Looking for things to do on Peaks Island off the coast of Portland Maine? We recommend ditching all lists and heading on this vacation with an exploratory mindset. This is the perfect laid-back island that begs you to meander along its wandering coastline and hidden trails.
| Peaks Island Taxi |
| Ride the Coast! |
| Wander on the Trails |
| Canadian Lobster vs Maine Lobster |
| Perfect Hiking Recovery |
| Shopping |
| History of Peaks Island |
| One Day in Portland Maine |
Peaks Island Taxi
A car is not necessary on the island and if needed, you can always hire a Peaks Island taxi to take you to your destination. Being the adventurous souls we are, we pack light and hike up to our vacation home on the upper level of the island.
The island itself is only a fifteen-minute ferry ride from Portland Maine. We usually park our vehicle in a lot nearby and walk over to the Casco Bay Ferry. The views on the trip over are spectacular!
Tip: Shop around for parking spots. The ones closest to the ferry are the most expensive
Peaks Island is located in Casco Bay and is part of a series of small islands. Many people live on the island but there is still a good selection of vacation rentals, both private and public. The one and only Inn is on the main strip as soon as you exit the ferry, appropriately named “The Inn on Peaks Island.” Accommodations are also available at the Eight Maine Regiment Memorial.
We are lucky to have a friend from Maine who has a property on the island and has been generous with letting us stay in her cute abode.
Coastal Bike Ride
One of the first things to do on Peaks Island is a coastal bike ride. An entire loop around the island averages an hour, depending on your speed. You’ll find, as we did that you’ll want to stop and explore the rocks along the coast. Years ago someone started building cairns so we join in with our creations whenever we are on the island.
It’s the combination of the sun beating down on you as you ride and the constant breeze from the Atlantic that makes this ride so enjoyable. The road twists and turns as it wraps around the coast. The houses in this section of the island are stunning!
There are hilly sections on this bike ride if you do the loop around the island. Once by the ferry and all the shops, we like to walk our bikes and take in all the beautiful sites. The homes are unique and there are always people buzzing around. We usually stop for a coffee and sit and people-watch. You can sit on the bench outside of the library and use the internet if needed. We also take this opportunity to stock up on groceries when “in town.”
If you work up a sweat, you can always dip in the chilly Atlantic Ocean!
Things To Do on Peaks Island: Wander on the Trails
While you can run on the trails, walking the myriad of forested pathways is another must-do of “things to do” on Peaks Island.
If you are staying in the main section of the island with all the shops or in a house on the main road of the island, you might miss this gem of an experience!
Our cute abode was a meander up a hill then a zig and zag over rocks and through grass-lined passageways. This piqued our curiosity and led to many grass-lined and forested explorations between the upper streets.
Check out this map for suggestions on how to find these hidden passageways (marked by the dotted red lines):
Battery Steel Peaks Island: Creepy Tunnels!
Make sure to leave several hours to explore the old military fort, Battery Steel Peaks Island. Tons of graffiti, eerie tunnels and, amazing rooftop views! We first came upon this neat structure when we decided to follow a path away from the coast on our bikes.
It’s one of the many defense structures on the island built in the 1940s by the US Military.
Other Active Things To Do on Peaks Island
One item that should be added to any active person’s “things to do on Peaks Island” list is kayaking. While we haven’t managed to hit the right weather for this, you can check out Peaks Island Water Rentals.
Given the volatility of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s recommended that you use a guide to kayak around the island. One aspect of Peaks that we love is experiencing the fog that rolls in and listening to the fog horn break the deafening silence of the island. It’s great to experience from land but would be horrifying to be lost in the frigid waters of the Atlantic on a kayak.
Canadian Lobster vs Maine Lobster
Let’s take a moment to indulge in the Canadian lobster vs Maine lobster debate. I have to confess that I don’t go out of my way to eat lobster. Living near Niagara Falls means that lobster is flown in from a coast. We typically have it on special occasions like New Year’s Eve or even Christmas.
What I can tell you is that we go out of our way to eat lobster when on Peaks Island. While this was not my first time eating a fully shelled creature of the sea, my face says differently:
On our last visit to Peaks Island, we went to The Island Lobster Company for fresh lobster. Busy as heck but you can tell everyone in the lineup is excited for lobster. It felt like a cult gathering of lobster lovers. After you order you can hang out on picnic tables that overlook Casco Bay until your lobster arrives. Our fresh lobster with drawn butter, corn on the cob and, crispy fries did not disappoint.
Of course, there are more food options than just lobster on the island. And lining up for ice cream at Sweet Peaks Creamery or Down Front is given on a warm summer’s day.
Peaks Island Road Race
For those that want a little more structured workout, the annual Peaks Island Road Race takes place every July. We did this crazy road trip one year racing both on the island and then in the Catskills. The Peaks Island Road Race is a 5-mile loop around the island. The best part? The race ends with a lobster bake!!! This was just such an incredible experience.
We LOVE hitting the trails in the Catskills, even in the winter!
Hiking Solo Deserves a Peak Recovery
Hiking solo in the White Mountains of New Hampshire makes Peaks Island the perfect place for a much-needed recovery. The drive from the White Mountains to Portland Maine is only a few hours and very pretty. We highly recommend this laid-back vacation spot after pushing hard on a hike.
Read about one of my latest hikes in the White Mountains here
Things To Do on Peaks Island: Shopping
You might be disappointed that the “things to do on Peaks Island” list includes barely any shopping. This quaint island is more about experiences than spending money. That said, we have purchased decor items for our home from some of the shops and invested in our first pieces of artwork from a Peaks Island local.
History Of Peaks Island
The history of Peaks Island is very interesting as it has changed in popularity through the years. In the Victorian era a large theatre venue was built, hosting local actors. It grew to eventually draw the attention of big-city actors from New York and Boston. The theatre scene grew through the years and visitors were entertained by orchestras and vaudevillian-style shows in addition to traditional plays. Along with the theatre scene came hotels and even an amusement park. At one point it was nicknamed the “Coney Island of Maine.”
Famous people associated with Peaks Island’s theatre scene through the years include Director John Ford and the Barrymore family.
One Day in Portland Maine
If you have time, plan to spend at least one day in Portland Maine. And that day should be the first Friday of the month for the “First Friday Art Walk.”
This is a really fun event. We attended one summer, strolling among all the shops displaying art and taking in the creative vibe of Portland.
The waterfront is worth a dinner if not a lunch too! Crazy after eating so much seafood on Peaks Island that we indulge in a big lobster dinner in Portland – but we did! Sitting on a patio on the water on a warm summer night is spectacular!
It was enjoying a waterfront dinner one night when we learned about the Casco Bay booze cruises. We witnessed partygoers reveling on a boat as the sun was setting and agreed we would do this on our next trip to the island.
Insiders Tip: Shop at Whole Foods in the downtown section to pick up essentials before heading over to Peaks Island
