Shopping in Kittery and Freeport
Activities: Shopping, Outlet Shopping, Dining
Regions: The Maine Beaches, Greater Portland & Casco Bay
For many shoppers, outlet stores are the center of the universe. In Maine, that means a trip to the outlet hubs of Kittery or Freeport—or both.
All indoor shops throughout the state require masks so everyone can shop safely. Due to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, restaurants and cafés have become creative in the way they offer food and drink. Check with local eateries for dining options that may include outdoor service, curbside pick-up, creative service hours, etc.
Consider making your visit a longer one with a stay at a local Maine hotel, motel, B&B or other property to enjoy a mini vacation. Check our Travel Protocols page for important information about traveling to Maine during the pandemic.
Kittery
Take a ride to Kittery, in far southern Maine, the state’s oldest incorporated town. A primary attraction is the stretch of outlet stores, including the Kittery Outlets and Kittery Premium Outlets, that hug Route 1. Included are stores such as Adidas, Barbour, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, ECCO, Eddie Bauer, Orvis, Ralph Lauren and Talbots, among many others. Added to the abundance of national and international stores are Maine favorites including Kittery Trading Post, a sprawling sporting-goods store that’s been family owned and run for 80+ years. Kittery’s compact downtown section, Kittery Foreside, is a few minutes away from the Route 1 outlets. The downtown and areas nearby have a number of cafés and restaurants including Anju Noodle Bar, an Asian noodle house, Anneke Jans, The Black Birch, Tulsi Indian, featuring North Indian cuisine, Tributary Brewing and The Wallingford Dram.
Freeport
Head north from Kittery on I-95 for 65 miles and you’ll reach Freeport, another historic coastal town that’s become an epicenter of Maine shopping. For many, Freeport’s ground zero is L.L.Bean on Main Street, which started with its original, rambling, flagship store and has grown into a full-blown campus of shops and open areas. Other emporiums swirl up and down Main Street and connected side streets. There’s even a tiny station for the Amtrak Downeaster, a train traveling from Boston several times a day. Check the Downeaster website for schedules and information on traveling during COVID-19.
The town has many popular national and international retailers, including a number of outlets such as Coach, Corning Ware, Corelle, Sperry Top-Sider and more. Those looking for Maine products can check out accessories from Sea Bags, chocolates from Wilbur’s of Maine, and crafts and jewelry from Abacus Gallery.
Freeport has a good share of places to eat. Consider the Broad Arrow Tavern at the Harraseeket Inn, the Jameson Tavern, the Maine Kitchen & Topside Tavern and the Tuscan Bistro. Rather picnic? Grab some fresh bread from When Pigs Fly and some gourmet items from Bow Street Market.
Driving Distances:
To Kittery
From Bangor: 179 miles
From Portland: 51 miles
From Lewiston/Auburn: 80 miles
To Freeport
From Bangor: 113 miles
From Portland: 17 miles
From Lewiston/Auburn: 20 miles
Businesses & Organizations
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