Bath To Popham Beach
Picking up where we left off in Harpswell, your Portland to Acadia trip takes you back to Brunswick to start your journey north on Route 1. Stop in historic Bath for local shops. As you continue on Route 1, look for a giant lobster on top of a roof and you’ve found Taste of Maine. The restaurant combines some intensely Maine-themed decorations inside and great views of the marsh outside. It’s a tourist trap, for sure, but in all my favorite ways.
If you are on a lobster-eating mission, save room to stop for a roll at Red’s Eats, a shack in Wiscasset. If you’re visiting during the summer, be prepared for a long wait at the popular spot, as well as heavy traffic in town.
Have I mentioned before that the Maine water is cold? If you remain undeterred, a side trip south to Wiscasset gets to Popham Beach.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay is a popular tourist town, with a boardwalk around Boothbay Harbor and a town full of shopping, dining, and hotels.
COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS
In our eight trips to Maine we’ve never missed a visit to Coastal Maine Botanic Gardens. It is my entirely non-expert opinion that flowers try to be extra beautiful in Maine because they have such a short time to grow.
In the last decade the facilities at the Garden have grown significantly, with a new welcome center and butterfly house. While the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden is the main attraction for children, the entire grounds are engaging and welcome interactivity for all ages.
From The Lerner Garden of the Five Senses to the Kitchen Garden
From The Haney Hillside Garden to the Fairy House Village
From the ibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden to the Kitchen Garden Cafe
Let me help plan your trip to Coastal Maine
01
Sort out Where to Sleep
To best experience Coastal Maine, take a road trip on Route 1. Sleeping accommodations range from camping to small coastal resort hotels. Boothbay offers many small hotels both right inside downtown and in and around nearby harbors.
02
Plan Where to Play
Coastal Maine has no shortage of outdoor excursions on both land and sea. In Boothbay you can have the perfect land & sea day with a visit to Coastal Maine Botanic Garden followed by a boat tour or fishing cruise.
03
Make Time for Museums & Art
Arts, culture and science education are are aplenty in Maine! The Coastal Maine Botanic Garden regularly hosts outdoor art exhibitions. The beauty of Maine is the inspiration for many artists, and you’ll find small galleries in every town.
04
Decide Where to Dine
There’s no need to ever eat at a chain restaurant in Coastal Maine! In Boothbay, dine on fresh plants at the Kitchen Garden at the Coastal Maine Botanic Garden and drink fresh beer at the Boothbay Craft Brewery, Taphouse.