By Molly Chester, Certified Travel Advisor and Scarborough resident

Ah, spring in Maine. We’ve made it through the winter, though let’s be honest, there’s always the possibility of some “surprise!” cold weather still ahead. The days are longer, the sun truly feels warmer, and it starts to feel a bit like coming out of hibernation. What better time to take a half-day drive up Route 1 to Damariscotta for a front-row seat to some Spring alewife action, with cold plunging and oyster slurping optional but highly encouraged!

Damariscotta: With Kids

Damariscotta in the spring with kids is really all about the fish ladder. In May especially, the alewives run in flashing waves as all manner of birds wheel overhead. If you arrive in the morning or later in the afternoon, you’re more likely to see an osprey or even an eagle circling above the river, though the gulls are dependable at all hours.

After the fish ladder, it’s a 5-minute drive into town, where I suggest parking on or near Main Street, which is short enough to feel manageable but interesting enough to keep all parties engaged after the flurry of the fish ladder. You can pop in and out of shops (Sherman’s Book Shop is a personal favorite), wander toward the river, and stop whenever something catches anyone’s attention. Watching boats, looking for river wildlife, or just meandering along the riverbank tends to hold attention longer than expected.

Grabbing a casual but excellent bite to eat is also a breeze, which appeals across the generational palates. You can snag a burger or bite at Newcastle Publick House, a lobster roll with a basket of chicken fingers at Schooner Landing, or break up the wander with a little treat and a coffee from the Barn Door Cafe.

Damariscotta: Adulting

As a grown-up day trip, Damariscotta shines as bright as an alewife in the May sun! The fish ladder is worth a visit even if you’ve experienced it before, and then it’s on to my very favorite potential feature of this day trip: the sauna at Glidden Point Oysters. You book a 75-minute session in a wood-fired sauna set right on the river (this is best planned and booked in advance via their website, and the sauna can accommodate up to four adults in your party), then alternate between warming up and cold-plunging directly into the Damariscotta River from the oyster company’s floating dock. It’s invigorating, feels a bit crazy, and it is incredibly satisfying.

After the sauna, ordering a dozen freshly-shucked oysters plucked from the water in which you were just plunging is an indulgent and delicious finale. Add a glass of bubbly and/or a tin of fish, and you’ve got a relaxed, fabulously-Maine afternoon completely dialed in!

Close to Home, and Far Beyond

One of the things I love most about living in Scarborough is how easy it is to explore our own backyard, and how easily it serves as a launchpad to somewhere else.

Some days that means a little half-day ride up Route 1. Other times it means a flight, a cruise, or a big itinerary that takes you much farther from home. I love helping my clients think about and talk through all types of travel, whether the trip is close to home or across an ocean.

Travel planning with me is complimentary. I’d love to help shape a quick getaway or bucket-list voyage, and see what added perks or insider touches might be available along the way.

Molly Chester lives in Scarborough and plans trips to destinations near and far as the founder of MChesterTravel.com.

Top photo by Katie Wheeler