Midcoast Maine Travel Guide
I love our life in Portland, but if I were to move to any other area of the state, it would be Maine’s Midcoast region (fellow Mainers, I know, that statement spans a large area). We’ve even been discussing the possibility of buying a house there someday. Home to picturesque towns, rocky coastlines that pull at your heart, and plenty of lighthouses, the Mid-Coast is quintessentially Maine. The kind of Maine you see in pictures and moody films about murderous fisherwomen – and well worth a visit, whether you live here year-round or are visiting from away.
Chris and I are frequent visitors to the Midcoast region, we love it for hiking and day trips, and for the past couple of summers we’ve booked a short stay at the Lincolnville Motel to celebrate our anniversary – it’s the perfect little getaway that celebrates our marriage and the beauty of a Maine summer, a time of year when you’d have to be out of your mind to want to travel out of state. Maine’s Midcoast is the perfect location for those looking for a low-key weekend or couple of days away - or even longer if you have the time. The Midcoast offers excellent hiking, spectacular views, plenty of arts and culture, good food – basically everything that makes Maine so special and our summer so spectacular.
So, what is there to do in Midcoast Maine? Simply put, so much! In fact, I’m still discovering it myself but from our past couple of trips, I feel like I have plenty to recommend. While my Portland, Maine travel guide focuses on our home city of Portland alone, this guide is a little more diverse when it comes to location and covers a wider area. Why? Because in my opinion, the best way to see Maine’s Midcoast is by driving (to be honest it’s the ONLY way), and like the rest of Maine, you’ll likely hit up a few locations on your trip (you’d be smart to do so).
Note: Due to the current pandemic, I recommend checking the Maine CDC website and calling ahead to ensure proper safety protocol, and of course, please wear a mask, social distance, and stay safe.
Where to Stay
Where to stay in Midcoast Maine
Where to Stay:
The Lincolnville Motel: Our favorite spot to stay when we’re in the area for a couple of days, this sweet, recently renovated roadside motel is the perfect home base for your Midcoast Maine adventure. Located in the pretty town of Lincolnville, the motel is situated between the bustling towns of Camden and Belfast, with plenty to do in between and around. There’s a pool, a sauna for two that can be rented for a small fee (COVID restrictions are in place), vinyl records and books that can be loaned out or read in the cozy library, and many of the cabins have private decks. It’s one of my favorite places to stay in Maine and has become a sort of tradition for us around our anniversary. This was our second summer staying there and it’s always the perfect low-key retreat.
Drift Oceanside Inn: Just down the road from The Lincolnville Motel is Drift Oceanside Inn. Formerly called Beloin’s way bak in the day, Drift is similar to Lincolnville in that it’s a recently renovated roadside motel, with the added benefit of being right on the water. I’m not kidding, the cabins sit on cliffs with the ocean right outside your window. It’s a gorgeous location and on our list for places we’d like to stay.
Seguin Tree Dwellings: File under: bucket list items. Someday, SOMEDAY I will stay in one of the incredible Seguin treehouses – some even have hot tubs! Nestled in a beautiful wooded location, the Seguin Tree Dwellings offer the type of escape that you wouldn’t want to leave – the kind of spot where you stay put for your entire stay to really soak it all in. That’s what I’d do, anyway. They also stay open through January so you can book a cozy winter escape.
Where to Eat….
The best places to eat in Midcoast Maine
Where to Eat In Midcoast Maine:
Long Grain: Long Grain restaurant in Camden, Maine was one of the most-suggested restaurants from our local friends. Well, we finally tried it this past summer and let me tell you – holy shit. So good! An authentic, locavore Asian restaurant isn’t something you might expect to find in a small town in Maine, but this is some of the best I’ve had. If you’re planning for takeout, i recommend ordering early. They’re very popular and the phone line gets flooded early and fast!
The Hoot: Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or a coursed dinner, The Hoot, which is located just down the road in Northport is my pick. We actually went to The Hoot two or three times during our first stay in the area because the time of year when we visited meant most places were closed (we stayed from a Sunday to a Tuesday in September). The staff at the Hoot were incredibly friendly, the food fresh and sourced locally, and the atmosphere cozy. I highly suggest going for brunch.
Chase’s Daily: Drive a little farther and you’ll get to the beautiful town of Belfast, Maine (another favorite of mine), home of mid-coast mainstay Chase’s Daily. Chase’s Daily serves up vegetarian fare, baked goods, and sells seasonal produce and flowers from the owner’s farm.
Primo: Primo restaurant, in nearby Rockland, Maine, is the quintessential Maine dining experience. Farm-to-table? Check. In fact, most of the food comes from their backyard gardens. Chickens and greenhouses on-site? Check and check. Sustainable practices and low-waste? You bet. Primo serves up stunning dinners on a gorgeous property not far from Rockland’s Downtown. It’s the perfect spot for a fancy night out during your stay. Note: we originally planned to eat on-location but at the last minute opted for takeout to be extra safe and it was excellent.
Treats: Whether you stop on the way there or on your way home, Treats Wiscasset is absolutely a stop you should make. Located in Wiscasset, we like to stop in on our way to a flea market or to grab a treat (get it?) before or after a hike. Treats makes amazing baked goods, tasty sandwiches, and incredible bread. They also sell beer and wine, and some grocery items if you need to pick up something before your stay.
Five Islands Lobster: Sure, you could go to Red’s Eats and wait in an endless line for a lobster roll, OR, you could go to Five Islands Lobster and enjoy your roll (or an entire cooked lobster) while you look out on the ocean and a picturesque cove dotted with rocky islands. I love Five Islands, not just for their lobster rolls, which are really good, but also for the views, which are… also really good. The wait time tends to be shorter than most roadside lobster shacks, too.
Moody’s Diner: Say it with me now: “nothin’ finah than Moody’s Dinah!” (there are, in fact, many finer places) I love classic diners and therefore, I love Moody’s. Moody’s is a Maine institution. A bit of a tourist trap, yes, but they serve pie and a remarkably decent salad. I always just get breakfast food though. A solid greasy spoon and worth the stop if you need a quick bite.
Lincolnville General Store: If you’re wondering where to buy wine near Camden, Maine, this is it. We’re actually friends with the person in charge of Lincolnville General Store’s wine selection so I can say with certainty that it’s truly outstanding, with bottles in a range of price points from France and Italy. Rumor has it the pizza is excellent, too!
Green Tree Coffee & Tea: Coffee shops in the Midcoast are few and far between, but Green Tree Coffee & Tea is a gem and a must-stop if you’re on your way to Belfast or headed out for a day’s adventure. The best coffee in Midcoast Maine in my opinion, at least in the Lincolnville area.
Where to Shop
The Best Shopping in Midcoast Maine
If you’re staying in Lincolnville, you’ll be close to three bustling areas that offer a lot to see and do – including shopping: Rockland, Maine, Camden, Maine, and Belfast, Maine. Below are a few of my picks, but all towns are very walkable, and I recommend taking some time to explore their main streets to discover what makes them special!
Where to Shop in Rockland, Maine:
Curator Maine: One of my favorite Maine vintage stores, Curator offers men’s and women’s vintage clothing from a variety of decades. I always have good luck at Curator, and the owners are wonderful. A must-stop.
Daughters: A short walk from Curator is Daughters, which carries a mix of vintage and high-end modern brands. Light and airy, I love the Daughters aesthetic, and I always find something lovely here – whether it’s a piece of vintage jewelry or a new-to-me brand. And the owner is, you guessed it, incredibly lovely.
fourTWELVE: Located on the same stretch is fourTWELVE, a boutique that carries locally-made pieces (the owner also helms the in-house brand studio 412, a collection of light and breezy pieces ideal for summers in Maine), and high-end brands, like Demylee and Agolde. A great spot if you’re suddenly in need of a great pair of jeans or a linen dress on your trip.
Where to shop in Camden, Maine:
Sugar Tools: Sugar Tools in Camden is my favorite kind of shop, filled with little knickknacks, home goods, and items perfect for gifting. It reminds me a bit of the home section of Anthropologie, but better curated and of course, locally owned and operated.
Owl & Turtle Bookshop: A bookstore and coffee shop in one, Owl & Turtle is the perfect stop for a curbside coffee or tea and to pick up a beach read or two before your stay.
Sea Bags: Made from recycled sails and rope, Sea Bags is a great stop for those looking to take a bit of Maine home with them, whether in the form of a tote, pillow or accessory.
Reny’s: Ok, ok, local pals might laugh that I’m including Reny’s but it truly is a Maine adventure. Reny’s is a Maine discount retailer where you can purchase Bob’s Redmill and Crocs at the same time. Do with that information what you will. Also a great choice for an emergency pair of socks or a hat if needed.
Where to Shop in Belfast, Maine:
Village Wear: A pretty and well-curated consignment shop located on Belfast’s bustling Main Street, Village Wear offers a great selection of vintage and consignment pieces. I picked up a pair of Frye loafers and a vintage belt – and I always look forward to going back.
Quench Metalworks: Offering gorgeous handmade jewelry and other gifts, Quench Metalworks is a must-stop for those looking for something truly unique to remember their trip.
What to Do
(Some of) the best things to do in Midcoast Maine
Because I’m covering a large swath of Maine’s coastal towns, there’s obviously plenty to do – from taking the ferry out to Vinalhaven or Monhegan Islands for some hiking and gallery hopping, to hiking in Camden Hills State Park – and not enough time to list it all. Below is simply a jumping off point:
Camden Hills State Park: Offering a variety of hikes from easy to moderate, Camden Hills State Park rewards hikers with stunning views of Camden and the coast from rocky lookouts. Chris and I have some funny stories of hiking this state park (we ALWAYS get lost, so I recommend making sure you have a map and compass on you). One note: the actual peak of Megunticook is pretty anti-climactic, but pretty on the way up! You can also camp here. And though many of the trails look short, you can easily link them for a longer hike. I recently did 8 miles there.
Belfast Rail Trail: A short 2.3 mile point-to-point trail that’s perfect for a run or bike ride, this rail trail would be great for kids or a casual after dinner walk.
Vinalhaven Island: Located 12 miles off the coast of Rockland, Vinalhaven is the larger of the two Fox islands. Accessible by ferry (check schedules and Covid policies before you go), Vinalhaven makes a scenic day trip and offers plenty of nature opportunities and gorgeous views of Maine.
Monhegan Island: If there’s one thing Maine has in spades, it’s incredibly gorgeous island communities. Monhegan is famous for its artist community and a stunning spot for a day hike.
Farnsworth Art Museum: Located in Rockland and featuring works by Louise Nevelson, Andrew, N.C. and Jamie Wyeth, Georgia O’Keefe, Robert Indiana – and so many more, the Farnsworth’s collection includes nearly 15,000 pieces and spans from the 1800’s to today. A world class museum in one of Maine’s picturesque cities, you couldn’t ask for more – fun fact: this museum helped cement my love for art as a young person and solidified my drive to go to art school.
Center for Maine Contemporary Art: Located just around the corner from the Farnsworth and Rockland’s Main Street, the Center for Maine Contemporary Art offers the opportunity to connect to Maine’s thriving arts community and view some of the stunning work being created by Maine artists right now.
Owls Head Light: If you’re in Maine, chances are you’d like to see a lighthouse, yeah? Even us Mainer’s geek out over lighthouses and we see them all the time, so I can’t blame you. Owls head Light is just a short drive from Rockland and offers a nice little walk in the woods and rewards you with a view of the lightstation and surrounding coastline once you get there.
Rockland Breakwater Light: A lighthouse in the middle of the water that you an actually walk to, Rockland Breakwater Light is at the end of a mile-long breakwater and a fun little adventure for a sunny and calm day (i don’t recommend walking out when the water’s choppy). Bring a sweater and/or a jacket.
Obviously there’s SO MUCH MORE to do in this area than what I’ve listed. My plan is to update this as I personally discover more about Maine’s Midcoast region. In the meantime, I hope you’ll use this as a jumping-off point to discover all the Midcoast has to offer and be sure to connect with me on Instagram and let me know if you use the guide!
