Only One Night in Boothbay Harbor?

So many of our first time guests say the same thing: If we would have known how much there was to do in the Boothbay area, we would have planned to stay here longer.  Too often, however, they plan their trips around a few days in the Kennebunk area (an ex-president lives there, you know) and an extended stay in Bar Harbor.  Boothbay Harbor becomes an after-thought, someplacce to spend a night to break-up the journey.  So they arrive at 5:00 pm, head off to dinner, then return for a good night's sleep and an early morning departure.  "Do you have time to visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens?" we ask.  Sometimes they do but, more often than not, they offer their regrets, vowing to visit Boothbay in the future to see the Gardens and everything else the area has to offer.  If their home is in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or another reasonably close place, we believe they will.  If they are coming from Arizona, Oregon, or Switzerland, however, the chances of a return visit are pretty slim.  

So, the obvious answer is get it right the first time.  Although we have many guests who stay a week or more, three or four nights in Boothbay Harbor (at Bayberry House, of course!) will provide a good taste of all that mid-coast Maine has to offer.  You might ask, "Ok. Chris, so what do I do on these three or four days?"  Well, I'm getting ready to tell you!

 is fantastic

Day 1 - Arrive in Boothbay Harbor and check-in to Bayberry House at 3:00 pm.  Stroll downtown and browse through the many unique shops in the town.  The Mung Bean is on your way and a must.  Dinner at Boathouse Bistro.  Get a table on the third floor deck for a great view of the harbor.  Blueberry sangria by the pitcher is fantastic, and you don't have to drive back to the inn!

Day 2 - Breakfast at Bayberry House, then out to explore the fantastic natural beauty of the Boothbay region.  We're only about 300 yards from Tidal Tansit, where you can rent kayaks to explore the bay.  Alternatively, you can take a hike on one of the several Land Trust preserves in the region.  Our favorites are Porter Preserve (about a mile) and Oven's Mouth (up to five miles).  Easy walking, clearly marked trails, no special gear required, just comfortable walking shoes.  Back to the Harbor for a delicious treat, an authentic Maine lobster roll at Shannon's Unshelled.  Still have some room, try the do-it-yourself sundae bar at the Downeast Icecream Factory.  Absolutely scrumptious, and no long wait like that other place in Wiscasset!  The afternoon?  Out onto the water!  We love the Sarah Mead, a smaller more individualized tour boat, although the Eastwind and Lazy Jack are great alternatives.  You could also experience whale watching or book a puffin cruise with Cap'n Fish.  All this time out on the water probably made you hungry, so have a great seafood dinner at the Lobster Dock.  By the time you get back to Bayberry House, that bed is going to look might inviting!

Day 3 - After another great breakfast at Bayberry House, plan to leave early to enjoy the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.  Allow at least two hours to meander around their 270 acres.  Maybe take a ride on their electric boat, the Beagle, up and down the Sheepscot river as well.  Leaving the Gardens, stop at the Watershed Tavern for some lunch and a beer or two (Their Townsend Ale is excellent, if you're a dark beer drinker).  Head over to Pemequid Point to tour the lighthouse in the afternoon.  It is on the headland, so plan on going up inside.  The fisherman's museum there is very interesting.  Plan on stopping in Damariscotta on the way back to explore another quaint coastal town.  Dinner at King Eider pub is highly recommended - be sure to reserve as it is wildly popular.

Day 4 - Make sure to get down to breakfast early, because today you're going to Monhegan Island.  The Balmy Days ferry leaves from the pier downtown at 9:30 AM, but they like you there between 9:00 and 9:15 AM.  Its only a fifteen minute walk, so plan accordingly.  After a 90 minute ride to the island, explore this quirky and unique artists' colony.  Not into art that much?  The panoramic ocean views from the island's cliffs are well worth the trip on their own.  An afternoon departure gets you back in the Harbor by 4:30 PM.  Remember that you booked an early table at Ports of Italy, a truly memorable dining spot a few steps from the ferry dock.  After dinner, perhaps a great live show at the Opera House.  Not into opera?  No worries because they schedule a eclectic assortment of genres, from comedy to irish music, rock to classical.  The best thing after such a full day is the Opera House is only about 100 yards from Bayberry House.

Day 5 - Depart Bayberry House, vowing to spend more time when you return.  So much to do, so little time!