Real people... Real places... Real relaxation...The Real Maine™
If you're looking for the authentic Maine experience, this is it. Come visit the Maine Discovery Coast™ and incomparable Penobscot Bay, perhaps the most scenic body of water on the eastern seaboard. First explored by English sea captain George Waymouth in 1605, Penobscot Bay features scores of islands, dozens of historic lighthouses, and hundreds of quiet little protected harbors. It's the only place on the east coast where coastal mountains meet the sea. Ospreys and bald eagles nest high in the spruces along the rugged shores, puffins once again make the islands their home, and harbor seals complete their annual pilgrimage to quiet coves.
It's the Real Maine. Quintessential Maine communities await you. In historic Rockland, the retail center of Midcoast Maine, you'll find ferry service to the islands, dozens of specialty stores, more than 25 outstanding restaurants, beautiful art galleries, the Farnsworth Art Museum, and the new Maine Lighthouse Museum located in the Maine Discovery Center, the region's beautiful new visitor center. Rockland is known for its spectacular waterfront summer festivals—the Maine Lobster Festival, the North Atlantic Blues Festival, and the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show. After fifty years' absence, Maine Eastern Railroad has restored rail service and rebuilt historic Union Station.
Camden, the Jewel of the Maine coast, has one of America's most scenic waterfront downtowns with outstanding boutique shopping, high-end dining and beautiful views of Penobscot Bay from atop Mt. Battie. The late Charles Kuralt once said that Rockport had the prettiest harbor in America—we think you'll agree. In the village, be sure to discover the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Lincolnville offers the best of both worlds, lush green mountains with clear ponds or lakes as well as a rugged coastline punctuated by a small sandy beach.
Thomaston, with its antique shops and 19th century downtown, is one of New England's most historic seafaring towns and once the home of Revolutionary War hero General Henry Knox, George Washington's first Secretary of War. A truly unique shopping experience there is the Maine State Prison Showroom, with handcrafted wood products made by inmates working in the prison workshop.
The St. George peninsula (Rt. 131) features breathtaking coastal views and sedate tidal marshes. This is Wyeth country, summer home of America's most famous family of artists. You won't want to miss the tiny authentic New England villages of St. George, Tenants Harbor, and Port Clyde (and be sure to stop at the Marshall Point Lighthouse & Museum). On your way down the peninsula be sure to take in the Owls Head Transportation Museum, adjacent to Knox County Airport on Rt. 73, and the Owls Head Light, with stunning views of Penobscot Bay.
Situated on its own peninsula southwest of Thomaston, Cushing is famous for its saltwater farms. Located west of Cushing on the same peninsula, Friendship is the birthplace of the distinctive Friendship Sloop and is predominantly a fishing village whose major industry is lobstering and associated enterprises. Waldoboro, located about 18 miles south of Rockland, was once host to shipyards which launched fleets of schooners in the great age of sail; a well-preserved village reflects that early prosperity.
Inland, discover Union's quaint town square that predates the Revolution, and try the blueberry pie at the annual Union Fair. Stretched between Waldoboro and Thomaston, Warren is a farming and rural community.
Up east, Belfast is known for its historic red brick downtown and vibrant arts scene; the view down Main Street to the Passagassawakeag River is more than memorable. The Belfast area is rich in history dating back more than 200 years. Searsport (located north of Belfast on U.S. Rt. 1) is the home of the Penobscot Marine Museum and historic seafarer homes, now stately bed and breakfasts.
This is the Lobster Capital of the World and the home to the country's largest windjammer fleet. We invite you to visit the Maine Discovery Coast™ and experience The Real Maine.
Upcoming Events...
 Four-Day Midcoast Celebration of Independence
Thursday, July 2 - Sunday, July 5
The Festival of Independence: Four Days of Fun in the Midcoast!
Thursday, July 2: Bay Chamber Concerts presents Opera House Opening Night. 8pm, Rockport Opera House: featuring the music of LeClair, Berio, Moszkowski, and Beethoven. Tickets $25-35 adults, $8 for 18 and under. www.baychamberconcerts.org
Friday, July 3: Family Fun Day at the Camden Snow Bowl. Ski lift rides to the top of Ragged Mountain; mountain bike races; family fun and games; food and picnics; biplane flyovers and more! For more information, visit www.camdensnowbowl.com.
Friday, July 3: Camden Harbor Fireworks. Presented by the Camden-Rockport Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce and the Camden Bed & Breakfast Association. 9pm, downtown Camden: watch from beautiful Harbor Park, a restaurant terrace, or on the water as we celebrate our independence with fantastic fireworks over Maine's most beautiful harbor. Rain date Sunday, July 5th. Made possible by the generosity of the Allen Agency, the Mount Battie Motel, On the Water in Maine, and the people of the midcoast. www.visitcamden.com.
Saturday, July 4: Thomaston 4th of July. A traditional small town July 4th! Pancake breakfast, big parade, entertainment, pet show, horseshoes tournament, firecracker races, baking contest, chicken barbeque, music, crafts, children's activities and fireworks. For more information visit www.thomaston4thofjuly.com.
Sat, July 4 & Sun, July 5: Fabulous Fifties and Sensational Sixties Car Meet & Antique Aeroplane Show at the Owls Head Transportation Museum: more than 400 classic autos from the industry's most stylish decades. Guided tours, demonstrations, biplane rides, free Model T rides, kid's activities and more! $12 adults, family pass $30. Children under 18 free through 2009! www.owlshead.org.
Sunday, July 5: Music by the Sea - the Camden Rotary's Summer concert. 1 pm-5 pm, Harbor Park, Camden: the Camden Rotary Club's annual free community concert, featuring Maine's Own 195th Army National Guard Band (at 1 PM), Cash: The Tribute (a local youth Johnny Cash tribute band at 2:30 PM) and Steelin' Thunder steel drum band (at 3 PM). Donations gratefully accepted for Camden Rotary's scholarship and non-profit support programs.
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5th Annual Maine Windjammer Parade
Friday, July 17
Location: Rockland Breakwater, Rockland Harbor. The Maine Windjammer Association will host the 5th annual Maine Windjammer Parade past the Rockland Breakwater on July 17 from 2 – 4 pm. Geared for both spectators on shore and windjammer guests, the event will provide close-up views of the entire fleet as it sails within a stone’s throw of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. Spectators may view the Parade of Sail from anywhere along the mile-long Breakwater. Immediately following the Parade, many of the windjammers will anchor next to the jetty inside Rockland Harbor for the evening. Participants in the Maine Windjammer Parade will include as many as a dozen traditional sailing ships ranging from the Lewis R. French and Stephen Taber, America’s two oldest working coasting schooners built in 1871, to the Angelique and Heritage, the two newest vessels built specifically for windjamming since the 1980s. Most of the windjammers are turn-of-the-century wooden cargo schooners that have been retrofitted to carry passengers. Sailing from the Camden-Rockland area, these vessels take guests on three- to six-day cruises all season long, from late May to early October. Festivities include tours of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (contact Friends of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse at 207-785-4609). For more information about the Parade, call the Maine Windjammer Association at 800-807-WIND. |
North Atlantic Blues Festival
July 11-12
North Atlantic Blues Festival, July 11-12, Harbor Park, Rockland. The acclaimed Blues Festival features over 15 blues artists from throughout the U.S. and abroad. In downtown Rockland on Saturday night there will be a Blues "Club Crawl" with more than fifteen clubs featuring Blues bands. Blues Festival Hotline: 207-593-1189. Admission/Tickets: Saturday, July 11 & Sunday, July 12:$25 Adults, in advance (1 day only);$45 Adults, in advance (weekend pass, 2 days); $30 Adults, at gate (1 day only); $10 Children (6-12);Children 5 & under free. For advance tickets to the Blues Festival, call 207-593-1189.
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