Shirlym

Hi,

I will be traveling to Maine with my family (my husband and two kids ages 6 and 9) in mid July. We will be spending a week in the mid coast area. We have a rental home a mile from Damariscotta and Newcastle. We would like to explore the area and take day trips from here. I am looking for suggestions for things that we must do and see, and the best day trips to take from here. We love exploring beaches (sandy and rocky) and tide pools, easy hiking, and exploring different towns. We really want to see Maine. We will have 6 days to explore the mid coast. We will also be spending the following week on Mt. Desert Island. I really appreciate all suggestions and ideas!

dfrostnh

You've picked a great location, same area we'll be visiting for 4 nights in early July. Mid-coast is our favorite area. South of Damariscotta, you can visit the Brunswick area (college town) and head east to the Harpswells. There are several lobster places so plan ahead because you can rack up the miles driving up and down all the points. Get a print out of the Harpswell conservation areas (google Harpswell Heritage Land Trust). The Giant Stairs is a short hike along the rocky cliff. I think it was Pott's Point Preserve where we spent some time enjoying the view. There were a couple of fishermen and a family or two enjoying the beach area. We visited several places on the map. A young waitress told us there wasn't anything there which is precisely why we wanted to explore. Some people think Maine is crowded in July. Not if you go to the right places.

Popham Beach wasn't my favorite place but it's a sandy beach that's kind of unusual for the rock mid-coast area. It was used for a scene if Messages in a Bottle that supposedly took place in NC but we recognized it as Maine.

Rockland to the north is one of our favorite areas. We stayed there last summer. Claws is a great family drive-in type of restaurant. A little further north is Rockport where we watched some kids have a sailing lesson. Very pretty marina and park.

Owls Head Light is an easy hike but you have to climb the stairs to see the view.

Somewhere between Boothbay and Rockland we found a lighthouse we hadn't seen before but forgot where it was. The basic tip applies to many lighthouses. There's usually a good place to have a picnic lunch. This one had a museum that was only open in the afternoon and we were there in the morning. Have picnic equipment with you so you can pack some drinks and snacks. Best place for a picnic lunch is top of Mt. Battie overlooking Camden Harbor. Don't forget binoculars. We take bag chairs and enjoy the view. This would be a little further than Rockland. There's an auto road. We've never hiked it.

With children, I would also take a peek at what's happening a local libraries. Sometimes that when you find news of local events. Our library is putting interesting blocks and puzzles out on Mondays. We also like to visit the local farmers markets. You can get a list off the internet or visitors' center. We like to try some local yogurt with fresh berries or buy some baked goods for snacks.

We like Bath but aren't museum goers. The Maritime may or may not be of interest to your family. Bath has a nice downtown area. We found Needham candy in the candy shop. It's a Maine candy made with coconut and mashed potatoes dipped in chocolate.

Ackislander

I'll pick up where dfrost left off.

A Schooner cruise out of Camden. Take a picnic if you didn't have one on Mt. Battle.

Rockport, a small town between Camden and Rockland with a tiny harbor, yet once a shipping port for lime.

The (mind going blank, starts with an F) Sorry, Farnworth Museum in Rockland owns the Olson house where Christina's World was painted by Andrew Wyeth. It's way down in the Port Clyde direction and hard to find, so get good maps and directions, but it is both an iconic art site and a well-preserved example of a Maine salt water farm. Lots of room to run around and a bit spooky inside.

All small ports are interesting, though given the nature of the coastline, you have to drive a lot to get there. I would recommend Port Clyde and Friendship. General stores, lobsters, rock pools, usually a few wrecks about,

Watch for farmers markets, farm stands, guys selling fish or shelfish off the backs of pickups, local fairs both town and church, pie sales, church suppers (if it says 5-7, you are expected to arrive around 5 and leave by 7), town parks and playgrounds, the Boothbay Railway Museum, seal cruises. You can go to Freeport/LL Bean's, then watch the Portland Sea Dogs. All low key, all wonderful

Calabria62

I'll just add, you might stop at the Coastal Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. It's about a 20-25 minute drive once you exit route 1. Well worth the diversion. They have a great children's garden too, complete with play area, a pond, a little house.

Boothbay Harbor is about 10 minutes, so if happen by around lunch time, it's always pleasant to eat by the harbor.

Bette

You could do a whale watching boat trip - either from Boothbay Harbor or later in your vacation from Bar Harbor.