Advise on Must Do/Must See

I am traveling to BBH for the first time on Tuesday. I will be staying at the Spruce Point Inn. Can anyone give advise on what are the must do and must sees in the area? We will have a car and are pretty active. I would like to get out on the water... perhaps sailing or a lobster boat. I read about a nearby island to visit too.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Advise on Must Do/Must See

We were in Boothbay Harbor last Tuesday, Sept.16 and had lunch at the Lobster Dock. I would highly recommend going there. I had crab cakes and my husband had lobster. One of the best meals on our trip up the Maine coast. Will certainly visit Boothbay and the Lobster Dock again. We stayed at the Tugboat Inn and what a great experience watching the boats come and go.

Advise on Must Do/Must See

Hi troms,

I think you%26#39;ll love the Spruce Pt. Inn as its in a beautiful location and feels miles away , yet is only about a 5 minute drive into downtown BBH.

Anyway, here is a list of fun/interesting things to do while in the area.

First, enjoy your location and walk the surrounding area! Then venture out to Ocean Point which will take you about 10 to 15 minutes. Beautiful scenery, gardens everywhere, rocky coast, views to 4 lighthouses, islands and open ocean. This is a great area for walking or having a picnic lunch on the rocks or even a glass of wine while watching the sunset (though your location at the SPI is pretty nice too).

Other nice drives include route 27 south to Southport Island and the small Hendricks Headlight beach and lighthouse, and Cape Newagen%26#39;s Town Dock area where you can see the Cuckholds Lighthouse and the wonderful little fishing harbor. Take a ride out to Trevett, Barter%26#39;s Island and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Have lunch at the Trevett Country Store or at the beautiful new visitor%26#39;s center/restaurant at the Gardens. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offer many trails, outdoor sculptures, a revolving art show, guided hikes through their gardens and trails and also lectures on anything having to do with gardening, nature, etc. Even if you%26#39;re not a gardener, its worth the time to visit :).

Longer trips include a drive out to Pemaquid Lighthouse, Reid State Park beach as well as Popham beach. These will take you about 45 minutes each way but well worth the drive. While in the Reid State Park area, stop at Five Islands lobster shack for lunch which overlooks the water. Or if its close to dinner, give a buzz to the Robinhood Free Meeting House and see if you can grab a table for dinner. I%26#39;ve never dined there, but everyone I%26#39;ve ever spoken to who has, absolutely loves the place and raves about the food.

Back to the BBH area. If you enjoy walking or light hiking, definitely check out the Boothbay Region Land Trust trails. Most are easily navigated and offer beautiful views of the water, woods, etc. Check out their website for descriptions and directions to the ones that most appeal to you. My favorites are the Porter Preserve and Oven%26#39;s Mouth.

Numerous boat tours leave from the harbor. I like Captain Fish%26#39;s as he has large, very well maintained boats, offers a huge variety of itenararies and length of time one is out on the water. There%26#39;s also a snackbar where you can have wine/beer or hot chocolate, coffee, etc.

If the weather cooperates, take a daytrip out to Monhegan Island. This is a wonderful, undeveloped island with some absolutely spectacular scenery if you%26#39;re willing to hike the trails or even just stroll the streets right near the dock. Its about an hour and 15 minute boat ride each way and the boat usually leaves around 9 in the a.m. and returns about 4ish. Google Monhegan Island for more info.

Walk downtown and browse the shops and art galleries. If the weather%26#39;s funky, stop in at the small bowling alley and play a few games. It%26#39;ll be a hoot. There are also pool tables. Have ice cream at the Ice Cream Factory afterward. Or check out a movie at the local movie house in the Meadows Mall near the traffic light.

Check out the Opera House%26#39;s website and see what%26#39;s happening there. They offer concerts, lectures, plays and craft shows from time to time.

Take a kayak out. I think the Inn where you%26#39;re staying offers them. If not, there%26#39;s a kayak rental place in the Harbor of which the name escapes me right now!

For dining out try the Thistle Inn and if its warm, ask to sit outside which is magical! If not, the inside has a cozy publike atmosphere. You can sit either in the bar area which only has about 6 tables and a neat bar w/tv or the more formal area (though nothing is really formal anywhere in the harbor). On either side you can order from the pub menu or the regular menu. Both are good.

Try the Ocean Pt Inn for dinner and plan to enjoy the sunset before or after depending on when you like to eat.

The Rocktide has great views and there%26#39;s usually someone playing piano while you dine. The food is good though I wouldn%26#39;t say great. Its the location, atmosphere and ambience at the Rocktide that makes it so special.

For a lively and fun atmosphere, check out McSeagull%26#39;s on the water. Again, the food is good but nothing to write home about. Its the location and live music (they often have rock bands)that make it worth an evening if that appeals to you.

For breakfast or lunch try the Blue Moon Cafe or the Ebb Tide. The Blue Moon Cafe is a small place on the water and offers omelets, soups, qaesidilla%26#39;s, cobb salad sandwiches, quiche, etc. The Ebb Tide offers breakfast all day and good downhome type cooking as well as burgers, chowder, etc. See if you can grab one of the window seats so you can peek out to the harbor and people watch.

I%26#39;ve heard that the Tugboat%26#39;s restaurant is pretty good though I haven%26#39;t dined there recently. They have a great location and atmosphere overlooking the harbor. Might be nice to try it out for lunch and then post back and let us know how it is.

For lobster in the rough, definitely go to either the Lobster Dock on the east side or Robinson%26#39;s Wharf just over the bridge on Southport Island. I like the lobster rolls at the Lobster Dock and the hefty crab rolls at Robinson%26#39;s.

Think I%26#39;ve about covered everything. Good luck and don%26#39;t forget to report back about how your trip went :).

cozyharbor

What a wonderful amount of information! Thank you so much! I have printed your response to take along with me. I am so excited to travel to Maine for the first time and I am sure I will love it.

I will report back when I return.

Thanks again!

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