Guide to Boothbay Harbor, Maine | Eat, Stay, Play

The lively seaside town of Boothbay Harbor is a midcoast Maine favorite. If you’re planning a visit, our guide to Boothbay Harbor, Maine, has you covered with the best things to do, places to eat, and places to stay.

See more in the July/August 2024 Yankee Magazine feature “Summer Weekend in Boothbay Harbor, Maine”

Things to Do in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Rocky soil, salt-laden air. It’s no easy feat to grow here, which makes these diverse displays, including the invitingly interactive children’s and five-senses gardens, all the more inspiring. This summer CMBG becomes home to a collection of 60 Siberian iris cultivars that were introduced to the horticultural world by the famed Dr. Currier McEwen of Harpswell, Maine. mainegardens.org

Porter Preserve

With views of islands and working and recreational boats on the Sheepscot River, the shaded, easy 1.1-mile trail through this land trust property is low-effort, immense-reward. bbrlt.org

Knickerbocker Lake Public Access

Find the boat launch off Barter’s Island Road, and you’ll have a 105-acre freshwater swimming hole practically to yourself.

Carousel Music Theater

Young, ambitious singers belt tunes while delivering your lunch or dinner, then perform in an original jukebox musical that’ll leave you in good spirits. carouselmusictheater.org

Tidal Transit Kayak

Paddlers have plied Boothbay Harbor for more than 400 years, and Travis Journagan and his team will set you up for success by renting you a paddleboard or kayak or providing free access to launch your own craft. kayakboothbay.com

Boothbay Sailing

You can help hoist the sails, take the wheel, or just sit back on a daytime or sunset voyage aboard one of two classic windjammers. Seal sightings, while not guaranteed, are a thrill. boothbaysailing.com

Where to Eat in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Trevett Country Store

Even if there were a line for this rustic spot’s supremely fresh lobster rolls, you wouldn’t mind because of the view and the ever-present possibility that the Barter’s Island drawbridge will put on a show. 207-633-1140

Bet’s Fish Fry

You’ll need cash and a willingness to time your hunger to match the sparse hours at Bet Finocciaro’s quirky stand, which serves up mammoth haddock portions only three hours a day, Tuesday through Saturday. 21 Common Dr.

East Boothbay General Store

Get your breakfast pizza, your fresh-baked breads, and your picnic sandwiches from this bakery-café that doubles as a gift and provisions shop. ebgs.us

Blanchard’s Creamery

As you’re driving Route 27 on or off the peninsula, don’t miss this 1800s barn turned ice cream shop, where small batches are slow-churned and dished up. It’ll take you 20 three-scoop flights to plow through all the flavors. blanchardscreamery.com

Harborside 1901 Bar & Grill

We gravitate to this waterside spot for its convivial service, artful sushi, and creative lobster preparations. OK, we’re really there for Turkish pastry chef Tugba Ciftci’s desserts: so pretty it would be sinful not to photograph them.harborside1901.com

Where to Stay in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Topside Inn

When checkout day arrives you’ll be reluctant to fly from this stylish hilltop perch, just steps from Boothbay Harbor’s waterfront. Breakfasts and BarOne’s small plates are composed with local ingredients, so yes, you might wake to wild Maine blueberries in your pancakes. topsideinn.com

Bluebird Ocean Point Inn

Generations have vacationed on Card Cove but never like this. Lark Hotels added this 125-year-old property to its Bluebird portfolio of reimagined classics and reopened it last summer: a crisp, minimalist coastal retreat for a new era. bluebirdhotels.com