9 Nicest Small Towns In Maine
The nicest towns in Maine are small enough to cross on foot in an afternoon. Camden sends working schooners out past a lighthouse at the harbor mouth. Damariscotta shucks oysters pulled straight from the river it sits on. Hallowell keeps a four-year-old mural and a granite-era tap room on one short Water Street. The seafood comes off the same boats the locals use. Here are nine of the nicest small towns to explore in Maine.
Camden
A coastal town like Camden brings visitors right to the waterfront of the Atlantic Ocean and invites them to explore midcoast Maine's mountainous landscape. The Megunticook River empties into Camden Harbor, where you can talk to local sailors preparing and docking their schooners and snap photos of the historic Curtis Island Lighthouse at the harbor's entrance. Camden's attractions extend far beyond the waterline, as its slogan "where the mountains meet the sea" suggests. For outdoor exploration that is a little more rigorous, hiking up to the peak of Mt. Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park is another option. As you wind your way uphill, take a moment to appreciate the local wildlife by stopping to birdwatch.
Around the harbor, you'll discover menus that combine the state's reputation for fresh seafood dishes with harbor views at restaurants like The Waterfront. The local establishment has been a fixture of the mid-coast town for over four decades and the place to get a taste of Maine lobster and crab rolls. The Camden Opera House, constructed in 1894, is another prime spot in the town, with productions in its historic auditorium drawing crowds to the town's performing arts scene.
Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor's historic venues and seafood restaurants are equally inviting for visitors searching for adventure on the mid-coast. Carousel Music Theater has been in the town since 1982 and continues to put on season after season of theater performances. Traditions run deep in the town, and nowhere is that more evident than on a tour with Cabbage Island Clambakes. The experience, which began in 1956 under Donald and Ruth Leavitt, combines the tradition of eating a Downeast clambake prepared over an open fire with the exploration of Cabbage Island in Linekin Bay.
Boothbay Harbor stands out thanks to the unique outdoor art installations you'll come across while exploring its terrain. Aside from its wetlands and biodiversity, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens features the Guardians of the Seeds exhibit. In this section of the gardens, you'll discover five massive wooden troll statues created by artist Thomas Dambo hidden in the woods. The downtown area is also full of art. The Sculpture Trail was started in 2017 and gives visitors the opportunity to get up close to installations placed around local businesses.
Damariscotta
Damariscotta's reputation for producing an abundance of oysters in the New England region means the town has some unique traditions and attractions you will want to join in on. Oysters harvested from the Damariscotta River are the centerpiece of the Pemaquid Oyster Festival each September, with shucking contests and oyster tasting that celebrate the river's growers. You can watch the local oyster farmers in action by taking one of the various cruises that set sail in the area, including oyster farm and seal-watching tours that also give an up-close look at birds and river wildlife. Grabbing a table at King Eider's Pub, which has been a gathering place and town fixture since 1996, reveals the number of ways these farm-fresh oysters are prepared and served. If you prefer to stay on solid ground to explore, walking the trails at the Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site will lead you past the centuries-old oyster shell heaps left by the region's earliest inhabitants.
Kennebunkport
Located in southern Maine, there's American history everywhere you turn in the town of Kennebunkport. Walker's Point Estate is one of the most famous spots in town, serving as the summer home to President George H.W. Bush, First Lady Barbara Bush, and their children after he purchased it in 1977. Near the property, nicknamed the Bush Compound, the town's Anchor to Windward monument was dedicated to the family in 2009 for their charitable efforts. Part of the serenity the Bush family enjoys can be found at Goose Rocks Beach, where there are three miles of white sand coastline to get your steps in during a morning walk.
Another historical sight in town is the Seashore Trolley Museum. Founded in 1939, the first and largest electric railway museum in the world continues to exhibit transit artifacts from the 1900s, including a collection of vehicles like electric streetcars from major US cities. Heading back toward the coastline, on the Kennebunk River, The Crab Shack has been serving traditional New England boiled lobster on the waterfront since 1968.
Wiscasset
Wiscasset has plenty of sights for people who are interested in all things history. If you were a fan of learning about the evolution of public transportation in Kennebunkport, the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum kicks it up a notch with steam train rides open to the public. While it began operations in 1894 carrying passengers and freight, today it invites visitors to explore the restored railyard and ride the train through the forests of Sheepscot Valley. Traces of Wiscasset's past are also on display and on sale on the showroom floor of Wiscasset Antiques Mall. Get up close to vintage items and even select a few to take back home.
Some would argue that eating at the local restaurants is just as essential to learning Wiscasset as going to the museums. The family-owned Sprague's Lobster has been serving lobster and homemade clam chowder from its stand near the Sheepscot River for over 35 years.
Belfast
In Belfast, trains no longer run on the former site of the city's shortline railroad, but that means there are more opportunities for wildlife watching. Visitors are encouraged to take their time strolling down the Belfast Rail Trail along the Passagassawakeag River, where the tracks were removed from the railroad bed and replaced with a smooth walking path. Another welcoming trail is the Belfast Harbor Walk, located in the city's downtown area. If the Rail Trail is a look at the city's past, the Harbor Walk is a look at the present as you pass the activity at the Front Street Shipyard and the public wharf.
If you're inspired by the sights of the shoreline, Belfast supports a thriving arts community that invites returning and new visitors alike. Steamboat Landing Park provides over 800 feet of waterfront views and hosts the annual Arts in the Park festival in July, where vendors, live music, and Maine artists have come together for three decades. Waterfall Arts is another place to show some support to local artists through its Summer Art Market, where you will find a unique souvenir.
Hallowell
Sitting on the Kennebec River, Hallowell draws tourists to the art and restaurants on historic Water Street. The street has long been the pulse of the city's downtown area, and the Hallowell Mural captures that history. The 650-square-foot mural honors the city's past, dating to the first settlers in 1762, and took artist Chris Cart roughly four years to paint before its installation on the north wall of 89 Water Street. In summer, the rest of Water Street transforms into a showcase for local artists during the Hallowell Artwalk, where you will find works in a variety of mediums.
Other stops along the street bridge historic Hallowell with modern comforts and tastes. The Quarry Tap Room, named after the city's old granite quarries that brought together stone carvers and quarrymen in the late 19th century, is a watering hole for drinks, beer, and a seasonal menu. Every July, residents come together to celebrate the community atmosphere during Old Hallowell Day, where a parade and fireworks light up the sky.
Blue Hill
Blue Hill has been a welcoming spot for travelers for over a century, and the town's shops and natural landscapes are reason enough to stay. In 1832, businessman Jeremiah Thorndike Holt's home was converted into the town's sole inn and tavern, and today it operates as the Holt House Museum. Visitors can tour a collection of clothing, furniture, and memorabilia drawn from town records spanning three centuries. Blue Hill Mountain has also undergone a transformation to be more friendly to both hikers and the wildlife that takes refuge on its terrain. The stone stairs and wooded paths of the Osgood Trail lead right up to the summit, where you can take in views of Blue Hill Bay. Returning to town, the Handworks Gallery has been a source of handmade gifts from local artists since it was founded in 1975.
Castine
Castine is a college town thanks to the Maine Maritime Academy, and it pairs that college-town atmosphere with historical exhibits and local businesses. The Castine Historical Society hosts yearly art exhibits and walking tours in good weather to connect visitors with the town's history. On your way, take notice of the streets' notable abundance of American elm trees (Ulmus americana), saved by townsfolk who worked to keep them from being wiped out by Dutch elm disease. For more about the town's natural history, a day trip to the Wilson Museum's exhibits will entertain visitors of all ages. The Wilson Museum, founded in 1921 near Penobscot Bay, has a collection of fossils, tools, and other artifacts for hands-on learning. Like most college towns, Castine has its share of bookstores that double as community spaces. Compass Rose Books, an independent bookstore and cafe, is a spot where you can settle in with fellow readers and pick up a few more titles for some independent research.
Coastal Roots, Inland Character
What ties these nine towns together is water, but what sets them apart is what each one built around it. Camden and Boothbay Harbor turned their working harbors into stages for sailing and performing arts, while Damariscotta made a whole culture out of the oysters in its river. Inland on the Kennebec, Hallowell reads its history off a mural and a granite-era tap room, and Belfast turned an abandoned rail bed into a place to watch for wildlife. The rail trails and trolley museums show how far these communities came as they entered the modern era, and the art markets, galleries, and harbor restaurants show where they are now. Catching a show at the Carousel Music Theater reveals as much about Boothbay Harbor as a climb up Blue Hill Mountain reveals about Blue Hill.
