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Post updated March 2020
On an August trip to Maine, where we headed up to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, we made a couple of stops along the way. One of them was in Boothbay Harbor, for lunch. For years I’ve heard about Boothbay and seen pictures of this idyllic little town on the coast of Maine, and have always wanted to visit. So when we were deciding where to stop to eat on our road trip, I said let’s head there. Even just for lunch, I was dying to see this picture perfect town.
Downtown Boothbay Harbor
Again, we were just stopping in town for a few hours to eat; we didn’t spend more than a few hours there. But in the time we did, we were able to walk around and soak up the atmosphere and I even got to go off on my own and take photos solo.
Complete with harbor and sailboats, narrow windy streets, antique shops, galleries, restaurants with water views and old-fashioned ice cream shops, if Boothbay Harbor doesn’t scream New England I don’t know what does. My hope is that these images will give you a good idea of the type of place Boothbay is, as I can’t say we did anything else but eat and walk around! However, below I’ve listed some popular activities to do with kids that I found in my research, should you be visiting or passing through (followed by, a photo tour of Downtown Boothbay Harbor):
Activities in Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay is home to the Maine State Aquarium. Go see some sharks!
Go whale watching. Everyone seems to rave about Cap’n Fish’s Watch Watch.
Kayakers about
Or if whale watching isn’t your thing, but you still want to do a water activity, try kayaking.
Entrance to the Foot Bridge
Take a walk along the Foot Bridge that takes you across the harbor. It’s fun for the kids and you get some nice views.
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are supposed to be stunning! With ocean front property and a special garden for children, it’s one of Maine’s most beautiful havens. To read more about the Botanical Gardens, please see this article.
If you’re into hiking, check out Boothbay Region Land Trust Preserve. With trails for all levels, you can definitely find some suitable to take the kids. Enjoy all the scenic water views.
A must is dining at a waterside restaurant. Though the eateries by the wharf are super touristy, they offer fabulous views. We went to the top of Mine Oyster and sat outside. The food is ok, but the view and beer was what it was all about.
You may also enjoy: Fun Things to do in Portland, Maine
Downeast Ice Cream to the left..Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watch to the right.
No visit to a seaside town is complete without an ice cream stop. We loved Downeast Ice Cream.
And, finally, if you’re like us, just walk around and enjoy the scenery! Turn after turn brings you new quaintness full of charming b & b’s, antiques, snipets of water in the distance, and of course, images of lobsters everywhere!
Tugboat Inn
Blue Heron Seaside Inn
Antiquing
Gallery
Walking Downtown
Walking to Harbor Landing
Want to read more about Maine? Check out this guide!
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What a charming little town! I’ve never been to Maine, but I do love a cute seaside village.
Author
I know me too 🙂
It looks just beautiful – always wanted to visit Maine and eat lobster, this looks like the perfect place.
Author
We ate so much lobster, I’m done for a while!
We loved our time in Boothbay too! We did a puffin cruise and saw them all over the place! Glad you made it there!
Author
We tried to do a puffin cruise in Bar Harbor but the season had ended :(.
The lobster has caught my eye, that and the kayaking!
Author
Kayaking is fun in Maine, but you have to hold on tight – the water is coooold!
Truth!
Seems like happy jaunting.
Author
:))
It does look rather lovely. You made me smile, Corey, dashing off like that! The number of times I’ve just had a drink or something small so I could wander off for a few pics. 🙂 🙂
Author
Ha – and for me, nice to get away from the kids too!
This looks absolutely charming! I definitely have to rent a car at some point and do a driving vacation along the Maine coast.
Author
Yes, get a zip car and do it! The Maine coast is so different from the rest of New England – rugged and beautiful, it reminds me a bit of the west coast.
It looks stunning, Corey. Great photos! I really, really want to visit New England. I’ve only been to Boston.
Author
You would really love it, Clare. Based on seaside posts I’ve seen of yours before, I think you have to visit!
Corey, maybe we could join you and family in Maine someday. I need to research Weston family. Could do 2 things. On one trip