The Maine Coast You Imagined
Boothbay Harbor is a working fishing village turned summer destination, with a deep natural harbor full of lobster boats, sailboats, and ferries. It's one of the most picturesque towns on the Maine coast and one of the easiest places to introduce kids and first-time visitors to coastal Maine. Walkable, friendly, full of things to do.
What to Do
- Visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. 300 acres of themed gardens, walking trails, and seasonal displays. The Christmas light show in winter is becoming famous nationally.
- Take a puffin cruise. Boothbay is one of the few places in the lower 48 where you can see Atlantic puffins. Trips run from June through August.
- Walk the footbridge. A 1,000-foot wooden footbridge spans the inner harbor — one of the longest of its kind in the world. Great photo spot.
- Charter a fishing trip. Half-day deep-sea fishing trips are easy to book and great for families. Striped bass, mackerel, and bluefish in season.
Where to Eat
Boothbay is built for casual seafood dining. You won't have trouble finding a great lobster roll, fried clam basket, or full lobster dinner with the works. The harbor area has dozens of restaurants in walking distance, ranging from no-frills to upscale.
Day Trips From Boothbay
Use Boothbay as a base to explore the Pemaquid Peninsula (Pemaquid Point Light is a must-see), Damariscotta (oyster capital), and the Wiscasset waterfront. The whole area is rich with coastal Maine experiences within 30 minutes of each other.
Practical Tips
- Summer crowds peak in July and August — book early
- Off-season (May, September, October) is gorgeous and much quieter
- Many restaurants and shops close from mid-October through April
- Parking can be tight downtown — try the harbor lot or walk from your lodging