FALMOUTH is mainly residential with fine estates lining the scenic ocean Route 88 but boasts abundant retail shopping opportunities along Route 1.  Before 1786 Portland to the south was a suburb of Falmouth but now just the reverse is true.  Falmouth is home to the Portland Yacht Club, which hosts the Monhegan Island Yacht Race each year.  The Maine Audubon Society has its headquarters at Gilsland Farm a mile away.

YARMOUTH, just north of Falmouth on Route 1, is a quaint village settled on the Royal River.  With many retail shops along Rt. 1, it is mostly residential.  Famous for its Annual Clam Festival; a festival not to be missed.  If you’ve come to Maine for seafood you’ll find plenty of it at this three-day extravaganza along with a parade, crafts, live music, a 5K race, and much more.  You can picnic and stroll along the Royal River enjoying foliage and waterfalls from the Royal River Park on East Elm Street or launch your boat into Casco Bay from the marina on the river.  If you’re a canoeing or kayaking enthusiast you can “put in” just up the river in North Yarmouth.

GRAY – NEW GLOUCESTER is located just north-west of Yarmouth.  Both communities are very rural with rolling hills and plentiful farm land.  Gray has a downtown area with shops, banks, and many other businesses.  You’ll find the Maine Wildlife Park here which is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland & Fisheries.  The 200-acre park is home to more than 25 species of native Maine Wildlife.  New Gloucester is home to 5000-acre Pineland Farms.  Open to the public for a variety of recreational purposes, everything from walking trails, to ice skating, to mountain biking, and Nordic skiing, Pineland Farms also has a creamery and sells Maine-made cheeses … or if you’re an equestrian you won’t want to miss their Equestrian Center.