Travel to Boothbay Harbor on Maine's Midcoast

Boothbay Harbor is a great getaway for travelers who want to experience Maine's rocky shores without huge crowds or extra long driving distances. This gem of midcoast Maine offers three seasons full of events and atractions.

Boothbay Harbor Has a Small Town Ambience

This Maine harbor town is located on the Atlantic Ocean on the tip of a peninsula in the Gulf of Maine. Boothbay Harbor borders the towns of Southport to the southwest and Boothbay to the north and east.

Boothbay Harbor is a working harbor with a small town feel. Walking along the cozy waterfront, visitors will hear the chime of buoys and the sounds of seabirds and will breathe in the fresh salt of the sea.

A big plus is the fact that visitors with lodging in the harbor can park their cars and walk to all attractions. The waterfront area has many lodging choices, including motels, inns and B & B’s, some with wonderful views overlooking the harbor.

Local restaurants lining the waterfront offer fresh lobster, clams and other seafood, while small shops sell local crafts, souvenirs and antiques.

The History of Boothbay Harbor

The harbor dates back to the 17th century when English fishermen originally discovered this part of Maine. Fishing, ice cutting, shipbuilding, and lumber were the main industries in the 18th and 19th century. By the 1800's visitors started coming to the area. Scenic Boothbay Harbor is where the 1956 movie Carousel was filmed.

Attractions in Boothbay Harbor

Boothbay Harbor is the largest boating harbor north of Boston. In fact, it has been called the boating capital of New England.

The harbor is the launching point for a variety of boat cruises and excursions. Included are deep sea fishing, whale watches, day sails, harbor tours, sea kayaking and light house visits. Day trips to harbor and outlying islands such as Monhegan Island are also available.

There are no swimming beaches in the harbor. However, visitors can enjoy attractions such as the historic 1894 Opera House (86 Townsend Avenue, 207-633-6855); the Railway Village (586 Wiscasset Road, 207-633-4727); the Carousel Music Theatre and Supper Club (186 Townsend Avenue, 207-633-5297) and the new Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens located off Barters Island Road in Boothbay, (207-633-4333).

Boothbay Harbor is a Three Season Destination

Autumn brings Fall Foliage, fewer tourists and off-season lodging rates. The crisp September and October days are refreshing. This is the time for seasonal festivals such Oktoberfest and the Fall Foliage Festival in October.

Spring is a season of renewal in Boothbay Harbor. The town is quieter in spring and many inns and motels offer lower off-season rates. In April, the town celebrates the Fisherman’s Festival which features lobster crate racing, trap hauling , the Miss Shrimp Princess Pageant and a Fish Fry.

The Windjammer Days Festival, a celebration of the age of sail, is held each year at the end of June. This is a two-day event with parades, concerts, and an auction. The highlight is a fleet of a dozen or so exquisite three masted wooden schooners with sails unfurled.

The busiest season is summer. The bright warm and sunny days of July and August are accented by fog rolling in from the ocean. In August, the town puts on a Blueberry Festival. However, summer brings more crowds and lodging is more expensive, so it’s best to book ahead.

How to Get to Boothbay Harbor

Driving time is about one and a half hours from Portland, Maine, three and a half hours from Boston and seven hours from New York City. Visitors can also fly to the Portland International Jetport, rent a car and drive Boothbay Harbor. For more information go to Maine Office of Tourism website.

Buoys in Maine

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