Boothbay Harbor is one of the Midcoast's most photogenic harbor towns — a busy little working and pleasure harbor wrapped in shops and seafood, with one of Maine's biggest attractions just up the road.
What Boothbay Harbor is good for
- Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens — 300+ acres and among the finest botanical gardens in the country; its winter light show, Gardens Aglow, is a holiday tradition.
- The harbor — boat tours for puffins, whales, seals and lighthouses leave right from downtown, and the wooden footbridge across the harbor is a landmark.
- Ocean Point — a stunning short drive around the tip of the peninsula.
- Downtown — walkable shops, galleries and lobster on the water.
Best time to visit
Summer and early fall for the harbor, boats and gardens. The Gardens Aglow lights (November into December) make it a destination in the early holidays, too.
Where to stay in Boothbay Harbor
Stay near the harbor and footbridge to walk to dinner and the boats. It's a compact, popular town, so summer rooms go early. Compare options on the Boothbay Harbor where-to-stay map.
Getting there
Boothbay Harbor is about an hour up the coast from Portland, out on a peninsula off Route 1.
Best for: gardens and nature lovers, boating and wildlife tours, families, and early-holiday light-show visitors.