Fun Travels Across the United States
NOTE: Towns and Cities follow after the News
MAINE
NEWS ---
Coastal Maine's Chebeague Island InnUnder New Ownership
Located off the coast of Maine in Casco Bay, and a favorite destination for travelers and day-trippers since the 1880s, Chebeague Island Inn re-opened May 14, 2010 under the new ownership of the Prentice family of Yarmouth, Maine. Beautifully restored in 2003-2004, the Inn will provide its guests and restaurant patrons with a quintessential coastal Maine inn experience, offering services and amenities that have made it one of the region’s most notable island inns for well over a century. With the May re-launch, the Prentices will be adding a more stylish, up-to-date ambience to the Inn and its offerings, bound to appeal to guests ranging from twentysomethings to seniors.
Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Yarmouth or a 25-minute water taxi ride from Portland, the Inn takes guests back to a time when relaxing on the front porch, sipping cocktails or tea in the afternoon, and playing lawn games by the sea was the best way to spend a Maine summer. To authentically restore the character of the Inn, these favorite traditions are being re-established by the Prentices, including complimentary access to bicycles for island exploration.
With easy access to eight moorings available to guests and visitors, situated just a stone’s throw from the Inn’s porch, the property has long been an attraction for the boating community, both as an overnight destination or a short-term tie-up for a lunch or dinner visit to the Inn. The Prentices anticipate regularly hosting boaters throughout the season, and will offer launch services to those using the Inn’s moorings.
In the ’20s and ’30s, when steamships traveled regularly to the island, the Inn was widely considered the hotspot for social activities, with elegant black-tie galas and balls catering to Maine’s high society. Today, Chebeague Island Inn is the only surviving property from the Golden Age of hotels on Casco Bay, and continues to be a center point for the island community’s 350 year-round residents.
Every one of the Inn’s 21 rooms, which overlook the Atlantic Ocean, the adjoining golf course, or the Inn’s herb and flower garden, is unique, and home to original Maine art pieces. Each element has been carefully selected from among Maine and Chebeague Island artists and antique shops, including photography, paintings, hand-made headboards, crafted lampshades and hand-sewn furniture.
The Inn’s public restaurant will feature a choice of casual fare and fine dining, along with a full-service bar. Under the skilled direction of Executive Chef Justin Rowe, a veteran of such nationally award-winning restaurants as Portland, Maine’s 555 and Fore Street, guests can enjoy a contemporary American menu featuring creative Maine and New England influences. Many of the restaurant’s vegetables and herbs will be sourced from local farms, including Second Wind, a nearby farm on the island, while all fish and lobster served daily will come directly from local Maine fishermen. Guests also can savor homemade pastries and desserts, made with fresh seasonal fruits including fresh Maine strawberries and wild Maine blueberries, and sample a variety of Maine-crafted artisan beer and spirit selections.
Casey Prentice, part owner and general manager of the Inn, said: “Buying and revitalizing Chebeague Island Inn has been a dream come true for our family. Our interest has always focused on preservation of these special Maine places, so providing this authentic, traditional and coastal inn experience for visitors and locals is a natural fit for us.”
For reservation and rate information, visit chebeagueislandinn.com/reservations.html or call (207) 846-5155.
About Chebeague Island Inn
Known for its classic Maine hospitality, Chebeague Island Inn attracts long-time guests who have made the Inn the centerpiece of their vacations for decades, as well as newcomers who rate the Inn as a “can’t-miss” destination. Recommended by outlets ranging from National Geographic Traveler and Travel + Leisure to Yankee and Condé Nast Traveler, this beautifully restored 1920’s hotel is situated on one of Maine’s most picturesque islands.
Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway, Maine’s Only Gaming Facility, Debuts Revolutionary Online “WALK-THROUGH” MotionVR Tours
MotionVR, LLC (www.motion-vr.com) has announced that Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway, a Penn National Gaming facility, located in Bangor, Maine, has become the first Maine-based property to debut revolutionary online “walk-through” MotionVR Tours. Maine’s premier entertainment destination, and the only state gaming facility, now offers prospective guests an online walk-through experience of the property’s offerings including guest rooms & suites, the gaming area, and much more.
The most realistic “walk-through” motion tours ever developed, MotionVR Tours has data to show it has an enormous impact on web marketing, as consumers visiting a website featuring the proprietary tours are captivated for an average of more than four additional minutes per visit. MotionVR Tours of Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway are now available at <www.motion-vr.com/hslots/hstours.aspx.
Using high-tech, yet simple-to-use navigation tools, MotionVR Tour technology allows visitors to Maine’s newest hotel and gaming facility destination’s website to stroll through the main entrance, through the gaming area, from beginning to end of the Epic Buffet, through their meeting space and even walk right up to the luxurious bed in the hotel suite. “We are excited to offer visitors to our website the most advanced interactive experience with the debut of MotionVR Tours,” said Amy Kenney, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway. “The MotionVR Tours capture the essence of what our property has to offer, and I am confident this technology is something that our guests will find extremely beneficial.”
“Hollywood Slots is Maine’s newest attraction, and we are thrilled to work with them on the heels of their recent grand opening to help showcase this premier entertainment destination,” said Dan Tilton, Vice President of Sales, MotionVR, LLC. “MotionVR technology is truly different then anything else out there today and we are certain that Hollywood Slots will receive positive feedback from their customers.”
Unlike standard virtual tour providers, MotionVR “walk-through” tours do not utilize photo-stitching software, which can lead to distorted images and patchiness. Instead, a series of high-resolution photographs are taken using high-tech cameras, which sit on a tripod and a custom MotionVR dolly. Using a proprietary software process, MotionVR creates a technologically advanced “walk-through” environment or tour. Conveniently, MotionVR enables anyone to walk through a property or venue, with the only requirement being a standard web browser with the Adobe Flash plug-in installed … which is found today on 98% of all home computers.
In addition to Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway and other leading properties in the hotel and hospitality industry, MotionVR Tours have become extremely popular among realtors, home builders and property management companies, as well as a quickly evolving showcase technology for yacht companies, trade shows and museums, among other industries. For more information about Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway, log on to www.hollywoodslots.com. For more information about MotionVR, log on to www.motion-vr.com.
About MotionVR
MotionVR, LLC, which is based in Sarasota, Florida, has developed a proprietary technology that is redefining today’s 360º online virtual tour business. The Company, which currently services the residential and commercial real estate, property management, hospitality, golf, museum, RV and timeshare industries, among many others, delivers proprietary technology to create walk through tours, providing online website visitors with a “real” perspective of what they would actually see if visiting the property, venue or facility. For more information, visit www.motion-vr.com.
About Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway
Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway, which is based in Bangor, Maine, is a premier entertainment destination. The gaming facility includes a luxurious seven-story hotel, star-style shopping, a full service buffet and indoor parking. For more information and reservations, visit the website at www.hollywoodslots.com, or call 877-779-7771.
CAMDEN
The Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville region
offers visitors majestic views of the autumn foliage. Hikers can ascend the summit of Mt. Battie, Ragged, Hatchet, Bald or Young's Mountains, and enjoy an awe-inspiring, panoramic view of the entire region. Another popular way to view the change of seasons is from the water. For those who wish to make their own way, canoe and kayak rentals are available throughout the CRL region. Pack a picnic lunch from one of the area's markets and make your way along the coastline, around Megunticook Lake and Hosmer Pond, or travel up and down our rivers, brooks, and streams for a closer look at the region's unspoiled beauty. If you want someone else to navigate, take in the autumn coastline from the deck of a windjammer. Have someone else make lunch, take a turn at the helm, or just relax and absorb the season's colorful splendor.
The region's diverse geography treats visitors to colorful sightlines from virtually every vantage point.. Browse local shops as leaves drift from trees and swirl about your feet. Take a walking or bicycle tour of historical communities. Explore by Land and Sea Hike to a mountaintop for a spectacular panorama of the changing colors, lakes, sea and islands, or test your technical climbing skills on rugged stone cliffs. Come aboard one of the historic windjammers for a multi-day cruise - or an afternoon tour of Penobscot Bay and the islands. For those who want a closer look, kayak rentals, tours and lessons are also available for exploring our harbors and lakes.
Arts Abound during autumn, including arts and craft shows, arts and artisans tours, live theater, and musical performances. Visit the Bay Chamber Concerts web site for their fall schedule of events, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art web site to see their schedule of events, and check out the Camden Opera House schedule for a variety of great live performances. Pack a picnic lunch and take a two-wheeled tour of the countryside. Bring your own bikes or rent them locally, where you'll also get tips on the best routes to explore. Visit a local farm to say hello to the livestock or pick your own apples.
Are you into shopping. If so, you'll find finely crafted Maine-made products, books both used and new, unique toy shops, amazing antiques, and clothing for everyone in the family. If you love dining out, the area has really good seafood, steaks, and the freshest produce from local gaden harvests.
For more information, contact the Camden/Rockport/Lincolnville Chambes of Commers, P.O. box 919, Camden, ME 04843; 207-236-4404, or check web site www.camdenme.org or web site www.VisitCamden.com.
FREEPORT
L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools
L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools make it easy to start the summer outdoors with exciting and fun-filled 11⁄2 to 21⁄2 hour Walk-On Adventures offered at all L.L.Bean retail stores that cost just $15 per person.
Continuing through fall, visitors to L.L.Bean’s retail locations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region can take part in a fun, new activity. The Marlton, New Jersey store at the Promenade at Sagemore offers kayaking, fly-casting, and GPS Techno Treasure Hunt adventures.
Participants simply sign up at the store on the day they wish to participate (no advance registration needed!) and L.L.Bean provides all of the equipment needed and transportation to the activity site. The true value of this program, however, is the expert instruction provided. Experienced instructors at L.L.Bean offer hands-on coaching and guidance in a relaxed and fun setting. Enjoying a new activity doesn’t have to be intimidating, and L.L.Bean makes exploring the outdoors easy with these Walk-On Adventures.
Walk-On Adventures make it easy to get together with friends or family members, because L.L.Bean’s guides do all of the planning and provide all the necessary equipment. And since no advanced reservations are required, groups can come into the store on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and be out on the water, on the range, or just outdoors that same afternoon.
Since 1979, the guiding principles of L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools have remained the same: To promote the enjoyment of the outdoors and to foster an appreciation and respect for our natural environment. These foundations are inherent in every program offered — whether it is a two-hour Walk-On Adventure or a three-day trip. L.L.Bean retail stores are conveniently located along the eastern seaboard, making it easy, affordable, and convenient to try out a new activity or to get better at a familiar one.
Walk-On Adventures program schedules are available by phone at 800-559-0747, ext. 37222 or online at www.llbean.com/ods.
KENNEBUNKPORT
Village Cove Inn
Tom and Angela Murphy purchased the Village Cove Inn in the heart of Kennebunkport back in 1996 Continuing to make improvements each year, the Murphys have recently remodeled the on site restaurant The Changing Tide.
Featuring elegant dining for guests and residents in the Kennebunkport area, the restaurant serves fresh Maine seafood and offers specialty holiday dining packages throughout the year. "Tom and I are in the midst of planning a ten-year anniversary celebration for our guests," says Murphy. More casual dining is available in Jaxon's poolside pub and children's menus are always available in both restaurants. The restaurant is Chef owned and very popular with the locals.
The outdoor pool patio was another renovation, which took place last spring. "The patio area was renovated for the summer season. Landscaping the property will continue to be an on-going project," says Tom. Charming with all the amenities of a larger facility, the Inn features outdoor dining on the patio, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, and a fully equipped fitness facility. With close proximity to area beaches and other outdoor activities, such as boating and tennis, the Village Cove Inn is a popular family retreat in the summer. The Family Fun Package is always a big hit every summer, tailored with kids in mind . Most popular for couples in off-season are our Getaway Packages or Spa Packages with breakfast and dinner included.
The Village Cove Inn is unique in its style and location. It is a small property, not quite a hotel and not quite a motel. It is hidden away on a small tidal cove but only a mile from the town of Kennebunkport, a 15-minute walk is all it takes to get back to tranquility after a days shopping in town. "We have recently added a fitness centre and a Spa Therapy Room for treatments, which we offer as part of our Spa Packages", says Angela, "we work with 4 therapists who all specialize in several Therapies such as Swedish massage, Hot Stones, Deep Tissue and Pregnancy massages. We will soon be adding body wraps and facials to our list of Spa Therapy Services. We are looking to make these services affordable for everyone".
Tom and Angela have been in the hotel and restaurant business for years, running a Vermont hotel for four years before deciding to purchase the Village Cove Inn. "We came to visit family here and just fell in love with Maine and the Kennebunkport area. I grew up in England and my parents were in the hotel business," says Angela Murphy. Prior to working in Vermont, Tom Murphy managed Restaurants in New York City's theater district for twenty years where the couple met.
Today, Tom and Angela are proud proprietors of the lovely Village Cove Inn in the heart of Kennebunkport. The Inn's secluded location on Chick's Cove is off the beaten path but only minutes from famous Walker's Point, home of the Bush family, and within walking distance to world-renowned Dock Square.
For more information, call 207-967-3993 or toll free (800) 879-5778 or visit web site villagecoveinn.com.
ROCKLAND
About the Historic Inns of Rockland
The Premier Historic Inns of Rockland represent an exquisite collection of significant local architecture from bygone eras. Captain Lindsey House is an 18th century Federal inn. Berry Manor Inn and LimeRock Inn are 19th century Victorian homes. Quietly, yet tenaciously, the Historic Inns of Rockland are working hard to reduce global warming in Maine. All three have been certified by the state of Maine as Certified Green Hospitality Leaders. The list of Historic Inns of Rockland’s environmentally-friendly practices is long, ranging from widespread use of compact fluorescent bulbs and solar lighting to donation and recycling of old towels, clothing, shampoo and soaps to local charities. The group has collectively negotiated a contract for use of bio-fuel for heating oil and used it exclusively throughout the 2007-08 winter, plus instituted creative recycling programs for inn and guest products ranging from bottles to office products. Yet still this group has taken the green scheme beyond changing light bulbs and recycling. Each of the inns make a donation for every guest booking to eco-friendly local organizations as a means to offset their own carbon footprint and now offer the “No Fueling” package to teach guests how to save on gas.
Historic Inns of Rockland’s Five Drive Green Not Mean tips on efficient driving
Historic Inns of Rockland want to help guests save gas by driving efficiently. Here are some of the tips they share with guests which can result in 25-percent better fuel efficiency for the car.
1.) Before leaving, be sure to have specific directions on how to reach your vacation destination. Historic Inns of Rockland will send detailed directions to help avoid wasting fuel finding the way.
2) Drive with a soft foot. Avoid jack rabbit starts and stops, and make smooth and gradual lane changes.
3) Slow down – In Maine the motto is “life the way it should be”; while visiting Midcoast Maine obey the highway speed limit of 55 mph where most cars are the more fuel efficient. Gas efficiency is improved by 7-percent for every 5 mph slowed below 60 mph.
4) While driving in Maine, check www.511maine.gov or call "511" for up-to-the-minute travel information, road conditions, accidents or any major delays before they affect fuel consumption.
5) Travel light. The more weight carried, the more fuel burned. Rent bikes or kayaks locally to save on gas.
Rockland Attractions & Events
Two “Discovery Coast Museum Passports” offering admission to six of Maine’s greatest cultural treasures including the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center, Gen. Henry Knox Museum, Owls Head Transportation Museum and the Maine Lighthouse Museum.
Choose between two tickets to Captain Jack’s Lobster Adventure Cruises where the chance to pull lobster traps (and keep your haul) is just one of the highlights from this entertaining lobsterman filled with lobster lore OR two tickets on the Maine State Ferry to Vinalhaven Island, the largest inhabited island in Penobscot Bay. Stroll throughout this quintessential island fishing community offering scenic views and a glimpse into island life.
Special guided educational tours with expert docents of the Maine Lighthouse Museum offered twice weekly (Mon and Thurs) exclusively for guests of Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine.
A guided tour of Rockland’s Historic Breakwater Lighthouse offered exclusively to guests of Historic Inns of Rockland each Wednesday with Ted Panayotoff, author, historian and lighthouse aficionado, plus an autographed copy of Ted Panayotoff’s book The Lighthouse at Rockland Breakwater Then and Now.
A private walking tour of Rockland’s Historic District offered by members of the Rockland Historical Society Tuesday afternoons. Learn why Rockland was the fourth busiest harbor on the east coast at the turn of the century and view examples of an array of architecture preserved among the 145 buildings and homes listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
ROCKWOOD
The Birches Resort Offers Great Deals for Winter Enthusiasts
Pricey airfares to the islands may ground many a traveler this winter but vacationers seeking escapes can embrace the cold weather and snowy landscape at The Birches Resort in Rockwood, ME.
Located on Moosehead Lake on 11,000 acres of wilderness, The Birches offers exhilarating activities and cozy accommodations. Winter enthusiasts will find miles of trails to explore on skis, snowmobiles and snowshoes. In addition, Moosehead Lake offers ice fishing and a landing strip for ski plane tours over Maine's winter wonderland. Accommodations include main lodge rooms and luxury vacation homes as well as rustic yurts and cabins. The lodge, complete with roaring fire in the stone hearth, serves three hearty meals per day.
For more information go to web site www.birches.com or call 1-800-825-WILD (9453)
The Birches winter menu of activities includes:
- Up, Up and Away - A tour of the Maine wilderness in winter in a ski plane which takes off and lands on the frozen lake. ($90 per person for an hour ride)
- Guided Yurt to Yurt Cross Country Ski adventure - Ski from The Birches on our well-maintained trails to a Yurt for lunch, then ski to a different yurt and enjoy a dinner of your choice (steak, chicken or fish) prepared by our guide. After a good night's sleep, we ski back to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Includes all equipment (bring your own sleeping bag), guide and three meals. ($139 per person)
- Trailblazers - The Birches offers some of the best snowmobile trails in the Northeast. Hop on one of the resorts top of the line Arctic Cat sleds to explore the 100-mile Moosehead Trail loop that circles the lake. (Rentals range from $185-235 per day, guided tours available)
- Go Fish - Catch landlocked salmon, trout and brook trout in an ice shack on Moosehead Lake. Guided full day trips with rental gear and snowmobile ride to fishing area can be arranged ($320 per day).
For more information go to web site www.birches.com or call 1-800-825-WILD (9453)
SCARSBOROUGH
Maine's Historic Black Point Inn Is Open for the Season With Lodging Deals, Special Events and Green Updates
Black Point Inn (www.blackpointinn.com) has opened its doors to a season full of events, activities, and attractive lodging specials. With updated guest amenities and a continued investment in being “green,” Black Point Inn is committed to enhancing guests’ experiences while remaining faithful to the original, historic property's design and ambiance.
Enjoying its 132nd year of continuous operation, the Inn is the last remaining of the grand hotels which once called the scenic, oceanside area of southern Maine’s Prouts Neck home. Built in 1878 at the peak of America’s Gilded Age, the resort property’s colorful history includes patrons ranging from rail barons and political leaders to visiting celebrities and one of Maine’s most famous native sons – world-renowned artist Winslow Homer.
With breathtaking views, fabulous food, first-class accommodations, tennis, miles of sandy beaches, a private beach club and heated swimming pool, Black Point Inn provides an exceptional Maine getaway experience. Guests at the Inn are welcomed at the 18-hole, private golf club abutting the property, a walking-only course with five oceanside holes, and one widely regarded as the best example of a “links course” in the state of Maine.
Recently labeled “Best Seaside Resort” by New England Travel Guide, Black Point Inn has been included on the prestigious National Registry of Historic Hotels of America list, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Inn has been featured by the likes of Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, Fodor’s, and National Culinary Review. Additionally, the scenic property earned in 2008 a spot on National Geographic Traveler magazine’s inaugural “Stay List,” and recently was named an “Editor’s Pick” by Condé Nast Traveler’s concierge.com.
Dining at the Inn
Meals are a central component of a visit to any property, and the cuisine offered at Black Point Inn upholds the highest cuisine and hospitality standard. Trap Landry, executive chef at the Inn’s two onsite restaurants, The Point and the more casual Chart Room, has two decades of fine dining kitchen experience to his credit. Known for his focus on local and seasonal cooking, this Austin, Texas, native turns out first-rate American-European classics using Maine’s freshest ingredients from local farmers and suppliers.
Since the Inn’s relaunch in 2007, both The Point and Chart Room have earned excellent reviews from a persuasive variety of national, regional and local press. The open-air Chart Room bar, hand-crafted of mahogany, opens up onto the Inn's gorgeous, spacious decks overlooking the sea, and is an especially popular stop for guests looking for a relaxing summertime cocktail.
Nightly Specials and Activities
Sunday through Wednesday evenings, visitors will enjoy the Inn’s popular Social Hour from 4:30-6 p.m., featuring appetizer and drink specials each evening. Inn guests also will enjoy the complimentary General Manager’s cocktail party every Sunday evening from 5:30-6:30 pm. Wine Tasting Wednesdays at Black Point Inn, free to the public beginning Wednesday, will feature an array of wines and light hors d’oeuvres from 4-6 p.m.
Creature Comforts
Black Point Inn also features spa amenities for guests, including a sauna and outdoor swimming pool. As part of the Inn’s ongoing “green” commitment, the sauna and pool are heated by the Inn's new geothermal wells system.
Additionally, the Inn outfits every room with luxury linens and Aveda products, and private, in-room massages are available from on-call therapists at the Inn. Many of the Inn’s bathrooms have been renovated in time for the 2009 season, including the addition of all-new tiles, showers and appliances. Flat screen television sets are discreetly placed in all guest rooms. During work this past winter, Inn staff has faithfully retained the nuances, colors, and history of the spacious, dark-wood lobby, but has refreshed the wallpaper and original wood trim and furnishings.
Green Initiatives
When the Black Point Inn relaunched in 2007, the Inn’s owners took painstaking measures to make the Inn as environmentally friendly as possible, making important renovation decisions that greatly reduced the carbon footprint of the Inn, while being faithful to its characteristic New England charm and ambiance.
As a result, the Inn earned Green status/full certification as Environmental Leader in the lodging industry by the State of Maine's Department of Environmental Protection. In keeping with Maine’s connection to healthy living and unspoiled surroundings, the Inn achieved full certification as Environmental Leader in the lodging industry by the Department of Environmental Protection of the State of Maine.
This winter the team at Black Point Inn continued its green initiatives:
The Inn moved from fossil fuel to geothermal heating and cooling systems, reducing the property's carbon footprint. Today, there are four geothermal wells that create a fully closed loop system. The Inn also installed 90 new e-glass, double hung windows that help insulate the Inn from cold and heat, also reducing its environmental impact.
The Inn’s two restaurants also align well with environmental goals and mindset. The kitchen staff at the on-site restaurants purchases the bulk of meat, cheeses, sustainable fish and fresh produce – much of which is either organic or naturally grown – from local farmers and producers.
About Black Point Inn
Black Point Inn is a part of the Migis Hotel Group, which includes Migis Lodge in South Casco; The Inn at Camden Place in Camden; and the AAA Four-Diamond Award-winning Inn at Ocean’s Edge, along with its oceanside restaurant, The Edge (both located just 4 miles north of Camden in Lincolnville).
Call (207) 883-2500 to make reservations at Black Point Inn. For more information on rates and packages, visit www.blackpointinn.com.
Cabela's opens on L.L. Bean's home turf
In Scarborough, Maine, a new Cabela's mega-store, located just down the road from the flagship L.L. Bean, which has stood as the town's chief retailer--and attraction--for generations, has opened..