Things to Do
Maine’s Midcoast region offers breathtaking vistas and amazing coastal adventures for the vacation traveler. The sandy, often crowded beaches of the Southern Maine coast give way in the Midcoast region to a diverse, rocky coastline. Discover the rich shipbuilding and fishing heritage of Maine’s coastal villages. Enjoy a lobster dinner on an outdoor restaurant deck while watching the lobster fisherman unload today’s catch. Go kayaking along the inlets or head out to sea on a sailing ship or whale-watch adventure. The rugged coastline, with its winding, twisting roads, attracts an array of artists and their galleries are fun to find and explore. For the antique lover or shopper, the villages of Camden and Rockport offer a variety of eclectic shops and studios.
From lobster rolls to gourmet cuisine, area restaurants offer a variety of fare for every taste and budget. Click on a link to visit each restaurant’s Web site.
Camden House of Pizza
Fresh & Company
La Bella Vita at Samoset Resort
Mount Battie Take Out
Peter Ott’s on the Water
Sea Dog Brewing
The Drouthy Bear
Youngtown Inn & Restaurant
Schooner Lazy Jack II
Sailing on Penobscot Bay
Daily Lunch, Eco and Sunset Cruises
Day Sails & Charters
Camden Harbor Cruises
Lobstering & Lighthouse Cruises
Day sails and charters from Camden Harbor
Merryspring Nature Center
Gardens, woods and trails, vernal pool, arboretum
Farnsworth Art Museum
Discover Maine through the work of America’s most important artists
Savage Oakes Vineyard & Winery
Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railcyclers
Explore piney woods, rolling fields and creeks
Owls Head Transportation Museum
Vintage collection of planes, cars, trucks and more
Next to the Blue Sky Cantina
Maine Alpaca Experience
Farm, store, clothing, gifts
Endless Summer Flower Farm
Haunted History Tours
North Atlantic Blues Festival – July
The acclaimed North Atlantic Blues Festival features more than fifteen Blues artists from throughout the U.S. and abroad. Held annually in July in Harbor Park in Rockland, Maine, right at the edge of Penobscot Bay, this popular celebration of everything Blues is one of the country’s best Blues festivals.
Camden Harbor Juried Arts & Crafts Show – July & October
This huge outdoor show held annually in both the Summer and Fall celebrates the work of more than 100 artists and artisans in Camden’s dazzling Harbor Park.
Friendship Sloop Days – July
This annual sailing event is held at the Harbor Park in Rockland Maine. The Friendship Sloop Days event is a homecoming and regatta with sloop races, demonstrations and visits by historic Friendship Sloops.
Maine Lobster Festival – August
The Maine Lobster Festival is one of New England’s great summer events held annually the first weekend in August in Rockland, Maine. Tons of steamed Maine lobsters, Maine seafood, waterfront activities, maritime displays, Maine arts, naval vessels, the Maine Sea Goddess pageant, harbor cruises, entertainment and one of Maine’s largest parades makes this event one of Maine’s most popular festivals.
Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show – August
The Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show at Harbor Park in Rockland, Maine features more than 60 boats in the water and on land, marine wares, the arts, and delicious food. This 3-day event showcases Maine’s top-notch boat builders, craftsmen and architects presenting all the essential elements for life on the coast. Hands-on demonstrations, historical exhibits, live music, and children’s activities.
Maine Antiques Festival – August
The Maine Antiques Festival is Maine’s largest antique show with dealers from across the country offering a wide variety of antiques for sale from formal to folk art. The Maine Antiques Festival is held annually at the Union Fairgrounds in Union, Maine.
Union Fair & State of Maine Wild Blueberry Festival – August
This classic agricultural fair celebrates the world’s only blue fruit – the Maine Blueberry. It takes place each year in Union, just a little inland from Camden. A week-long extravaganza, it features everything you’d expect and then some: from pig scrambles to harness racing, antique tractors to belted galloways, blueberry pie eating contests, fireworks and yes, the mandatory crowning of the annual blueberry queen.
Camden Windjammer Festival – September
The Camden Windjammer Festival is a community-led celebration of Camden’s maritime heritage and living traditions that is held annually in Camden over Labor Day weekend. Festivities throughout the weekend include live music, nautical activities, demonstrations, boat parade and fireworks. Events occur at the Public Landing, at the Harbor and Harbor Park and Downtown Camden.