Funtown Splashtown is a "Maine" attraction.

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One of our favorite vacation destinations here in the Northeast is the beautiful state of Maine. With its long coastline and magnificent state parks, it offers its own take on nature's beauty. Its road-less-traveled feel is very appealing to us, but when the kids are looking for a little more excitement than a quiet hike through the woods, we take US Route 1 into Saco for a fun-filled day at Funtown Splashtown USA, northern New England's largest family themed amusement and water park.

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As the unending rains of this past spring continued into summer, we weren't surprised when, on the day of our planned visit, the weather looked iffy at best. Still, we continued optimistically as our kids are pretty hardy. Besides, a little rain can keep the lines down and the beating July sun off your back. We no sooner were through the turnstiles when the drops began to fall, but that was okay by our four as their first stop was the bumper boats. The older three jumped into the adult version and immediately were driving around the large pool crashing into one another (and a slew of strangers). Our youngest, Jesse, was placed in the adjacent Kiddie Bumper Boats, a much smaller pool where the attendant stands in the knee-high water and gently keeps the little ones moving. The kids can steer the boats and our son had a blast turning 360s.

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Our next stop was to one of the two Antique Car rides in the park. We all know that age is not a barrier to enjoying this popular attraction and we were thrilled to see that there was no line--so we jumped right in. After a couple of spins on the Carousel and Balloon Race Ferris Wheel, it was time to head over to the other side of the park and brave the Excalibur Wooden Roller Coaster.

While Morn stayed behind with our now-sleeping toddler, the others enjoyed the largest coaster in New England and the tallest (at 108') in Maine's history.

While the kids were eager to try the newest addition to Funtown--the Wild Mouse Roller Coaster--we knew there was no way the adults were going on. Having ridden the ride when it existed in Busch Gardens (Va.) and again in Disney's California Adventure, we admit that this coaster is just too scary for us. With its hairpin turns (including a 270-degree one) and unexpected dips, we just couldn't get past the feeling that those cars were going to go off the track. (Yes, we know that is the point of the ride!) Luckily for us, the kids are old enough to...