Do you find yourself sitting around the house not knowing what to do, wanting to be around water and yet don’t want to go all the way down to the coast?

Well, you don’t have to look any farther than the Sebago Lakes Region (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebago_Lake). Sebago Lake is the deepest and second largest lake in Maine. Located in Cumberland County with a surface area of 45 square miles and a shoreline length of 105 miles, there is a lot here for year-round enjoyment. You’ll find yourself coming back time after time to be able to enjoy all the activities there is to offer.

Just about every form of exercise and outdoor sport can be found in the area, including swimming, hiking, fishing, boating, bicycling, horseback riding, Jet Skiing, going for a ride on the Songo River Queen (a replica of a Mississippi River stern paddle boat — www.songoriverqueen.net) on Long Lake, or even just a nice long drive around Sebago Lake for relaxation.

You can picnic on one of the many beaches at Sebago Lake State Park, or on one of the 16 beaches on Frye Island, or visit one of the many outstanding brew pubs and eateries nearby, including Bray’s Brew Pub on Roosevelt Trail in Naples (www.braysbrewpub.com) and The Black Bear Cafe and Bistro also on Roosevelt Trail (http://www.theblackbearcafe.com/). There are shops that offer up clothing, art, antiques, fishing and boating supplies, and just about anything you could think of — and some things you never would have thought of. Be aware there is an entrance fee at the state park, and a fee to take the ferry over to Frye Island.

At the end of the day stop off at any of the many ice cream shops around to top off the day. The Ice Cream Dugout in Windham is highly recommended and well worth the trip. www.icecreamdugout.com.

Need more ideas of things to do? Maine is buzzing with activity in the summer. For a listing of events and festivals in July, visit this website for more activities: http://www.maine.info/events/festivals/july.php

Moose Landing Marina

Route 302

Naples

693-6264

www.mooselandingmarina.com

Moose Landing is the pontoon capital of Maine. You can rent by the half day, day or week, so give them a call if you want to ‘cruise the day away’ on Sebago lake or the Songo River.

RAD Jetski Rentals

851 Roosevelt Trail

Naples

693-8200

Not only can you rent boats and personal water craft here, but also the “limo” of surry bikes for a unique way to explore Naples. Take a bike ride around town, then rent a Jet Ski to get on the water and cool off!

 Sebago Lake State Park

11 Park Access Road

Casco

693-6613

http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/index.pl

Sebago Lake State Park has beautiful sandy beaches … and so much more! Picnic benches, BBQ grills, hiking, camping, boating and fishing are the things you can do in summer to have fun. And in winter there is cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Off Route 114 in Casco, watch for the signs to the park.

Douglas Mountain Preserve

Off Route 107

Sebago

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=SGN018-003

Choose a clear day to hike up this small mountain for spectacular views of not only Sebago Lake but the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Well worth the hike. Be advised it is a steep trail, but short.

Sebago Lake Land Reserve

On Route 35 just East of Route 114

Southwest of Windham at the lower end of Sebago Lake

http://www.pwd.org/environment/sebago/sebagolakelandreserve.php

This land preserve opened in 2005 and offers hiking, horseback riding trails, berry picking and more. Go to the website for more information.

 The Ice Cream Dugout

3 Storm Drive

Windham

894-7769

www.icecreamdugout.com

After a day at Sebago Lake enjoying all its activities, take the time to stop off at the Ice Cream Dugout for the Triple Play banana split or the Georgia Peach or any of the many offerings they have.

Frye Island

655-4258: Ferry

655-3551: Golf club

http://www.fryeisland.com/

Frye Island has 16 beach areas for public use, as well as a golf course. This small island in Sebago Lake is reached by a ferry you can take from Raymond Neck. Call the island and order your tickets ahead of time for the best prices.

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