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Guygan t1_j0umw6y wrote

Freeport.

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metalandmeeples t1_j0ve9vw wrote

This is the best answer. You trade mountains for the coastline, but the vibe is similar and the food is better.

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flippinhot t1_j0wosdd wrote

Yes. Freeport has Sam's and McDonald's. Plus there's Jameson Tavern. Best blooming onion we ever had there!

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passthepeanutbutter t1_j0z4n9y wrote

This is a good option. Once there’s decent snow on the coast you can also go to Bradbury and snowshoe, hike, or fat bike. Pineland farms isn’t far and they offer cross country ski trails. There are a lot of cute trails and small hikes close to Freeport.

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LaChanz t1_j0umy0j wrote

Most places in Maine are more like Maine.

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dghah t1_j0uryxu wrote

The western maine border with NH (bethel area and Gorham NH) may be worth checking out, the Bethel/Newry area has hotels, dining and lots of outdoor options beyond Sunday River resort itself. Mt Washington is an easy drive away, access to AT trails and parks etc, and Bethel is pretty decent for tourist amenities and has cool one-off resources like the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum which is awesome to check out

And bethel got a good dump of snow this week as well

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IamSauerKraut t1_j0urcm4 wrote

North Conway has Mt. Washington whereas Mt. K is a bit inaccessible during winter.

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CoastalSailing t1_j0w9nt6 wrote

Climbing Katahdin in the winter is the best, tho.

Definitely more commitment / harder to get to.

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DifferenceMore5431 t1_j0uvxxf wrote

Bethel is probably the closest I can think of, not a perfect match though.

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RatherNerdy t1_j0vb7k8 wrote

Bar Harbor? It's not anything like North Conway, but exploring the carriage trails in winter (snow shoe or cross country skiing) can be a ton of fun.

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downeastdude t1_j0yfhaf wrote

Bar Harbor is about as alive as a 117 year old in the winter.

North Conway is “alive” in the winter at least, or at least to whatever sentience strip malls and corporate chains are.

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gamertag0311 t1_j0vj01t wrote

There's nothing like North Conway away from 95 in Maine. Rangeley and Bethel are the biggest outdoorsy places I know of but accommodations are pretty limited and shopping is pretty much local shops. Oxford has the New Balance store and casino, and is close to lots of outdoorsy things. I don't know about further south like Fryeburg etc but I really don't think you'll find the droids you're looking for there either.

All in all, all cool places worth a visit just not exactly like North Conway

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Sorry-Ad-7884 t1_j0v2t9b wrote

Belfast is cool, idk about in the winter. Smaller than North Conway too and not a ski town.

Rockland also, but again not sure how it is in winter, not a ski town.

Otherwise bethel, but idt that’s near Bangor

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Solodc1983 t1_j0v4kal wrote

U can try the Rangeley area or sugarloaf

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CoastalSailing t1_j0w9k91 wrote

Define outdoorsy things to do

  • skiing?

  • ice climbing?

  • ice fishing?

  • snowmobiling?

What are you looking for

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downeastdude t1_j0yfqfx wrote

Kittery. At least for North Conway circa ~2020’s.

If you’re looking for the more traditional vibe North Conway had before it sold out to shopping outlets, (ie snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, skiing etc) then Maine offers a lot.

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NipDrunkChipmunk t1_j0yyknb wrote

You're never far from outdoorsy stuff to do in any part of Maine, so to add on the outdoor mall feeling head to Freeport or Kittery.

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