Press Release
MIDCOAST MAINE FROM A - Z

ANTIQUING
The hunt for well-priced antiques is a year-round affair, with fascinating estate sales and auctions to be explored, and little antique shops everywhere stacked with bountiful choices. Seasonal flea markets and fairs make timely planning extremely worthwhile, and certainly merit a dedicated visit.  Wiscasset Village, between Bath and Damariscotta on US Rt. 1, has more than 20 antique shops specializing in nautical pieces and country primitives. 

BICYCLING
For the adventurous at heart rent a bike and get a cup of coffee at Bikesenjava in Rockland.  Whether looking for a relaxing family ride or a challenging 100-mile ride their experienced staff can help. Area maps are free with every rental.   Locks and helmets are also available with every rental bike. www.haybikesenjava.com 

CAMPING
The Midcoast has a bounty of campgrounds from which to enjoy the outdoors. Camden Hills RV Resort in Rockport (www.camdenhillsrv.com), Megunticook Campground by the Sea (www.campgroundbythesea.com),
and the Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort in Belfast (www.oceanfrontrvcamping.com) are all good choices.

DAFFY TAFFY FUDGE FACTORY
Everyone should treat themselves to a visit to Daffy Taffy and Fudge Factory in Boothbay Harbor. Watch saltwater taffy being pulled, designed, and wrapped.  The fudge is made with cocoa beans, fresh cream, and butter. PH. 207.633.5178.

EVENTS
Founded in 1964,  the Bowdoin International Music Festival incorporates a music school(200 talented young performers), two artists' concert series (Friday night Music Fest and mid-week Upbeat! concerts), and the Gamper Festival of Contemporary Music during six weeks in Brunswick, Maine. Through its concert presentations, the festival brings performers of international stature and a rich variety of musical programming to thousands of residents and summer visitors.  www.bowdoinfestival.org

Camden’s Harbor Arts Juried Arts & Crafts Shows feature the work of over 100 artists and craftsmen from Maine and beyond. The white tents stretching throughout Harbor Park and set against the backdrop of scenic Camden Harbor is truly a sight to see. The summer show is always held the third weekend in July and the fall show, the first weekend in October. www.camdenme.org

On average more than 80,000 visitors come from around the country to enjoy the lobster, rides, activities, and souvenirs at the Maine Lobster Festival held annually in Rockland. www.mainelobsterfestival.com

FALL FOLIAGE
Fall color typically begins in late September and lasts for as long as four weeks.  Peek season is generally the first two weeks of October.  Maple trees produce deep reds and beech, birches, elms, and green and black ash produce vibrant yellows. A good resource is www.umaine.edu/maineclimate/climatedata.htm.

GALLERIES
Villard Studios in Boothbay Harbor is a must!!  Kim and Phillippe Villard are printmakers building a ten-volume set of white line woodcut prints titled North Atlantic Peninsula.  The woodblock print images are all drawn by Philippe who transfers the image to the wood and carves away the lines, then Kim does all the painterly hand printing while varying the colors in each of the prints. Thus far they have completed three volumes illustrating shore life, rich forest resources and crustaceans.  Next up fairy houses and mushrooms! Be sure to call ahead for a visit PH.207.633.3507.  www.villardstudios.com/us/intro.php

HISTORY
The Midcoast is filled with historic inns such as the 1774 Inn at Phippsburg, Maine listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the McCobb-Hill-Minott House  www.1774inn.com or the Popham Beach B & B, used in 1883 as a life Saving Station, U.S. Coast Guard took over in 1935, decommissioned in 1971.  www.pophambeachbandb.com.  Further up the coast in Belfast The White House B&B is often called "the most photographed historic home in New England", evidencing that it still holds all the grandeur that was intended 165 years ago.  www.mainebb.com

ISLANDS
Vinalhaven is the largest of Maine's offshore islands and home to one of the most productive lobster fishing fleet in the world.  Approximately 1200 people live on the island with about that many summer visitors.
No hotel, motel, or campsite in the world is closer to the water than the Tidewater Motel on Vinalhaven Island. Because the Tidewater is built on a bridge, the ebb and flow of the tides provides the soundtrack to your stay as the water flows beneath your room. www.tidewatermotel.com For ferry information www.maine.gov/mdot/opt/ferry/215-vinalhaven.php.

JOSEPHINE NEWMAN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY in Georgetown. 
Though well-known to locals, the Josephine Newman Sanctuary is not all that easy for visitors to find.  Still, it's well worth the trip to Georgetown. Visitors can walk on bluffs that rise 120 feet above the cove, inspect outcropping of bedrock that have been twisted by the passage of time, or stand on a cliff and watch reversing falls that are caused by tidal waters tumbling over ledges. Nearly all of the property is covered with trees. The sanctuary features 2.5 miles of hiking trails that pass through stands of red and white pine, spruce fir thickets, and hemlock ravines. Stone walls criss-cross the property. www.georgetown.u47.k12.me.us/newman.html

KAYAKING
Enter a world of discovery with H2Outfitters, located just outside Brunswick. Become part of the environment while gliding effortlessly over the water surface viewing wildlife, aquatic life, and plant life that thrive on the nutrient-rich ecosystem. Navigate the narrowest and shallowest of waterways, areas where no other boat can go, and make your own discoveries or venture out to a coastal island for a camping adventure beyond belief. Kayaking is fun, it’s for all ages, and it’s accessible. Learn in your own kayak and then paddle with a partner if you’d like in a double kayak – the opportunities are limitless. www.h2outfitters.com  

LIGHTHOUSES
The Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland is home to the largest collection of lighthouse lenses, and one of the most important landmark collections of lighthouse artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia in the United States.  Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Burnt Island Lighthouse, and Curtis Island Lighthouse are just a few of the lighthouses you can gather information on and visit.

MUSEUMS
Founded in 1962, the Maine Maritime Museum collects preserves and interprets materials relating to the maritime history of Maine.  Maine's maritime history is told here daily through gallery exhibits, an historic shipyard, educational programs and narrated boat cruises to points of historic significance and natural beauty.

Located on the banks of the Kennebec River and just south of Bath Iron Works, home of "The World's Greatest Shipbuilders", the Museum welcomes over 65,000 visitors annually. www.bathmaine.com

The Farnsworth Art Museum offers a nationally recognized collection of American art including the nation's second-largest collection of works by premier 20th-century sculptor Louise Nevelson. Its Wyeth Center exclusively features works of Andrew, N.C. and Jamie Wyeth--America's first family of art. www.farnsworthmuseum.org  

NATURE PRESERVES
The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds.  Scattered along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, the refuge consists of ten divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth.  Nearly 100,000 visitors used the one-mile Carson Trail at the Wells headquarters. Leashed dogs and cameras (of course) are allowed!!

OYSTERS
Oysters hold a special place in Midcoast Maine’s agricultural history – one that goes back centuries, to Maine’s Native Americans.  Visitors should bring their walking shoes and explore the Damariscotta River Association’s Salt Bay Preserve where they can see Glidden Point's ancient Indian shell heaps. Left by people who lived and fished on the Damariscotta River more than 1000 years ago, The Glidden Midden is the largest ancient mound of oyster shells in Maine. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  www.damariscottaregion.com.

PICNIC SPOTS
Camden Hills State Park has miles of trails and a spectacular view of the area from the top of Mt. Battie.  Pick up lunch and settle in at one of a dozen picture perfect spots.

QUALITY PRODUCTS produced by Midcoast Maine craftsmen.
Local artisans find inspiration in the region’s natural beauty, and display their work at design studios, stores and boutiques, as well as at the annual fairs and festivals. The wide range of crafts offered includes pottery, hand-made furniture and home designs. Hand woven and died blankets, blown glass, pottery and wood carvings.  Midway up the coast is the small village of Damariscotta, which is home to a quirky little arts center and shops such as specialty yarn mecca Pine Tree Yarns and Aboca Beads with vintage beads, semi-precious stones, bead kits, and if you have time jewelry making classes.

RESTAURANTS
Chef Michael Gagne, of the five-star Robinhood Free Meetinghouse in Georgetown, is regionally renowned for his fresh, fusion, classic, and innovative dishes. Be sure to try Gagne’s award winning 72-Layer Cream Cheese Biscuits. www.robinhood-meetinghouse.com

For the freshest by-the-pound Maine lobsters, along with stunning views, check out Miller's Lobster Co. in Spruce Head.  www.millerslobster.com

SCENIC DRIVES
Just a few miles north is the brick city of Bath, home to Bath Iron Works, the waterfront Maine Maritime Museum and the Chocolate Church Arts Center, so named for its architectural origins purpose and delectable hue.  Shore lovers should head down High Street/Route 209 to the Phippsburg peninsula, which curls at the end around Popham Beach State Park. Popham has a long stretch of sandy beach and some real surf action. 

TRAIN RIDES
From providing passengers with luxurious transport to their relaxing seaside escape to moving massive loads of freight, the Morristown & Erie Railway has been a fixture on the North East’s railroad track for more than a century. In 2004, M & E began the Maine Eastern Railroad providing passenger service between Brunswick and Rockland with stops in the coastal communities of Bath and Wiscasset.  The 54- and 58-seat coaches are accompanied by a restored British Columbia railway dining car that provides passengers with downeast specialties served café style. www.maineeasternrailroad.com

UNION FAIR
The Union Fair and State of Maine Wild Blueberry Festival is a classic event celebrating agriculture in the state of Maine. The fairgrounds are nestled among the rolling hills and beautiful farmlands in Union, Maine. There are activities and entertainment for all age groups, so bring the entire family and spend the day at the festival.  The cooking contests are a highlight, ranging from wild blueberry muffins, wild blueberry almond cake, wild blueberry quick bread baking, to the prized two-crusted wild blueberry pie.  www.union-fair.com

VICTORY CHIMES and other windjammers
Built in Bethel, Delaware to carry lumber, the three-masted Victory Chimesis the largest passenger schooner in America. Find her on every Maine State quarter! A National Historic Landmark she can carry 30 guests.

Fourteen ships in the fleet offer 3- to 6-day cruises from mid-May to mid-October.  All cruises include an authentic Down East lobster bake.  www.sailmainecoast.com.

WHALE WATCHING
Boothbay Whale Watch out of Boothbay Harbor offers guaranteed whale watches.  If you don’t see a whale, your next trip is free!  Whales you may encounter include Finbacks, Humpbacks, Minkes, dolphins and porpoises. You also may see harbor seals, sharks, ocean sunfish and a great variety of open ocean birds. www.whaleme.com.

X-COUNTRY SKIING
Tanglewood 4-H Camp off Rt. 1 near Lincolnville Beach is a favorite of locals. Trails wind through woodlands and along streams.  For a description of the trails visit the Camden Rockport Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce or call PH.207.236.4404.

YOUTHFUL ACTIVITIES
The Morris Farm Trust in Wiscasset has been educating children and their families with hands-on, real life educational experiences as well as year-round lectures, events, and demonstrations since 1994.  Their Backyard Farmer Series offers instruction on everything from bee keeping to yogurt making, canning and food preservation, and poultry slaughter.  Check out their calendar of events at www.morrisfarm.org.

What would a youthful day be without ice cream?? One of the coolest ice cream stands around is Round Top Ice Cream in Damariscotta.  In Maine, it has a legendary reputation. They offer 52 varieties of hard ice cream and 41 varieties of soft serve.  Some of their more popular flavors in the past have been Blueberry Mint, Ginger, and in season Peach and Strawberry. PH. 207.563.5307  

ZUCCHINI and other vegetables found at farmers markets throughout the Midcoast.
Gourmets and cooks enjoy the many local farmers’ markets. In the summer and fall, farmers’ trucks rumble into town to sell the fruits of their harvest.  The selection of wild blueberries, apples, rhubarb, lettuce, honey and eggs is reflected in local menus which emphasize the use of fresh, local ingredients.  In the fall roadside farm stands can also be found throughout the region offering fruits of the harvest, cider, maple syrup, baked goods, and pumpkins.