When it comes to quintessential summer fun, few activities are as satisfying and nostalgia-inducing as an old-fashioned round of mini golf. Whether you’re playing as a couple, with a posse of friends or with little ones in tow, mini golf is the ticket to a guaranteed good time, regardless of your skill level.
Maine has several places where you can play a round of mini golf, several with ice cream stands, so you can celebrate your victory, or embarrassing defeat, with a cone or sundae.
Happy putting!
BIG ADVENTURE COVE MINI GOLF
WHERE: 12 North Road, Bethel
CONTACT INFO: 207-824-0860, bigadventureminigolf.com
HOURS: Noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday (Memorial Day to Columbus Day)
COST: $8 (cash only)
DETAILS: The course is both challenging and scenic with plenty of water features, trees and even a covered bridge. Finish off your round with an ice cream.
CARDINAL COVE MINI GOLF CENTER
WHERE: 773 Commercial St., Rockport
CONTACT INFO: 207-200-8008, cardinalcoveme.wixsite.com/website
HOURS: 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
COST: $5, $4 for ages 5-17, free under 5
DETAILS: The 40-year-old course is landscaped with edible and medicinal plants, and if you spot a chicken while you’re putting, you can feed it with the grain Cardinal Cove provides you with. Swing by the Bee Wild Farmacy shop after your game.
DOLPHIN MINI GOLF
WHERE: 510 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay
CONTACT INFO: 207-633-4828, on Facebook
HOURS: Noon to 7 p.m. daily
COST: $8, $6 for ages 4-12, 3 and under free
DETAILS: Dolphin is a nautical-themed course that also has an ice cream hut and shell museum on the premises.
GIFFORD’S MINI GOLF & BATTING
WHERE: 170 Silver St., Waterville
CONTACT INFO: 207-861-4650, giffordsicecream.com/scoop-stands/waterville
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
COST: $7, half-off on Tuesdays, $6 for 62-plus and military, 5 and under free.
DETAILS: A classic mini golf course that also has batting cages ($1 for one token, $5 for six, 10 pitches per token) and an ice cream stand.
GIFFORD’S MINI GOLF
WHERE: 307 Madison Ave., Skowhegan
CONTACT INFO: 207-474-2257, giffordsicecream.com/scoop-stands/skowhegan
HOURS: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
COST: $7, half-off on Tuesdays, $6 for 62-plus and military, 5 and under free.
DETAILS: The ice cream stand is open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m daily so get a scoop before or after you play.
THE HERMIT’S ADVENTURE MINI GOLF
WHERE: Desert of Maine, 95 Desert Road, Freeport
CONTACT INFO: 207-250-2550, desertofmaine.com/mini-golf
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
COST: $12, $11 for 12 and under
DETAILS: The newly-opened course has water features, challenging holes and sculptures that incorporate the desert’s history. Enjoy 50% off same-day replays. The Oasis snack bar has several treats, including kettle corn, penny candy and ice cream.
MARTEL’S ICE CREAM & MINI GOLF
WHERE: 757 Portland Road (Route 1), Saco
CONTACT INFO: 207-283-1775, martelsicecream.com/mini-golf
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for golf (noon to 9 p.m. for ice cream)
COST: $10, $9 seniors, $8 for ages 11 and under, 4 and under free with adult, $5 for replays
DETAILS: An impeccably landscaped course with several water features.
MOOSE MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE PARK
WHERE: 663 Main St., Richmond
CONTACT INFO: 207-737-9811, moosemountainpark.com
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday (opening July 1)
COST: $13, $11 for 12 and under, seniors and military, $6 replay, 2 and under free
DETAILS: This new course features 18 holes carved out of ledge with Maine-themed features like an eagle’s nest, campfire hole, fisherman and a lobster shack. Hershey’s ice cream and cold beverages will be sold and the plan is to have food trucks visit the parking lot.
PIRATE’S COVE ADVENTURE GOLF
WHERE: 368 State Highway 3, Bar Harbor
CONTACT INFO: 207-288-2133, piratescove.net
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
COST: $10.50, $9.50 for ages 4-12, 3 and under free; for 36 holes, $16, $14 for ages 4-12
DETAILS: This is a pirate-themed, landscaped course featuring waterfalls. Udder Heaven Ice Cream is next door.
PIRATE’S COVE ADVENTURE GOLF
WHERE: 71 1st St., Old Orchard Beach
CONTACT INFO: 207-934-5086, piratescove.net
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
COST: $10.50, $9.50 for ages 4-12, 3 and under free; for 36 holes, $14.50, $13.50 for ages 4-12
DETAILS: This is a pirate-themed, landscaped course featuring waterfalls and located a stone’s throw from the ocean.
RAPTOR FALLS MINI GOLF & ICE CREAM
WHERE: 1912 Portland Road, Arundel
CONTACT INFO: 207-467-3131, raptorfalls.com
HOURS: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
COST: $13, $10 for 12 and under, seniors and military, 2 and under free; $6 for replays
DETAILS: This course features life-like animatronic dinosaurs and a volcano. There’s also an ice cream stand.
ROY’S ALL STEAK HAMBURGERS & GOLF CENTER
WHERE: 2514 Turner Road, Auburn
CONTACT INFO: 207-782-2801, roysgolf.com
HOURS: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
COST: $8
DETAILS: There’s plenty to do with batting cages, a driving range and disc golf all at Roy’s Turner Road location. Plus, hamburgers, fries, hot dogs and ice cream.
SCHOONER MINIATURE GOLF & ICE CREAM
WHERE: 58 Ocean Park Road, Saco
CONTACT INFO: 207-284-6174, schoonerminigolf.net
HOURS: Call for June hours; open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July and August
COST: $12, $10 for ages 5-12
DETAILS: The course features a replica schooner and lighthouse, and there’s an ice cream stand.
SEACOAST ADVENTURE
WHERE: 930 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302), Windham
CONTACT INFO: 207-892-5952, seacoastadventure.com
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
COST: $10, $7.50 for seniors and kids under 58”, free for kids under 40”
DETAILS: Along with a classic course, you can also drive go-karts, ride the Sky Swing and have a blast at the Shipwreck Cove water playground at Seacoast Adventure. The Deck House Tavern serves a pub-style menu along with cocktails.
TABERS
WHERE: 470 Lake Shore Drive, Auburn
CONTACT INFO: 207-784-2521, tabersgolf.com
HOURS: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
COST: $9, $8 for seniors and kids age 12 and under, ages 3 and under free, $4 replays
DETAILS: This fun and challenging course overlooking Lake Auburn also offers a driving range and restaurant with plenty of picnic tables.
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