If you're looking for a meditative way to spend the afternoon, try a visit to Steep Falls, 40 minutes out of Portland, Maine near Standish. "It's a real negative-ion high!" says Dispatches contributor and photographer Tracy Marks.To get there, go to the Steep Falls rest area on the Saco River and take the path from the right side of the road (the other side from the main parking area) and walk 1/3 mile past the first small swimming areas all the way to the falls.
There are several sandy swimming beaches, and if no one is there, you can sit on a rock on top of the waterfall and dip your feet in the rapids. This waterfall is only 6 feet high (maybe even less now, the water level is high) but it's 75 feet wide and and makes great rapids. There are half a dozen small somewhat protected beaches, the water there should be quiet enough for kids to swim*, said Tracy.
Maine swimming holes
Massachusetts swimming holes
* On all day trips and particularly around rivers and water, please use good personal judgement and exercise caution, as conditions can change.
