Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/459979
48 | MARCH 2015 nshoremag.com sustainability. As would be ex- pected at a high-end restaurant in Vacationland, lobster plays a starring role at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But many other common fish are nowhere to be found on the menu, replaced with unfamiliar names like hake and dogfish—sea creatures that conservation experts and local fishermen agree are abundant and sustainably harvested. That connection with coastal Maine is echoed in the property's serene spa. Sea salt and Maine mud are used liberally for tranquil and therapeutic treatments, and the property's hot stone massage relaxes knotted muscles with warmed rocks collected from the area's Casco Bay beaches. Pampering isn't limited to people—management welcomes pooches to stay in any of the guest accommodations, complete with house-made dog biscuits at turn - down and a special canine room service menu, including "Doggy Gumbo" for dinner and K-9 ice cream—soy milk honey gelato with dog biscuit crumbs—for dessert. The hotel even offers in-room dog massage, given by the same well-trained staff that provides the property's top-notch spa services. While dogs can't dine in Sea Glass restaurant, they are welcome in the lounge, where some indulgent owners even let their pups lap up a bowl of beer. The property is so pooch-friendly that for the last two weeks of October every year, the outdoor pool is open for dogs only. At this time of year however, with the pool closed until Memorial Day, guests are more likely found walking the boardwalk or gather- ing around the nightly fire pit, with or without Fido. And when the wind whips off the ocean, many retire before a cozy fire. CONTACT PLACES Visit a Museum The Coast & the Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America is on display at the Portland Museum of Art through April 26. This exhibit looks at the early history of the United States through the lens of the country's connection to the ocean. The artworks, largely painted between 1750 and 1904, cover a wide swath of America's ado- lescence. portlandmuseum.org Walk a Pup on the Beach With the arrival of spring come piping plovers and other shore birds nesting in the dunes. Take a four- legged friend on a beach romp while you scout for them. (Dogs are allowed October 30 through March 31.) You may not want to jump in the surf, but Inn by the Sea will provide a towel, just in case your pooch does. Admire Lighthouses Cape Elizabeth is home to three historic lighthouses, all of which are popular subjects of artists and photographers alike. Gaze on the subject of Edward Hopper's Lighthouse at Two Lights at Two Lights State Park. The twin lighthouses are not open to the public but make a pretty picture. To re- ally explore a lighthouse, visit the Portland Head Light, which was painted from almost every angle by Winslow Homer. A museum in the former keeper's quarters offers interpretive displays. The lighthouse is sited in spectacular Fort Williams Park, where cliffs host military ruins from the 1800s along with plenty of room for recreation. portlandheadlight.com Take a Ferry Tour Bundle up and jump aboard the Casco Bay Ferry Lines. Started in the 1800s to connect the islands that dot Casco Bay with the mainland, the lines still serve as a mail run, freight service, and commuter ferry for residents of nearby islands. For under $10 in the off-season, visitors can board the bustling ships and admire Maine from the water. Jump off and explore an island or just take a ride. cascobaylines.com GO COASTAL The Cape Elizabeth area offers many off-season delights, from hiking trails to art museums. Here are some suggestions: Rooms in the off-season start at $219 per night. Inn by the Sea is offering a special package in conjunction with the Portland Museum of Art including a two-night stay, breakfast for two, entry to the Portland Museum of Art Coast & Sea exhibit, and welcome cocktails, starting at $518.66. Inn by the Sea 40 Bowery Beach Rd. Cape Elizabeth, ME 207-799-3134 innbythesea.com Inn by the Sea offers several different suite options and, of course, it's dog friendly.