15 Jun 11 Best Things to Do in Casco, Maine

The town of Casco, Maine is a quaint little town approximately 50 minutes northwest of the city of Portland. While it is not too large, it does hold a variety of attractions and activities to fill your time. You could easily spend an entire weekend exploring the town. Listed below are the 11 best things to do in Casco, Maine.

However, maybe you only have one day and need to choose just a few activities. Then I recommend starting with a whoopie pie from Kindred Farms Market and Bakery, then exploring Sebago Lake State Park, and finishing the day by catching a sunset at Hacker’s Hill Preserve.

If you need lodging in the area, check out Point Sebago Resort for a more luxurious experience, the Charming Casco Cottage for a stay right on the water, or the Crooked River Cottage for a cheaper accommodation option.

Contents:

1) Eat a Whoopie Pie from Kindred Farms Market and Bakery

2) Hike Along the Bri-Mar Trail

3) Explore Sebago Lake State Park

4) Grab Fresh Produce and Flowers at Hancock Family Farm

5) Go Boating on the Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds

6) Catch the Sunset at Hacker’s Hill Preserve

7) Book a Horseback Riding Tour at Carousel Horse Farm

8) Get Active at Casco Day Park

9) Hit the Green at Point Sebago Golf Course

10) Celebrate with the Yearly Casco Days

11) Walk Around Mayberry Hill Preserve

1) Eat a Whoopie Pie from Kindred Farms Market and Bakery

I had to start out the list of the 11 best things to do in Casco, Maine with eating a whoopie pie. Trust me, you will understand what I mean once you take a bite.

Kindred Farms Market and Bakery is a cute little store located at the intersection of Poland Spring Road and Meadow Road. They sell a variety of things, including candles, alcohol, popcorn, ice cream, and more. Additionally, they offer a selection of baked goods and hot food. You can stop by at breakfast for a pastry and breakfast sandwich or at lunch for a panini and smoothie.

However, the main highlight of the store is their whoopie pies. They have a featured flavor that changes every week in addition to a few other general flavors. For a fun fact, the official state treat of Maine is a whoopie pie. You thus cannot visit Maine without trying a whoopie pie – you would be doing a disservice to the state as well as to your stomach.

I had a whoopie pie from Kindred Farms Market and Bakery on my second day ever in Maine, and it did not disappoint. In fact, I went back multiple times to try different flavors. While whoopie pies were one of my favorite foods in Maine, my favorite set of waterfalls was The Cataracts.

2) Hike Along the Bri-Mar Trail 

While the Bri-Mar trailhead is located just outside of Casco, the trail does extend into Casco. It is a 2.5 mile (~four kilometer) out and back trail with approximately 620 feet (~189 meters) in elevation gain.

There is a small parking area right by the trailhead. You then continue straight along the trail, and after only 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers) you arrive at a viewpoint over Panther Lake. Continue another 0.7 miles (~1.1 kilometers) to reach the end of the trail.

The best views on the trail are not located at the summit. Instead, they are located at the viewpoint mentioned above as well as other small viewpoints along the trail. Therefore, you can always decide to turn around after a viewpoint or two if you are only hiking for the scenery.

If you head into the city of Portland, then check out the Jewell Falls Trail within the Fore River Sanctuary. The Jewell Falls Trail holds its own in terms of views, for it leads to a waterfall.

3) Explore Sebago Lake State Park – Things to Do in Casco, Maine

The interesting thing about Sebago Lake State Park is that only half of it is technically located within the Casco borders. The park land to the left of the Songo River is in Naples while the land to the right is in Casco. That being said, it still deserves a spot on the list of the best things to do in Casco, Maine.

Sebago Lake State Park is open from 9am to sunset daily. If the hours differ for a particular day or season, they will post a sign at the gate. Furthermore, admission is $6 per Maine resident or $8 per non-Maine resident. Do not miss out on the chance to visit one of Maine’s five original state parks. Moreover, it is the deepest as well as the second largest lake in Maine.

There are a variety of activities and attractions within the state park. First, you can camp at the Sebago Lake State Park Campground. Second, you can fish along the water. The state park borders Sebago Lake and also has Songo River running through the middle of it. Third, you can boat along the river and within the lake by utilizing the public boat ramp in the park. Fourth, you can take a dip and swim in the lake. However, be aware that the temperature of the lake might be a bit chilly, especially outside of the summer months. Fifth, you can explore the park to a greater extent by hiking along marked trails.

Furthermore, the state park sometimes holds public events. Check out their website for any upcoming events that might interest you.

If you go for a swim here and get hooked, then head to Frenchman’s Hole or Smalls Falls for additional swimming spots in the state.

4) Grab Fresh Produce and Flowers at Hancock Family Farm

Next up on the list of the best things to do in Casco, Maine is to buy some fresh produce and/or flowers at the Hancock Family Farm. They set up a stand every year during the summer months. Please be sure to check their website for updates concerning when they officially open.

You can purchase all kinds of produce at the stand, for example tomatoes, corn, zucchini, eggplant, and more. Additionally, they sell flowers. Purchase a bouquet of flowers for someone special in your life to remind them how much you love and care about them.

5) Go Boating on the Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds

As mentioned above, you can go boating on Sebago Lake. However, the town of Casco is home to a variety of other ponds and lakes on which you can enjoy an afternoon of boating.

There are public boat launches on Thomas Pond, Crescent Lake, Pleasant Lake, Thompson Lake, and Coffee Pond. Many of these lakes are just on the border of Casco, though some of them are fully located within Casco’s borders. Be sure to research the boat launches beforehand, however, for they can each differ in terms of access and nearby parking available.

Moreover, boating does not just mean heading out on the lake on a boat. It can also mean kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, etc. Choose whichever water vessel you prefer! For me, I love kayaking. I even own an Intex Challenger Inflatable Kayak for easy transportation to nearby lakes and rivers.

6) Catch the Sunset at Hacker’s Hill Preserve – Things to Do in Casco, Maine

If you are anything like me, you love a beautiful sunset. I love to see the orange, red, pink, purple, etc. colors streaming across the night sky. One of the best things to do in Casco, Maine, therefore, is to see the sunset from Hacker’s Hill Preserve.

The preserve is on top of a small hill, and you can choose to either hike or drive up to the top. First, you can park along the side of the main road (Quaker Ridge Road) right by the entrance road and then hike up. It is only an approximately 0.3 mile (~0.5 kilometer) hike one way. However, the road is quite steep so it might take your breath away. Second, you can drive up the entrance road to the top. This option will obviously be a bit faster, so definitely choose this if you are running late for sunset. Please keep in mind that sometimes the road to the top of the hill is closed, so then you will have no option other than to hike.

Once you arrive at the top, there is a small open area with a few picnic tables. Why not plan a date night here with your partner? Cook dinner (or bring take out) and have a picnic in the preserve as you watch the sunset over the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

On the other hand, arguably the best place to view the sunrise in Maine is on top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.

7) Book a Horseback Riding Tour at Carousel Horse Farm

Seventh on the list of the best things to do in Casco, Maine is to go horseback riding at Carousel Horse Farm. They offer tour options for riders of all levels, from beginner to advanced. Therefore, you do not have to be worried if this is your first time. They will assist you as much as you need! Moreover, they offer a few different tour options. Check out their website for any and all information you may need to know.

First, they offer multiple guided trail rides. The rides generally last for around one hour, and there are rides for all skill levels. Guided trail rides include a beginner ride, sunset ride, private ride, group ride, lesson, and beach ride. Second, they offer wagon and carriage rides. The carriage can hold multiple people, so this is the perfect tour to book if you are looking to do something with a group or your family.

Third, they offer sleigh rides. However, these rides are only available during the winter season. A sleigh ride is a bit more magical when there is snow on the ground.

8) Get Active at Casco Day Park

You will find the Casco Day Park just down the street from Kindred Farms Market and Bakery. The park includes a large grass field, a basketball court, and a tennis court.

First, you can take advantage of the large open field by engaging in a variety of activities. For example, you can have a picnic, fly a kite, throw a frisbee, play fetch with your dog, etc. Second, grab a group of friends and play some basketball. There is a full court with two basketball hoops. Third, challenge your partner or a friend to a tennis match. To really make it interesting, the loser buys dinner and ice cream.

9) Hit the Green at Point Sebago Golf Course – Things to Do in Casco, Maine

Another one of the best things to do in Casco, Maine is to visit the Point Sebago Golf Course. It is located just outside of Sebago Lake State Park, so you could even combine golf with exploring the state park for a day trip.

The golf course is an 18-hole championship course with a par of 72. You can truly challenge yourself by playing from the back tees, or you can take a bit of a break and choose the forward tees.

Moreover, you can choose a specific tee time or a “stay and play package”. The package includes an entire day (or more) of golf as well as lodging in the Point Sebago Resort.

10) Celebrate with the Yearly Casco Days

Casco Days is the name of the festival that the town of Casco holds every year. It always occurs on the last Saturday in July in addition to the adjacent Friday and Sunday. What better event to include on the list of the best things to do in Casco, Maine than the three-day yearly festival?

The festival has everything that you would expect and more. First, there is a race that has been going on for over 40 years. Start off your weekend with a morning run alongside hundreds of others. Second, there is a children’s as well as a grand parade. Line the streets and watch all of the decorated cars and floats pass by. Third, they have a food booth to satisfy your hunger. You can buy burgers, fries, onion rings, cotton candy, and just about any typical “fair food” you can think of.

Fourth, they host a firework show. Watch as the fireworks light up the night sky. Fifth, there are a variety of fair rides and games. Challenge your friend or partner to a game and bet on it. The loser buys cotton candy.

11) Walk Around Mayberry Hill Preserve – Things to Do in Casco, Maine

Mayberry Hill Preserve is a 160 acre oasis within the town of Casco. The land on which the preserve sits was previously used for agricultural purposes. Then in 1990, the Gillis family donated the land to form the preserve.

There is a 0.8 mile (~1.3 kilometer) trail that leads through the preserve. While hiking along, you will meander through the forest, meadows, and alongside streams. Moreover, you will see stone walls, a quarry pit, and apple trees. Many of these attractions along the trail are evidence that the land was primarily utilized for agricultural purposes in the past.

If you prefer an organized walking tour, then check out some of the best walking tours in Portland.

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Do not miss out on this waterfall near Rangeley Lake State Park: Smalls Falls in Rangeley, Maine.

Check out my favorite waterfalls in Maine: The Cataracts: Set of Three Waterfalls.