The One New England Town Everyone Should Visit At Least Once
New England harbors many hidden gems tucked away in the hills waiting to be discovered by the discerning traveler. One such place is Camden, Maine. Sitting on Penobscot Bay with the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, it combines all the charm of alpine and coastal towns in one place.
By visiting this New England town, you can see a mixture of simple 18th-century homes, forts, and grand mansions, alongside beautiful harbor beaches and mountain trails. By ascending these mountains, you will find surprising manmade landmarks you may not expect.
Discover why Camden is the one New England town everyone should visit at least once.
History
Camden was officially part of the Waldo Patent, a letter that granted the tract of land to 17th-century British businessmen. However, the land would not be officially settled until after the French and Indian War in the 1770s. The area was difficult to settle due to the mountainous terrain. During the American Revolution, colonial forces used it as a base to fight against the British, who had set up their operations in nearby Castine.
Later on, the town became a major center for milling, factories, blacksmithing, and shipbuilding. As it gained importance, wealthy individuals began to take notice of its beautiful mountainous vistas. They started visiting the area in droves, leading to its emergence as a major summer colony in the 1880s.
Today, Camden preserves multiple buildings from throughout its long history. The oldest building is the Conway House, which was constructed in the 1700s as a one and a half story Cape style wooden home with a chimney in the center. Today, it is part of the larger Conway Homestead and Cramer Museum, which has multiple artifacts from the colonial days of Camden.
Just outside of Camden is Fort Knox (not to be confused with the one in Kentucky). This fort was built in 1844 to protect against the British from ever repeating their invasion of Maine, which took place in the War of 1812.
To see Camden during its height as a summer colony, go to the Camden Opera House, built in 1894 to accommodate operas and plays. Today, it is still open for local concerts and events. One luxurious home is Norumbega Castle, built in 1886 in the Queen Anne style for the inventor of the duplex telegraph, Joseph Baker Stearns. Despite being called a castle, it had all of the modern amenities, such as lights and steam heat. Today, it is part of a bed and breakfast spot called the Norumbega Inn.
Outdoor Recreation
It is easy to see why so many people were inspired to come to Camden once you get out into the hills and mountains surrounding the town. Many hikers make their way to the Camden Hills State Park to see panoramic views of Camden, Penobscot Bay, and the islands surrounding it.
At the park, there are two main mountains of note to ascend. The first is Mt. Battie, which has a stone tower at the top built in 1921 to honor World War I veterans from the area. The second is Mount Megunticook, a 1,385-foot mountain that is the highest peak in the park. During the winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are popular activities.
Another highly popular trail in Camden Hills State Park is the Maiden Cliff Trail. Going up a half mile, you will ascend to a scenic overlook at Megunticook Lake. Surprisingly, you will also find a large cross on top of the trail. A local legend states that a maiden threw herself off the cliff after losing her lover. However, in reality, the cross was set up for Elenora French, a 12-year-old girl who fell to her death while climbing the cliff in 1864.
For skiers, the Camden Snow Bowl is the only skiing area on the East Coast where you can see the ocean from atop Ragged Mountain. First opened in 1936, it attracts skiers of all skills and ages.
Camden is one of those rare places that has both mountain trails and ocean beaches, so there is a little something for everyone to enjoy. You can enjoy the ocean breeze by walking up to the shoreline amid blueberry and lilac shrubs at Harbor Park or get on the beach at Camden City Park.
Shopping and Restaurants
Camden is great for those who want to take back a nice gift without breaking the bank. For example, you can find cute treasures at the Heavenly Threads Thrift Shop, which donates its proceeds to local charities, or explore a variety of vintage clothing, furniture, and home decor at Antiques at 10 Mechanic.
If you are looking for a souvenir to take home, consider Maine Seaside Treasures, which features a variety of home goods with a seafaring style.
Camden's dining scene has a little something for everyone. For fine seafood dining, there are the Salt Wharf or the Albatross. For something a little lighter, there is the Camden Deli, Franny's Bistro, or the Camden House of Pizza. The town also has a Farmer's Market if you want to take locally grown produce home with you.
Nearby Towns
To the south of Camden is Rockport, which has some of the same landscapes as Camden, with a bit of a quirky vibe. For instance, there is a statue honoring a local seal called Andre the Seal, who lived with a local man in Rockport. This statue sits within the Rockport Marine Park with beach areas right by the harbor.
Further to the north is Lincolnville, a small town home to the Lincolnville Historical Society and the Lincolnville Ferry, which can take you across the water to the island town of Islesboro.
This 14-mile-long island has multiple natural spots, such as the Turtle Head Preserve alongside the northern tip of Islesboro and the Broad Point Preserve in a cedar swamp. For those willing to rent a boat or have one of their own on hand, visit Warren Island State Park, a 70-acre spruce tree nature preserve. It used to belong to Islesboro before it was given to the state government.
A Beautiful Summer Colony
Although Camden was a summer colony in the 1880s, today it is a great place to visit all year round. Winter activities abound at the Camden Hills State Park and the Camden Snow Bowl. The great outdoors is never far when you have the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. With majestic Maine islands like Islesboro and Warren Island only a ferry trip away, Camden is a perfect hub spot for a wider exploration of Maine. If you are in New England, consider visiting Camden at least once.
