Things to do

18 Perfect Things To Do In Boothbay Harbor, Maine

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Boothbay Harbor is a picture-perfect town in Maine. It is popular for the natural harbor, the small stores, and the warm hospitality of the people. You could also stroll around freely and marvel at the painted city streets and the sea.

As for boat tours, there are entertaining options such as whale watching and lobstering. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the harbor at the spectacular footbridge.

If one feels hungry, many Seafood restaurants offer tasty meals. Thus, here are some more of the things to do in Boothbay Harbor:

1. Take A Stroll Around Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

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The gardens are stunning and absolutely a must-see when visiting Maine. You will see and meet the trolls that are placed in various locations throughout the gardens.

The garden area is well maintained and one can probably spend all day. Your visit will be more interesting if the variety of plants are in bloom. Stop by and read the educational signs placed amongst those plants.

There's also a cafe so be sure to try the Maine blueberry ice cream. Additionally, there's a charming children's garden filled with educational activities, a reading shed, and a fairy garden. An amazing garden you should not miss if you are anywhere near Boothbay Maine. Go out of your way to get here.

2. Experience The Cabbage Island Clambakes

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This is a lovely narrated boat ride out to the island and a meal that is more than enough for most people. The trip offers a terrific clambake and lobster bake experience.

As you arrive at the island, there are picnic tables spread throughout the grounds. The people serving you are outstanding, mostly very intelligent and sweet teens earning money for college.

They start by serving you the chowder then they ring the bells and everyone lines up to receive their lobster dinner, which they steam right there on the water. The entire experience is unique, fun, and one of the memorable Boothbay Harbor Maine things to do.

3. Take The Cap'n Fish's Cruises

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One nice place for boat travel is Cap'n Fish's Cruises. It is a tourist attraction particularly for whale watching and to see seals.

The company specializes in different tours depending on customers' preferences. The team includes friendly and polite individuals knowledgeable in matters to do with sea creatures. They provide comfy boats with good views.

One of the biggest highlights of these tours is observing whales and dolphins. Sunsets on the water also look good too. They specifically love the fact that it is an outing that involves families, as a result making it good.

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Carousel Music Theater is a small venue with dinner and a fabulous Broadway show. This is a hidden gem and one of the best Boothbay Maine attractions.

The cast is funny and entertaining. They have long tables, in rows, each table seating 4 guests, with "director" chairs. There are also a few tables for 4 around the perimeter of the room.

If you opt for dinner, arrive about 6:15-6:30. If you opt for dessert, you can easily arrive at 7:15 - 7:30, as the show doesn't begin till 8:00. Overall, this local theater is not to be missed while visiting this beautiful place.

5. Kayak To Burnt Island Lighthouse

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The lighthouse is on a private island and inaccessible from the land. Two additional lighthouses can be seen from Burnt Island namely, Ram Island and the Cckholds.

It is possible to kayak to the lighthouse from a particular place that rents out kayaks in Boothbay Harbor. The travel time is approximately 45 minutes to reach and come back.

However, the keepers' building is only open on Saturdays and Sundays for two hours each day. There is also a dock for smaller boats and dinghies and three moorings available for visitor's private boats.

6. Dine In At Kaler's

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A very casual spot in Boothbay Harbor Maine United States. It is right in the downtown area, so a good spot to stop in after shopping.

The food is delicious, the service is great and you might get the privilege of meeting and learning from the owner. Kaler family and their employee do try to make this a place that families can afford to eat and the value for your money is exceptional.

You have to place your order at the cashier and then wait for the number to be announced to pick up the food. Meanwhile, enjoy the deck overlooking the water. People mostly rave about their fried clams, lobster pie, and corn on the cob.

7. Catch A Musical At Opera House at Boothbay Harbor

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A historic and well-prepared venue for the shows that they put on. Each new season offers diverse musical offerings including traditional, pop, rock, folk, blues, jazz, and many international ensembles.

The cost is moderate, considering the quality of the performers. If you are within driving distance, check their schedule at the Boothbay Harbor Opera House website and go to a show. You will have a great time. Don't forget to check out the bar upstairs at intermission and enjoy a cocktail.

The best part of the show is the venue and its volunteers. The venue has the old Americana feel run by lots of friendly volunteers. Sometimes there may be no tickets available in the market, so it is better to search about a few months ahead.

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One shouldn't leave Boothbay Harbor without a visit to this gallery. Not only is Ed a fantastic artist but he and his wife enjoy people. He has a wonderful sense of humor and two very comfy shop chairs.

His prints and paintings are beautifully detailed and colorful, and capture the essence of Maine. There are so many beautiful choices, and you can frame them easily with standard-sized frames.

You will see lots of Ed's work being sold throughout Maine but here in Boothbay Harbor, you can find him. You will find the store across from Fisherman Park. Stopping here is among the must-have things to see in Boothbay Harbor.

9. Try Balmy Days Cruises

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This organization assists in discovering the beautiful coastline of Maine. They cater to several boat tours, making daily tours to Monhegan Island, scenic tours of Boothbay Harbor, and mackerel fishing tours.

You will get a friendly staff and hope to see beautiful views of the lighthouses, animals, and rocky coasts. It covers small boats for fishing and bigger boats for carrying passengers in groups.

Monhegan Island offers about 3.75 hours of tourist time where they can engage in hiking, visit art galleries, or eat. It takes approximately 90 minutes to get to the island both ways by cruise.

10. Explore The Boothbay Region Historical Society Museum

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This sweet house is filled with memorabilia of bygone days of seafaring, lobstering, and local lore. Hours are limited so check out the website first for open hours.

It's not a full-scale museum but if you like history you will enjoy an hour or 90 minutes here very much. The staff is so friendly and full of great stories. It is free but they appreciate contributions.

Among the items, there is a very cool nautical lens, lots of old tools, maps, signage, letters, historical documents, furniture, records, and photos. They also have a few Boothbay-related history books and items for sale.

11. Spend Time At Maine State Aquarium

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This is a very small aquarium displaying native creatures. Admission is reasonable so worth a quick visit.

There is a plethora of information and hands-on activities for young kids and teenagers. You can touch baby sharks, come face to face with lots of sea creatures, and talk with experts doing research.

The pier might allow small kids to pull up lobster cages and see close-ups of the soon-to-be-released baby lobsters. The equipment - rods and worms - gives a lot of practice fishing. The grounds are great for walking and seeing the harbor. If time permits, take a look at these amazingĀ things to do in Maine.

12. Stop By The Boothbay Railway Village Museum

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The Boothbay Railway Village and museum is put together and maintained with a lot of love both for trains but also for the history of the area. It is staffed with folks who will talk your ear off for hours but are also respectful of your time.

You can see so much from train memorabilia to a huge collection of antique cars and trucks. Make sure to ride on the steam locomotive and explore all the buildings. There's also a nice antique store and gift shop on the grounds.

Another nearby building contains a museum that provides the history and artifacts of the six former Maine two-foot gauge railroads.

13. Enjoy Beer And Food At Footbridge Brewery & Bridgehouse BBQ

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This is just an extremely quaint gathering spot for people to stop and enjoy a cold beverage. The selection of beers on tap is massive considering the small size of this place, and they brew on-site.

They also had a nice selection of hard seltzers and root beer. Besides fantastic beer, they also offer good old southern BBQ. The barbecue is prepared in a food truck and delivered upstairs at the brewery.

The pulled pork is good and served with a tasty Carolina-style mustard sauce. The location is as the name implies, right near the footbridge, so it is very convenient when you are downtown.

14. Discover Sunset Hill Farm

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Sunset Hill Farm is one of the most beautiful places to visit. It was once a farm and has now turned into a perfect place for playing outside. You get nice views, especially of the setting sun, giving it the name Sunset Hill.

There are tourist paths and designated areas for a picnic; therefore, the places are preferable for families. Tourists like the place mostly due to the serene environment and the opportunity to witness some types of animals.

Among the things that people like here, the beautiful views and the opportunity to escape the most crowded places are popular. Do not leave behind your camera for those wonderful sunset photos.

15. Make Your Stay At Admiral's Quarters Inn

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The Inn has eight private guest rooms, many of which offer breathtaking ocean views and kitchenettes. It is situated within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in Booth Bay Harbor.

It was constructed in 1830 and has the historic look with all the comforts of today's hotels. Guests will find the area to be quiet with beautiful furniture and other amenities such as internet and cable television.

One of the most enjoyable features is the wide terrace with the possibility to arrange a solarium affording a magnificent view of the harbor. The grounds are immaculate providing a good opportunity for a walk or simply admiring the surroundings.

16. Take A Stroll Around Downtown Boothbay Harbor

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The downtown area is mainly composed of gorgeous small stores for shopping and artwork galleries. One can also watch the wonder of the harbor, and see sailboats rocking on the water. Since there are several seafood restaurants available, fresh lobster and clam chowder can be enjoyed.

People can be assured of the friendly environment with some scenes that display beautiful scenes of the Atlantic Ocean. Among such sights is Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens where visitors will be able to walk on beautiful trails and be surrounded by bright flowers.

For adventure lovers, tours are conducted either to watch whales in their natural home or to visit other islands. The town also has enjoyable activities such as Windjammer Days.

17. Browse Collections At Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library

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This is a very old library in the very heart of Boothbay Harbor. It has been updated to include a room for children and the internet. A small library is very well stocked.

A used book store is adjacent to it, which takes books as donations and sells them inexpensively. The building also serves as a memorial to Boothbay Harbor's World War I soldiers. It is one of the most beautiful and stately town libraries you might have seen.

It is right in the middle of the most popular area for wandering, shopping, and eating. The lawn serves as a site for weekly band concerts in the summer. Visit the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library website for upcoming events.

18. Climb The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

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Around 42 minutes away from Boothbay Harbor, the lighthouse offers several things most of the other southern Maine lighthouses don't. Some of them are the ability to climb to the top of the light, an open museum, an art gallery, an accessible shoreline, and parking.

It also offers what a number of the other lights do, beautiful scenic views. The climb is a short but steep spiral staircase with the last few steps a climb up a ladder.

It is a tight space in the light so only 4 people at a time. There are picnic tables and the graded relatively rock surface between the light and shoreline is notable. Take a look at things to do in Bar Harbor Maine if planning a next trip.