Home-Nest Farm Local Activities

Experience Farm Living
Admire the stone walls lining miles of discontinued roads that provide great walking and biking. Explore cellar holes and abandoned orchards of bygone farms. Have the fun of gathering your own blueberries from our high-bush field. Pick strawberries or apples at nearby farms. Milk a cow at a neighbor's dairy farm. Read epitaphs on old stones in a graveyard behind the still active 200 year old Fayette Baptist church located at the end of our main pasture. Marvel at the sunrise's colorful reflections off the snow-capped Presidential range, 60 miles away. Live out the old ways at the famous Norlands Living History Museum, whose lofty glistening church spire beckons above a distant tree line, ten miles away. Or simply talk to the animals who make their home here, (22 sheep, 1 llama, 2 horses, and 1 donkey.).

Feeling Energetic?
We're located in the heart of Maine's hill and lake district. Go swimming, fishing or boating on one of the beautiful clear lakes and streams that surround us, (we provide free canoes and kayak rentals). Find fabulous mountain climbing, hiking and beaching at close Mount Blue State Park, (just a 45 minute drive away). Try out one of the many golf courses in the area or bring your bike and ride throughout the countryside -- be forewarned, however, we're in hill country, so be prepared for a workout!

Easy Day Trips
Take easy day trips to our famous coastline, (1 hour drive). Ride up Mount Washington's cog railway. Visit Maine's state capital with its award-winning museum, 18 miles away. Get out your camera and go moose hunting while enjoying a drive through the scenic countryside. (If you're one of the few lucky ones, you may not have to go far -- they've been known to amble quietly by the back door).

Antique Shopping
Visit historic Hallowell, (30 minutes away), and take in their lovely Main Street lined with antique stores. Or let us direct you to even closer shops where you can treasure hunt for something special to take home with you.

Winter Fun
Come ski the best of our state's downhill slopes, (Saddleback, Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Mt. Abram are all easy day trips), and well maintained cross-country trails, (you can cross-country right out the back door). Skate on our farm pond. Snowmobile on well traveled trails. Snowshoe through the fields or on well maintained trails.

Special Events
Are you lacking in outdoor space for special events? We have expansive, well-manicured lawns, and provide on-site tent setup and rental (24' x 60' with detachable sides for weather protection) ideal for family reunions, wedding receptions and parties.

Wagon & Sleigh Rides
Wagon and sleigh rides (conditions permitting) can be arranged through local services for special family events such as anniversaries, birthday parties and weddings. Inquire early for availability and pricing.

Bring Your Own Horse!
We have many acres of pasture land with good animal fencing. We would welcome your bringing a horse or two along! Scores of miles of great trails are ready to be explored.

Relax & Read
In moments of leisure, sit out on the porch or curl up in front of a cozy fire with a good book. All our facilities have bookshelves filled with books for your enjoyment during your stay, (please leave them for future guests to enjoy). Look closely, and you'll find a couple about the colorful ancestors who used to live here. (Your host has published three family histories and photographic collections, which are full of letters, diaries and poetry of years gone by. Want to know more? Check out Home-Nest Chronicles.)

Interested in more details?
Link to our booklet on Things to do in and Around Home-Nest Farm for pictures and detailed driving instructions to some of your host's favorite places.

Learn more about Maine and the people who live here, (past and present), through the writings of local authors: