wells national estuarine research reserve

Admission: Check the Web site for details.

Maine's rocky coast--and all the maritime creatures that live there--is at your child's fingertips at Laudholm Farm, part of the U.S. National Estuarine Reserve System (a network of 25 reserves designed to protect estuarine ecosystems). "There are lots of fun things going on here for kids," says education director Laura Lubelczyk. "We have lots of different habitats to explore, from salt marshes to sandy beaches, fields to forests." According to Lubelczyk, splashing and poking around at low tide are among the most popular activities for kids.