I always say Old Orchard Beach is a great midpoint. Relax and unwind at the beach and venture out to explore all that surrounds you. With that being said, I wanted to dedicate this blog to some of Maine’s most valuable treasures, museums. Maine is rich with history and while I couldn’t cover every gem, I listed a few of my favorites.
Old Orchard Beach
Harmon Museum (1.1. miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
Of course, I had to start with Old Orchard Beach. There’s so much history here – from airplanes on the beach, to a casino on the pier and fires that have ripped through the town only to be rebuilt and rebuilt with the perseverance of townsmen. To learn more about out our tourist town I recommend visiting the Harmon Museum. A visit to the Harmon Museum offers those interested in Old Orchard’s rich history the opportunity to delve into historical treasures dating back over 200 years ago. Enjoy fascinating discoveries such as the iconic Dummy Railroad, horse racing at the Kite Track, car racing and plane landings on the beach, and the era of big bands and grand hotels.
Biddeford
Biddeford Mills Museum (5.5 miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
From thriving textiles to abandoned textiles, Biddeford is thriving again. The Pepperell Mill Campus is continuing to grow and evolve thanks to innovative entrepreneurs that have adapted to this unique space and made it their own. However, the history of the mills can still be revisited at the Biddeford Mills Museum.
Portland
The International Cryptozoology Museum (14.9. miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
And if you’ve ever wondered about the mystery of Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, mermaids and more, you have to make a trip to the The International Cryptozoology Museum. It’s dedicated to documenting “unknown” animals.
The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (14.9 miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
When visiting Old Orchard Beach with kids, rain or shine, stopping at The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is a must. The Children’s Museum sets the stage for every child to imagine and learn through play.
Arundel
Maine Classic Car Museum (12.4. miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
Some of our most loyal visitors are car enthusiasts that attend events such as: The Corvette Show, Old Orchard Beach Car Show and even a Jeep Fest. With this being said, the Maine Classic Car Museum might be worth a visit. This museum features dozens of classic automobiles. You can take a tour and see rare automobilia, historical artifacts and short-subject films.
Kennebunk
Seashore Trolley Museum (16.3 miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
Another mode historic transportation can be captured at the Seashore Trolley Museum. This museum is the world’s first and largest museum of mass transit vehicles. While the main focus of the collection is trolley cars, it also includes rapid transit trains, Interurban cars, trolley buses, and motor buses.
Bath
Maine Maritime Museum (50.5 miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
If I’m going to mention historic transportation, I have to mention “The City of Ships.” Maine Maritime Museum was founded in 1962, sits on a beautiful 20-acre campus on the banks of the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine. The museum connects people to the past, present, and future of Maine’s waterways and their global reach (have you heard of Bath Iron Works?).
Kittery
Kittery Historical & Naval Museum (40.6 miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
And if you find the history of our waterways interesting, I have to tell you about the Kittery Historical & Naval Museum. Kittery is the oldest town in Maine – with a rich history and a proud naval tradition. You’ll find interesting exhibits and fascinating stories, each offering a glimpse into an era of bygone times.
New Gloucester
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village (36.5 miles from Alouette Beach Resort)
One of my favorites, most memorable school field trips as a kid was to the Shaker Museum, also known as the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village. This museum represents and gives respect to the Shakers and their culture through firsthand interpretation, representing the longest timeline (1740s ‐ present), and the world’s only anthropological collection. Maine is home to the only active Shaker Community in the world.
Peaks Island
The Umbrella Cover Museum (16.6 miles from Alouette Beach Resort to the Casco Bay Ferry)
Have you ever heard of an Umbrella Cover Museum? Neither did I until I took my kids to Peak’s Island and came across it. The Umbrella Cover Museum on Peaks Island is a museum that pays tribute to umbrella covers. The museum was created and is curated by Nancy Hoffman, who has collected more than 2000 umbrella covers from 66 countries. It’s pretty neat and worth a trip if you’re visiting the island.
Relax and unwind at the beach and explore the treasure of Maine. You can do both!
To see what accommodations are available at the Alouette Beach Resort for your exploration, click here.
