What is there around Rockland, ME that'll interest children 4 to age 9? We are thinking of attending the Down East Pirate Days...is that worth our time? We've never been to Maine and might not get out there again. We have two nights in Rockland then returning home in VT. Leaving this Sat. and returning Mon. night.
Thank you.

I went to Maine for the first time last summer. We spent a week in and around Rockland. My daughter was a little older though, age 13. She loved walking the breakwater at Rockland and just walking along the beach looking for sea glass, shells, starfish, etc. "Treasures" to bring home. The fog started to come in and she we loved hearing the fog horns.

We enjoyed Camden Hills State Park, both the drive up Mt. Batty but also enjoyed short walks along the seashore there. The woods is beautiful. Along the rocky shore are lots of little tide pools in the rocks to look at sealife.

We took a ferry boat from Port Clyde (15 minutes from Rockland) to Monhegen Island . Saw seals and eagles on the boat ride. We hiked around the island and had a picnic lunch. If you don't like to hike the Port Clyde ferry company has just nature cruises that take a couple hours. Make reservations, the boats are often full. Sorry I can't recall the name of the boat company.

My daughter was also impressed with the Maine State Prison Store in Thomaston- just down the road from Rockland. The prisoners are right there in the store working, supervised by guards of course. Wonderful woodworking items for sale. Not sure what your 4 year old would think, but it could be a nice reminder to a 9 year old as to what happens if you don't follow the laws! Again my 13 year old liked the store and found a little wooden box she wanted to buy.

Oh yes, there is a WONDERFUL Toy store on the Main Street in Rockland. Either avoid it all together or plan ahead by giving your kids a set amount of money as it really has fantastic stuff. Don't recall the name but it is kind of across from the movie theater and next to the used bookstore cafe. That bookstore cafe is a great place to go for lunch!

That sounds wonderful. The children love finding "treasures" and beach time (sent a great amount of time on CA beaches and in tide pools there). I'd love for them to see the seals in their natural habitat.
What about in the evening....anything to do then? And blueberries. Do you think we'll be able to still get berries on the way back to VT?

I assume the hotels will have area maps and directions to these popular places. Is there a Visitors Center someplace that'll help us find these little tide pools and parking for beach combing? I have an idea of what we want to do now...but I can't seem to find a map that shows such items. Suggestions?

Was there several years ago, but a great restaurant was the Sail Loft.

Sorry I didn't reply in time. First, the best map to backroads is a DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer for Maine. (We have one for VT and NH also). In the front it lists things like suggested hikes, covered bridges, waterfalls, places to fish, etc.
Second, there is still plenty of PYO blueberries in NH in the Concord NH area. I got some at Apple Hill Farm on Mountain Rd near Exit 17/Rt 93 on Sat. Next time anyone needs a list of PYO places, check with the state Dept of Agriculture. They are usually listed on their website or via a link. Hope you found some berries.