Freeport is known for a few things; like the birthplace of Maine, the great sailing vessel The Dash , MacMillan- the artic explorer, its shipbuilding history, the castle, Wolfe’s Neck, Mast Landing Sanctuary, Harraseeket River, Samuelson- the great marathon runner, The Maine Desert, great shopping in its many outlet stores, but there is one gorilla in the room, LL Bean.

L.L.Bean was founded in 1912 by avid hunter and fisherman Leon Leonwood Bean in Greenwood, Maine, who had developed a waterproof boot (a combination of lightweight leather uppers and rubber bottoms) that he sold to hunters. He obtained a list of nonresident Maine hunting license holders, prepared a descriptive mail order circular, set up a shop in his brother’s basement in Freeport, Maine, and started a nationwide mail order business. By 1912, he was selling the “Bean Boot,” or Maine Hunting Shoe, through a four-page mail-order catalog, and the boot remains a staple of the company’s outdoor image. Defects in the initial design led to 90% of the original production run being returned: Bean made good on his money-back guarantee, corrected the design, and continued selling them. Leon L. Bean died on February 5, 1967, in Pompano Beach, Florida. He is buried in Freeport’s Webster Cemetery.  The company passed into the directorship of Bean’s grandson, Leon Gorman, from that time until 2001, when Gorman decided to take the position of Chairman of the Board, leaving the position of CEO to Christopher McCormick, the first non-family member to assume the title.

Check out the schedule for Freeport’s Summer in the Park Here

Visit freeportusa.com for a full list of events

The Applewood Inn is located on Holbrook street beside the historic home of Mr. L.L. Bean. The Inn is about 300 yards from the L.L. Bean retail store, as well as over 170 other shops and restaurants which offer some of the best shopping and cuisine in the area. But shopping is only part of the fun in Freeport.

Take advantage of the four state and town parks, including one small beach area and waterfront dining in the South Freeport Village. Take a breathtaking hike on the trails of Bradbury Mountain State Park or on the trails of Wolfe’s Neck State Park or Winslow State Park along the ocean.

We are fortunate to be located both close to Kennebunkport and Southern Maine, as well as Boothbay Harbor and the Downeast region.

160 Things To Do in Freeport