1. Pine Point Beach

Photo Credit: (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=_JG_E5NZj4V2x6RzfPM5og&userid=6O-UTd_g4Jw7Cq_bXB16-w)

Pine Point is recommended by commuter student and lifelong OOB resident, Duffy Rose. “One
of my favorite places is Pine Point,” said Rose “my friends and I enjoy walking the beach”.

The Point is 24 minutes from campus (Scarborough, ME 04074) and costs $10 for admission.

Similarly, Miranda Silva, a commuter student, also said “Pine Point is usually where I go, I’ve
always liked the beach and it’s nice to get outside.”

Having a picnic, playing pass, or combing for seashells are some of the many activities that take
place along the waterfront. Pine Point is known for its clean, silver colored sand which covers a
four mile stretch between the Jetty and Old Orchard Beach. Unlike many other areas along the
coast, The Point remains relatively quiet throughout the day, making this location a hidden gem
among many local shores.

2. Rapid Rays

Photo Credit: (Rapid Ray’s – Loud and Local Maine)

If you’re looking for American style food, then Rapid Rays (189 Main St, Saco, ME 04072) is
one place to go. The restaurant is only a 7 minute drive from campus and is well known for their
variety of burgers, hot dogs, seafood, and sides.

Rapid Rays originally opened in 1953 as a hotdog based food truck and remained so until 1986
when the diner officially opened. Known as “Maine’s original fast food take
out”(https://www.rapidrays.net/), Rapid Rays has been given the Heartbeat of The Community
award, for the restaurant’s strong and enduring connection to the local environment.

Now officially partners with Grubhub, the business has expanded to include delivery options as
well, dipping a toe back into the days of mobile service.

3. Goodwill

(Photo Credit: Goodwill Store & Donation Center –
Thrift / Vintage Store in South Portland)

Vintage clothing has begun to make a comeback in fashion, but it can be hard to find thrift stores
with quality prices and items. “I usually go to the Goodwill in South Portland,” says Rose “it’s
large and has a variety.”

The store is a 24 minute drive from campus (555 Maine Mall Road) and rotates items through a
50% off sale each week. With half of the 16,600 square foot store dedicated to clothes, this
Goodwill is perfect for a shopping spree.

In one interview with the Portland Press Herald, Heather Steeves, the external communications
manager at Goodwill of Northern New England says the store takes in roughly “10,000
donations” every month(Goodwill in South Portland offering more specialized shopping). This
constant rotation of product and price makes this Goodwill ideal for any eager thrifter.

4. The Way Way Store

(Photo credit: Way Way Store, Saco – ME | Roadtrippers)

Another local attraction is Saco’s penny candy haven, the Way Way Store ( 93 Buxton Rd, Saco,
ME 04072). The store is 16 minutes from campus and has maintained the original penny candy
prices from it’s opening in the 1920s.

The store, named because it sits way way out of town, is the perfect place to go when you’re craving something sweet and only have a few dollars to spend.

5. The Portland Museum of Art

(Photo credit: Mission – Portland Art Museum).

Located just 30 minutes from campus, The Portland Museum of Art (7 Congress Sq, Portland,
ME 04101) strives to share “Art for All” through commitment to their three pillars “community,
collection, and campus” (https://www.portlandmuseum.org/). One step the museum took to
appeal to the younger community was “introduce[ing] free admission to everyone ages 21 and
under” making this location ideal for anybody looking to save some money.

The museum’s current exhibition “Interaction of Color” is designed by Josef Albers who was an
art professor at Black Mountain College and based the exhibition off of the color theories Albers
taught his students (https://www.portlandmuseum.org/interaction-of-color).

Since all of these locations are 30 minutes or less from campus, they are accessible and
convenient. Yet, they also provide opportunities to visit places with nature, food, shopping,
novelty, and entertainment. Now with the insight of these five stops, students can begin to
venture out into their new, local community.