7 Small Towns in Maine with the Best Downtowns

Maine's small towns boast some of New England's most vibrant and historic main streets set against the rugged Atlantic Coast. Bar Harbor is the jewel in Mount Desert Island's crown and the gateway to Acadia National Park, where you can spend the night in a former ship captain's house and enjoy a scenic stroll along the Shore Path. Belfast, meanwhile, is a cultural hub lined with boutiques and cafes housed in preserved heritage buildings for an afternoon spent wandering before catching a show at the Opera House. In Bath, the Maine Maritime Museum celebrates Maine’s shipbuilding history across its 20-acre campus and offers cruises on the water for a unique perspective of downtown. While each of these places has its own style and local culture, they all serve as a reminder that Maine comes alive in the streets of its small towns.

Camden

A year-round favorite, Camden proves that a town with a cozy population of just over 5,000 can offer travelers just as much downtown delight as a larger city. A gem of a seaside village, Camden’s downtown is perfect for serene strolling and taking in the 19th-century architecture at your leisure, such as during the history walks held on warm summer evenings. If you get hungry during your walk, Camden Deli has all the sandwiches, soups, salads, and home-made desserts you need, plus gorgeous views of the harbor.

The Camden Public Library offers not only public access to a large collection of books, but the library’s collection of documents and preserved architecture also provides insight into Camden’s history and spirit. Camden’s downtown includes another cultural landmark, the Camden Opera House. Even older than the library and once the tallest building in the county, the Opera House has hosted everything from local high school plays to traveling shows, and it continues to host a wide range of live performances today.

Brunswick

Brunswick is home to over 60 miles of shoreline, and this coastal charmer has plenty of opportunities for excitement, including a gorgeous downtown. Northeast of Portland, Brunswick built itself on the shipbuilding industry, and its downtown reflects this history while expanding into cultural cultivation. A perfect example, as well as a great start to a night on the town, is Vessel and Vine. This bar not only serves a variety of quirky cocktails and refined wines, but also has vintage barware and glassware for sale, letting you bring a bit of Brunswick’s history with you to the bar top.

A sense of history, both local and international, sings throughout Brunswick’s downtown, especially at the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum. Established by Bowdoin College, also located downtown, the Museum commemorates the Arctic expeditions of two Bowdoin Alumni: Robert E. Peary and Donald B. MacMillan, and hosts collections of artifacts and an Arctic Research Center. If you’re feeling adventurous after visiting the museum, you can always find something fresh and fun at Wild Oats. This scratch-made bakery, deli, and café combines the hard work of over twenty chefs, all using the freshest natural ingredients for a variety of baked goods, sandwiches, and soups.

Hallowell

Just south of Augusta, Hallowell boasts a vibrant downtown along Water Street. As a preserved historic district that reflects much of Hallowell's nearly 300-year history, the downtown area embraces its roots. Yet it also maintains a modern sense of convenience, lined as it is with popular boutiques and cafes. A perfect place to start off your visit is Slates Restaurant and Bakery. With a variety of fresh-baked goodies and meals, it is a local favorite for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

Once you’ve had dinner, you can take in a show at the Gaslight Theater. Founded by the Augusta Players, the Gaslight is the oldest continuously operating theater in Maine. Visitors who’d rather read a play than watch it will find Merrill’s Bookshop a classic. This old-fashioned used bookstore has been a staple for more than 30 years and prides itself on its retro style.

Belfast

East of Augusta and south of Bangor, Belfast has a compact, comfortable downtown core with a general focus on community. From unique and creative public seating to developmental projects, Belfast’s downtown is perfect for a relaxing break or a slow, take-it-easy exploration. Visitors can ramble just off Main Street into Brambles Gift Shop, a home décor and garden shop that will let you take a bit of Belfast’s calm home with you.

If you’d rather see where your feet take you, Belfast offers the unique Museum in the Streets, a seasonal walking tour where you’ll roam through a brick commercial district to explore murals and public pieces made by local artists. And if you need a little extra unwinding, Carousel Wine and Cheese offers a new variety of stock weekly, meaning there’s always new products and Old-World wines being imported. It’s the perfect spot to gather supplies for a picnic or a charcuterie board at Heritage Park on the waterfront.

Bath

With a shipbuilding history over 400 years old, Bath has earned its nickname “City of Ships,” and at its heart is a stunning downtown. Located on the Kennebec River, Bath’s downtown district has all the best parts of New England coastal charm, from narrow tree-lined avenues and a gorgeous waterfront district to a variety of attractions and experiences, many of which are tied directly to the town's past. Case in point: the Maine Maritime Museum. Founded in 1962, the Museum’s 20-acre campus has grown to include not only two shipyards but also the preserved residence of a Victorian-era shipwright and many other fun exhibits and collections. The museum also offers several cruises to allow you to experience the joys of the water yourself.

Visitors to Bath can see the very roots of Maine’s shipbuilding history by taking a ride on an authentic reconstruction of Maine’s First Ship, a 17th-century wooden pinnace. Based on the Virginia, the first ocean-going ship built by the English in the Americas, which passed from England to Jamestown frequently, this recreation of the 51-foot wooden wonder has a visitor’s center on the waterfront and offers both deck and sailing tours. After a long day of sailing and museum-going, you can stop for a homemade pizza in another historic building when you head into the Cabin Restaurant. Just down the road from the Maritime Museum, the Cabin has been a rope mill, a barbershop, and an ice cream parlor, and today makes some of the most scrumptious slices to be found in New England.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor’s downtown makes a perfect addition to the many natural wonders on Mount Desert Island. Its waterfront section, in particular, has plenty to offer. Booking a room at one of the many waterfront hotels, such as the Acadia Hotel-Downtown, helps you stay centered and gives you easy access to the downtown area. A former ship-captain’s house, the Acadia is a stone's throw from the waterfront and Acadia National Park, as well as dozens of restaurants, shops, and galleries.

After a good night’s sleep, a morning walk along the Bar Harbor Shore Path is a must for the perfect chance to see the sun rise over the waters and to take in some of the most beautiful buildings in town. And no matter what time of day you pick, Sunrise Café has a sweet specialty. This downtown gem specializes in crepes, but has plenty more to offer, including sandwiches and breakfast foods, made with love and locally-sourced ingredients.

Augusta

Even Augusta, the capital of Maine, embodies the atmosphere and comfort of a New England small town. The gorgeous brick buildings along the Kennebec River’s sloping sides give visitors stunning views of the water as they explore. The small city's history is written on its walls, whether those walls are brick or wooden, such as Old Fort Western. Among the oldest wooden forts still standing in the US, Fort Western today is a preserved historic site containing both original buildings, including the original garrison built in 1754, and reconstructions, such as some of the blockhouses which were rebuilt in the 20s, so you can experience the feel of a Colonial Era fort, store, and housing.

If history makes you hungry, the Riverfront Barbeque and Grille is perfect for a downtown dinner, and once you’ve eaten, you can slip upstairs to the classy Gin Mill, an upscale bar that brings sophistication and style to your downtown exploits with its copper tabletops, 35-foot bar, and over 100 different beers to enjoy.

Maine's downtowns are filled with charm, offering everything you need for a lively and unforgettable visit. The state's rich history and character are evident in the historic buildings, lively streets, and the distinctive experiences that await around every corner. You'll find an abundance of delicious food, and you're sure to discover new historical gems as you explore the heart of each town.