Summer is the perfect time to take a weekend to explore a different region in Maine. I started with the Boothbay Region because that is what I know best. Below you will find my suggestions for places to visit and activities to try. Pick and choose to your liking and craft the perfect day! I’ve even recommended some places to stop for a snack, a cup of coffee, or a meal. Welcome to the way life should be…
Treats
Bread and pastries are baked fresh daily at Treats in Wiscasset, ME
Wiscasset — As you’re driving into the Boothbay Region, I highly recommend stopping at Treats on Main Street in Wiscasset. What opened as a wine and cheese shop is now a perfect place to stop in for coffee, a sandwich, or some provisions for a picnic lunch. They are home to one of he best bakers in Maine who bakes their bread and pastries on site. John is in Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday and makes a popular Boston crème donut; so if you are planning a weekend excursion, why not treat yourself to one of those for breakfast? All of their produce (which they use to make sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and quiches) is locally sourced from within a 15-mile radius.
If I were making myself a picnic, I would go for a fresh baked baguette or loaf (see photo), a bottle of sauvignon blanc, and some goat cheese – they are, in my opinion, the perfect pairing. Not your taste? You can pick your own items from the side room where you’ll find numerous types of cheese, wine and local beer. They also carry many specialty products imported from France, Italy and Spain.
* Want a cold beverage without caffeine? Consider quenching your thirst with their refreshing lemonade made daily – recent renditions have included blueberry limeade and a rhubarb concoction.
Farm Fresh
If you’ll be in the Boothbay Region on a Thursday, be sure to stop by the Farmer’s Market between 9am and 12pm on the town commons and pick up some fresh fruit, veggies or meats to complete your picnic. The atmosphere is always cheery and you can find a variety of fresh-picked or handcrafted products, such as:
Walking into the Boothbay Farmer’s Market
- Fresh produce
- A variety of cheeses
- Coffee
- Honey
- Beeswax Candles
- Salamis, sausages, and other fresh cuts of meat
- Fresh seafood
- Soaps
Explore the Outdoors
Hendrick’s Head Beach on Southport Island, near Boothbay Harbor, ME
If you’re in the region, I highly encourage getting outside and enjoying some its natural gems. My favorite spot to soak up some sun and go tide-pooling is definitely Hendrick’s Head Beach (see photo) on the west side of Southport Island, facing the Sheepscot River. It’s a sandy beach with two small rocky islands you can walk to if the tide is low or swim to if the tide is high. Although you can’t walk out to the lighthouse off this beach, it does make for a really nice backdrop when you glance up from your favorite summer book.
Swimming hole off of Isle of Springs in the Sheepscot River
One of my favorite things to do during an afternoon spent outdoors in the area is an activity my family and I like to refer to as “gunk holing.” Anyone can gunk-hole. All you need is a small watercraft (a rowboat, kayak, or canoe will do), a chart or map of the local region’s islands, and a sense of adventure. The art of gunk holing can be described most accurately as picking a small island (or a couple) and arriving via the sea; making a landing via beach or an appealing looking ledge, and exploring the ins and outs of your spot. The Boothbay region is a great place to try out gunk holing because the local land trust has created an extensive network of trails, many of which are on gunk holing appropriate islands. I recommend going to Spectacle Island (actually two islands that are connected as one during low tide), Ram Island, or the swimming hole off of Isle of Springs (see photo).
Not excited about setting to sea? Don’t fret; there are plenty of land-based nature excursions in the region as well. Check out the Boothbay Region Land Trust website for their complete list of trails.
Tidal Transit Co.
Tidal Transit dock on a foggy day in Boothbay Harbor, ME
Boothbay Harbor — Looking to rent a kayak so you can spend the afternoon poking around some of the islands? Tidal Transit is a comprehensive kayak rental shop that operates out of downtown Boothbay Harbor and a new location near the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. They offer a variety of trips with licensed tour leaders from both locations. Some standouts include a Lighthouse tour that takes you to Burnt Island and past a bald eagle’s nest on Mouse Island, and the Island Explorer tour that takes your around the smaller Sheepscot River islands (many of which are only accessible by sea and some of which feature the aforementioned Boothbay Region Land Trust Trails). And Tidal Transit is not just for kayak rentals – they also offer stand up paddleboard services from their Boothbay Harbor location.
What I like most about the Tidal Transit model is that people can rent their kayaks by the hour and pay when they get back – this means you don’t have to a commit to a multi-hour trip before you go out…but if you’re having fun out there, you can paddle and play as long as you’d like. Tidal Transit will provide you with everything you need for a perfect afternoon paddle – a dry bag if you want to take your camera or a cooler if you want to pack a picnic (no one wants warm sauvignon blanc!). They even have some boats you can take your dog on if you opt for a private rental!
Looking to camp on one of the islands close by? You can rent a kayak for a multi-day trip from the Boothbay Harbor location. Powderhorn Island in the Sheepscot River makes for great overnight camp spot.
Tidal Transit opened Memorial Day weekend and closes at the end of September. They are open every day from 8 am to 7:30 pm.
As someone who has spent every summer of her life on Southport Island, the Boothbay Harbor Region truly feels like home. If you choose to visit this summer, I hope you have an absolutely wonderful time. Snap a picture of the places you go and tag us on Instagram or Facebook! We’d love to share a bit of your journey.
Would you prefer a little pampering while you’re in the region? See my recommendations in “A Day to Relax in Boothbay” for some places for rejuvenation and relaxation. Are you curious about kid-friendly activities in the region? Check out “A Family Day in Boothbay.” In that post I also spill the (coffee) beans on a great Boothbay café…
Ruthie Hawley is the SunriseGuide’s 2014 summer intern through the Blackstone Accelerates Growth Program. She is passionate about all things related to sustainability, girl power, and fostering peace. She will graduate from Colby College in May 2015. Want to read more of Ruthie’s writing? Check out her blog, “Trees and Women.”
