Planning
your vacation is an exciting time. Camden Maine and the surrounding areas have
so much to offer. I have compiled a list of items to help make your planning a
little easier. The Captain Swift Inn is an ideal starting point for all daily
excursions. The Inn’s downtown location makes walking to the harbor, opera
house, restaurants, and boutique shops easy. The location of the Town of Camden
Maine, exactly halfway between Portland and Bar Harbor make it an ideal stop
for summertime drivers. Whether you are here for a night or a week, there are
lots of things to do. From hiking to lighthouses, to shopping, to art galleries there is
something for everyone.Itinerary for MidCoast Maine Guests
After you have enjoyed a candlelit breakfast at the Inn, head to
Camden Hills National Park for a morning of hiking. Our favorite trail is the
Carriage Trail. The Carriage Trail is accessible from Rt 52, Mountain Street.
We enjoy this trail because if you follow it to the Carriage Road Trail, it is
a gradual incline that culminates at the top with the stone lookout tower. The
trail is approximately 1.5 miles, round trip 3 miles. You can be up and down in
little over an hour. When you get back into town, refresh at the Inn and get
ready for the afternoon.
Day one we highly
suggest you stay by the water, either on the water or near it with a cocktail.
Sailing:
You can choose from many daysailers in Camden Harbor, Rockport
Harbor or even Rockland Harbor. Each harbor is unique in its landscapes. If
you choose to stay in Camden Harbor, you might want to go down to the landing
and look at the boats and see what boat you prefer. Each boat has its own
characteristics and entertainment. Three daysailers we enjoy are Schooner Olad,
Schooner Surprise and the Appledore.
Kayaking
In Camden, there is both lake kayaking and ocean kayaking. For the
lake kayaking, you will need to rent a kayak from Maine Sport Outfitters and either have
them deliver the kayak to a launching point or put it on top of your car and
drive it to the launch. We really like Megunticook Lake for kayaking. BogsBridge on Rt 105 is a great place to put a boat in the water. If you kayak
straight out from the launch, you will hit Land’s End. Land’s End is a hidden
gem that the locals enjoy.
If you want to ocean kayak, you can also rent a kayak from Maine
Sport. The Camden public ocean launching point is at the end of Sea Street. It
is suggested that if you have never ocean kayaked before that you hire a guide
from Maine Sport to show you how to navigate the harbor and open seas.
For your first night in Camden Maine, treat yourself to a special dinner at Hoxbill. The menu is sophisticated and the views are fantastic. The restaurant is a short walk from the Inn.
Day 2.
On Day 2, venture out to the surrounding towns. Rockport, Rockland, and Lincolnville are a short drive. Each town has its own special places.
Lincolnville is known for their beach area and winery, Rockport is known for
its beautiful harbor and fantastic walking trails and Rockland is the art capital of Maine.
Rise and shine at the Captain Swift Inn and enjoy a cup of coffee
and a full breakfast. The towns of Lincolnville, Rockport and Rockland are all
nearby and you could potentially go to all 3 towns in one day.
After breakfast, head to the town of Lincolnville. Drive North on
Rt one. Lincolnville Beach is approximately 15 minutes away. Once at the beach,
you can sit and watch the boats, or stroll in the little beachside stores. The
beach is a real treasure at low tide. You are able to walk out far and admire
lots of little tidal pools of water. If you can, plan this trip at low tide.
When you are done admiring the landscape of Lincolnville Beach, head inland to
Cellardoor Winery. The Winery is a short drive into the hills. The winery is a
great place to have a light lunch and sample some of the local wines.
After lunch head to Rockport Harbor and enjoy the views. Rockport
Harbor is home to the famous Andre the Seal and Schooner Heron. The Schooner
Heron is, in my opinion, the most beautiful boat in the Midcoast. Bonnie and
Twig are the captains of Schooner Heron and great hostesses. Read more about
Schooner Heron Here. https://sailheron.com/
Next, as you head out of Rockport into
Rockland, stop off and see the Breakwater Lighthouse. The Breakwater Lighthouse
is a mile walk on a granite jetty. Get your cameras ready for some awesome
selfies. The harbor surrounding the jetty is alive with lobsterman and
fisherman collecting their daily traps. The harbor is a true working harbor and
it is fun to see the day to day activities of those that fish there.
The little downtown of Rockland is full of art.
There are galleries and museums in downtown Rockland. Spend the rest of the enjoying
the Farnsworth Art Museum and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA). The
downtown is lined with cute restaurants and boutique shops. My favorite
restaurant in downtown Rockland is Suzuki. For a real authentic and fresh
Japanese dinner, treat yourself to this restaurant. You will need a reservation.
At the end of the day, retire back to the
Captain Swift Inn and enjoy the comforts of all the common areas, decks or the
privacy of your guest room. This itinerary is just a suggestion. There are many
things you can do. We wouldn’t even hold it against you if you chose to lounge
around the Inn and read a book. Either way, it will be our pleasure to assist
you in having a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation in Camden Maine.
