Adventure and Discovery
Belfast's central location makes it the perfect place to start your day's adventure as you discover the mid-coast life of Maine. These trips are all within a two-hour drive from Belfast; most are within one hour. This is just a sampling of the many places and things to do along the mid-coast. We'll be happy to help plan your day around your interests and time schedules so you don't miss anything that is important to you!
Your hosts, Robert, and Terry
Day 1
Make an early start for Castine to visit the Maritime Academy and tour its training ship, the TV State of Maine. Travel on to Blue Hill for lunch, and then visit Stonington, a Maine fishing community.
Day 2
Head for Acadia National Park for fantastic coastal vistas. On the way, explore Bar Harbor Village. After lunch, take a drive around the park. Stop at Sand Beach (the Caribbean in Maine) before pushing on to Otter Point or Thunder Hole. Carriage drives are a little further on, and don't forget to take your afternoon tea, served with popovers, at Jordan Pond House.
Day 3
Explore historical sites in adjacent Knox County; the Montpelier Mansion, home of Revolutionary hero, General Henry Knox; the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland and the Owls Head Transportation Museum. One of the area's lighthouses, The Owls Head Light is three miles from the museum.
Day 4
Take the ferry to Islesboro for a picnic and a glimpse of magnificent turn-of-the century summer cottages. Upon your return to the mainland, visit rare livestock breeders at Kelmscott Farm, with tours and educational programs. Stop in at Windsor Chairmakers at Lincolnville. While you're there, visit Ducktrap Park where you can get a wonderful glimpse of unusual Romanesque bridgework. Tucked among bold granite outcroppings, the broad sandy stretches of Lincolnville Beach offers gentle vistas of the Mid-Coast.
Day 5
You still need to visit Fort Knox where park rangers area available to answer your questions. While there, cast your eye toward the Waldo-Hancock bridge, and you may sight the osprey that nests atop there every summer. Spend the afternoon on Sears Island where you can park and hike. If you enjoy nature and wildlife, you'll love this escapade. Cars are prohibited.
Day 6
A leisurely scenic drive to view Maine's countryside may lead you to Pemaquid Point, near Damariscotta. Even before the Pilgrims had disembarked at Plymouth Rock, European fishermen established themselves at this place. You'll see excavations of early 1600's buildings as well as a field museum. Nearby is Fort William Henry, a 1907 replica of the original 1698 fort built by the English. At New Harbor, a quick ferry ride away is magical Monhegan Island. Beautifully laced with pristine paths, witness nature's beauty by exploring the island on foot. Instead of visiting Monhegan Island, stay on Route 1 and visit picturesque Wiscassett.
Day 7
Spend a day in the Camden/Rockport area. Climb aboard one of the classic windjammers that sail Penobscot Bay. From the water, you'll have a spectacular view of the mountains of Camden Hills State Park. To take in a panoramic view of the area, climb to the top of Mt. Battie. Allow enough time to enjoy the area's cornucopia of attractive and unusual shops.
Distance in miles
Camden........17
Bangor........37
Augusta.......48
Bar Harbor....58
Portland.....100
Boston.......189
Quebec and
Montreal...300