Day Trips

Hay Runner Day Trips help you get to know Portland neighborhoods or greater Portland areas and towns so you can narrow down what town or neighborhood you want to live in, or what resources or attractions you want to live near. 

What to Expect:

  1. Preliminary meeting: a one hour zoom with your Hay Runner Local Expert

  2. Proposal: We then research and plan a customized day trip for you and run it by you - knowing we can follow our hearts a bit once we are on the road.

  3. Day Trip! We’ll drive, talk, look, make some fun stops and offer local knowledge, if you’re along for the full day trip we’ll plan a great stop for lunch at one of our favorite places! 

  4. Follow-up: We’ll check in after the day and see what you learned and what you want to do next: take another day trip, connect with a Hay Runner realtor, be referred to another real estate agent specializing in your needs or area of interest, or, follow your own path - like we said, no strings attached, this is all about you!

  • Our Half Day Trip provides about three hours with your local of choice; time enough to take a peak at all of Portland’s neighborhoods or, visit two nearby towns.

  • A Full Day Trip is about six hours, and can include both Portland and a few surrounding towns and a stop for lunch at one of our favorite spots! (and, we’re driving, so feel free to order that local beer at lunch!)

  • Want to spread it out over a couple of days, or visit a few areas, check out somewhere off the beaten path or gain perspective about the area from more than one of our Hay Runner locals? Just contact us to price it out!

Be our Guest, no strings attached

Whether you eventually work with a Hay Runner based realtor or your preferred agent, a day trip with a Hay Runner Local Expert will empower you to know where to look for your primary residence, investment property or pied-a-terre.

Sometimes it’s too early to connect with a realtor! Hay Runner Local Experts will help you find your perfect neighborhood before you call an agent, start looking at listings or scheduling showings so you can avoid the pressure to hurry-up-and-decide, overpromise on your timeline or your intent to work with that agent.  

A Hay Runner day trip is all about you and has zero pressure - it’s like a guided tour, meets real estate education, meets a great day with a (new) friend… who knows, maybe pack your swimsuit!

Sadie Bliss
Hay Runner Local Expert

Sadie Bliss, Hay Runner’s Director of Special Projects, is a 15-year Portland resident, home owner, landlord, AirBnb host, parent and volunteer with deep connections to the art,craft and design community, regularly found on beaches and mountains, shopping locally or out for a run.

Email Sadie


Kelsea Dunham
Hay Runner Local Expert

Kelsea Dunham, Hay Runner’s BUSINESS MANAGER is a Westbrook resident, home owner, parent, board member at Maine Trans Net, self-identifies as Queer, and is one of the folks who helps Keep Portland Wierd. She’s our specialist in all the out-of-the-way places to eat, drink, procure cannabis, catch a live show, or take a road trip.

Email Kelsea

Tim Martone
Hay Runner Local Expert

Tim Martone, a member of Hay Runner’s design team, is a Portland resident, Architalx board member, avid skier and terrible golfer. As both a certified sommelier and certified cicerone, he is our resident guru for all things wine, beer and spirits. Constantly hunting for the perfect food and beverage pairing, Tim has found himself right at home amongst Portland’s world-class restaurant & bar scene.

Email Tim

EMILY SHAFFER
Hay Runner MIDCOAST Expert

Emily Shaffer, Hay Runner’s sales and marketing manager, is a Lincolnville, ME resident, you know, that sweet little beach town between Belfast and Camden! She is a home owner, small business owner, artist, and will frequently be found at the beach or on one of Maine’s hiking trails with her pup. She is our midcoast specialist and will help you find good food, community events and gorgeous views.

Email EMILY