Apple Picking, Foliage Drives & Gluten-Free Fall Treats in Maine
As a Realtor, I spend a lot of time driving around Maine, between showings, home inspections, and meeting clients in towns they are just getting to know. Fall is when I notice it the most. The light changes, the roads empty out a little, and every drive starts to feel like an excuse to take the long way home. I put together a few of my favorite ways to spend a fall weekend around here, from orchards to backroads to the gluten-free bakeries that make the season a little sweeter for anyone managing a dietary restriction.
Image by: Bracketts Orchards
Apple Picking
Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchards, Cumberland, about 20 minutes from Portland
Sweetser's grows more than 50 varieties, which is more choice than most orchards offer. This time of year you will find McIntosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Gala, Macoun, and Empire on the trees, along with a rotating lineup of limited-edition varieties like Wolf River and Rhode Island Greening for anyone who likes to try something new. The farm store sells fresh cider and cider doughnuts if you would rather skip the picking altogether, and it is an easy stop for anyone showing family around the Cumberland area for the first time.
Hansel's Orchard, North Yarmouth, about 20 minutes from Portland
Hansel’s Orchard is one of the smaller, more laid-back orchards in the area, which makes it a great option if you are bringing young kids or just want a slower morning. McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, and Gretel apples are all part of the mix, and the unhurried feel of the place makes it easy to spend an hour wandering the rows without any pressure to move fast.
Brackett's Orchards, Limington, about 40 minutes from Portland
Thought to be the oldest family-owned and operated orchard in Maine, Brackett's leans a little more into the full fall experience. There is an orchard express train, apple cannons, a pumpkin patch, and a brick oven pizza stand alongside the pick-your-own rows. It is a good choice if you are looking for a half-day outing rather than a quick stop, especially if you have kids who want more than just an afternoon of picking.
Apple Acres Farm, Hiram, about 45 minutes from Portland
If you are looking for something a bit further out, Apple Acres is Southern Maine's certified organic pick-your-own, tucked into the pine forest foothills near the New Hampshire border. There is a treehouse dining room serving farm-to-table lunch, a playground for the kids, and a farm store stocked with local products and homemade desserts. It is worth the extra drive if you want the orchard visit to turn into a full afternoon outdoors.
Image by: Down East Magazine
Foliage Drives
Route 302 through Sebago Lake, Bridgton, and on to North Conway
This is the drive I recommend most often to clients who are new to the Lakes Region and want to see why people love it out here. Leaving Portland, Route 302 winds past Sebago Lake State Park and Long Lake before climbing into the hills around Bridgton, a small lake town worth a stop on its own. From there, the road continues into New Hampshire and ends in North Conway, with the White Mountains rising up around you for the last stretch. It is an easy day trip if you want mountains, lakes, and a proper change of scenery all in one drive. Southern Maine tends to peak a little later than the rest of the state, so this route is often at its best in the second week of October.
Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway: If you're looking for a road trip outside of Portland
For anyone who wants to make a full day, or a weekend, out of leaf peeping, this is the drive to save for. The scenic byway follows Routes 4 and 17 around Rangeley Lake through the western mountains, with the Height of Land overlook on Route 17 as the centerpiece. It looks out over Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson Lakes and the surrounding ridgeline, and it is consistently ranked among the best foliage views in New England. It is a longer drive from Portland, closer to three hours, so I would treat it as its own trip rather than a quick outing, but it is worth the distance if you have the time to spare this season.
Harpswell and Bailey Island: About 45 minutes from Portland
If you would rather stay closer to the coast, Harpswell offers a completely different kind of fall drive. The town spreads out across several peninsulas and islands, and the road out to Bailey Island winds along the water the whole way, with fall color and rocky shoreline on either side. It is a shorter outing than the other two, which makes it an easy add-on to a weekend if you are already spending the day near Freeport or Brunswick.
Image by: Business Insider
Gluten-Free Fall Treats
Wildflours Bakery, Brunswick, about 30 minutes from Portland
Wildflours runs a fully dedicated gluten-free kitchen, which means no cross-contamination to worry about. The cakes, cookies, and breads have built a loyal following, but the doughnuts are the real surprise. Flavors change depending on who is baking that day, so it is worth checking in each time you visit.
The Holy Donut, Portland
A local favorite with several locations around the city, The Holy Donut has built its reputation on Maine potato doughnuts and offers gluten-free options alongside the rest of the menu. It is an easy stop if you are showing a client around Portland and want to grab something sweet without a special trip.
Wild Oats Bakery & Café, Brunswick, about 30 minutes from Portland
Wild Oats is a great stop if you are craving something more than baked goods, since the deli menu covers sandwiches, soups, and salads alongside the bakery case. Their gluten-free and vegan desserts are a real highlight, from carrot cake to cheesecake to dessert bars, and several of their sandwiches use bread from Wildflours just down the street. It is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, so if you are especially sensitive, it is worth mentioning your allergy when you order.
Fall in Maine has a way of making even a quick errand feel like part of the season, whether that is a slow drive with the windows cracked or a stop for something warm from the oven. If you are exploring the area and want recommendations tailored to wherever you end up, I am always happy to share what I know, on the road and off.
If you're thinking about buying or selling in Southern Maine this fall, I'm always happy to talk through what the season means for your plans.
