Tag: Winter

Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: If you are looking for a place to take a great day trip near the coast but, don’t want to fight the crowds trying to get into Boothbay and Bar Harbor than Belfast may be just the place for you. First, there is plenty to see and do in this town. From art gallaries, to restaurants, shopping to the natural beauty of the area you’ll be glad you made the trip. The town has a quirky, artsy feel to it with its vintage theater just off Main Street, funky shops and interesting eats, Belfast is a great place to hang out for a while. One fun and interesting thing to do while you are there is to visit the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad located in Belfast. Guest can enjoy scenic train rides of Penobscot Bay on one of only a few remaining passenger trains in Maine. If you love theater, Belfast also is home to a talented live theater group called the Belfast Players. With an on-going play bill, theater lovers will forget they are in a a small mid-coast town in Maine. If you are into architecture, there are some beautiful old, Victorian homes in Belfast and a self guided walking trip especially on Northport Avenue is a great way to spend some time enjoying town. The banks of the harbor offer a perfect picnic spot and a place to kick back and read or just enjoy the views. Belfast has a real unhurried pace that makes it a great spot if you are looking for an “undiscovered” sea coast town that offers something for everyone.

Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: Maine’s farmhouses have a certain allure that have been the subject of famous artist such as Andrew Wyeth. In his famous series of paintings known as Christina’s World the Olson House, an antique farmhouse in Cushing, stands at the top of a grassy knoll overlooking the St. George River. This weather beaten farmhouse symbolized the lifestyle of Mainers in the early 1800’s. The Olson House is a great place to visit and is fairly easy to find. Take a drive to the mid coast up Route 1 through Thomaston, once you see the old prison, take a right and head toward Cushing. This amazing piece of Maine history was depicted in many of Wyeth’s paintings where he had a studio for over 30 years. The starkness of Wyeth’s impression of this home can be witnessed firsthand as you enter the long driveway leading up to the house. The interior of the home is as stark as its exterior with only a single easel marking the spot of where Wyeth spent much of his time painting. The Farnsworth Museum in Rockland now owns and manages the property. Information on the hours, directions and cost for tours can all be obtained through the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland. While you are in Cushing take some time to explore the area. Take a ride toward Spruce Head where you will find the Owls Head Light. It’s a great place to have a picnic, take some pictures and spend some time enjoying the sites.

Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: Local brew pubs have risen in popularity since the mid 90’s. Maine has some great local breweries producing award winning beer. The Sea Dog Brewery is no exception. With a great selection of beer and traditional pub fare, the Sea Dog Brewery is a great place to go with friends or even bring the kids. This time of year they release their Octoberfest which is a full bodied beer that is only available in the fall. Sea Dog has two great locations one in Topsham with a great deck overlooking the Androscoggin River in the historic and beautifully renovated mill. The second location is in Bangor overlooking the Penobscot River. Both locations offer a great place to get together with friends and spend a fun night out. If you go, I suggest you try the sampler it gives you a great way to try all of their beers which are served in a 2 oz shot glass and pick your favorite from the bunch. During the weekends both locations offer live music events and both have banquet facilities if you are planning to get together with a larger crowd or looking for a place to host a special event. Another thing to check out is their Sunday morning brunch, which is out of this world. We enjoyed one of the best brunches at their Topsham location with a huge assortment of breakfast foods including omelets made to order right at the buffet table. If you have out of town guest coming this is a great place to spend some time whether breakfast, lunch, dinner or just for drinks!

Winter,Spring,Summer & Fall: Camden is a picturesque coastal town where the “mountains meet the sea” and has a lot for visitors to do and see while they are there. The summer months bring in the schooners who drop their lines in one of the prettiest harbors in the state. Visitors can take day and overnight trips aboard some of these antique tall ships. The streets are lined with specialty shops and great restaurants. Sitting on the corner of Main Street is Cappy’s Chowder House famous for their hot chowder and warm bisquits. Bayview Gallery offers some of the best works from local Maine artist in the state. Camden was also home to Edna St. Vincent Millay who wrote her poems around life in this small harbor town. The open amphitheater that looks out into the harbor is a perfect place to picnic or sit and enjoy the views or a great book. The setting for Peyton Place with the rows of victorian homes and ocean cottages makes this town the perfect place to visit. During the winter months the town opens their doors to the annual Toboggan Run at the Camden Snowbowl. The Snowbowl is also a great place to ski and though it’s a small mountain the views from the top overlooking Penobscot Bay are breathtaking. Camden is close to many of the island communities such as Isleboro and Vinalhaven which are only short ferry rides away. There are so many things to do in Camden no matter what time of year and it is definitely a place worth making the trip to for adventure.