Fall Foliage Trip Ideas

In January we start getting phone calls from guests asking, “when will the leaves change?” There are many factors that influence the changing fall foliage. We feel comfortable telling our guests that anytime they visit in October will be delightful, but peak is usually the 2^nd week and lasts 2 weeks after that. October is a spectacular time to travel in New England. The days get shorter and the leaves change from green to hues of red, yellow, orange, pink and brown. The State Park, the tree filled archipelago of the lake, the local vineyard and scenic harbor make the Camden Maine area a unique destination for leaf peepers. You can truly immerse yourself in autumn by enjoying the local cuisine, hiking in the woods, and experiencing the crisp air on a historic schooner. Here is a list of our favorite ways to enjoy Autumn in the Camden Maine area.

1.       Hiking in Camden Hills State Park.

The trails of Camden Hills all have scenic vistas. No matter what trail you take, you will be immersed in a fantastic fall foliage experience. All of the trails are unique, but one of our favorites in the fall is Maiden’s Cliff. Maiden’s Cliff is a 1.8 mile moderate hike that is accessed from Rt 52, Mountain Street. The parking lot for this trail is across from the small lake beach, Barret’s Cove. In the summer this location is ideal because after a hike, you can cross the rode and jump in the lake. In the fall this location is great because the lookout of Maiden’s Cliff reveals the beauty of the fall foliage on the little islands that dot the surface. The hike itself is delightful because a stream and large boulders guide your way.

2.     Visiting the Local Vineyard 

One of our favorite fall foliage drives is the route to Cellardoor Winery. The drive is the same route you take to the Maiden’s Cliff Trail but further west. You continue past the Trail on Rt 52 until you get to Youngtown Road, the vineyard is on the left. October is grape picking season. The tasting room of Cellardoor Winery is perfectly placed on the hill overlooking the vineyard and the changing maple trees in the distance. The deck outside is an ideal place to enjoy the changing colors of the season. The winery is currently making the first batch of ice wine in the State of Maine. The first batch of ice wine is available for tasting and buying at the Lincolnville location.

3.     Sailing on a Historic Schooner

You will have to hurry if you want to enjoy the foliage from the sea. The local Schooners will only be going out until October 20^th. The weather in October on the coast fluctuates. You could have a 60-degree day out on the water, which is delightful! The captains of the ships will entertain you with stories of their season as they point out the most scenic spots for leaf peepers along the coast lines.

4.     Enjoy an Autumn Meal

Many of the restaurants in the Camden Maine area embrace the fall vegetable on their menus. One of our favorite fall menus is from Fresh Restaurant. The chef’s use of local mushrooms, honeycomb, arugula and apples throughout the menu sets the mood for fall enjoyment. If you  want to add a little Octoberfest into your leaf peeping, we suggest taking the scenic drive out to  Morses Market and Deli in Waldoboro. The Deli has pretzels, cabbage and apple items, schnitzel, liverwurst and a plethora of other German specialties. The experience of a fall foliage road trip through the back roads ending in an Octoberfest lunch, is a true Maine exclusive experience.

5.      Going to an apple orchard or a farm stand

We couldn’t finalize this list with mentioning apples, hayrides and corn mazes. These activities are synonymous with Fall. We are so pleased to have a selection of local farms that embrace autumn. Beth’s Farm Market and Hope Apple Orchards are fun and family friendly destination in MidCoast Maine. Beth’s Farm Market is a delight to visit from spring to fall. In the summer they have sunflower days, and, in the fall, the corn maze and hayrides steal the show.

The farm is anchored by a fantastic farm stand that offers the farm grown vegetables in addition to local oysters and lobsters! Hope Apple Orchards is a unique fall destination because of its location in Hope Maine. The sunsets in Hope are fantastic and truly a spectacular way to embrace autumn evenings.

At the End of the Day

After traveling around Midcoast Maine to experience all the natural beauty of fall, return to the Captain Swift Inn and put your feet up. Sit by the fire pit outside or relax by one of the common area fireplaces inside. The comfortable bedrooms with spa amenity bathrooms will further relax you. In the morning, the breakfast of fresh ingredients and warm baked goods will refresh you for another fall sightseeing day. Check our availability and book your stay now.