11 Things to do in Midcoast Maine
Tourism is one of the largest industries in the state of Maine. That means there is never a shortage of things to do; for both visitors and residents alike! We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 activities that we think our guests would love, in no particular order… just because we love them all!
- Mt. Battie & Camden Hills State Park
If you’re looking for a scenic drive, or want to conquer hiking one of Maine’s mountains, you can check out Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park. A small fee allows you to drive up to the top, where you can soak in the panoramic views of lakes, hillsides, and Camden Harbor. If you feel like strapping on your hiking boots, it’s about a mile trek to summit. This is a great way to see Camden, one of it’s most famous attributes, as well as all of it’s surrounding ocean – all year round! - Cellardoor Winery
Located in Lincolnville (just a 10 minute drive from the Hartstone) you can sip on a glass of award winning Maine wine in Cellardoor‘s 200-year old barn. With their own five and a half-acre vineyard, Cellardoor creates wine that gets distributed and sold all over the state of Maine. While there, enjoy food and wine pairings, check out one of their special events held throughout the year, or host a private event of your own. Whatever your reason for visiting, we’re sure you’ll be bringing a bottle or two back home with you!
367 Youngtown Rd, Lincolnville, ME 04849 - Sail Camden Harbor
There’s no better way to truly enjoy Maine’s ocean, than to hop on a boat and surround yourself with it! Luckily there are a handful of options docked in Camden Harbor waiting for you to come aboard. If a schooner ride is what you’re looking for, we suggest the Schooner Surprise. Offering day trips and private charters, you can relish in relaxation as you cruise along the coast, keeping an eye out for seals, eagles, or porpoises. If you’re looking for something interactive and informational, we suggest the Lively Lady. They offer a handful of cruises including Eco-Tours and lobstering hauls, giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with Maine’s lobstering industry. - Farnsworth Art Museum
Andrew Wyeth. Louise Nevelson. Charles Lewis Fox. If those names spark your interest, a visit to the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland should be on your itinerary during your next stay at the Hartstone! With more than 20,000 square feet of gallery space you’ll find yourself admiring wall to wall works of art. Our guests love to see the popular Wyeth Center that features works from Andrew, N.C. and Jamie Wyeth. With all that art, you should probably fuel up with a coffee at Rock City Cafe! Also, it is a great way to spend a rainy day. - Picnic in Camden Harbor
Some say that simplicity is the key to a happy life. When it comes to sitting back and taking everything in, while enjoying good food, we couldn’t agree more. What better way to do that, than to post up at a favorite spot in Camden and indulge in a picnic? Whether it’s in the middle of Harbor Park, on Laite Memorial Beach, or atop Mt. Battie, bring along one of the picnic options that we offer at the Hartstone, and you’ll find yourself in your own little world right here in the Midcoast. - Owls Head Transportation Museum
Relish in the past with a visit to the Owls Head Transportation Museum. With a mission to collect, preserve, exhibit, and even operate various aircraft, ground vehicles, and engines, the museum has more than 150 antiques for you to see and learn about. In addition to the exhibits, you can take part of one of their many events, or buy a ticket to their annual raffle for a chance to win an antique automobile. This year they are raffling off a 1957 Ford Thunderbird! Open all year round, everyone in the family can enjoy what the museum has to offer.
117 Museum St, Owls Head, ME 04854 - Rockland Breakwater
Sometimes a nice, scenic walk is all you need to round out your visit somewhere. If you happen to be visiting the Midcoast, the Rockland Breakwater is a great place to take a stroll. Jutting 4,000 feet (or 7/8 of a mile) out into the ocean, the Breakwater was constructed to help keep ships in the harbor safe from storms, but it also serves as a favorite spot to visitors to bring the family for a walk, take pictures, and get some fresh Maine air. - 4th of July
Celebrate the 4th of July right here in the Midcoast with live music, family fun, and a community-financed fireworks display. Local groups join together to throw a Festival of Independence party, giving you the chance to celebrate in style. Enjoy the fireworks from Harbor Park, the local library, or if you book early enough, from the comfort of one of the local schooners right out on the ocean! - Endless Summer Dahlia Farm
The ocean views and mountainous landscape aren’t the only beautiful things that you can see while exploring the Midcoast. The flora is also something to swoon over, which you can do at Endless Summer Flower Farm in Camden. Specializing in Dahlias, Endless Summer grows some of the biggest and prettiest Dahlias to sell to florists, caterers, weddings, and roadside sales. In fact, they have more than 150 varieties of Dahlias!
57 E Fork Rd, Camden, ME 04843 - Maine Lobster Festival-End of July
Because Lobster. Need we say more? Every summer at the end of July/early August the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland welcomes tens of thousands (yes, you read that right!) of visitors from all over the world. The festival is home to a sea goddess coronation, a big parade, an international crate race, and of course, all the lobster you can possibly eat. This is one Midcoast staple that you will definitely want to cross off your bucket list! - Camden Windjammer Festival-September
Reminisce on the days when hundreds of coastal schooners lined the Camden Waterfront, during the Camden Windjammer Festival. The fleet will gather together for a parade of sail, a flag-raising ceremony, live music, and fireworks. This is a great event that brings not only gorgeous views, but will give you the opportunity to learn about some of Camden’s rich maritime history. You might even spot a pirate while you’re there!