24 Hours in Freeport Maine

If you’re heading to Maine this year, consider adding in a night or too in Freeport. This charming small town is big on adventure. It’s the home to LL Bean after all. 

The giant outdoor superstore is not the only reason to visit Freeport, however. Discover a mix of shopping, dining, and outdoor activity that all join together to give Freeport, Maine a fun for the whole family experience.

FREEPORT MAINE LOCATION

If you’re not familiar with Maine, Freeport is about a 20-minute drive from Portland and a 3-hour train ride from Boston. New Englanders can take the Amtrak Downeaster for a smooth and comfortable ride to Freeport. Just about everything is walkable from the train station and you won’t need a car in Freeport.

ACCOMMODATIONS

We stayed at the Harraseeket Inn. Maine charm oozed out of every wall panel in this 93 room luxury inn. The hotel boasts 23 fireplaces and I was lucky enough to have one in my room. While it was May when I visited, I had to have an evening fire. This Florida girl doesn’t get to curl up in bed with a crackling fire very often.

In addition, the Inn has an outdoor fire and seating area, an indoor heated pool, and a full delicious buffet breakfast and afternoon tea included. In season rates start from about $225 a night but contact us for the best rates.

ACTIVITIES

ARCHERY

One of the main attractions in Freeport is the LL Bean flagship store. Inside the store however you can learn to shoot a bow and arrow. A certified professional archer teaches a class and you get pointers and instruction on shooting. And, of course, you get to shoot. The cost is $25 per person and the minimum age is 8. 

Find more of LL Beans Archery Programs here.

WOLFE’S NECK CENTER

Wolfe’s Neck Center is a short drive from the downtown Freeport area. This sustainable and oceanfront farm is a truly special place. For over 60 years, Wolfe’s Neck farms organic milk on over 600 acres. In addition to supplying Stonyfield Organic, the farm and center work to educate and entertain visitors.

First, visitors are welcome to tour the farm at any time. Additionally, low-cost activities engage children such as farmers for the morning, goat hikes, milking tours, and more. See their community programs here.

Yet there’s still more at the farm. Annual events include things such as Blueberries for Sal, one of our favorite books, and hello, Maine blueberries! Harvest dances and dinners, beers in the barn, canning workshops, and heaps more.

Finally, if you need a place to stay, Wolfe’s Neck Center has camping. Oceanfront campsites include tents only, electric and water sites as well as cabins in case you don’t want to bring your own camping gear. And if you’re flying to Maine and don’t want to bring your tent, LL Bean has a Wicked Easy Camping program that brings high-quality equipment to Wolfe’s Neck for you!

Related: How to camp when you don’t have camping equipment

Driving onto the fam is free, as well as seeing the animals in the barn.

WILBUR’S OF MAINE CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONS

Oh, Wilbur, you had me at Chocolate. Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections and factory is a family run business that also offers chocolate factory tours a few times a week. Started in 1983 by Tom and Catherine, Wilbur’s offers assorted chocolates, fudge, chocolate-covered blueberries (my favorite) Maine Mud, and plenty of other Made in Maine products and chocolates.

Our tour, of course, came with samples. The chocolate was perfect, smooth, creamy. And if you’ve never been inside a chocolate factory, it is everything you’ve dreamed of. 

The factory and chocolate shop are at 174 Lower Main St in Freeport or visit their downtown Freeport location at 13 Bow St.

SHOPPING

Speaking of downtown Freeport, shopping is a key attraction. It would be impossible to spend 24 hours in Freeport, Maine, and not go shopping. In fact, the L.L. Bean flagship store is open 24 hours a day. Imagine having the store to yourself at 3 am in the morning!

In addition to L.L. Bean, Freeport is known for its outlet stores. Find the full store directory here.

And no visit to Freeport would be complete if you didn’t stop into Brown Goldsmith’s Jewelry store. When they say custom made and quality, they mean it. Made in house by certified designers and gemologists, the words exquisite, extraordinary, and unique are not enough to describe the pieces that come from Brown Goldsmiths. Stop in, shop, and ask for a tour. It will surprise you!

24 HOURS IN FREEPORT MAINE

A Sample Itinerary to Freeport, Maine:

• Check-in at the Harraseeket Inn
• Gourmet Buffet Lunch at Broad Arrow Tavern
• Shop the Outlets
• Visit Brown Goldsmith’s and ask for a tour
• Get an Archery Lesson at L.L. Bean
• Dinner at Azure Cafe
• Roast Marshmallow’s at the Inn
• Do a late-night shopping excursion to L.L. Bean
• Breakfast at the hotel buffet
• Visit Wolfe’s Neck Farm or Go Kayaking
• Tour Wilbur’s of Maine and take home some souvenir chocolates
• Lunch at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster

Want to book a trip to Freeport or elsewhere in Maine? We would be happy to help you.

Purple Light Vacations provides you with the knowledge, insight and personalized service to make your vacation all you want it to be at no additional cost. We help you travel in the know wherever you go. To get started, fill out this quick form or call 619.324.1444 (ext. 3).