Where the mountains meet the sea...The Camden area is known for it’s charm and natural beauty. It’s also home to the largest schooner fleet in the world. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your vacation.
Get out on the water
In our opinion, this is the best way to see coastal Maine! Take a two or three hour scenic cruise aboard one of the area’s schooners: Schooner Surprise, Schooner Lazy Jack, or Schooner Yacht Heron. Another great way to see Penobscot Bay is by taking the ferry from Lincolnville Beach to Islesboro—an island three miles off the mainland. If your idea of getting out on the water means “inches from the water” rent a kayak at Ducktrap Kayak or Maine Sport and head out to sea or to nearby Lake Megunticook.
Commune with nature
Just two and a half miles to our south is Camden Hills State Park. The Park has 19 trails, totaling 30 miles, with varying degrees of difficulty. Each of the trails affords beautiful vistas along the way, with sweeping views of the Bay and lakes from the top. The view from the top of Mt. Battie can be enjoyed by all via an auto road. Merryspring, a breathtaking 66-acre nature park and education center in Camden, offers trails, rose and perennial gardens, and woodlands, and is open year round. Rent a bike at Ragged Mountain Sports or Maine Sport and take a self-guided tour of our back roads and islands. Stop along the way to visit the Belted Galloway Cows, also known as Oreo Cookie Cows, at Aldermere Farms.
Artists and Artisans:
The Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville area is home to many talented men and women—artists, artisans, photographers and authors. Spend an afternoon or two perusing the Maine inspired watercolors, oils and acrylics at Bearse Art Gallery, J.M. Rogers Gallery, H. Swanson Studio & Gallery, Small Wonder Gallery, and Bayview Gallery. Enjoy an exceptional collection of American art at the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center. For nautical flavored art and history, visit the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport. Watch hand-crafted furniture being made at Windsor Chairmakers and Shaker Gallery. Visit in mid-September and take part in the Country Roads Artists and Artisans Tour—showcasing the works of 22 area artists and artisans.
Wine and Dine
Visit Maine’s only vineyard, Cellardoor Winery, located just minutes from us in Lincolnville Center. Sample local wines and shop for unique gifts in their shop. Choose a beer or wine from one of the finest selections in Midcoast Maine at Lily, Lupine & Fern on Main Street in downtown Camden. Contact them if you would like a gift basket of gourmet goodies sent to a guest or to your room! For a casual lunch or dinner with a view, we recommend The Camden Deli, The Lobster Pound, Bayview Lobsters, Inc., Chez Michel, and Whale’s Tooth Pub & Restaurant. For fine dining, may we suggest Youngtown Inn, Atlantica or Primo.
Area Lighthouses:
We are fortunate to have seven lighthouses all within an hour’s drive of us. To learn more about them, click on each link. The nearest lighthouse is Grindle Point Light, accessible by taking the ferry from Lincolnville Beach, just a mile and a half away. Standing guard at the entrance to Camden Harbor is Curtis Island Light, best viewed by taking a schooner sail. Rockport Harbor is home to Indian Island Light. To our south, at the end of a jetty jutting almost a mile out into Rockland Harbor, is Rockland Breakwater Light. Just below Rockland is Owls Head Light perched on a cliff high above the surf. A lighthouse made famous by Tom Hanks in the movie “Forrest Gump” is Marshall Point Light, in Port Clyde. Last, but certainly not least, we have Pemaquid Point Light in New Harbor. For movie buffs, New Harbor is where “Message in a Bottle” starring Kevin Costner and Paul Newman, was filmed. No, it wasn’t North Carolina!
Still Need More to Do?
Well, you can take in a movie. In Camden, visit The Bayview Street Cinema. In Belfast, just 18 miles to our north, is a unique “old fashioned movie palace” called Colonial Theater, and about 15 miles to our south is Rockland Flagship Cinema—a multiplex with stadium style seating. Automobile enthusiasts would enjoy the antique cars, aircraft and motorcycles, as well as a full- scale replica of the Wright Brother’s “Kitty Hawk” at Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head. Stroll through the quaint shops along Main Street in Camden or at the beach in
Lincolnville, and do your part to boost the local economy! Purchase a day pass at the local YMCA, which features an indoor track, rock climbing wall, and competitive pool, or rent some ice skates or tennis equipment at Midcoast Recreation Center in Rockport. Play a scenic round of golf at the Samoset Resort or just nine holes at Goose River Golf Course, both in Rockport.

Whatever you decide to do while you’re here, we hope you have fun…even if you just sit on the porch and take a nap!