Coastal Maine

For nearly 200 years, this seaside landmark has aided navigation along the shores of Southport, Maine. Riddled with tales that date back to the Civil War-era of shipwrecks and ferocious storms, Hendricks Head Light has always stood as a beacon. Although you might not be able to take a peek inside, we feel the most authentic view is from the water.

Located in a fishing village in Georgetown, Maine, this seaside shack is home to the freshest seafood, friendliest service, and best views on the island. Lobsters are of course the crown jewel, but the joint also serves up the best onion rings we’ve ever munched on! Every summer, they loan some of their famed lobster to Dogfish Head to create a small batch of a most peculiar porter – seafood intolerant beware!

We all make mistakes, but only some are big enough to get a whole jet of land named after you. That was the case for the large vessel named “Squirrel” that ran aground on the southwest tip of Arroswic Island. A quick mile hike through the woods will bring you to the lighthouse that was built in its honor. Just be sure to bring the bug spray!

Built in 1898, this light held out 100 years until it was finally in need of a helping hand. The Community raised a pot of money to save the structure from toppling over. The restoration hit the news as the community held a collective breath when the tower was lifted from its home onto a barge. Now that she’s all spruced up the Community can breath easy.

Founded in 1962 by seven residents of Bath, Main, this museum is dedicated to Maine’s historic maritime heritage and culture. Stroll through the museum’s many galleries, tour the museum’s shipyard, and hop on board one of the museum’s daily cruises. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, the Maine Maritime Museum is an all-hands-on-deck experience!

Built in 1607, this ship was the first North American vessel to cross the Atlantic. While sailing is no longer the preferred method of trans-continental travel, The Virginia’s legacy lives on. Today, a volunteer-based organization called Maine’s First Ship is reconstructing a life-sized replica of the 17th-century vessel.

Originally one of two 1840s Gothic Revival Churches in Bath, this medieval sanctuary has nothing to do with chocolatiers. Instead, the Chocolate Church Arts Center got its name from the building’s distinctive chocolate brown color. While many of the church’s historical features have been preserved, churchgoers worship a different kind of God, the arts! Since 1977 the Chocolate Church Arts Center has been offering live music, gallery exhibitions, theater performances, lectures, and workshops.

Located on a remote island only accessible by boat, this charming post office acts as the center of life for the small coastal community it serves. With a collection of bulletin boards, a few benches, an emergency phone, and a beautiful old-fashion mail collection box, it only takes a quick trip to the post office to get caught up on the local Squirrel Island news. On your visit, fire off some letters to get stamped with Squirrel Island’s unique postmark.

In the heart of the beautiful Boothbay Harbor, this charming inn offers everything a north-Atlantic traveler could need, from waterfront suites and a sheltered marina to a full-service restaurant and an entertainment lounge. Whether you’re spending the night or simply having a few drinks, no trip to Maine is complete without a visit to the Tugboat Inn.

Located in the middle of Boothbay’s famous wooden span, this historic house is attached to the longest wooden footbridge in the United States. Since the Bridge House’s construction in 1902, the building has served as a fish market, a residence for the bridge tender, an art studio, a gift shop, and a summer getaway for its various owners. Today, after a no-expense-spared restoration, the Bridge House is a cozy one-bedroom, one-bathroom home, outfitted with a wood-burning stove, luxurious leather sofas, and a classic-cottage style kitchen.

All aboard!  Specializing in artifacts, period structures, and technologies utilized in Maine during the 19th and 20th centuries, the Railway Village Museum aims to educate the public about Maine’s rural past. Step back in time and see what life was like in the mid 1800s, including taking a ride aboard three steam locomotives open for service. 

At Glidden Point, the world truly is your oyster. Located on the edge of the Damariscotta River, this legendary shuck-your-own oyster joint is one of the only farms in the world that harvest their oysters the old-fashioned way. After a slow-growing process in the frigid waters off the coast, divers hand-pick each oyster from the bottom of the river. At four years of age, with a large, firm, and strong shell, these oysters are some of the most sought after in the country and certainly the most delicious. 

Established in 1808, fearful of our now-neighbors across the pond, this fort was intended to protect Maine’s coast and shipping interests. While the beautiful three-acre property is ideal for capturing Maine’s natural beauty, Fort Edgecomb’s main attraction is the 19th-century Blockhouse that sits on the property. Built in 1809, the fort is the nation’s best-preserved blockhouse of the period. During the summer months, visitors can tour the grounds and take a peek inside this octagonal piece of American history.

In 1873, when Round Pond was a bustling harbor town, this general store, originally called Hines Hall, opened its doors. Over the years, the building served as a saloon, ice cream shop, and even a dance hall before going back to its roots and reopening as a general store. Today, the store sells everything from postcards to peanuts.  One item that is not for sale is the original piano that still lives on the upstairs stage from the stores past life as dance hall.

This historic landmark originally opened its doors on July 4, 1888. Located a few miles from the coastal village of New Harbor, Maine, the Hotel Pemaquid is surrounded by picturesque scenery and is only a short walk away from the delightful Pemaquid Lighthouse. With a design reminiscent of the early twentieth century, complete with period-accurate antiques, The Pemaquid Hotel is a relaxing blast into the past.

Dedicated to preserving Maine’s deep history of public transportation, this museum proudly collects, restores, operates, and exhibits a variety of transit vehicles and artifacts. Take a ride on a vintage trolly from the 1900s, visit the restoration shop, and get your tickets punched and validated at the museum shop. Whether you’re into Thomas The Tank Engine or mechanical engineering, the trolley museum has something for everyone. 

Originally a wedding gift bestowed upon a shipbuilder in 1825, this gothic-style home has become a cherished landmark in Kennebunk. After being separated from his bride on their wedding day, the young shipbuilder promised his beloved an extravagant cake. Upon his return, the house was detailed and presented to his wife as if it were a wedding cake. While the house is not a chocolate sponge iced with buttercream, I bet it tasted just as sweet.

Just off the highway sits a curious structure that might be the smallest suspension bridge in the world. The Wiggly Bridge is basically a green, 75-foot foot-bridge version of the Golden Gate Bridge. Known for its bouncy and flexible deck, the bridge is a great place to stop for those more adventurous travelers who like to take the scenic route east on State Route 103.

This dockside hut has been serving up the fastest, the crispiest, and the freshest seafood in The Pine Tree State since 1956. With fresh lobsters, clams, and fish delivered daily, customers should expect only the highest quality seafood. Known for their original recipes, no trip to Maine is complete without a visit (or two) to Bob’s Clam Hut.