20/person

• Children’s museums
• Maine State Aquarium
• Desert of Maine
• Most museums

Planning Tips

Beat the Crowds

1. Arrive at opening - First hour least crowded
2. Weekdays - Tuesday-Thursday quietest
3. Shoulder season - Late May, early September
4. Early evening - Last 2 hours often emptier

Save Money

1. Combo tickets - Multiple attractions together
2. Off-season - Some offer fall discounts
3. Coupons - Check Maine tourism sites
4. Free days - Some museums have free days
5. Pack food - Avoid expensive on-site food

Pack Smart

• Sunscreen - Even cloudy days
• Water bottles - Refill at fountains
• Snacks - Hungry kids = cranky kids
• Change of clothes - Water attractions
• Wipes - Always useful
• Cash - Some places don’t take cards
• Rain gear - Weather changes fast

Sample Family Itineraries

Southern Maine Beach Week

Day 1: Funtown Splashtown USA Day 2: Beach day (Old Orchard or Wells) Day 3: York’s Wild Kingdom + Nubble Light Day 4: Palace Playland + beach Day 5: Portland Children’s Museum + Old Port Day 6: Beach + mini golf Day 7: Travel day or Portland Head Light

Acadia Family Adventure

Day 1: Arrive, easy Acadia hike Day 2: Ocean Path + Sand Beach Day 3: Bar Harbor + whale watching Day 4: Junior Ranger activities Day 5: Ferry to island Day 6: Schoodic Peninsula Day 7: Easy morning, depart

Midcoast Explorer

Day 1: Maine Wildlife Park Day 2: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Day 3: Boothbay Harbor + Maine State Aquarium Day 4: Rockland + Owls Head Museum Day 5: Camden + Mount Battie

Final Tips

1. Have backup plans - Weather changes
2. Don’t overschedule - Kids need downtime
3. Let kids choose - One activity per day
4. Bring patience - Things take longer with kids
5. Take breaks - Rest is important
6. Document - Photos and memories
7. Be flexible - Plans change with kids
8. Embrace spontaneity - Best memories are unplanned
9. Ask locals - They know hidden gems
10. Have fun - That’s the whole point!

Maine’s family attractions offer something for every age and interest, from classic amusement parks to hands-on museums, wildlife encounters to outdoor adventures. Whether your family seeks thrills, education, or just quality time together, Maine delivers experiences that create lasting memories, and give parents the rare gift of seeing Maine through their children’s wonder-filled eyes.