9 Stress-Free Maine Towns For A Weekend Retreat
Some weekends you want to do nothing, and do it well. The Maine coast is built for exactly that. A slow walk out to a lighthouse, a lobster roll with no line to justify, a morning that starts whenever you wake up. These nine coastal towns each make the case for slowing down.
Kennebunkport
If you feel like you need to escape for a weekend getaway, Kennebunkport should be at the top of the list. Less than 90 miles from Boston and just 25 miles south of Portland, this southern Maine coastal town offers a nearby luxury escape. Overlooking the rocky bluffs, the Cape Arundel Inn & Resort has just what you need to recharge. Dating from the late 19th century, the main house started off as a private residence for the summer people arriving on the early railroads. Today, direct ocean views and fireplaces to keep you warm at night make this an idyllic escape. The historic town was first settled in the early 17th century, and it was officially organized as Kennebunkport in 1821. By the 20th century, it had become a summer destination for the rich and famous, and President George H. W. Bush further solidified its social status during his presidency by making it a regular destination.
The Kennebunk River divides Kennebunkport from Kennebunk, but they share a walkable downtown connected by Dock Square. Have a morning of self-care with a facial at Katie Cote Spa or a massage at Jody Chase Massage Therapy. Then head out for a night of gallery hopping. Thompson & Company and Northlight Gallery offer up fine art by artists from across the United States in a variety of forms and media. Then wrap up your night with a waterfront table at the Boathouse Restaurant, where you'll find lobster, crab, and classic New England clam chowder.
Old Orchard Beach
Charles Lindbergh unexpectedly landed at Old Orchard Beach in 1927 following his solo flight across the Atlantic. Since its founding in the 17th century, when it was dubbed "The Garden By The Sea" by Thomas Rogers, the town has been a tourist destination. Sitting on 7 miles of sandy beach along Saco Bay, Old Orchard Beach is home to New England's only beachfront amusement park. Palace Playland is more reminiscent of the Jersey Shore or Coney Island than New England, with its five acres of rides, including a carousel, fun house, Ferris wheel, and the Sea Viper roller coaster. Across the street is the Old Orchard Pier. First built in 1898, the original 1,835-foot-long pier washed away less than a year after opening. After it was rebuilt, pieces of it slowly washed away until the blizzard of 1978 completely destroyed it. The modern pier is 500 feet long and is home to shops, restaurants, and amusements. At the end of the pier, you will find the Pier Patio Pub offering live entertainment and a menu of classic New England seafood, including Maine steamer clams, whole belly clams, clam strips, and lobster. The shore is dotted with mid-century motels and historic inns. The beachfront Rebekah Inn dates to the early 1900s. Here, the renovated inn offers guest rooms with period furnishings and modern amenities, combining the best of both worlds. With an Amtrak station just a block from the waves, Old Orchard Beach truly is an ideal destination for a stress-free weekend.
Freeport
Home to Maine's most famous apparel company, L.L. Bean, Freeport offers an easy weekend escape for retail therapy. The flagship shopping campus for L.L. Bean sprawls across several buildings downtown. Don't miss the 16-foot-tall, rubber-bottom boot outside the main entrance. The retailer's outsized presence in town has since attracted other apparel companies and outlet shopping from name brands like Vineyard Vines, Fjällräven, Patagonia, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Even L.L. Bean has an outlet store across the street from its campus. But there is more than just shopping in this small town. The Freeport Historical Society maintains the Pettengill Farm Preserve at the edge of town. The property includes walking trails open every day of the year, and welcomes cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. There's no better way to recharge than unplugging and heading over to Drÿppe Sauna and Cold Plunge for a Nordic-style spa experience. Drÿppe offers icy plunges, a steamy sauna, and an outdoor lounge to relax between sessions. Stay the night at the attached Brewster House Bed & Breakfast, a historic inn dating to 1888, and modernized in 1994. The inn also provides a full, hot breakfast every morning, meaning there's one less thing to worry about while you spend the weekend recharging.
Wiscasset
Perched on the shore of Sheepscot River, Wiscasset is a deep-water harbor. The town prospered as a result. The era saw many grand houses erected, including the Nickels-Sortwell House. Shipping magnate William Nickels built the mansion in 1807, shortly before Thomas Jefferson's shipping embargo banned international trade. The house became a hotel, and today it is open for tours. At the edge of town, the Sea Salt Boutique Cottages offer an intimate experience similar to a bed and breakfast but with the privacy of a cottage. The tiny downtown spreads out from the waterfront, where you can find a handful of shops, like Rock Paper Scissors, a curated gift store. Inside, you will find stationery, home goods, and kitchenware, along with unique handmade items and curiosities. And when it comes to finding something to eat, Wiscasset has Maine's best lobster rolls. Red's Eats, a world-famous lobster shack along Route 1, attracts long lines wrapping around the corner. Luckily, just across Main Street, Sprague's Lobster offers a delectable lobster roll too, and you can spend the summer debating which is the best lobster roll in Maine.
Boothbay Harbor
Due south of Wiscasset, Boothbay Harbor extends from the mouth of the Sheepscot River to Linekin Bay. The harbor has access to the Gulf of Maine, and provides ferry access to Squirrel Island. Boothbay Harbor still has a working waterfront with commercial lobstering. For a truly unique seafood experience, book an outing with Cabbage Island Clam Bakes. From Pier 6 in Boothbay Harbor, patrons are ferried to Cabbage Island on the Bennie Alice, a small cruising boat. Once on the island, guests enjoy a traditional Downeast clambake with fish chowder, lobsters, clams, and blueberry cake. Afterward, you can explore the island before cruising back to port.
Back on the mainland, the Tugboat Inn offers oceanfront rooms overlooking the harbor across 5 unique buildings. Located right on the water, the inn brings the sea directly to you. Another great way to ease your stress is wandering around the scenic downtown, and there's no better way to connect to the two sides of the harbor than the Boothbay Harbor Footbridge. Built in 1901, the historic footbridge was recently renovated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring accessibility for all. The walkway provides views of the marina, inner harbor estuary, and the historic commercial center of the town. To wrap up your evening, grab a show at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor. The historic stage opened in 1894, and now hosts more than 100 events and performances every year, including jazz and bluegrass performances, Broadway actors, and Grammy-winning musicians. The nonprofit organization is committed to affordable ticket prices, making this a stress-free evening out.
Rockland
On the shore of West Penobscot Bay, Rockland offers a classic New England coastal community, perfect for a weekend unwinding to the sound of the sea. A cove provides protection for the deep water harbor, and during the 19th century, Rockland enjoyed a booming shipbuilding and maritime economy. Today, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse marks the end of the harbor's granite seawall. Severe storms in the 1850s battered the waterfront, but the breakwater itself was built between 1880 and 1900, with the lighthouse added in 1902. The granite breakwater extends 7/8 of a mile into the cove, and the walk to the end makes for a rigorous hike with views of the passing marine traffic. Wooded pathways lead to Owls Head Light, where the first lighthouse was built in 1825, and the current tower dates to 1852. The light hike from the parking lot offers scenic views of the surrounding coves.
Overlooking the harbor, 250 Main Hotel provides a luxury boutique experience in the heart of the walkable downtown. The hotel lobby features a gas-fired fireplace to warm you, while the rooftop deck offers 360-degree views. Main Street also has an assortment of local independent restaurants, but the real treat here is Primo Restaurant at the edge of town. Chef Melissa Kelly runs a true farm-to-table experience, growing vegetables, chickens, ducks, and pigs across the restaurant's own sustainable farm.
Belfast
The first settlers to arrive in Belfast named the town after the city in Northern Ireland following a coin toss. The region offered rich timber stocks, and access to the water made shipping lumber and other products economical. The defining moment for modern Belfast occurred in 1962 when a new bridge for Route 1 bypassed the city's center, preserving its historic center. Today, Main Street is lined with independently owned shops like Fiddlehead Artisan Supply, offering up arts and crafts materials, or The Good Table, a home decor and kitchenware shop. If you prefer getting out of town, check out the Belfast Rail Trail. The 2.3 mile path is wheelchair accessible and follows the former Belfast-Moosehead Lake Railroad corridor. Part of the trail includes the Belfast Armistice Bridge providing open views of the harbor.
The Belfast Historical Society and Museum celebrates the town's maritime history and offers walking tours of the historic homes, churches, and commercial buildings. Little has changed along the brick commercial district built in the 19th century. Many of the buildings in town include examples of Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne styles. You can even stay in one of those historic buildings. The Jeweled Turret Inn, dating to the late 1800s, includes 7 restored guest rooms with private baths. The cozy den includes a fireplace built with stones from every state in the Union, making it a hard place to beat for destressing on your weekend away.
Bar Harbor
A summer destination for the elite during the Gilded Age, Bar Harbor remains an ideal destination for a stress-free escape. Situated on the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island, the largest island in Maine, Bar Harbor offers easy access into the hiking trails of Acadia National Park. The protected wilderness of the park includes more than 150 miles of hiking trails. The variety of distances means hikes range from 15 minutes to a full day. The 1.4-mile Beehive Loop uses Acadia's famous rung-and-ladder system to scale difficult terrain. Along these trails, steel rungs and wooden ladders assist climbers. For an easier hike with views of the rocky coastline, check out Compass Harbor Trail instead. Throughout the park, former carriage roads intersect the marked trails, creating loops and easier escape routes if the hike proves too difficult. The park also offers a great opportunity to camp in the wilderness, like at Bar Harbor Campground. The campsite sits atop a scenic bluff and includes RV and tent sites. When you get back from your outdoor adventures, head into town and grab a lobster from Stewman's Lobster Pound. Here you will find a raw bar with local Maine oysters, smoked fish dip, lobster bisque, and whole lobster. And do not skip on the homemade blueberry pie. If you decide camping is a little too close to nature, you can always check into the Balance Rock Inn. The boutique hotel overlooks Frenchman's Bay, offering luxury accommodations.
Lubec
The easternmost point of the continental United States, Lubec connects to New Brunswick, Canada by way of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge. For visitors who like superlatives, stay at the Cohills Inn, the country's easternmost pub and inn with rooms overlooking the water. From here you can watch the world's highest tides in the Bay of Fundy. To really round out your experience, be sure to head out to the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse to step on the most eastern point. The first lighthouse was built in 1808 under the orders of President Thomas Jefferson. Today, the 49-foot tall tower is the only candy-striped lighthouse in the United States. Tours are available on Saturdays. In town, you can visit the McCurdy's Herring Smokehouse complex. The elevated buildings stand on log pilings that highlight the rapid currents created by the coming and going of the tides. The complex opened in the 1890s to smoke herring using European techniques. The museum celebrating the history of smoked fish opened in 2007. But if smoked fish is not your thing, stop by the Lubec Brewing Company, where you can grab a cold beer from a rotating selection and enjoy pizza and seafood.
Enjoy a Stress-Free Weekend Along the Coast
Maine's coast rewards a weekend traveler who wants to slow down. The southern towns like Kennebunkport and Old Orchard Beach deliver easy beach days within a short drive of home. Farther Down East, Bar Harbor and Lubec trade that convenience for wilder scenery and quieter shores. The seafood holds up the whole way, whether that means a lobster roll at Red's Eats or a farm-to-table dinner at Primo in Rockland. Any of these towns can hand you a couple of days that move at the speed of the tide.
