Parents Weekend has arrived and Bowdoin students might feel overwhelmed at the prospect of entertaining their parents. But fear not: Mid-Coast Maine offers a variety of activities and restaurants to keep even the most skeptical occupied and content.
Here is a selection of local destinations where you can show your parents a good time.
On campus
The Peary-MacMillan Artic Museum provides patrons with a look at the Arctic travels and research of Bowdoin faculty, students, and alumni. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
In Brunswick
Step a few feet off campus and experience Maine Street and the streets that channel off it. Stop by the Brunswick Farmer's Market on Friday and find a variety of locally grown plants, vegetables, fruits, and other things. Or indulge at one of the local restaurants or cafes. The Little Black Dog Café at 87 Maine Street and the Bohemian Coffee House at 4 Railroad Avenue are renowned for warm drinks and light snacks and pastries. For a heartier meal, consider Pedro O'Hara's on 1 Center Street, which serves an eclectic Mexican-German infusion palette, or try Fat Boy Drive-In burger joint on 111 Bath Road.
A short drive away
Further in the heart of Maine, enjoy the great outdoors. Visit the St. John River and go canoeing. Or go apple picking at one of the numerous orchards in Maine, which include Moulton Orchards in Turner, just a short distance from Portland.
In Freeport
You can also experience the fall foliage while walking around Freeport, where you may indulge in a galore of outlet shopping as well as visit the L.L. Bean flagship store.
While in Freeport, stop by the Mast Landing Sanctuary, a bird sanctuary owned by the Maine Audubon Society, which can be reached at (207) 781-2330. The sanctuary offers 140-acres of woodland, marshes, and rolling hills, which provide a unique impression of a Maine autumn.
Also in Freeport is Wolfe Neck's Farm at 184 Burnett Road. Wolfe Neck's Farm is owned by a nonprofit trust that experiments with different ways to produce organic beef and sells its own beef, which is used by many of the local restaurants. Frommer's guidebook promises that the farm "is located on one of the most scenic coastal [areas in Maine] (especially at sunset)." While at the farm be sure to hike one of the trails and for those who live nearby, stop by the farmhouse, and pick up hamburger meat or steak to cook for dinner.
In Portland
If you prefer the open waters, Portland is a great stop to charter boats, go for a sunset cruise, or go whale watching. The whale feeding area is about 20 miles from the Portland coastline at an underground plateau called Jeffrey's ledge. The Maine State Pier in Portland is dotted with many sailing companies. Be sure to visit and compare options before choosing a company.
If you like the ocean but prefer a less rocky option, visit DeMillio's Floating Restaurant, located at 25 Long Wharf. The restaurant is a converted car ferry that will allow you to dine on the sea without going too far off shore. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner starting at 11 a.m. Reservations are not taken, but you can call (207) 772-1081 half an hour before arriving to check on wait time and to be put on a waiting list.
It might be easy to think that Bowdoin is isolated, but it is a mere 30 minutes from Portland, a cultural hub, and it is even closer to natural havens. Bowdoin's location in southern Maine will prove to be exciting for everyone, no matter what their interest are.