For years I’d heard folks speak about what a cool city Rockland, Maine was, and I figured it was just like different Maine cities like Portland or Bar Harbor. But it wasn’t till I finished there on my Maine coast highway journey that I lastly received to find what makes Rockland stand out and why it’s price a minimum of a weekend go to. To begin, there are many enjoyable issues to do in Rockland ME, however what makes it such an incredible place to go to is the city’s artsy vibe.
I’ve since returned to Rockland previous to my Maine Windjammer Cruise and I’d now put Rockland on my record of favourite locations to go in Maine. Midcoast Maine has all the time been a hidden gem to me, with all these miles of shoreline curving by means of cute harbors, hidden coves, and charming fishing villages, its peninsulas tipped with picturesque lighthouses. I can see why this area evokes artists and people who recognize their work!
Things to do in Rockland Maine
Don’t skip by this Midcoast gem in your option to Acadia National Park or Bar Harbor! You will wish to give it its due so plan on staying for the weekend to get to all of the enjoyable issues to do in and round Rockland.
Visit an artwork museum (or two!)
Rockland is named Maine’s Art City and is dwelling to many artwork galleries and two main artwork museums. The Farnsworth Art Museum focuses on American artwork, significantly these with ties to Maine. With over 15,000 items of artwork in its assortment, together with the biggest public collections of works by sculptor Louise Nevelson, and works by N.C., Jamie, and Andrew Wyeth. The assortment additionally consists of one among Robert Indiana’s well-known LOVE sculptures.
You can peruse the gathering in just a little over an hour, however a ticket offers you the fitting to return all through the day (even when simply to benefit from the museum’s clear loos.) If you might have time to get pleasure from extra artwork, additionally plan a go to to the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. From its glass and corrugated metallic location in downtown Rockland, the CMCA is the main up to date arts group within the state of Maine.
Shopping in Downtown Rockland
If you get pleasure from boutique procuring, you’re in luck in Rockland. Rockland has been designated a National Main Street Community for its revitalized historic brick-and-stone downtown. In addition to Maine staples like Sea Bags, you can find antiques, out of doors outfitters, reward outlets, clothes boutiques, and ebook shops. Stop for a style of Maine chocolate from Bixby & Co. Chocolate and get the prospect to see chocolate making from the boutique’s viewing room.
The clothes choices run from high-end to enjoyable reasonably priced style at boutiques like Daughters, The Grasshopper Shop, and my favourite, Barefoot in Denim. There are additionally quite a few fantastic artwork galleries in downtown Rockland to discover, just like the Eric Hopkins Gallery, Stanhope and Spencer, and the Gautschi Center, which presents artwork courses and workshops.
Walk Along the Rockland Breakwater
Located simply outdoors of city, the Rockland Breakwater extends 7/eighth of a mile into the Rockland Harbor. At the tip, websites the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. If you’re up for a stroll, there’s a small parking zone on the breakwater. After a brief path alongside the water, you’ll be able to stroll throughout the rocky breakwater, simply keep watch over your ft and watch your step, particularly whether it is windy or moist.
The landmark lighthouse is hooked up to a Keeper’s House and is open for excursions when volunteers can be found. If it isn’t open, there’s a bench to relaxation and benefit from the view earlier than taking the stroll again. The lighthouse was inbuilt 1902, after the breakwater was established to guard the city from storms.
See a Lighthouse
If you like lighthouses, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse isn’t the one one to see close by. Owl’s Head Light, which was rebuilt in 1952 is positioned simply outdoors of city in Owls Head State Park on a hill above the water. The former mild keeper’s home is now an interpretative heart run by the American Lighthouse Foundation.
Just half-hour south of Rockland you’ll be able to go to the Marshall Point Lighthouse. Built in 1832, the Marshall Point Light Station is linked to the mainland by an extended wood walkway. If you wish to flip it right into a day journey, you’ll be able to catch a ferry in close by Port Clyde to the island of Monhegan, or hop on a cruise with Monhegan Boat Line to take a look at puffins, lighthouses, or sunsets. Port Clyde Kayaks additionally presents guided kayak or paddleboard excursions, together with leases.
About an hour to the south, on the way in which to Boothbay Harbor, you too can cease at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Bristol. Maintained by the Bristol Parks and Recreation Department, there’s a small entrance price to the park. During restricted occasions, folks over 46 inches may even climb the lighthouse tower.
Project Puffin Visitor Center
The Project Puffin Visitor Center, operated by Audubon Project Puffin, runs free science applications and has enjoyable interactive displays. The customer heart additionally presents a 20-minute movie “Project Puffin” concerning the effort to convey the Atlantic Puffins again to the Maine coast, together with displays about these cute sea birds.
Have a Great Meal
My shock and delight over Rockland continued when it got here to Rockland’s meals scene. For fantastic eating, make a reservation at Primo, positioned simply outdoors of downtown, which serves up Mediterranean and Italian delicacies. Dining within the cozy Victorian home is ideal for a romantic date night time.
For breakfast, seize a espresso at Rock City Coffee and a pastry on the Atlantic Baking Company. To attempt a neighborhood craft beer, go for lunch and a pint (or flight) at Rock Harbor Brewing. For lobster rolls, attempt CLAWS, a seasonal seafood shack.
Explore Rockland’s Street Art
The artwork in Rockland is just not contained solely in museums or galleries. Wandering the streets you will notice the various murals and sculptures that brighten Rockland’s streets, including to its status as an artwork metropolis.
Maine Lobster Festival
If you time your go to for early August, you’ll be able to be part of within the enjoyable on the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland. Located in Rockland Harbor Park, the place you will discover the farmer’s market at different occasions of the yr, you’ll be able to pattern all the pieces from lobster rolls to lobster mac’n cheese, lobster bisque, lobster stuffed risotto balls, and lobster won-tons. The competition additionally options reside leisure, a cooking contest, a parade, a highway race, and different types of household (and grown-up) enjoyable just like the Steins and Vines tasting occasion.
Day Trip to Camden
If you might have just a few days in Rockland, plan on taking a day journey to close by Camden. It solely takes quarter-hour to get to the charming downtown. Park close to the Camden Public Library to get pleasure from stunning harbor views from the garden in entrance of the library. Take a while to discover the boutiques and outlets alongside Main Street. The Smiling Cow reward store has an incredible choice of Maine-made merchandise and items. There are additionally some nice dwelling items shops, yarn/wool outlets, and out of doors outfitters.
Stop and luxuriate in a neighborhood beer at Sea Dog Brewing Co., get pleasure from a meal with a view at The Waterfront Restaurant, or seize a picnic lunch at Fresh and Go. After exploring the city, head over to Camden Hills State Park. You will wish to both drive or hike to the highest of Mt. Battie. If you might have extra time, you too can hike the Maiden’s Cliff Trail with a view of Megunticook Lake, or take the Megunticook Ocean Lookout Trail.
Day Trip to Vinalhaven
Another nice day journey possibility from Rockland is to take the ferry to Vinalhaven. There are just a few spots for vehicles however it’s best to hire a motorbike from one of many mainland outfitters and discover on two wheels. This island was as soon as the biggest granite producer in Maine and remains to be a vibrant fishing group. Many artists have additionally discovered inspiration on Vinalhaven.
Today, locals and guests love swimming within the quarries, significantly Lawson’s Quarry and Booth’s Quarry. You may also get pleasure from climbing in one of many island’s many parks and public lands, providing stunning views of Vinalhaven’s rocky coast. For lunch, get among the best lobster rolls in Maine at Greet’s Eats meals truck close to the ferry.
Where to Stay in Rockland, Maine
The finest spot to remain in Rockland, Maine is the 250 Main Hotel. This artsy, boutique lodge is positioned on Main Street proper throughout from the harbor and inside straightforward strolling distance to Rockland’s foremost points of interest. The trendy aesthetic is a shocking discover for the coast of Maine. There are 26 rooms, a lot of which supply harbor views, all that includes industrial decor.
250 Main presents visitors entry to its roof deck, excellent for having fun with a sundown view. The rooms are spacious and cozy, some providing small balconies to soak up a view.
As a lot as I beloved all of my stays alongside the Maine coast, Rockland’s charming downtown and vibrant artwork scene actually make this a gem on Maine’s midcoast.
Visiting Maine? You can also be thinking about…
Save this to Pinterest
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged knowledgeable in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens journey podcast.