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"Local's Guide"
to the Best Spots on the Boothbay Peninsula
A few of my favorite "local picks" that make this area of Midcoast Maine so special!
A mere 1 hour from Portland, Maine, 2.5 hours from Boston and 6 hours from New York City, the Boothbay Peninsula is an easy jaunt from plenty of East Coast cities.
Quintessentially Maine with it’s rugged granite coastline, lighthouses, windswept pines and charming harbors and coves, the Boothbay Peninsula includes the coastal communities of Boothbay Harbor, East Boothbay, Ocean Point, Boothbay, Southport and Edgecomb.
A mix of home styles are frequently available for sale in the area including vintage summer cottages, cabins, log homes, chalets, charming village homes, even the occasional glass and steel modern home as well as a variety of lots available to build your perfect dream home.
Many properties have a variety of water views or frontage including working harbors, coves, tidal rivers, open ocean, and island vistas.
Regardless of the location you choose, you’ll always be just a stone’s throw from the water on the Boothbay Peninsula.
A long-time outpost for yachtsmen and fishermen, Boothbay Harbor has managed to retain an effortlessly hip vintage seaport vibe.
“The Harbor” is the hub of the Boothbay Peninsula brimming with walkable streets lined with yummy eating spots, indie boutiques, and colorful galleries.
With benches peppered throughout the laid back seacoast village, Boothbay Harbor offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the splendid harbor views from a variety of vantage points.
East and West sides of the village are connected via the highly Instagram-ed thousand foot long wooden footbridge.
The lion’s share of shops and eating places on the Boothbay Peninsula are gathered around Boothbay Harbor with a smattering of great places tucked around East Boothbay, Boothbay and Southport.
Boothbay Harbor offers all of the year-round everyday staples you’re accustomed to that make the Boothbay Peninsula a “livable” Midcoast Maine community including a Hannaford grocery store, Walgreens, Gas Stations, Hardware Store, Lumber Yard, Movie Theater, Library, a Hospital, Dunkin Donuts and Subway.
Books, Bones and Bon Bons:
A Few Neat Shops in Boothbay Harbor
Pop into Sherman’s Books on Commercial St. for a well curated selection of local interest books, cards, gifts, toys, and games.
Two Salty Dogs Pet Outfitters on McKown Street in Boothbay Harbor is a little shop jammed to the rafters with dog treats, food and toys and a few bits and bobs for cats as well.
Check out the Abacus Gallery on McKown St in Boothbay Harbor for a unique lineup of art, jewelry, gifts and home decor.
Tucked away on Commercial Street behind the red striped awning is Orne’s Candy Store who’ve been selling fudge, chocolates and candy since 1885.
Step back in time at Grover’s Hardware. The Townsend Avenue emporium in Boothbay Harbor is a blast from the past and stocks a bit of everything.
For bargain-priced books try the Friends of the Boothbay Library Used Bookstore in Boothbay Harbor. You’ll find all kinds of books packed into their McKown Street store and spilling out to the porch!
Horticulture, Hikes and Exercise Bikes:
A Few Fun Ways To Stretch Your Legs on the Boothbay Peninsula
With a string of trailheads dotted across the peninsula, the Boothbay Region Land Trust offers 35 miles of great hikes including a few island trails only accessible via boat. We really dig the Ovens Mouth & Porter preserves for some great ocean and tidal views.
Grimes Cove at the end of Route 96 in Ocean Point is another great spot for a daily walk with a fabulous view.
The Boothbay Region YMCA offers a full line up of amenities including an indoor pool, cardio, weights, racquetball, tennis, basketball, pickleball, and sauna as well as classes and child care. Day passes, seasonal and “cottage” memberships are available.
Hidden on Linekin Bay in Boothbay Harbor is the rarely busy Barrett’s Park. With a small beach, picnic pavilion and a boat launch for kayaks, this little park is a real gem.
Knickerbocker Lake on Barters Island Road in Boothbay offers access for canoes and kayaks as well as fishing.
The planned Eastside Waterfront Park will be a welcome addition of public green space on Atlantic Avenue in Boothbay Harbor and is slated to include a public pier, gazebo and a splash pad.
Spanning over 250 acres of exhibition gardens and sculptures, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay is the largest botanical garden in New England. Their popular annual winter Gardens Aglow event magically transforms the gardens into a twinkling display of hundreds of thousands of lights.
A day-tripper’s paradise, the Boothbay Peninsula is a fantastic Midcoast Maine home base for exploring the Heart of the Maine Coast with easy access to the Pemaquid Peninsula, Georgetown and Phippsburg beaches, Camden, Rockland, Rockport as well as Down East road trip destinations including Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor and the Blue Hill Peninsula.
Nosh, Nibbles and Bites:
Yummy Eating Spots on the Boothbay Peninsula
Start your morning at Farm 23 on Route 96 in Boothbay. With a rotating selection of house-made pastries, breads and breakfast sandwiches, this “new kid on the scene” has quickly become a local favorite.
Re-caffeinate at Red Cup Coffeehouse. This funky spot offers coffee, baked goodies and sandwiches across from the piers in Boothbay Harbor.
At the center of the shipbuilding hamlet of East Boothbay village is the East Boothbay General Store. Standing in the same spot since 1893, the East Boothbay General Store offers an impressive selection of sandwiches, pizza, pastries, daily specials and drinks from its chalkboard menu.
The Carriage House dishes up creative farm to table fare and cocktails in a cozy vintage style space on Ocean Point Road in East Boothbay. Great daily specials plus a popular Sunday Brunch.
Ports Pizzeria serves up delicious Brick Oven Pizza and Calzones from their modern eatery on Union Street in Boothbay Harbor.
Boathouse Bistro
Just outside of Boothbay Harbor on Townsend Avenue is Pinkham’s Gourmet Market. With a fabulous selection of grab and go treats, a deli and seafood this is a great stop for provisions for an island boat trip or impromptu picnic.
Heavenly Haddock, Luscious Lobster Rolls
and Creamy Clam Chowder
A Smörgåsbord of Seafood Choices
on the Boothbay Peninsula
Jones-ing for seafood? The options are endless on the Boothbay Peninsula! Here are some of our faves:
Try the “Fish In a Dish” at Bet’s Fish Fry. This seasonal cash-only stand off the grassy town common in Boothbay serves up out-of-this-world delicately fried fish in massive portions.
From a tiny shingled shack on Granary Way in Boothbay Harbor, Shannon’s Unshelled serves up some of the best lobster rolls in the area.
On Route 27 just across the swing bridge in Southport is Robinson’s Wharf. With a restaurant, bar and seafood market and plenty of harborside seating, Robinson’s is a perennial favorite for a Maine seafood dinner.
Board the Bennie Alice for a scenic trip to Cabbage Island and treat yourself to a New England Clambake from Cabbage Island Clambakes with all the fixings including lobster, clams, corn and blueberry cake!
Anchors Aweigh from Islands to Bays:
Fun Adventures on the Water
A variety of boat tours depart from Boothbay Harbor including trips to Monhegan Island, Puffin Cruises, Whale Watches, Lighthouse Tours as well as Sailing Trips and Fishing Charters.
Tidal Transit Kayak Company in Boothbay Harbor rents kayaks and stand up paddle boards by the hour as well as offering a range of guided kayak tours.
The Boothbay Peninsula includes 2 free public boat launches. One on Barters Island Road that offers access to the tidal Back River. A second is located on Murray Hill Road in East Boothbay and offers access to Linekin Bay. Both have concrete ramps and parking.
Annual Windjammer Days
weeklong event in june that includes a parade, fireworks, music