Fryeburg

Best known as the site of Maine’s largest fall agricultural fair, Fryeburg is also a unique day trip destination packed with history, recreation opportunities and great mountain views. The town is one of the oldest in the region, and boasts 11 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of Fryeburg’s longest standing landmarks are within the Main Street Historic District.

Another thing the town has a lot of is green space for leisurely activities. Fryeburg maintains 12 public parks, three of which are historic sites. Some parks are open spaces ideal for a picnic or bird watching, while others offer swimming, walking trails, tennis, or fishing. Music concerts are hosted at different park locations throughout the summer. One way to visit a number of the town’s public spaces in a short time is by taking the bike tour. It begins west of Main Street at Weston’s Beach and brings riders over flat and lightly traveled roads to nine parks.

A canoe or kayak trip on the Saco River is a great option for a less strenuous outdoor adventure. The clear, slow-moving river provides a pleasant paddle on a hot summer day, and there are outfitters in town who can provide visitors with all the necessary gear. On the water or during a walk down Main Street, the surrounding mountains are hard to ignore. A short hike up The Jockey Cap Trail near the center of town offers a 360 degree view of more than 30 distant peaks.