Maine’s Coastline in a Weekend

Welcome to Maine. It’s the easternmost state in the U.S., famous for tasty lobster, fresh blueberries, horror novelists and bespoke outerwear companies. Here, the landscapes boast everything from towering mountains to quiet lakes, wave crashing shores and everything in between. 

Perhaps what Maine is best known for is its coastline, which stretches 228 miles along the entire state. So, if you find yourself in midcoast Maine for a weekend and are wondering what to do, read on to learn about some must-visit spots. 
 

Bar Harbor is a town synonymous with the cheery blue seas, tall-masted ships, rocky coastlines and colourful storefronts that serve as a backdrop to a quintessential East Coast summer. It has a long and proud history as one of Maine’s premier vacation destinations. For that reason, we believe it’s the perfect place to begin your coastal Maine adventure. The best part? Our terminal is conveniently located right outside Bar Harbor’s downtown core, meaning your vacation begins the moment you step foot off The CAT.

In this seaside town, you can enjoy delicious seafood, quaint accommodations, whale watching tours and lots of shopping—everything you need for a perfect weekend.
 

The best way to make the most of your time on Mount Desert Island, which comprises Bar Harbor, neighbouring Acadia National Park and several other small towns is by taking advantage of the Island Explorer. This free hop-on hop-off shuttle operates from from late-June to mid-October. It will transport you to all the hiking trails, restaurants and must-see destinations on the island. So, leave your car at your hotel (or inn, or Airbnb, or wherever you’re staying) and enjoy a hassle-free way to explore.

No trip to the coast of Maine is complete without seeing Acadia National Park, which could be a weekend trip in and of itself. The best (and, in the opinion of some people, only) way to start your Acadia National Park trip is with a drive or hike up Cadillac Mountain, which has the distinction of being the first spot in the continental U.S. to see the sun rise each morning. 

Route 1 tracks all along Maine’s coastline, from Fort Kent to Kittery, and it’s iconic as it is beautiful.

As you drive south from Bar Harbor, you’ll pass through some charming towns and villages with red-brick downtowns and bustling waterfronts. As you make your way, we recommend stopping in Searsport for good food and great views of the stately Captain’s Manors.

A little further down the road, you’ll find your next stop, Fort Knox.

You’ll know you’re close when you drive over the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, cutting through the white winding granite hills of the region. On this bridge, you can pop up to the Penobscot Narrows Observatory, which towers a dizzying 420 feet in the air, but grants some of the best views of the region. To make for a more fulsome day trip, we recommend taking a right as soon as you’re off the bridge and visiting Fort Knox. This preserved 19th-century fort, made almost entirely of granite, is the perfect place to learn about Maine’s maritime, naval and colonial history. 
 

If you’re curious to learn more about the maritime tradition in Maine, a short detour off Route 1 will find you in Castine, a seaside town that’s home to the Maine Maritime Academy which is one of five maritime academies in the U.S. It’s known for producing world-class sailors, captains, pilots and mariners, including members of the crew who brought you over on The CAT!
 

The final stop on our midcoast tour of Maine is the picturesque town of Camden, where you could easily spend your whole weekend. Explore the shops downtown, or hop aboard a schooner tour at the waterfront. If you’re feeling adventurous, a drive up Mount Battie grants you a bird’s eye view of not only the entire town, but the sprawling seacoast and the islands of Islesboro and Vinalhaven, both of which are great little day trips.

Just a short drive from Camden is the small town of Rockport, where you’ll find a statue of André the Seal. In the 1960s, André was rescued as a pup by Rockland’s harbourmaster, Harry Goodridge. What began as a temporary rehabilitation arrangement became permanent when Harry started training André, first as a diving companion, then in performing various tricks. Over the next 25 years, André attracted millions of tourists to the region to see his tricks and witness his unique friendship with Harry, leaving an indelible mark.

Finally, to end your perfect weekend, we recommend driving just a little past Rockport to Rockland, where you’ll find charming spots such as the Farnsworth Art Museum, featuring pieces of art from iconic Maine painter Andrew Wyeth (best known for his painting, Christina’s World) and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. Stroll along the breakwater, which stretches almost a mile into the harbour and explore the historic lighthouse, which has been restored and preserved as an interactive piece of history.

As you can see, there’s so much to do along the coast of Maine, and we’ve only just scratched the surface! No matter where you choose to go or what you decide to do, a trip on The CAT is the perfect way to get the ball rolling. Book today and we look forward to seeing you on board soon.