9 FREE things to do

For most of us, cashing in the 401K to fund Friday evening happy hours and weekend trips to the theater (cinematic and otherwise) isn't an option. But there has to be a life outside the office, even if the paycheck doesn't stretch quite far enough. So when you're down to your last few dollars and looking for something to do, leave the Washingtons in the wallet and check out these freebies.

1. Brewery Tours

Maine is becoming known nearly as well for its brewing as for its tasty crustaceans and the southern part of the state is home to a handful of breweries regularly offering tours. All include complimentary tastings with the beer-making instruction. Try Sebago Brewing in Gorham (Monday through Friday, 2 p.m.), Baxter Brewing in Lewiston (Thursday through Sunday, 12, 2 & 4 p.m.), and Geary's (Monday through Friday, 2 p.m.), Allagash (Monday through Saturday, various times Memorial Day through Columbus Day) and Shipyard (Tuesday, 5:30 to 7 p.m.) in Portland. Some breweries request a call in advance of your visit.

2. Fore River Sanctuary Waterfall

Portland's Brighton Avenue is home to many of the city's "big box" stores and chain eateries. But leave Brighton via Hillcrest Avenue and quickly go from retail and traffic to tall pines and songbirds. The 85-acre Fore River Sanctuary is home to Jewell Falls, the only waterfall in town. Visit year-round from dawn to dusk and de-stress on the trails.

3. Bowdoin College Museum of Art
Home to one of the most comprehensive collections of any college in the nation, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art is open to the public free of charge. Seeing a good portion of the 18,500 objects - including sculpture, paintings, decorative arts and more - will take more than one visit. And then there are the museum's changing exhibits. Add in Bowdoin's free Peary-MacMillan Artic Museum and you could be spending a lot of time in Brunswick.

4. Naked Shakespeare

No sets. No costumes. No stage. Just some sonnets and soliloquies stripped bare. Acorn Productions' Naked Shakespeare nights at Wine Bar (36 Wharf St., Portland) allow the prose to get all the attention. Join in most first Mondays for free, but be aware that donations will be requested, just in case you still have those last few Washingtons.

5. Art Walks

Portland's First Friday Art Walk is the biggest and best-known of the open gallery nights in these parts and it's a year-round monthly adventure of free snacks and beverages and amazing sights. Other seasonal walks are held in Bath, Brunswick/Topsham, Biddeford, Freeport, Lewiston/Auburn and on Peaks Island.

6. Author Talks
If you had a talent for putting pen to paper you probably wouldn't have to worry about finding free things to do. But since you likely haven't been published - yet - there's no harm in using someone else's success as entertainment. Portland Public Library is a reliable spot for meeting and greeting authors and hearing them read from their books. The bi-weekly Brown Bag Lunch Series (Wednesdays, 12 to 1 p.m.) has long been popular with book lovers (free java from Coffee By Design is an added perk). Also check the calendars of Longfellow Books in Portland, Nonesuch Books in Biddeford and South Portland and Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick.

7. Farmers Markets

Browsing stands of local produce is certainly a summery thing to do but don't let the farmers market experience go just because snow is on the way. Several towns offer indoor markets that include music, entertainment and handmade items along with the veggies. Looking, chatting and wandering is half the fun. You don't have to buy anything but ... bet you do.

8. Mackworth Island

One of the prettiest spots in Casco Bay is the former home of Gov. Percival Baxter. Now Mackworth Island houses Baxter School for the Deaf and the Friends School of Portland. Walk the 1.25-mile trail around the island from dawn to dusk and get views of Portland and several other islands. Don't miss the pet cemetery or the fairy house village.

9. Tastings

Pass up free beverages? Never. Search them out and invite friends? Of course. In greater Portland there are a variety of tastings to choose from, starting with Maine Mead Works (Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.). Those who favor wine are in luck with places like Rosemont Market & Bakery, RSVP Discount Beverage, Brown Trading, Leavitt & Sons, Freeport Cheese and Wine and The Market at Pineland Farms holding free events monthly (or more often). And for those who just say no to alcohol - or say a hearty "Yes!" to Earl Grey - there's good reason to drop in at Dobra Tea on Fridays when visitors are invited to taste the hot brews from 4 to 6 p.m.

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