If You Only Have a Day in Saco, Maine

1. Spend a day at Funtown Splashtown USA

Offering the ideal fun day out for the entire family, Funtown Splashtown USA is a family-owned amusement park and water park. The Funtown section of the park features a wide selection of thrilling rides for all ages including an impressive wooden roller-coaster called Excalibur and their Thunder Falls Log Flume ride.

Little visitors will enjoy the Teacups Ride, the Red Baron Planes and the Kiddie Swings. Moving on to the Splashtown Water Park you will find several tube slides and white-water loops for the dare-devils and Fun Lagoon for the younger visitors. Visitors can buy tickets for either park or opt for the excellent-value Combination Ticket.

Funtown Splashtown USA, US Route 1, 774 Portland Rd, Saco, ME 04072, Phone: 207-284-5139

2. Visit Saco Heath Preserve

Saco Heath Preserve protects the southern-most example of a raised coalesced bog, which was formed when adjacent peat-filled ponds grew together above the water table. This unique habitat supports a large variety of plants which have adapted to living in the nutrient-poor soil of the bog, including a large stand of Atlantic white cedar.

You can access the heath via a one-mile boardwalk trail. The 2.1 mile round-trip trail is only suitable for foot traffic and is considered to be an easy hike. In spring you will find a carpet of beautiful wild flowers covering the heath. Be on the lookout for butterflies, many bird species and deer, moose, hares and other wildlife.

Saco Heath Preserve, 163 Buxton Rd, Saco, ME 04072, Phone: 207-729-5181

3. Discover the Saco Museum

Located in the heart of Saco’s historic Main Street, the Saco Museum is one of the oldest museums in Maine. It was founded in 1866 with the express purpose to collect, preserve and show-case anything and everything of historic interest. Today the museum is home to a very large collection of decorative and fine arts and historic artifacts.

Over the years the collection has been boosted by generous donations and now includes more than 10,000 artifacts. Categories include antique furniture and household goods, textiles, costumes, ceramics, silver and more. There is also a large section devoted to paintings including portraits, landscapes and sculpture.

Saco Museum, 371 Main Street, Saco, ME 04072, Phone: 207-283-3861

4. Have dinner at Huot’s Seafood Restaurant

The beautiful Maine coastline has always been synonymous with excellent fresh seafood. While visiting Saco, the place to go for the tastiest and freshest seafood is Huot’s Seafood Restaurant.

This historic eatery has been pleasing palates since 1935, directly after the Great Depression, and is still owned and operated by the descendants of the original Huot family.

Huot’s Seafood Restaurant owners still use the original recipes for their batters, clam cakes and sauces, and are dedicated to offering visitors reasonably-priced fresh seafood in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Menu highlights include traditional Clam Chowder, Lobster, Fried Shrimp and Clam Cakes and they also serve a limited selection of non-seafood meals like burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs.

Huot’s Seafood Restaurant , Camp Ellis Beach, Saco, ME 04072, Phone: 207-282-1642

5. Stop for pizza at OTTO

Constantly striving to produce ever better and tastier pizzas, Chefs Anthony Allen and Mike Keon head up the team at the OTTO headquarters. Both men know that using the finest and freshest local ingredients can elevate the simple pizza pie to an unforgettable taste sensation.

Flavor combinations are equally important and neither chef is shy to try out new pairings. You will find the Saco branch of OTTO directly across the road from Funtown Splashtown USA, where you can settle in for a full-service meal or grab a slice of pie to go. The venue offers patio seating and there are 16 local craft beers on tap. Vegetarian and gluten-free pizza options are also available.

OTTO, 779 Portland Rd, Saco, ME 04072, Phone: 207-494-8148