Maine's Charming Coastal Town Is A Gorgeous Spot For A Quiet Getaway

Spending time by the water can be great for relaxation and stress reduction, which is something most of us could use right now. Sure, you could listen to recorded ocean sounds at night to try to sleep, but an actual trip to a charming coastal town might be just what the doctor ordered. One place that is perfect for a quiet getaway is Camden, Maine. Right along the coast between Bar Harbor and Portland, Camden is a great stop on a New England road trip down Route 1, or as your main Maine destination. There is lots to do, from relaxing on a boat in Penobscot Bay and enjoying the beach to getting some of the best seafood out there. There is hiking and biking in nearby Camden Hills State Park, skiing and snowboarding in the winter, events like the Camden Windjammer Festival, or the U.S. National Toboggan Championships, and performances at the Camden Opera House. There is also camping, fishing, shopping, and dining, and, of course, just sitting back to watch the day go by. 

Camden is around 55 miles from Bangor International Airport, so you'll need a car to get here. It's also a great home base if you want to explore nearby towns like the postcard-worthy Rockport or Lincolnville, home to Maine's first winery. However, if you're flying more locally, Camden is only 11 miles from Knox County Regional Airport. While there is something to do in every season, you may want to take the weather into consideration. The spring and fall can be chilly, with average highs in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit, and the summer is just about perfect with average highs in the mid-70s. However, the winter can be cold, with freezing temperatures and snow (which might be exactly what you're looking for).

Maine is famous for its seafood, and one great place to enjoy some is The Waterfront. This almost five-decade-old restaurant has seating indoors and out and works primarily with local ingredients. At the time of this writing the restaurant has dishes like Maine blue mussels in Chablis, a waterfront crab melt, pan-seared crab cakes, Cajun haddock tacos, and a honey-miso-glazed salmon burger. You can also try Fresh & Co., which is open Tuesday through Saturday and features dishes like moqueca (mussels, haddock, and shrimp in a coconut lime broth), steak frites au poivre, fish and chips, and crab & artichoke dip. Make sure you stop by River Ducks Ice Cream for dessert. You can also take a picnic lunch to Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre. 

There is also some great shopping in town, with stores like The Smiling Cow. It's a lovely gift shop, family-owned and operated for over 80 years. This store closes in the winter, but the rest of the year, it has Maine souvenirs and gifts to check out. Also in town is Glendarragh Lavender. They have all sorts of face and body products, as well as candles, home care, and gifts. You can check out the store, or visit its farm in Appleton, which is open seasonally.

If you're visiting around Labor Day, schedule your trip around the Windjammer Festival. You can see the windjammers in the harbor, enjoy vendors with crafts and food, see live music, and do (or observe) a 5K fun run. There are even lobster cart races. In the winter, try to visit during the annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships. There are two-person, three-person, and four-person teams, and lots of people dress up in fun costumes.

Camden is all about the great outdoors, so if you want to get your hike on, this is the place. Camden Hills State Park, with its 30 miles of trails, is less than two miles from downtown. If there is one trail you have to try here, it's the 2.4-mile out-and-back Mount Battle via Carriage Road Trail. There is a 564-foot elevation gain that takes you to the summit along an old carriage road. The view of the town and the harbor from the top (pictured above) is spectacular. Wear good hiking shoes as it can be muddy. 

Another hike to try is the moderate 2.6-mile out-and-back Mount Megunticook Trail with a 954-foot elevation gain and another great view (that includes Mount Battie). You can also do some camping, or drive the Mount Battie Auto Road for some great fall foliage views. In the winter, the park is the ideal spot for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling when there is snow on the ground. With the mountains right by the water, you can do some skiing at Camden Snow Bowl with a view of the ocean. There are 15 ski trails, two terrain parks, and 11 glades, as well as ski lessons that are available if you need them.

If you're visiting in the summer, make sure you hit the beach. Barrett's Cove is a public beach in town on Megunticook Lake, and it's great for swimming and is family-friendly. You can also check out Laite Memorial Beach Park for some saltwater swimming, with a playground, grills, and picnic tables to enjoy. Between Megunticook Lake's freshwater and Penobscot Bay's saltwater, there are plenty of opportunities for fishing as well. Finally, if you're up for a bit of adventure, you can take a boat or book a private ferry to visit the remote Warren Island State Park in Penobscot Bay for some peace and quiet.