Belfast ME
A quintessential New England coastal town, is but an easy ten minute walk over a paved pedestrian path, or a mile car ride. There is ample, free parking in this friendly town of shops, restaurants and parks. There are boat launches in, and around, town, as well as boat rides-private charters or shared clipper ship excursions around the bay and islands. During the Season, Belfast is a town of festivals. Visit the Chamber of Commerce’s website.
The Penobscot Narrows
A short 20 minute drive north on Rt. 1 brings you to the place where history meets modern engineering. Built between 1844-1869, Fort Knox was designed to safekeep the access route of the Penobscot River. Today it is fully open to visitors and serves as the access point of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, a beautiful feat of cable stay bridge engineering. High atop the bridge’s first tower sits the observation room, touted as the tallest-at 420 ft- observation tower open to the public, offering a 360 degree view of Maine.
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park
Driving north on Rt. 1, you will arrive in beautiful, historic Bar Harbor in just over an hour, if you don’t stop at the myriad of antique shops and flea markets along the way. The perfect day trip, enjoy this popular destination and all of the shops and restaurants it has to offer. Don’t miss Acadia National Park, just south of Bar Harbor. The oldest National Park east of the Mississippi, it boasts unrivaled beauty. Open year-round, come to hike, camp, bird watch, picnic or just sit and admire the scenery.
Follow Rt. 1 South
If you follow Rt.1 south fifteen minutes, you will discover Linconville, where a sandy beach and the ferry to Isleboro await. Just a bit farther and Camden Hills State park, home to Mount Battie and Mt. Megunticook, offers hiking, picnicing, camping amid year-round spectacular views. Camden itself is a coastal jewel of shops, restaurants, waterfront activities and restaurants.
Rockport & Rockland
Continue down into historical Rockport and Rockland. The former is home to a myriad of antique shops and a phenomenal bakery, the latter has become known as an artist’s enclave where galleries are liberally dispersed among award winning restaurants.