Midcoast Maine Guidebook
Beach and Swimming
Arranged in order of travel time from our house. Search the internet for these places for more information and photos (Airbnb wouldn't allow me to upload personal photos) (Guidebook cover photo is sunset at Knight Pond)
At 15 minutes away, this is the nearest place to find a public sandy beach. Popular. Can be crowded in late summer months. Stores and food (including lobster are right there). Insider tip: Go to the part of the beach to the right of the ferry terminal. It's dog friendly and nicer and quieter.
42 moradores locais recomendam
Lincolnville Beach
2402 US-1At 15 minutes away, this is the nearest place to find a public sandy beach. Popular. Can be crowded in late summer months. Stores and food (including lobster are right there). Insider tip: Go to the part of the beach to the right of the ferry terminal. It's dog friendly and nicer and quieter.
My very favorite local Pond nearby!
20-minute drive. A small, ample sandy beach. Moderate to large size body of water. Search internet for photos I couldn't uplŕoad here. Dog friendly and can be off-leash and in water. Accessed by Knights Pond Rd. (GPS) in Northport. The road turns into a dirt road... keep going.. plenty of parking. Quiet! No motor boats. Nature Conservancy land so no housing or developments on the pond. NATURE. Great kayaking, canoeing, fishing, paddle boarding, swimming (very warm and CLEAN water) and wildlife.. we routinely see eagles, loons, herons and others.
Knight Pond
My very favorite local Pond nearby!
20-minute drive. A small, ample sandy beach. Moderate to large size body of water. Search internet for photos I couldn't uplŕoad here. Dog friendly and can be off-leash and in water. Accessed by Knights Pond Rd. (GPS) in Northport. The road turns into a dirt road... keep going.. plenty of parking. Quiet! No motor boats. Nature Conservancy land so no housing or developments on the pond. NATURE. Great kayaking, canoeing, fishing, paddle boarding, swimming (very warm and CLEAN water) and wildlife.. we routinely see eagles, loons, herons and others.
A 20-minute drive north on Rt. 1. in Stockton Springs. A closeby sand and pebble beach with some rocks (this is Maine afterall 😉) Tidal spot on the Penobscot River where it empties into the Penobscot Bay.. A local park.. no charge to get in.. good parking. Porta potties. Water is warm(er) than the ocean. Dog friendly on leash (in the evening the beach empties out and dogs are off-leash). Beautiful sunset spot frequently used by wedding and family portrait photographers. Ask us for detailed directions!
20 moradores locais recomendam
Sandy Point Beach Park
A 20-minute drive north on Rt. 1. in Stockton Springs. A closeby sand and pebble beach with some rocks (this is Maine afterall 😉) Tidal spot on the Penobscot River where it empties into the Penobscot Bay.. A local park.. no charge to get in.. good parking. Porta potties. Water is warm(er) than the ocean. Dog friendly on leash (in the evening the beach empties out and dogs are off-leash). Beautiful sunset spot frequently used by wedding and family portrait photographers. Ask us for detailed directions!
Birch Point State Park ... Enjoy scenic views of Penobscot Bay while you picnic or fish. Dog friendly on leash. The park's crescent-shaped sand beach allows swimming in a gentle surf. Birch Point Park is a public recreation area occupying 62 acres on Penobscot Bay in the town of Owls Head, Knox County, Maine. The state park features a sandy, crescent-shaped "pocket beach" with scenic views of the Muscle Ridge Islands dotting Muscle Ridge Channel.
42 moradores locais recomendam
Birch Point Beach State Park
459 South Shore DriveBirch Point State Park ... Enjoy scenic views of Penobscot Bay while you picnic or fish. Dog friendly on leash. The park's crescent-shaped sand beach allows swimming in a gentle surf. Birch Point Park is a public recreation area occupying 62 acres on Penobscot Bay in the town of Owls Head, Knox County, Maine. The state park features a sandy, crescent-shaped "pocket beach" with scenic views of the Muscle Ridge Islands dotting Muscle Ridge Channel.
A great sandy beach somewhat nearby (1¼ to 1¾ hour drive depending on traffic... go early!). This Beach is in Acadia National Park and a must if you're going to the park. You could easily enjoy a day on the beach and dinner in nearby Bar Harbor without seeing any other spots in the massive park. Dogs allowed after September 15.
93 moradores locais recomendam
Praia de Areia
A great sandy beach somewhat nearby (1¼ to 1¾ hour drive depending on traffic... go early!). This Beach is in Acadia National Park and a must if you're going to the park. You could easily enjoy a day on the beach and dinner in nearby Bar Harbor without seeing any other spots in the massive park. Dogs allowed after September 15.
A truly spectacular and gorgeous beach. A state park. Dogs not allowed. Enormous in size. Fantastic natural beauty. Well worth the drive. Much better than Acadia National Park in terms of beach and ocean access. Insider tips: Time your trip for low-tide or tide coming in, not at high tide; if possible get there close to the park's opening at 9am; walk out to a close-by island before the tide comes in (we saw a whale earlier this summer from the island). The large tide pools created at low tide (on right side as looking out on ocean) are fantastic... the water is warm and perfect for floating in the drifting incoming tide.
208 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Estadual da Praia de Popham
711 Popham RdA truly spectacular and gorgeous beach. A state park. Dogs not allowed. Enormous in size. Fantastic natural beauty. Well worth the drive. Much better than Acadia National Park in terms of beach and ocean access. Insider tips: Time your trip for low-tide or tide coming in, not at high tide; if possible get there close to the park's opening at 9am; walk out to a close-by island before the tide comes in (we saw a whale earlier this summer from the island). The large tide pools created at low tide (on right side as looking out on ocean) are fantastic... the water is warm and perfect for floating in the drifting incoming tide.
Sightseeing
Gorgeous!! Breathtaking ocean views of waves crashing into crevaces cut into the rock point of the peninsula. Steady feet and rain hats will get you astonishingly close. Lava rock formations for geologists to take in. Great bird watching. One of my favorite, less-traveled destinations in Acadia. It's a different peninsula downeast of ANP and Bar Harbor. The Anvil Loop Trail is a great 2.6 mile beginner to moderate hike (1 to 2 hours depending on pace) with varied scenery, birding, and great ocean/island views... also at the tip of the peninsula.
80 moradores locais recomendam
Schoodic Point
Gorgeous!! Breathtaking ocean views of waves crashing into crevaces cut into the rock point of the peninsula. Steady feet and rain hats will get you astonishingly close. Lava rock formations for geologists to take in. Great bird watching. One of my favorite, less-traveled destinations in Acadia. It's a different peninsula downeast of ANP and Bar Harbor. The Anvil Loop Trail is a great 2.6 mile beginner to moderate hike (1 to 2 hours depending on pace) with varied scenery, birding, and great ocean/island views... also at the tip of the peninsula.
Food Scene
Basically every restaurant in Belfast is excellent, but these are our favorites! Insider tip: avoid Nautilus on the water... tourist trap with poor service. Don't shy away from the food truck and takeout options along the harborwalk and elsewhere in town... Jerk pork and chicken, lobster rolls, gourmet hot dogs, ice cream and kickin' coffee are all available!
Tel. 338-1160 (open 365 days a year but call for hours). Best lobster pound in Maine right across the harbor on the water, in East Belfast!! A real treat. BYOB (wine, beer, etc.) and also bring your own sides, like potato salad, coleslaw, etc. will save on the $$$, but you definitely get what you pay for at this place. Eat outside on picnic tables with stunning views of the harbor and sunset. Dog's allowed on the deck, but not the balcony. Insider tip: borrow our Young's dining kit and go an hour or so before sunset and bring shades and a hat!
94 moradores locais recomendam
Young's Lobster Pound
2 Fairview StTel. 338-1160 (open 365 days a year but call for hours). Best lobster pound in Maine right across the harbor on the water, in East Belfast!! A real treat. BYOB (wine, beer, etc.) and also bring your own sides, like potato salad, coleslaw, etc. will save on the $$$, but you definitely get what you pay for at this place. Eat outside on picnic tables with stunning views of the harbor and sunset. Dog's allowed on the deck, but not the balcony. Insider tip: borrow our Young's dining kit and go an hour or so before sunset and bring shades and a hat!
Tel. 238-2339 at 155 High St. downtown Belfast. A pub setting with indoor/outdoor dining. Only service dogs allowed outside. A large and consistently very good menu with comfort and mediterranean influences. Large indoor space with bigger tables available.
46 moradores locais recomendam
Darby's
155 High StTel. 238-2339 at 155 High St. downtown Belfast. A pub setting with indoor/outdoor dining. Only service dogs allowed outside. A large and consistently very good menu with comfort and mediterranean influences. Large indoor space with bigger tables available.
Tel. 218-1563 @ 108 Main St. Delicious sushi and Asian inspired dishes, beautifully prepared cocktails and mocktals all in a classy, historic and chic restaurant. Service dogs only.
25 moradores locais recomendam
Satori Belfast
108 Main StTel. 218-1563 @ 108 Main St. Delicious sushi and Asian inspired dishes, beautifully prepared cocktails and mocktals all in a classy, historic and chic restaurant. Service dogs only.
Tel. 338-0488 @ 37 Front St., Good choice!! Pub atmosphere w pub connected. Open later than most places in Belfast. Offering fried seafood, oysters, and a large menu.
Indoor/outdoor seating. Easy access via Harborwalk!! Dogs allowed outside :)
13 moradores locais recomendam
Harborwalk Restaurant
37 Front StTel. 338-0488 @ 37 Front St., Good choice!! Pub atmosphere w pub connected. Open later than most places in Belfast. Offering fried seafood, oysters, and a large menu.
Indoor/outdoor seating. Easy access via Harborwalk!! Dogs allowed outside :)
Tel. 338-4564 @ 52 Main St. Consistently excellent Italian with indoor outdoor seating. Dogs allowed outside.
58 moradores locais recomendam
Delvino's Grill & Pasta House
52 Main StTel. 338-4564 @ 52 Main St. Consistently excellent Italian with indoor outdoor seating. Dogs allowed outside.
Tel. 338-6338 @ 19 Main St. Fantastic Laotian and other Asian food. Mostly outdoor seating. Very good take-out option!
11 moradores locais recomendam
Laan-Xang Cafe
19 Main StTel. 338-6338 @ 19 Main St. Fantastic Laotian and other Asian food. Mostly outdoor seating. Very good take-out option!
Tel. 338-2084 @ 15 Belmont Ave. (rt. 3) Very good eclectic, inventive cuisine. Breakfast/lunch. Large menu.. Wraps, ½ wraps, salads, soups, smoothies, coffee. Indoor/outdooors. Service dogs only.
18 moradores locais recomendam
Bell the Cat
15 Belmont AveTel. 338-2084 @ 15 Belmont Ave. (rt. 3) Very good eclectic, inventive cuisine. Breakfast/lunch. Large menu.. Wraps, ½ wraps, salads, soups, smoothies, coffee. Indoor/outdooors. Service dogs only.
Tel. 338-9876 @ 93 Main St. at the traffic light.. the intersection of Maine and High. VERY good traditional pizza and a large menu board of other Italian specialties. Call in a take-out order and pick it up reliably 15 minutes later OR eat indoor/outdoor on picnic tables. Dog friendly.
11 moradores locais recomendam
Alexia's Pizza
93 Main StTel. 338-9876 @ 93 Main St. at the traffic light.. the intersection of Maine and High. VERY good traditional pizza and a large menu board of other Italian specialties. Call in a take-out order and pick it up reliably 15 minutes later OR eat indoor/outdoor on picnic tables. Dog friendly.