in Things to do in Maine with your dog

Dog Friendly Fort Williams and Portland Head Light

Are you looking for things to do in Maine that is dog-friendly? Fort Williams and Portland Head Light is a must see.

My daughter came home from Texas for a week in mid-October to celebrate her birthday and mine. We decided to spend a day at one of our favorite places, Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Portland Head Light is the most photographed lighthouse in the world. It was built in 1790 on the rocky cliffs overlooking the channel to Casco Bay. The light can be seen from 24 nautical miles away.

Portland Head Light and adjacent Fort Williams Park offer 90 acres of recreational space to enjoy. There is something for everyone. It is the perfect place for kite flying, exploring, picnics and of course, taking stunning pictures.

Goddard Mansion

Goddard Mansion was built in 1858 by New York architect Charles A. Alexander for a local businessman John Goddard. The mansion was acquired by the Army in 1900, then by the town of Cape Elizabeth in 1962. The interior was burned by the town in the 1980’s with a controlled fire. I vaguely remember the interior debris before the fire, but I can imagine how grand the mansion must have been overlooking Casco Bay and the lighthouse.

Art and Photography

As well as being the most photographed lighthouse, this Maine lighthouse attracts artists from around the world. Edward Hopper painted the lighthouse in 1927. The watercolor painting can be seen at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts.

We met this local artist with his easel set up on the cliff.

The 1999 drama, Snow Falling on Cedars featured the lighthouse while filming during the Ice Storm of 1998

The lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington in 1787. It was lit for the first time on January 10, 1791. The lighthouse was built with a budget of $1500. It was constructed of rubble stone and has a brick lining to cut cost. The tower is 80 feet above ground and 101 feet above sea level.

The shipwreck of the Annie C. Maguire on Christmas Eve 1886.

On returning from Argentina, the British three-masted ship struck the ledges at Portland Head Light. All fourteen souls aboard including Captain O’Neil were rescued by the lighthouse keeper Joshua Strout, his son, wife, and volunteers.

Her name and date of the wreck are memorialized on the rocks below the lighthouse.

Pet-Friendly Park

Dogs are welcome in the park but must be kept on a leash, except for an unleashed area at the south end of the park. Click here to view the map. The park has many paths and trails to walk your dog. I think Halo enjoyed the change of pace and the smell of the ocean. Be prepared to clean up after your dog, and the park is a carry in-carry out. You won’t find any trash cans at the park.

We are very fortunate to live in beautiful southern Maine. Within an hour drive, we can be on the coast or in the mountains. It’s the best of both worlds. Fort Williams and Portland Head Light are among the favorites of locals and a must-see for tourists.

We had a great time at Fort Williams regardless of not having a kite to fly. We met some very nice people. I think most of whom just wanted to meet my dog. Mr. Halo is such people magnet!

It was a great week with my daughter. We took a quick hike on Boulder Loop Trail, went out for margarita lunches, and I cooked all her favorite childhood dishes.