Cape Elizabeth

Cape Elizabeth is a destination with a rocky coastline, sweeping views of the Atlantic, a beach and a notable lighthouse history. For a family trip, the experiences described offer a range of options: a hiking route, beach walks, nature views and a museum that is open seasonally. When looking for a vacation rental in Cape Elizabeth, consider which of these experiences you would like to shape your trip most.

A Route Through Cape Elizabeth

The Cross Town Trail is an 8.2-mile hiking route in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It runs from Portland Head Lighthouse in Fort Williams Park to Kettle Cove State Park. The route and its two endpoints give the trail a clear framework.

The Cross Town Trail can be used year-round for hiking, running, birdwatching, snowshoeing and photography. This makes it possible to enjoy the trail in different ways without limiting the trip to a single activity. Those who enjoy spending time outdoors can make hiking or running a focus; birdwatching and photography offer other reasons to include the route in their travel plans. Snowshoeing is also among the activities listed as available year-round.

Rocky Coast, Views and Beach

Two Lights State Park encompasses 41 acres of rocky headlands. From there, views stretch across the Gulf of Maine and the open Atlantic. The rocks and expansive views make this park a distinctive coastal experience, with the sea views taking center stage.

At Crescent Beach State Park, visitors can swim in the surf along a one-mile beach, which is also suitable for walking. This offers a different way to experience the coast than the rocky headlands of Two Lights. If you are planning a stay by the sea, you can choose between a beach walk or swimming in the surf and taking in the view from a rocky coastline, without combining the two experiences into a single outing.

Ship Cove is a small rocky beach with a view of Ram Island Ledge Light in Casco Bay. This spot also combines a rocky coastal setting with a lighthouse view, while the beach itself is specifically described as small. Together with the sweeping views at Two Lights State Park and the sandy beach at Crescent Beach State Park, it offers a range of coastal scenery to consider when planning your trip.

Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park

Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in Maine and was built on the orders of George Washington. Its history gives a visit a historical focus. The lighthouse keeper’s house has been converted into a museum that is open to the public seasonally. If you would like to visit the museum, be sure to take its seasonal opening into account when planning your trip.

Fort Williams Park is home to Portland Head Light and also offers hikes on the Cliff Walk Trail. The park thus offers lighthouse history and a hike on a named trail as distinct interests. The Cross Town Trail also begins at Portland Head Lighthouse in Fort Williams Park; however, it is a separate, 8.2-mile route that ends at Kettle Cove State Park.

A Guide to Your Vacation Interests

The Cape Elizabeth Land Trust offers additional nature experiences: most of its land is managed by staff and volunteers for informal, non-motorized public use. These areas add to the options described for visitors who want to spend time outdoors. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home in Cape Elizabeth, you can first decide whether lighthouse history, coastal views, the beach or hiking should be your main focus. The experiences described give you specific points to consider, without assuming that a particular accommodation location is required.

You can also explore these other destinations: Scarborough, Harpswell, Naples, Gray, Casco, South Portland, New Gloucester and Bridgton.

For the broader trip overview: Cumberland.