Whether your crew runs on toddler energy or has officially reached the eye-rolling teenager phase, there’s something in this region that will stop them in their tracks. Here are our favorite family-friendly things to do near Greenville, Maine — and yes, the goats made the list. Of course the goats made the list.
1. Watch a Moose in the Wild (This One is Non-Negotiable)
No trip to the Moosehead Lake region is complete without a moose sighting — and kids absolutely lose their minds when it happens. We’re talking full-on shrieking, reaching for the camera, “MOM, IT’S HUGE” energy. It’s wonderful.
The best times are early morning and around dusk, especially in late May through July when moose wade into the shallows to feed. Drive slowly along Route 6/15 and scan the edges of ponds and wetlands. Pack snacks, bring patience, and tell the kids it’s a game — first one to spot a moose wins.
Want a guaranteed sighting? Book a guided moose tour with Northwoods Outfitters or one of the area’s experienced registered Maine Guides. They know exactly where to go and when — and they’re great with kids.
2. Swim, Splash, and Play at Lily Bay State Park
If your family likes to be in the water (and really, whose doesn’t?), Lily Bay State Park on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake is exactly where you want to be. There’s a beautiful sandy swim beach, a playground, picnic areas, and over two miles of easy shoreline walking trail.
The water is clean and clear, the setting is gorgeous, and the whole vibe is exactly what a summer day in Maine should feel like. Bring a frisbee, pack a cooler, and plan to stay longer than you think you will. That’s just how Lily Bay works.
🌳 GOOD TO KNOW
Lily Bay State Park also has camping if you want to make a full overnight of it. Book ahead in summer — sites fill up fast.
3. Soak It All Away at Rest Day Sauna in Monson
After a big day of hiking or paddling, Rest Day Sauna in Monson is exactly what everyone needs — kids included. Tucked right on the shores of Lake Hebron, this wood-fired sauna offers private rentals and public seatings year-round, with a cold plunge straight into the lake to follow.
Yes, jumping into a cold Maine lake after a hot sauna sounds wild. Yes, everyone in your family will do it. Yes, it will be the most talked-about moment of the trip. The sauna was originally built as a rest stop for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers — and it’s now a beloved retreat for anyone who needs to hit the reset button.
🌪️ WHERE TO FIND IT
Rest Day Sauna | 42 Pleasant St, Monson, ME | restdaysauna.com | Book ahead — private sessions fill up on weekends.
4. Mini Golf and Disc Golf in Shirley — Right Down the Road
Just a few minutes south of Greenville on Route 15, the tiny town of Shirley punches way above its weight when it comes to outdoor fun. Two spots you’ll want to know about:
🏌️ Moosehead Mini Golf — A beautifully landscaped 18-hole miniature golf course at 118 Greenville Road in Shirley Mills. It’s fun for all ages and abilities, with 9 ADA-accessible holes, clean restrooms, and the kind of relaxed, no-rush vibe that Maine does best.
👓 King Pine Disc Golf — An 18-hole disc golf course at 178 Greenville Road in Shirley, set on old farmland with gorgeous north woods scenery. It opened in 2022 and is family-friendly for beginners and experienced players alike. Discs available to borrow or buy.
Between the two, you’ve got a solid half-day of low-key outdoor fun — and both are easy to combine with a stop at Monson Scoops ice cream just up the road.
5. Take a Ferry to Mount Kineo and Hike to the Top
Mount Kineo is one of the most dramatic views in all of Maine — a sheer cliff face rising right out of Moosehead Lake, accessible only by boat. You take a short, scenic ferry ride from Rockwood to reach it, and the hike to the summit is very doable for older kids and teenagers.
The Indian Trail is the most popular route to the top, and the 360-degree views of the lake and surrounding forest from the fire tower are jaw-dropping. This one earns serious family bragging rights.
💡 PRO TIP
The ferry to Kineo runs seasonally — check the schedule ahead of time and bring layers. It can be surprisingly breezy at the summit even on warm days.
6. Step Aboard a Real 1914 Steamship
The Katahdin Cruises & Moosehead Marine Museum operates the SS Katahdin, a genuine 1914 steam-powered vessel that still cruises Moosehead Lake in summer. Kids are completely fascinated by the old engine room and the history of the boat — and honestly, so are the adults.
Cruise options range from a 2-hour family-friendly Moose Island cruise to full-day adventures with narration and meals included. Cruises run late June through mid-October and sell out — book early!
See cruise options and book tickets: katahdincruises.com/cruises
7. Meet the Goats at Turning Page Farm 🐐
Fair warning: this is the part of the trip that your kids will be talking about on the drive home. And the drive back to wherever you came from. And probably at school on Monday.
Turning Page Farm is a working goat dairy right here in the Moosehead Lake region — and our goats are friendly, curious, and very enthusiastic about meeting new people. Let the kids come in, say hello, learn about how goat milk becomes cheese (yes, the cheese they can taste in about five minutes), and generally have the most wholesome 20 minutes of the whole trip.
There is nothing quite like a child’s face the first time a goat sniffs their hand. We live for it. Come see for yourself. www.TurningPageFarm.com
8. Yard Games, Good Food, and Zero Screen Time at TPF
After the goats, stay a while. Turning Page Farm Brewery has a full set of outdoor yard games — cornhole, bocce, and more — that are equally beloved by five-year-olds and fifty-year-olds. This is the kind of afternoon that happens without a plan and turns into a highlight of the whole trip.
Our menu is hearty, made-to-order, and has options that work for everyone at the table. The baked feta and pita chip appetizer is a family favorite — start with that. Then settle in, play some games, and let the afternoon do its thing.
🍺 FOR THE GROWN-UPS
Our small-batch craft beer is brewed right here on the farm. Fresh, rotating, and unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in the region. The kids get the yard games — you get a cold pint. Everyone wins. www.turningpagefarm.com
9. End the Day with Ice Cream in Monson
About 15 minutes south of Greenville, the village of Monson is worth a slow wander — and in summer, Monson Scoops next to the Monson General Store serves Gifford’s Maine-made ice cream. Gifford’s is a Maine institution. This is non-negotiable.
While you’re there, let the kids peek into the Monson General Store for snacks and local goods, and if it’s a Wednesday through Saturday, pop into Jemma Gascoine’s pottery studio just up the road — watching a working potter is surprisingly captivating for all ages.
10. Quick Tips for Families Visiting the Moosehead Lake Region
A few things that will make your trip smoother:
• Best time to visit: Late June through August for warm swimming weather; May–June for the best moose sightings.
• What to pack: Bug spray (the Maine kind — it’s serious up here), layers for evenings, sturdy shoes for trails, and rain gear. Maine weather does what it wants.
• Cell service: Limited in parts of the region. Download maps and any reservations ahead of time. Being a little unplugged is actually the point.
• Book ahead: Lily Bay campsites, the Katahdin steamship, and guided tours all fill up quickly in summer. Don’t wait.
Make Turning Page Farm the Highlight of Your Family Trip
Goat petting, yard games, farm-fresh food, and small-batch craft beer — there’s something for everyone at Turning Page Farm Brewery. Come for an hour, stay for the afternoon. The kids will ask to come back. (They always do.)
We can’t wait to meet your family. 🍺🐐
Check our current events and plan your visit: turningpagefarm.com