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Maine (ME)
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Peaks Island

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Peaks Island
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
71 within 3 miles
Cockeyed Gull Restaurant
273
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
The Inn On Peaks Island
138
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Baba's
10
0.4 miCafe
Peaks Cafe
82
0.5 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Island Lobster Company
34
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • Seafood
Forest City Seafood
4
0.5 mi
Down Front
22
0.5 mi$ • Dessert • Cafe
Milly's Skillet
34
0.5 mi$ • Quick Bites • American
Diamond's Edge Restaurant
186
1.6 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Crown Jewel Portland
22
1.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood
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Attractions
170 within 6 miles
The Crows Nest
1
0.3 miArt Galleries
Umbrella Cover Museum
70
0.5 miSpeciality Museums
Richard Boyd Art Gallery
21
0.4 miArt Galleries
Battery Steele
5
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
5th Maine Museum
36
0.5 miSpeciality Museums
Gem Gallery
5
0.5 miArt Galleries
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
353
2 miLighthouses
Portland Head Light
2,396
2.7 miLighthouses
Bug Light Park
324
2.2 miParks
Casco Bay
334
2.9 miBodies of Water • Beaches
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
190 reviews
Excellent
104
Very good
47
Average
23
Poor
5
Terrible
11
gig-girl2
Massachusetts106 contributions
Worth a half-day or full-day excursion.
Sep 2022
A good one-day excursion by bike, on foot, or by renting a golf cart. You can circumnavigate the island in an hour with a bike or golf cart. If you want some R&R or reading time, stay the night. There are 4-5 choices of eateries, with a few probably requiring reservations (or waits) in high season. After Labor Day, you can probably wing it. All of the eateries face Portland. If you want to eat or picnic facing the ocean, I recommend packing a lunch or picking up sandwiches. A local market makes sandwiches and has anything else you might need such as chips, drinks, healthy snacks, etc. And you can get a treat at a couple of local cafes. Do visit the umbrella cover museum. Do wander around some side streets. Do check out any local artists.
There are plenty of places to stop and either sit on stone benches or rocks to enjoy your food.
If you are a bit more adventurous, there are some short hiking trails, though they can be difficult to find and not well marked. There is a WW II era lookout, though well grown over, still accessible. Also, the 8th Maine Regiment lodge is worth a look, plus a nearby museum dedicated to sundry other local history. Both have a Maine sort of charm.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry G
Bloomfield Hills, MI696 contributions
Excellent Historical Island to Explore
Jun 2022
Peaks Island is worth exploring if you take a golf cart tour (75 minutes) and learn about the history of the island which is quite fascinating. At one time the island had more than 15 hotels, 3 bowling alleys, movie theater, dance hall and ferries ran 24 hours. Now there isn't a single hotel and service is very limited to a few restaurants.

To get here, take the ferry from Casco Bay, downtown Portland (be sure to have lunch on the pier when done, so many fun seafood shacks to enjoy). Ferry ride is only 17 minutes and about $7 RT. Departs on the hour except at lunch time which is disappointing because if you are on the island, departures are 12:45PM and then 2:45PM. Once your tour is done, not much left to do.
Written June 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blue-Eyes-Fam
Bonaire, GA355 contributions
It's all about Nature, not Amusement
Jun 2021
I would venture to say that the people who rave about Peaks Island, and the people who complain about Peaks Island, are doing it for the same exact reasons. If you enjoy being out in nature, you will love Peaks. If you are looking for an Entertainment Hub, you will hate Peaks. It is nature, that's it's biggest draw. If you're not interested in getting out in nature and hiking, biking, exploring and being "in nature", then you will most certainly be bored. For us, and there were 5 of us including my 5 year old Grandson, it was a grand old time. We loved exploring the Coast Line, and hiking into Battery Steele and "spelunking" a little in the old fortification. Those who wish to gold cart the island should be forewarned that you should reserve one before you get to the island otherwise you will not be able to get one. You may have some luck with bikes without reservations, but don't gamble if hoof power frightens you. There's a small selection of shops down by the docks where you can get an Ice Cream, or a Sandwich, or a Souvenir. And most importantly of all, make sure you hit the Head on the Ferry ride over as Public Rest Rooms are scarce on the island. Probably the worst part of Peaks Island is walking around and seeing all of the out of state license plates in the driveways. Peaks is quintessential Maine, and it seems a shame that it should play host to mostly out of staters.
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NHjo
Saco, ME7,846 contributions
Great way to spend a few hours or more!
Jul 2021
We just spent under two hours on the island, after taking the ferry. Didn't rent bikes or golf carts, just had cocktails overlooking the harbor and visited a few shops and the Umbrella Cover Museum. We really just wanted to take a ferry ride on a beautiful July day. The views of Portland and Casco Bay were outstanding. We'd go back and rent a golf cart in the autumn when the tourist season isn't 'at peak' (no pun intended).
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snorkelbear
Jackson, NH2,477 contributions
Great Trip!
Jul 2021
Get away from the cheap tourist shops and chain restraunts, and get to Peaks Island. Be Warned! This is a Maine Island, not Disney's version of a Maine Island. Ferry runs approx on the Hour for $7 20 min ride both ways. Check the scheudle and plan accordingly. We skipped dining on the Island because choices are limited and waits are long. We got a bike from Brad's and biked the island clockwise, took about 1.5 hours add a stop at Sandy Beach and it is a perfect trip. Grab an Ice Cream and wait for the ferry home!
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie F
Jericho, VT23 contributions
Waste of time
Aug 2021
Do not bother going to Peaks Island; it is a tourist trap. It's basically a suburb on an island. There is not much to do: the commercial district is tiny, comprising a couple of restaurants and food trucks, as well as a small art gallery and the ridiculous umbrella cover museum. It's simply not worth the huge crowds and the price of the round trip. There are better options for food, views, interesting attractions, etc., on the mainland.
Written August 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lvtraveler0389
Bethlehem, PA102 contributions
take the tour with bob - the cab driver
Oct 2020
we took the daily ferry over and we saw a cab driver - bob - who gives tours when he does not have fares. he gave us an indepth review of history, local color, and met many locals - all for $10 each. well worth it!
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas W
Plainview, NY61 contributions
Peaks island is the Most boring place in Portland
Aug 2020
Wife and I thought this place would a cute way to spend half a day with gift shops, eateries, shopping. Big mistake on all fronts. We had to wait ove an hour for the next ferry but all other ceuiaes were sold out. The 17 minute ride was ok. We get off with the huge crowd and had no idea what to do. Tours were full, bikes and gold carts taken so we decided to walk. But there is nothing to see or do! There are about 10 places of business & thats it. One gallery, an ice cream shop, bike rentals and one real reataurant. We immediately regretted coming here as the next ferry was 2 1/2 hours away. The one restaurant was full and no tables. We settled on a food truck and had a lobster roll and lemonade. $50 for the 2 of us, not cheap. Then the rain started and we didnt even have a place to sit down with the food out of the rain. Rain stopped and we just sat on a bench after walking around for a half hr. Worst place to visit. The whole area looked like a tired village not tourist friendly. A few eateries that existed were closed. Seems that portland businesses close sunday monday and tuesday. Dont come to portland those days. It is dead. Parking in the street is easy and 4 star hotels were $125. But thats cause sun and mon its dead. Anyway - we hated peaks island for visiting unless it gets built up with a few restaurants and things to do there, stay away.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mattbailey1994
Nashville, TN45 contributions
Nothing else to do
Jul 2020 • Couples
We were looking for something to do one morning and decided to take the ferry over to the island....great idea. Nothing earth shattering, just a good way to be on the water and hike around seeing island homes and coastline all for $4 roundtrip.
Had oysters at the small hotel restaurant at the dock and really enjoyed the 2hrs spent there.
Written July 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane P
Portland, OR672 contributions
Fun half day outing
Jun 2021 • Friends
We took the ferry to Peaks Island which was a quick 15 minute ride. Do your research if you’re going to take a car on the ferry because I’m not sure how many they take. We rented bikes at a small shop called Brad & Wyatt’s and rode around the island which was fun. Gears do help and the ride is about an hour. Instead of going to one of the harbor restaurants, get on the bike and head to Greenwood Garden where a pop up pizza spot opened. I assume it is just a Summer 2021 thing but not sure. It was called Il Leone and looked amazing. I wish we hadn’t already eaten. Pay attention to the ferry times so you don’t end up on the far side of the island when the ferry is leaving!
Written July 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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