Lighthouses, lobster, swimming holes, and everything in between — a Maine bucket list, tried and true.
There is no place quite like the coast of Maine in the summertime. The days are warm and bright, the water is inviting even if it never fully sheds that New England chill, and there is an entire world of outdoor life waiting to be explored, from the moment you wake up until the sun finally sets somewhere around eight thirty. We’ve been spending our summers here for many years now, and every season we find another reason to fall in love with it all over again.
If you’re planning your own classic East Coast summer vacation, consider this your itinerary, built from years of trial, error, and very happy repeat visits.
On the water. Maine practically demands that you get out on the water in some form or another, and we try to do it all — sailing, fishing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and even a little clamming when the tide is right. For a truly magical evening, book a sunset sail aboard the Schooner Eastwind out of Boothbay Harbor. If you’d rather paddle yourself, rent a kayak from Midcoast Kayak in Damariscotta, and if whales are more your speed, Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watching Cruises departs right from Boothbay Harbor as well.
Lighthouses. You simply cannot visit Maine and skip the lighthouses — it would almost be against the rules. Our two must-see favorites are Pemaquid Point Light and Portland Head Light, both dramatic, both endlessly photogenic, and both absolutely worth the drive.
Beaches and swimming holes. For classic sand-between-your-toes beach days, we love Popham Beach and Ferry Beach. But for something a little different, seek out the freshwater swimming holes locals actually use: Damariscotta Mills Swimming Hole and the swimming hole in Bristol are both wonderful, cool escapes from the summer heat.
Ice cream. No Maine summer is complete without ice cream, ideally eaten outside, ideally dripping a little down your hand. Our two favorites are the Downeast Ice Cream Factory in Boothbay Harbor and Witch Spring Hill in Bath, both well worth the stop.
Lobster. For casual, fresh, dockside lobster, we always point people toward Schooner Landing in Damariscotta and Boothbay Lobster Wharf in Boothbay Harbor, formerly known as the Lobstermen’s Co-Op. Both deliver that classic, no-fuss lobster dinner experience Maine does better than anywhere else.
Hiking. For views that make the climb entirely worth it, Camden Hills State Park is a favorite, especially the walk up Mt. Battie. Acadia National Park is, of course, essential Maine hiking territory, and for something quieter and less crowded, the Bonyun Preserve on Westport Island is a real hidden gem.
Pastries and baked goods. Start your morning right at Solo Pane in Bath or Standard Baking Co. in Portland — both turn out the kind of pastries worth planning your whole day around.
Window shopping. Every good coastal town deserves a slow afternoon of browsing, and Maine delivers. In Damariscotta, visit The Kingfisher & The Queen, Aboca, and The Beach Plum Company. In Bath, stop into Reny’s and Lisa Marie’s Made in Maine. Camden offers up Hearth and Harrow, Motifs, and The Smiling Cow. And in Portland, don’t miss Mimi & Blanche and Stellan.
Casual seafood, beyond the lobster roll. For something a little more of an event, book the Cabbage Island Clambake out of Boothbay Harbor. Oyster lovers should make a stop at Glidden Point Oyster Farm in Edgecomb, and in Portland, ISF Trading is a favorite for fresh seafood shopping.
Blueberry picking. No Maine summer itinerary is complete without a stop for blueberries, and Card’s Fruit Farm in Bowdoin is our go-to spot for filling up a basket. Learn how we use our blueberries to make homemade jam.
Put together, this is a full, joyful week (or two) of classic Maine summer living: mornings on the water, afternoons exploring towns and trails, and evenings that end with lobster, ice cream, or both. We’d call that a vacation well spent.
