Of all the islands in Casco Bay, Peaks Island is nearest and dearest to my heart. Easily reached by a 20 minute ferry ride from Portland, the island is approximately 2 miles by 1 mile and boasts beautiful views of Portland and Casco Bay.

The island is a throwback to a simpler way of life and is one of those places where people tend to make their own fun: except for some homes along the back shore, cottages are modest and low maintenance; the favorite mode of transportation for locals is the “island car”, an aging vehicle not requiring formal inspections;  kids can still play without constant adult supervision; and doors are frequently left unlocked.

Aside from someone being late for the ferry, life is fairly laid back.

You won’t find golf courses, either 18 hole or miniature. Nor will you find movie theaters, video arcades, or amusement rides, although those did exist in the past. But what you will find is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Exploring the island is great fun whether it’s poking along the rocky shoreline, looking for shells in the sandier beaches, trekking out to Battery Steele (an old WWII army bunker), biking along the entire shoreline, kayaking alongside sailboats and motor boats or hiking through the various paths in the interior of the island.

That’s not to say there aren’t other interests, because there are. Where else would you be able to visit a small museum devoted entirely to umbrella covers, yes you read that correctly, umbrella covers. The museum has been featured on NPR and the owner, Nancy 3, takes great pride in showing visitors around and giving background on the various covers on exhibit.

For history buffs, there is the Fifth Maine Regiment Hall. The Fifth Maine is maintained as a Civil War and local history museum and a cultural center. During the summer, it’s common to see events such as a pancake breakfast or “chowda” dinner.

Go to www.fifthmainemuseum.org for full details about the museum and to see a listing of events.

Several artists live on the island and many open their houses to visitors, but if you want one stop shopping,  there’s also the Gem gallery that displays various artists works.  The gallery is intimate, but contains a wonderful selection from paintings to ceramics  to fiber arts.  For more information on the artists and the Gem Gallery, visit peaksislandart.blogspot.com

No place would be complete without shopping and the island has a few gifts stores.  Take a Peak (www.takeapeaksisland.com ) sells a variety of gifts perfect for any occasion and Downfront sells t-shirts, hats, candy and other memorabilia.  If antiques are your thing, then check out the newly opened store, Antiques on Peaks (www.antiquesonpeaks.com).

For the adventurous there is Maine Island Kayak which offers day or longer term kayak trips and for those slightly less adventurous Brad and Wyatt’s Island Bike Service rents bicycles that can be used to tour around the island.

One nice thing about the bike rental place is that if no one is around, you can still rent a bicycle on the honor system.

If you’d prefer a more guided tour of the island,  Island Tours offers golf cart and walking tours (www.peaksislandtours.com).

While exploring, if you find yourself in need of refreshment, there are several options to choose from ranging from a local market that sells beverages and other essential supplies to restaurants offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. I highly recommend Peak’s Cafe for tasty sandwiches, great coffee and baked goods.

For some of the best ice cream around, stop by Downfront where you can get the tasty treat or sample my favorite, Moose Tracks. For more savory fare, The Cockeyed Gull boasts a back deck that gives you a stellar view of Casco Bay.

While sipping cocktails or sampling a meal, you can watch lobster boats at work or sailors out catching a good breeze. The Peaks Island House also features a back deck from which to view the action and if you’re lucky you may get to hear the sounds of Reggae Sunday (every Sunday during the summer, you can party to the sounds of a reggae band at Jones Landing, an establishment located just off the ferry landing) while eating your lobster roll.

Finally, there’s the Inn on Peaks Island. Visitors can choose to dine on burgers, seafood or other tasty nibbles outside or stay inside in the comfortable dining area or cozy bar. During the summer and fall, the Inn hosts many weddings, so it’s not unusual to rub elbows with a bride and groom and their entourage.
If doing your own cooking is what you enjoy, then no visit would be complete without a lobster dinner.  Fresh lobster can be purchased down by the ferry landing.

For places to stay, both inns have rooms with stellar views. The Peaks Island House, www.thepeaksislandhouse.com, has more traditional rooms as well as a separate little cottage. The Inn on Peaks Island, www.innonpeaks.com boasts swanky rooms complete with jacuzzi tubs and private decks.

There’s a vast difference in price between the two places and both fill quickly in the summer, so plan ahead if you’re thinking of staying. If you want a more rustic experience, the Eight Maine Regiment Museum and Lodging, www.8thMaine.org, provides basic rooms with shared bathrooms and a communal kitchen. Visitors get to experience what it was like for veterans of the Civil War to meet and share experiences in a lovely setting. For longer term stays, cottages in a variety of price ranges and locations are for rent. For some examples, visit www.portisland.com.

While summer is the best time to explore the island, fall can also be quite beautiful. The crowds die down after Labor day and by November, the locals have the island back to themselves until the next spring when the fun begins all over again. For more information on the island, check out www.peaksisland.info or www.peaksisland.com

PeaksGirl

Related posts:

1. New England Seafood – Lobster, Chowder, Shellfish, Where and How to Get it, and How to Cook it
2. Tall Ships Arrive in Newport Rhode Island
3. Some Hidden Rhode Island Vacation Gems For You…
4. Winter in New England is a Great Time for Getaways
5. Boston Harbor Islands – Baseball Georges Island Style…