Sheila's 3-Season Guidebook (April 15-October 31)
Sightseeing
One of the top gardens in the country and home of The Trolls! Come back during the holidays for Gardens Aglow.....consistently listed as one of the top light displays nationwide.
163 locals recommend
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
105 Botanical Gardens DrOne of the top gardens in the country and home of The Trolls! Come back during the holidays for Gardens Aglow.....consistently listed as one of the top light displays nationwide.
Boothbay Region Land Trust
60 Samoset RdGreat series of hiking trails on the peninsula.
Monhegan Island
Beautiful island art colony and no cars :)
Only place to see puffins in their natural habitat.
24 locals recommend
Boothbay Harbor Maine Puffin Cruises
42 Commercial StOnly place to see puffins in their natural habitat.
Ocean Point Walk
Point RoadGorgeous place to walk along the ocean.
Barrett Park
131 Lobster Cove RdNice park with beach access.
Maine State Aquarium
Mc Kown Point RoadCute little aquarium 🐬
Boothbay Railway Village
586 Wiscasset RdTake a train ride and visit the museum 🚞
King Phillips Trail
King Phillips TrailLess crowded than Ocean Point for a nice 2-mile walk.
In Bristol: Quintessential Maine lighthouse. One of the most commonly seen in photos.
128 locals recommend
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
3115 Bristol RdIn Bristol: Quintessential Maine lighthouse. One of the most commonly seen in photos.
Hendricks Head Lighthouse
Light House LaneSmall beach area on Southport.
Grimes Avenue
Grimes AvenueSmall beach at Grimes Cove on Ocean Point.
Lovely hiking trails in Edgecomb. Go for a hike and visit Blanchards Creamery on your way back!
Schmid Land Preserve
Lovely hiking trails in Edgecomb. Go for a hike and visit Blanchards Creamery on your way back!
Electric bike rentals by the hour or by the day. They also have bikes for sale.
Pedego Electric Bikes Boothbay Harbor
185 Townsend AvenueElectric bike rentals by the hour or by the day. They also have bikes for sale.
Pemaquid Beach
Pemaquid Beach ParkGenerally, less crowded than Popham and Reid.
Maine Kayak Boothbay Harbor Shop
Kayak rental and guided tours!
Food scene
Cabbage Island Clambakes
22 Commercial StreetTrue Maine lobster bake!
Linekin Bay Resort
92 Wall Point RdBeautiful spot for a meal or drinks.
Recently rated as one of the best Italian restaurants in the ENTIRE UNITED STATES! Yes, you read that correctly. True Italian cuisine with homemade pasta. Best to make reservations because it is packed most nights.
30 locals recommend
Ports of Italy, Boothbay Harbor
47 Commercial StRecently rated as one of the best Italian restaurants in the ENTIRE UNITED STATES! Yes, you read that correctly. True Italian cuisine with homemade pasta. Best to make reservations because it is packed most nights.
Bet's Fish Fry
Huge portions and the fish and chips can’t be beat!
Brady's
25 Union StGreat variety of food at reasonable prices.
They have a wonderful rooftop deck bar with spectacular views! You’ll find an array of food choices.
Tugboat Restaurant
80 Commercial StThey have a wonderful rooftop deck bar with spectacular views! You’ll find an array of food choices.
The casual pizza spot from the owners of Ports of Italy! True Italian pizzas.
9 locals recommend
PORTS Pizzeria
28 Union StThe casual pizza spot from the owners of Ports of Italy! True Italian pizzas.
Under new ownership in 2022. Sandwiches, seafood, nice bar area. Outside seating right on the harbor.
25 locals recommend
McSeagull’s Restaurant
14 Wharf StUnder new ownership in 2022. Sandwiches, seafood, nice bar area. Outside seating right on the harbor.
Another great rooftop deck to eat, drink, and enjoy the view!
30 locals recommend
Boathouse Bistro | Tapas Bar & Restaurant
12 By-WayAnother great rooftop deck to eat, drink, and enjoy the view!
Best sandwich and quick breakfast in town! Grab a bite and head to Ocean Point to eat and enjoy the sounds of the surf!
18 locals recommend
East Boothbay General Store
255 Ocean Point RdBest sandwich and quick breakfast in town! Grab a bite and head to Ocean Point to eat and enjoy the sounds of the surf!
China By the Sea
96 Townsend AveIf you’re needing your Chinese food fix :)
Head out to this favorite spot in East Boothbay right on the water!
8 locals recommend
Lobsterman's Wharf
224 A Ocean Point RdHead out to this favorite spot in East Boothbay right on the water!
“Fish and Chip Friday” and "Pizza Thursday"......just go...you won’t be sorry :)
15 locals recommend
Carriage House Restaurant
388 Ocean Point Rd“Fish and Chip Friday” and "Pizza Thursday"......just go...you won’t be sorry :)
Robinson's Wharf
20 Hendricks Hill RdRight at the Southport bridge.....yum!
Footbridge Brewery
25 Granary WayYou know you want some craft brews 🍺
Get your golf on ⛳️. There are also two restaurants on site.
12 locals recommend
Boothbay Harbor Country Club
50 Sugar Maple LaneGet your golf on ⛳️. There are also two restaurants on site.
Nice and more upscale restaurant on the harbor.
7 locals recommend
Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort
35 Atlantic AveNice and more upscale restaurant on the harbor.
Mine Oyster
16 Wharf StAll things oyster...and beyond! They have something for everyone.
THE THISTLE HAS RE-OPENED!!!....and we couldn't be happier! This is a wonderful spot for an upscale meal in an old, historic building.
19 locals recommend
The Thistle Inn & Restaurant
55 Oak StTHE THISTLE HAS RE-OPENED!!!....and we couldn't be happier! This is a wonderful spot for an upscale meal in an old, historic building.
My favorite ice cream on the peninsula! It's a bit of a drive from downtown (10-15 minutes) in Edgecomb, but well worth it.
Blanchard's Creamery Homemade Ice Cream and Coffee Shop
660 Boothbay RdMy favorite ice cream on the peninsula! It's a bit of a drive from downtown (10-15 minutes) in Edgecomb, but well worth it.
Best bakery in town!....with a cute gift store carrying very unique offerings. They also have Chai, coffee and espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and some lunch offerings.
10 locals recommend
Farm 23
102 Ocean Point RdBest bakery in town!....with a cute gift store carrying very unique offerings. They also have Chai, coffee and espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and some lunch offerings.
Ocean Point Inn and Resort
191 Shore RdNice place to have dinner and watch the most spectacular sunset ever!
Great little restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining on the east side of the harbor. There is a variety of food choices and views to die for!
The Whale's Tale & Seafarer's Pub
125 Atlantic AveGreat little restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining on the east side of the harbor. There is a variety of food choices and views to die for!
Great gourmet market with fresh seafood, prime cuts of meat, prepared meals, and Lob-stah 🦞. They have a large wine and cheese section, baked goods, sandwiches, soups/chowders, Boar's Head cold cuts, and a large selection of Stonewall Kitchen items.
15 locals recommend
Pinkham's Gourmet Market
295 Townsend AveGreat gourmet market with fresh seafood, prime cuts of meat, prepared meals, and Lob-stah 🦞. They have a large wine and cheese section, baked goods, sandwiches, soups/chowders, Boar's Head cold cuts, and a large selection of Stonewall Kitchen items.
Marcel's Submarine Shop
If you want a great sub for a quick meal, this is your place :)
Mama D's Cafe Mercantile
Popular breakfast spot with the locals!
This is a beautiful spot for lunch or dinner. It's a bit of a drive at the end of Southport Island, but I have never seen the place crowded. This is not to say the food isn't wonderful. A nice place to go to get away from the crowds.
The Pub at Newagen Seaside Inn
This is a beautiful spot for lunch or dinner. It's a bit of a drive at the end of Southport Island, but I have never seen the place crowded. This is not to say the food isn't wonderful. A nice place to go to get away from the crowds.
Cozy restaurant right on the Sheepscot River in Wiscasset. Open for lunch and dinner.
17 locals recommend
Water Street Kitchen and Bar
15 Water StCozy restaurant right on the Sheepscot River in Wiscasset. Open for lunch and dinner.
This has become my favorite breakfast spot. Fresh, hot food and views to die for while you're sipping your coffee :) It's on the second floor near the Footbridge so there are stairs to climb.
Kelly's Cafe
This has become my favorite breakfast spot. Fresh, hot food and views to die for while you're sipping your coffee :) It's on the second floor near the Footbridge so there are stairs to climb.
If you want to get away from the bustle of downtown, head to Cozy's on Cozy Harbor, Southport. They have a spectacular view and OMG...THE ONION RINGS! 😋
Oliver's at Cozy Harbor Wharf
36 Cozy Harbor RdIf you want to get away from the bustle of downtown, head to Cozy's on Cozy Harbor, Southport. They have a spectacular view and OMG...THE ONION RINGS! 😋
City/town information
Wiscasset
Quaint village and home to Red's Eats!
Great place to shop, eat, paddle or walk. Home of the Pumpkinfest and Regatta in October.
14 locals recommend
Damariscotta-Newcastle
Great place to shop, eat, paddle or walk. Home of the Pumpkinfest and Regatta in October.
Great place to shop and visit the Maine Maritime Museum. There are several good restaurants here and also Bath Iron Works, where military ships are built.
45 locals recommend
Bath
Great place to shop and visit the Maine Maritime Museum. There are several good restaurants here and also Bath Iron Works, where military ships are built.
This is about a 40 minute drive south. Cute downtown area in this college town, home to Bowdoin College.
56 locals recommend
Brunswick
This is about a 40 minute drive south. Cute downtown area in this college town, home to Bowdoin College.
Camden
Beautiful seaport town about a 40 minute drive north.
Shopping
Great little shopping spot and place to get a bite on Southport Island.
9 locals recommend
Southport General Store
443 Hendricks Hill RdGreat little shopping spot and place to get a bite on Southport Island.
This place is INSANE!......a candy department store with an ice cream counter in back. You want that candy you had when you were four?....I guarantee you, they have it. The only problem is that this place is packed almost all day, everyday.
Sweetz & More
This place is INSANE!......a candy department store with an ice cream counter in back. You want that candy you had when you were four?....I guarantee you, they have it. The only problem is that this place is packed almost all day, everyday.
Boothbay Farmers' Market
1 Common DrThursday mornings ONLY during the summer season!
Beautiful gallery of Maine and Moroccan art in East Boothbay, near the East Boothbay General Store.
Kerr+Jones Fine Art & Craft
Beautiful gallery of Maine and Moroccan art in East Boothbay, near the East Boothbay General Store.
Neighborhoods
Quintessential downtown area that epitomizes all that Maine is known for with numerous stores, coffee shops and restaurants. Check my restaurant listings for details.
Boothbay Harbor
Quintessential downtown area that epitomizes all that Maine is known for with numerous stores, coffee shops and restaurants. Check my restaurant listings for details.
Rainy day ideas
The place to visit on a rainy day or when you just want some downtime. The theater shows a variety of films from the latest hits to oldies, obscure documentaries and Indies.
10 locals recommend
Harbor Theater
185 Townsend AveThe place to visit on a rainy day or when you just want some downtime. The theater shows a variety of films from the latest hits to oldies, obscure documentaries and Indies.
City advice
Getting around
You can't get they-ah from he-ah!
Well, you actually CAN get "there from here", but what looks close on a map may actually be a VERY long drive. For example, Pemaquid Lighthouse is probably a 10 minute boat ride from my neighborhood, but it will take you an hour to drive there. To drive 30 miles can easily take you an hour because you are traveling on small roads, and in the high season there will be lots of traffic in spots.
Book before you go
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens/Garden's Aglow
As of regular season 2023, reservations are "recommended but not required". Garden's Aglow still requires a reservation.
Customs and culture
Late Fall and Wint-ah are different from Sum-mah.
Be aware that all these lovely spots are available in late Spring, Summer and Early Fall......but after Indigenous People's Day, many things close down for the season. Several restaurants and shops remain open all year, or at least through Garden's Aglow (which ends 12/31).
Customs and culture
*LYME DISEASE*
Consider this a public service announcement....the threat of contracting Lyme Disease from infected deer ticks is very real in Maine! Virtually everyone who lives here, and spends any time in the woods...or even in their yard, has found a tick on them or contracted Lyme (including me). This is not a disease you want to contract, so a few pieces of advice: 1) spray your clothes with Permethrin before you arrive in Maine 2) use a CDC approved insect repellant with DEET, 3) check yourself for ticks when you come inside, 4) shower immediately. Check the CDC website for more information.