Boothbay Harbor
The view from the ridge.
Commercial Street climbs the ridge at the head of the peninsula, and the harbor opens out below the inns. Everything worth doing is a walk down the hill or a short drive; nothing needs a plan before breakfast.
Down the hill to the harbor
Commercial Street drops from the ridge to the working waterfront, the shops and the galleries. The wooden footbridge across the inner harbor sits at the far end of town, and it is the best free thing in Boothbay at dusk.
Out on the water
Whale watches, puffin and lighthouse cruises, and the Monhegan boat all leave from the wharves. Book the morning departures in July and August.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Ten minutes up the road. Gardens Aglow lights the whole place up from mid-November through December.
Dinner
Lobster on the wharf, oysters across the bridge, or a proper table at one of the inns in town. Ask us; we know who is cooking well this season.
Ocean Point and the preserves
Ocean Point Loop for the rocks and the light, the land-trust preserves for a quiet morning walk under the pines.
Windjammer Days and the fall festival
Windjammer Days in late June fill the harbor with tall ships. The Fall Foliage Festival in October is the last big weekend before the town exhales.
Getting around
The map worth having
The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce prints the illustrated town map that every shop keeps by the register. Pick one up downtown, or start with the PDF.
When to come
June and September, if you can.
July and August are the busy weeks and the warm water. June has the long light and Windjammer Days; September has the calm harbor and the best sleeping weather. Rates follow the crowds, so the shoulder months are also the kind ones.
Both inns book rooms individually all season. For a whole inn, call (207) 633-3100.
Plan a stay
Tell us what the trip is for.
A birthday, a quiet week, a reunion. We will tell you which room and which week.