BOOTHBAY 2020-2021 VISITOR GUIDE HARBOR The Boating Capitol of New England Life on the Water – Shopping – Food & Dining Things to Do – Places to Stay – Events BOOTHBAYHARBOR.COM WELCOME TO THE BOOTHBAY HARBOR REGION & MIDCOAST MAINE! Just 166 miles north of Boston and a little over an hour north of Portland, you’ll find endless possibilities of things to see and do. Whether you’re in Maine for a short visit, a summer, or a lifetime, the Boothbay Harbor and Midcoast regions are uniquely special for everyone. This guide is chock full of useful information - where to shop, dine, stay, and play - and we encourage you to keep a copy handy at all times! Here are some things you can look forward to when you visit: • Boating, kayaking, sailing, sport fishing, and windjammer cruises • Locally farm-sourced foods, farmers markets, lobsters, oysters, wineries, and craft breweries • A walkable sculpture trail, art galleries galore, and craft fairs • Spectacular nature preserves, parks, lakes, and beaches • Museums, lighthouses, forts, and historic sites • Concerts, bands, movies, and live theater performances • World-class golf, pickleball, and tennis Here are some recent accolades: • Lonely Planet named Midcoast Maine one of the Top Ten Destinations in the United States. • New England Today named Boothbay Harbor one of the Top Ten Prettiest Coastal Towns in Maine. • Coastal Living Magazine named the Boothbay Region as one the Top Five Peninsulas for the Ultimate Maine Road Trip. For close to 60 years, the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce has been an organization whose membership is comprised of business entities and friends of the Chamber in our local communities. Please do not hesitate to call, stop by our offices, or visit us online. Welcome! Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce 192 Townsend Ave., PO Box 356, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 | 207-633-2353 Cover image ©2020 Mike Leonard Photography Follow us on 1 GETTING HERE BY CAR • Take I-95 N toward NH/Maine. I-95 is also the Maine Turnpike once inside the state. • Merge onto I-295 N via Exit 52 toward Falmouth. • Merge onto ME-196 S via Exit 31 toward Topsham/Lisbon (3 miles). • Merge onto US-1 N toward Bath (19 miles). • Turn slight right onto ME-27/Boothbay Rd. Continue to follow ME-27 (11 miles). BY BUS Concord Coach Lines 800-639-3317 | ConcordCoachLines.com Travel to the Boothbay area via stop in Damariscotta. Taxis available. BY BOAT 43°51’10”N 69°37’27”W Boothbay’s Harbor Master DRIVING DISTANCES Miles Captain Peter Ripley: 207-633-2051 Boothbay Harbor’s Harbor Master Augusta, ME ........................................................... 36 Jeff Lowell: 207-380-76025 Bangor, ME ............................................................116 [email protected] Boston, MA............................................................163 Bar Harbor, ME .................................................. 125 BY AIR Freeport, ME ........................................................... 42 Portland International Jetport (PWM) Hartford, CT ......................................................... 256 Bangor International Jetport (BGR) Portsmouth, NH .................................................109 Montreal, QC ......................................................284 BY TRAIN New York, NY ...................................................... 372 Amtrak Downeaster Portland, ME .......................................................... 57 800-872-7245 | AmtrakDowneaster.com Quebec, QC ........................................................ 256 Travel to the Boothbay area via the Brunswick Saint John, NB .....................................................254 station. Concord Coach Lines Washington, D. C.............................................. 595 and taxis available. © 2020 The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce. All efforts have been made to verify that the information within the guide is correct and accurate at the time of printing. 2 Learn more at BoothbayHarbor.com EXPLORE THIS BEAUTIFUL PART OF MAINE. As we head into the Summer of 2020, we are all adapting and coping as best we can in a Covid-19 world. The Chamber is working hard to support our local businesses and to facili- tate successful visits to Maine by those who consider and then choose to visit here. We recognize that we can’t do any of this alone. We very much need each other to survive & thrive. This community is rich in tradition and history. We strive to represent all areas of busi- ness & industry in order that they may succeed. Visitors should note that although we are a tourist center, our residents live & work here year round and need all types of services – fish- erman, artisans, restaurants, teachers, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, boatbuilders, etc. As a Chamber it is important that we reflect that diversity and seek out ways to expand and welcome others to do business here too. To thrive long-term, we need to continue to actively welcome people to the region to supplement our workforce and be part of the next generation of entrepreneurs. The Chamber very much wants to be a part of that process. To our visitors, we say “Enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you on our peninsula, sample the delicious food and vibrant stores in our historic waterfront. We hope you enjoy it here as much as we do, and return in future years when things return to “normal”. Thank you. Douglas Goldhirsch Board Chair Boothbay • Boothbay Harbor • Damariscotta • East Boothbay Edgecomb • Lincolnville • Monhegan Newcastle • Rockport • Southport Trevett • Waldoboro • Westport • Wiscasset • Woolwich Follow us on 3 192 Townsend Ave., PO Box 356, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 | 207-633-2353 VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS Our Visitor Information Center is conveniently located along Route 27 at 192 Townsend Ave. on the way into Boothbay Harbor. The center is open weekdays all year, and weekends from May to October. You’ll find brochures for lodging, dining, and activities from businesses across the region. Our knowledgeable staff can offer helpful travel advice and ideas. 4 Learn more at BoothbayHarbor.com TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS OF TABLE Tom Burns © The Boothbay Harbor Region Things to Do ......................................46-47 Welcome Letter ......................................IFC Things to Do Directory .................52-54 Getting Here .................................................2 Recreation + Attractions Map..56-57 Covid-19 Information ..............................3 Gardens, Parks + Preserves ........50-51 Visitor Center Infomation .....................4 Places to Stay ....................................58-59 Founding of Our Footbridge ...........34 Places to Stay Directory ...............66-71 e Island Lif .....................................................37 Places to Stay Reference Chart 72-75 On the Water .......................................... 6-9 Camping Reference Chart ................68 Marine Services ........................................11 On the Water Directory .................12,14 Destination Weddings ................76-77 2020 Tide Chart .................................18-19 Arts + Culture ...................................78-79 On the Water Reference Chart 16-17 Art Trail Map ........................................80-81 Lighthouses .......................................20-21 Local Services Directory ....86, 88-92 Shopping .............................................22-23 Events .....................................................94-95 Shopping Directory................26, 28-29 Boothbay Harbor Fest ..........................66 Pet Friendly Boothbay ................30-31 Festivals and Events ..............................43 Lobster ...................................................32-33 Places of Worship Directory ..........93 Food + Dining ..................................38-39 Public Services Directory .................96 Food + Dining Directory ............ 40, 42 Food + Dining Ref. Chart ............44-45 Follow us on 5 ON THE WATER WATER THE ON The Boothbay Harbor region, which bills itself as “the soul of the coast,” SUNSET & COCKTAIL CRUISES is quintessential Maine, If you’ve come to our region to unwind and enjoy being home to boatbuilders and on the water, then book a sunset or cocktail cruise aboard fishermen for generations. – Yachting Magazine a luxury yacht or perhaps a historic schooner. Private excursions are also available when booked in advance and often include drinks and snacks. Robert Mitchell © 6 Learn more at BoothbayHarbor.com ON THE WATER WATER THE ON ON THE WATER Boothbay Harbor has long been considered by mariners to be the finest deep- water port north of Boston and has come to be known as “The Boating Capital of New England.” As a mid-Maine stopping point on the passage between Casco Bay to the southwest and Penobscot Bay to the northeast, its beauty and quiet ambiance have no equal. Boothbay Harbor is bound by the Sheepscot and Damariscotta rivers. Tucked in and around the harbor are low-lying islands, promontories off the mainland, and pockets of water such as Linekin Bay, Townsend Gut, Mill Cove, and many other gunkholes that invite exploration. The harbor’s V-shape creates idyllic, flat waters for sailing, cruising, and kayaking with an afternoon sea breeze that typically arrives around midday. The waters off the coast of Maine are teeming with wildlife, and the Midcoast region is no exception. Hop on one of our excursion boats for a chance to see whales, puffins, seals, ospreys, and other local wildlife. For visiting boaters,