Today we interviewed Monica and Rock from White Cedar Inn. Through our interview we discovered that fall is one of the best times to visit this Freeport, Maine inn. Fall in Freeport brings an array of activities including LL Bean Summer Concerts, Portland Brew Fest, Fall in the Village Art & Music Show, Maine Open Lighthouse Day, Lobsterman Triathlon, Cumberland County Fair and lots more. The White Cedar Inn provides excellent accommodations to cozy up in during your fall foliage trip.
Foliage.org: Give our readers a brief history of White Cedar Inn and of your experience as an innkeeper.
White Cedar Inn is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012! We are the third owners of this wonderful, historic home located on an acre of land in downtown Freeport,
Maine. When the house was first built in 1888, it was the home of Winthrop Fogg, the town pharmacist and his wife, Letitia MacMillan Fogg. After both of their parents
died, Letitia’s young brother, Donald MacMillan, came to live with her, her husband and their growing family. Donald later went on to work on the expedition to the
North Pole with Adm Peary, became a Rear Admiral in the USN and continued his exploration of the Arctic on his own boat, the Bowdoin. We have an extensive
collection of his writings and the writings of his wife, Miriam. Artifacts from his expeditions may be viewed at Bowdoin College, his alma mater.
What have guests said they most enjoyed about their stay at White Cedar Inn?
Our guests are always delighted with the simple, home-cooked breakfasts we prepare each morning and the casual ambiance of the inn. The porch and lawn are favorites
for their people-watching vantage points. One of the most common guest comments is, “Wow! This is the cleanest place I have ever stayed!”
Another popular comment is how close we are to the downtown so guests can walk to everything and park their car until they are ready to check-out.
Are there local destinations that are popular for Maine fall foliage activities?
In and around Freeport there are many scenic foliage drives and hiking spots such as Wolfe Neck Woods, Bradbury Mountain and Winslow Park (from which you can view the remaining tower from the Casco Castle). Getting out on the water via kayak or on the Mail Boat are great ways for travelers to see the foliage from the Casco Bay.
What are other popular Freeport, Maine tourist attractions?
Freeport’s oddest attraction is the Desert of Maine. Its most popular attraction is shopping at LL Bean. The town is also home to over 100 different outlet stores and
small, local shops as well.
Are there local attractions that guests enjoy for evening entertainment?
Nightlife in Freeport has really picked up over the past few years. We now have several local restaurants that host live music, bands and comedy acts throughout the
year. Freeport has a year-round theater, as well as local summer stock. We also have a movie theater for those wanting to see the latest releases. And, LL Bean is open
24 hours a day, year round, so shopping at midnight is a fun, funky way to spend the evening.
Name a few highly rated local pubs, diners, or restaurants and what you like about each.
Maine is slowly becoming known as a ‘foodie heaven’. In Freeport there are restaurants across the board from lobster shacks on the water to fine dining by
candlelight. Some of the local favorites are:
- Azure Cafe for a taste of Italy on the Maine coast. (Try the calamari and the blueberry martinis!)
- -Jameson Tavern serves up great pub fare and dinners in an old stagecoach tavern. (Try the lobster stew!)
- Petrillos on Depot St takes you back to the Old Country with Italian dining in their brick-floor, year-round outdoor dining room. (Try the Pasta Petrillo!)
- Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster on the town wharf for lobsters so fresh they just climbed out of the Bay!
In the short space of 1/2 mile, there are over 12 different restaurants to tempt any palate. Head out a little farther and there are over 25 restaurants from American fare to Thai.
Does White Cedar Inn specialize in certain cuisines? List a few guest favorites.
The breakfast menu harks back to the days when our moms made breakfast for us before school. Blueberry pancakes, bacon, French Toast, scrambled eggs with sausage and biscuits. Guest favorites are definitely the blueberry pancakes and Tuscan scrambled eggs.
If your Bed and Breakfast is fully booked, are there other highly regarded inns in the area?
The Freeport area has accommodations to suit every traveler. If White Cedar Inn is full, we recommend guests take a look at the Historic Freeport Bed and Breakfasts
website to find another charming B&B.
Do you offer bed and breakfast deals during the fall foliage season?
In foliage season we offer the following packages and getaways for our guests:
- Lobster & Foliage- 2 nights’ stay with a dinner for two, chocolate lobster candies and a driving guide to Maine Lighthouses. See the details here: https://www.whitecedarinn.com/lobster.html
- Our Inn to Inn getaway includes all Maine is famous for and the opportunity to stay at two different B&B’s. See the details here: https://www.whitecedarinn.com/SeaToShoreVacation.html
What is the best way to book a room at your inn?
Ready to come to Maine? Check out availability on the website: https://www.whitecedarinn.com From there you can view photos of the rooms, the breakfasts and make your reservation on our secure calendar. Or, give us a call if you would like to reserve a getaway package. 207-865-9099
What else would like to tell our readers about White Cedar Inn?
For a foliage vacation (or anytime) White Cedar Inn is centrally located to all the coastal activities for which Maine is known. We are a short drive to the southern
coast, mid coast, beaches, lighthouses and the lakes region. For more ideas on what you can do in the Freeport area, here’s a short list of things to do- https://www.whitecedarinn.com/FreeportMaineToDo.html
The best foliage viewing in the Freeport area is mid-October.
Special thanks to innkeepers Monica and Rock from the White Cedar Inn for providing us with these insights on their Freeport, Maine inn.