Where to Next? Midcoast Maine

By Molly Chester, Certified Travel Advisor and Scarborough resident

Summer is peeking over the horizon, and with it the visitors who come to enjoy all our beautiful state has to offer. Before they arrive, soak up some shoulder-season rates and enjoy the lack of crowds with a weekend staycation right here in Maine.

With that in mind, let’s take a two-hour drive up Route 1 to the Camden/Rockport area with three different approaches to the weekend: luxury, family, and budget. (Or combine a little of all three!)

For a luxurious stay close to home, you can’t beat The Camden Harbour Inn (from $255/night). This Relais & Chateaux property is the recipient of a Michelin Key for excellence and is an elegant base from which to explore the Midcoast. Start your morning with the included champagne breakfast then take a ride to the United Farmers Market of Maine in Belfast (Saturdays) to listen to live music while shopping for local treats. Back at your hotel, schedule a massage at The Spa at Camden Harbour Inn, then enjoy dinner at Primo (after May 1) for some of the best farm-to-table dining in Maine or Natalie’s, right at the hotel. Before leaving town, stroll through Camden’s charming historic downtown, popping into the many locally-owned boutiques and art galleries in the center of town.

The Lord Camden Inn (from $153/night), a pet-friendly option with views of the harbor, is a great place for families. Spring is the perfect season for a hike at Camden Hills State Park. Take the Mount Battie Trail for gorgeous views but keep in mind there are some rock-scramble sections. Warm up after your hike with a spicy plate of house-made (and award-winning!) Thai cuisine at Long Grain then head to the Owls Head Transportation Museum and wander among the epic collection of vehicles and rotating special exhibitions. For dinner, enjoy a meal at Cuzzy’s, a great spot for pizza and kid-approved dining, before relaxing by the fire at your hotel.

For a budget-friendly jaunt, stay at The Country Inn at Camden Rockport (from $119/night) for cozy accommodations with easy access to the Midcoast. Plan ahead by grabbing a lunch to go from Camden Deli, then head down to Rockland Breakwater Light and traverse almost a mile of locally-quarried granite on your walk into the harbor. From there, it’s an easy hop over to the Farnsworth Art Museum to see its incredible collection of works by artists from Maine and beyond.

While my area of expertise lies in European getaways, Caribbean escapes, and Indian Ocean bucket-list voyages, I am well-versed in all manner of travel departing from Scarborough. I would be thrilled to help you decide where you’d like to go next, get you VIP treatment at your next hotel, or plan your next trip from top to bottom.