Mid Coast (Maine)
The Mid Coast region of Maine encompasses the counties of Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Waldo. Its beaches are a popular summertime destination for tourists.
Other destinations
- Hupper's Island
Get in
Public transportation outside of Portland is very scarce. However, Concord Coach Lines operates two daily buses from Portland through all coastal towns along Route 1 from Portland through Bangor. All Concord buses serve the Portland Transportation Center at Thompson's Point Road.
See
- Popham Beach, south of Bath is gorgeous - just get there before 10AM or after 3PM and be ready for sudden fogs.
- The classic lighthouse at Pemaquid Point with some good lobster eating nearby.
- Boothbay Harbor is really pretty but like many towns on the coast, parking is at a premium in the summer.
- For scenic ocean grandeur you can't go wrong with anything north of Camden/Rockport.
- Bar Harbor's nice - don't miss Acadia National Park's Cadillac Mountain. The view is incredible. Good camping & whale watching available nearby, too.
Itineraries
Boothbay Harbor is a working fishing village, with several world class boat builders and is host to the Annual Shipyard Cup - American Cup racing. There are scenic drives to take to enjoy ocean views, lighthouses, boating or park and talk a walk or swim. The Land Trust properties present hiking opportunities with many scenic vistas, a couple require a boat to reach but are worth the trip. Our Botanical Gardens are growing daily and could be classified as world class. The area is rich in culture with many art galleries, a musical dinner theatre, the restored Opera House hosts many note worthy events throughout the year. The 18 hole golf course presents a challenge to all good golfers.
Greater Camden Area. Artisanal Tour - Travel the roads of midcoast Maine and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the depth and quality of the goods created by local craftspeople. Just five miles north of Camden, on Route 1, follow Route 173 to the junction of the Youngtown Road, where you'll find Cellardoor Vineyard. Visitors are treated to wine tastings along the u-shaped bar overlook the valley dotted with grape vines. Later, carry your picnic down to fields and relax among the grapes. Back on Route 1, just about 1/8 mile past Lincolnville Beach, Jim Brown has been creating custom furniture at Windsor Chairmakers for over twenty years. The circa-1800 farmhouse is home to fourteen rooms of custom made and hand crafted furniture. Jim and his wife Nance have made Windsor Chairmakers a local institution where visitors receive a warm welcome and a chance to see artisans at work. Just 2 miles north of Windsor Chairmakers sits Swans Island Blankets. For nearly a quarter century, Swans Island has been hand weaving blankets and throws. The exquisite colors in their products come from the natural color of the local fleeces they use and from their own dye house where they color with all natural plant dyes. The showroom is in a renovated 1780s farmhouse. You are welcome to wander into the production area and watch the weavers and dyers at work.
Eat
- Moody's Diner, ☏ +1 207-832-7785. Route 1, Waldoboro. 75+ year old family run diner.
- Whale's Tooth Pub & Restaurant, 2531 Atlantic Hwy., Lincolnville Beach (5 miles north of Camden Harbor), ☏ +1 207-789-5200. Oceanfront dining in an historic 1770 Custom's House with friendly staff. Serves local seafood, fresh lobsters, prime rib and perfectly charbroiled steaks. Serves local Andrew's Ale and wines from nearby Cellardoor Vineyard.
Stay safe
Be prepared to deal with mosquitoes inland, especially in spring.