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…
Maine State Aquarium
Hold a blue lobster yourself at the Maine State Aquarium!
Boothbay Harbor — I’ve spent every summer of my life on Southport Island, so as a child I was pretty lucky to have the Maine State Aquarium practically in my backyard. I love this spot because it’s a completely interactive experience. They offer a variety of educational classes for kids throughout the day, and on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays they offer excursions to the neighboring Department of Marine Resources to tour their laboratory (Age 13+). But far and away my favorite part of the Aquarium is the tactile learning that takes place there. They have a touch tank where you can pick up any of the approximately 25 different species they have on display, from a blue lobster to a sea cucumber (my favorite when I was young). They also have a separate “shark tank” where you can pet small dogfish, sharks, and skates. I can tell you from my visit to the aquarium last week that even at 21-years old, petting a bouncing and bobbing dogfish never gets old.
Wait, wait! Are you thirsty or feeling decaffeinated, or just need a quick snack? Consider breaking up your day of fun with a stop at…
The Red Cup
The Red Cup is your source for fair trade coffee in Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor — The Red Cup is the perfect place to stop for a rest or to grab a bite if you didn’t opt to pack a picnic lunch. They serve fair trade Coffee by Design joe that is sourced from Portland, Maine and offer snacks made with local produce. They have a share with the local Gorenson Farm (Dresden, ME) and sometimes Wendy, the owner, will even bring in lettuce from her own garden! Their priority is to use fresh and local ingredients – in fact, they’re looking for a consistent source for eggs…let them know if you’re interested in supplying :). The atmosphere is comfortable and cozy, which reflects the owner’s intentions to create the “third gathering place” between home and work for this community. “Even the lobstermen congregate here in the winter time,” says Wendy.
So what should you order? Here are some recommendations:
Hot drink: Salted Caramelita (My personal favorite)
Cold Drink: A Cold Brew Toddy (Iced coffee that is steeped cold as opposed to being steeped warm and then cooled down)
To Eat: The curried chicken salad is a house favorite – available on a salad or in a wrap
Do take note of their summer hours:
M-W 7am-4pm
Th 7am-9:30pm (they have live music every Thursday night)
Fr & Sat 7am-6pm
Su 7am-2pm
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Boothbay — The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens can be your one-stop shop if you’re looking to spend a day outside surrounded by gorgeous flowers and landscape, or seeking a fun day with the kids. The Botanical Gardens have had the doors to their 237-acre property open to the public since 2007, and they seem to be getting more popular by the minute. I stopped by on a Thursday morning and the place was packed (I had to go to their fourth parking lot just to find a space). However, the gardens are sprawling and there are plenty of trails where you can be immersed in the gardens rather than crowds. You’ll probably stumble upon one of their permanent or seasonal art exhibits along the way as well…
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are beautiful and buzzing this summer
If you are visiting with kids, be sure to check out their website for the youth-oriented, interactive, educational experiences that CMBG offers. They have a variety of classes throughout the summer and their 2014 theme is “pollinators,” so if you or your child is interested in what’s buzzing and blooming this is your summer to make the visit.
Worried you might get hungry? The CMBG has a wonderful café with locally sourced ingredients. If you want to turn your visit to the CMBG into a date night, consider signing up for one of their dinner series events featuring different Maine chefs. Tickets for non-members are $90 but include wine and gratuities. Be sure to purchase these ahead of your visit if you are interested.
Don’t want to spend all day in the gardens? Consider pairing your visit with a kayak rental at the new Tidal Transit dock located just a ten-minute walk from the CMBG Visitor’s Center. (See Tidal Transit on our post “A Day Outside in Boothbay.”)
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.
If a day with kids not your idea of a true get away, check out “A Day to Relax in Boothbay” for some inspiration on how to use your trip to the region to unwind. Of if you’re looking for more outdoor activities, see my recommendations in “A Day Outside in Boothbay.”
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.”
