Just watching the water & light changing on the canvas of the treeline will capture the essence of this vacation. Enjoy swimming & laying in the sun alongside a lakeside with a non-murkey shore! Wade in or jump off the dock!Two private docks & outdoor grill set the stage for many great meals outside.This will likely be where you'll want to spend hours watching loons, ducks, herons, fish & dragonflies,chatting, reading & dozing.Binoculars are at the cottage! Paddle & explore the twin lakes by canoe or kayak: there's much to explore by boat,eye & foot.
So many things you could do! Such as....:
Excursion's:
Boating: The harbor offers guided powerboat excursions in 2 or 3 hour versions, and a tour on a working lobster boat with a genuine lobsterman as your guide and captain! Among our favorite trips are the sailing schooners! These majestic beauties are a wonder to ride upon & appreciate under full sail. Day time & sunset sailing trips are offered. Find them on the pier in the harbor near Fisherman's Wharf Guided or solo kayak tours: ocean going kayaks can be rented downtown near the footbridge for a few hours,1/2 day,or longer.How about a boat & island tour to Burnt Island Lighthouse, right in the town's harbor? This lighthouse has been tediously restored to it's original authentic state, right down to the original furnishings! An unusual & interesting glimpse into the area's historic waterfront heritage! You could also go deep sea fishing for 1/2 or full day. Maybe rent scooters!
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) is not to be missed! World renowned, there are 250 acres including ocean shore-front, a Children's Garden, Five Senses Garden, Meditation stone gardens, Fairy Gardens, hundreds of azaleas, thousands of bulbs and more! Magnificent garden art and sculpture, a Cafe', library and gift shop.
Boothbay Region Land Trust (BRLT) 21 preserves provide over 30 miles of hiking trails open year round, free of charge. Enjoy short or long hikes varying from 1/2 mi to 3 miles along any of the trails which boasts 4,000+ acres. Preserves cover over 1,800 acres including six islands protecting wildlife habitat; vistas, forests, meadows, wetlands, shore front, & historical sites.Wherever feasible & ecologically wise, BRLT provides opportunities for public access.
Take in live stage theater + concerts at the Carousel Dinner Theater, Boothbay Playhouse, Harbor Movie Cinema or The Opera House.
Try your skill at candlepin bowling with small balls and narrow pins, Bbay Hbr at Romar Arcade, 633-5721.
Don't miss the Maine State Aquarium on McKown Point filled with great information & live local sea critters -including a touching tank with crabs,periwinkles,starfish & sand sharks. 633-9559
The Boothbay Railway Village,Train & Antique Auto Museum is a local favorite for kids, families & auto enthusiasts! Ride the antique railway village steam train & see the train museum. Auto enthusiasts will be impressed by the diverse collection of antique autos--Packard's to Rolls Royce cars,trucks,fire engines & even motorcycles-- fill this noteworthy museum with 70+ magnificent vehicles.
Museums abound! See Maine's famous Wyeth's collection in Rockland's Farnsworth. Interested in Maine’s Boating Heritage? Maine Maritime Museum is 20 mi S to Bath.Musical Wonder House w/ over 500 music boxes, chairs & singing bird cages is in Wiscasset, 207-882-7163! Intriguing Fawcett's Toy Museum,Waldoboro (207-832-7398).Fisherman's Museum at Pemaquid Light 207-563-2739.
Drive out to walk the ledges at Ocean Point & Grimes Cove beach in East Boothbay: take Rt 96,8 miles to the end, from Rt 27 @the only traffic light in town. Drive out to Hendrick's Head beach and lighthouse on Southport Island. Head to Rt 1 and see the sights! Rt 1 starts 'downeast' & ends in Key West!
Rainy day?Check out our library! Also, we're just over 1 mile from the YMCA on Rt. 27 S as you head towards town. Many say this is one of the best YMCA’s in the country! Aquatic Center has just been completely rebuilt (2012) including 2 beautiful pools. Indoor fitness center is enormous;courts for indoor tennis,racquetball,basketball. Day and week passes available.207 -633-2855
Dining:
Coastal Maine is famous for lobster which is prepared in many delicious, creative dishes- or traditionally steamed & savored with melted butter. It's possible to buy them right at the lobsterman's co-op on the docks down town, bring them home cooked by them, or live for you to cook yourself! Don't skip steamed clams! If oysters are your thing, don't miss our locally cultivated (& shipped all over world) oysters- especially those from the Damariscotta River.Or join a boat excursion to Cabbage Island for an authentic lobster & clam bake!
Restaurant's that we frequent and enjoy include: Rocktide (on Atlantic Ave, East side of the harbor), McSeagulls (on Pier One,live music 7 night's), Dunton's Doghouse (Sea St), The Ice Cream Parlor (Pier One by McSeagulls), Robinson's Wharf and Pub (on Southport Island, just over the bridge).Good pizza: Village House of Pizza, across from Hannaford. Le Garage in Wiscasset is an old favorite, consistently good with a clever chef and the menu changes. In Damariscotta we haunt King Eider's Pub:Great crab cakes, but everything is very good, colorful too! Hit Route One North & head for Moody's Diner in Waldoboro for classic good food all day & night.
Boothbay also offers other cuisine: authentic Italian (chef summers here but is from Italy) Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, tapas, traditional American and even a few good pizza joints! Bars serve locally brewed beers, great chowders, fresh fish in a variety of ways. There's a newly opened harbor front oyster bar with locally harvested oysters known to be some of the best in the world, according to many chefs and connoisseurs. Many local eateries often host local musical talent and bands which can be heard on week-ends.
Oak Street Provision's: butcher, seafood mkt, vast wine, beer & coffee stock!
Local Farmer's Market held every Thursday: Fresh fruit,veggies,seafood, mushrooms,cheeses,breads, flowers, honey, preserves & more sold only from 9 -noon on the Common Green in Boothbay Center.
Local homemade ice cream, fudge, taffy & candy-- all down town by the harbor near and on Pier One-- is a must! (Daffy Taffy, Orne's Candy)
Fresh bakery! Baker's Way make wonderful donuts & apple fritters 'to die for' are fresh daily at Baker's Way, at 94 Townsend Ave. They also serve authentic Vietnamese meals all day and evening.
Shopping & Galleries galore!
Our vacation destination boasts many shopping ops!We suggest that you drive into town then take it in by foot! There are quaint boutiques,nice stores & the usual tourist shops.We're lucky to have so many artists & their gallery’s nearby; they offer pieces in oil, watercolor, bronze, wood, photography, metal, jewelry, ceramic, & pottery. Other galleries are found by car all around the peninsula and region. SO much diverse talent all around us here! Freeport (40 miles S) & Kittery (100 miles S) are virtual shopping meccas w/dozens of brand name stores & outlets
Events Calendar (partial listing):
MAY: Memorial Day Arts & Crafts Show.
JUNE: Lobster Boat Races;Strawberry Festival,Owl's Head Airplane Museum Days;Windjammer Days.
JULY: Antique Engines @ Railway Village; 4 Celebration!; 3rd wk-end Antique Auto Days;Jazz Weekend.
AUGUST: Boat Builders Festival;Rotary Auction;Shipyard (yacht sailing race) Cup;Arts& Crafts Festival;Children's Festival.
SEPTEMBER: Restaurant Week;Miniature Golf Championship;Charities Golf Classic
OCTOBER: 1-10 Pumpkin Festival;Fall Foliage Festival
Quick overview of basic terms:
$75 for cleaning
7 % state & lodging taxes;
50% of rental rate due upon time of booking secures your time;non refundable; signed lease agreement
$300 separate security deposit check due with final rental payment
Completed rental lease agreement is required of all renters;
Owners traveling with dog(s): a daily dog rate charged for any approved dog(s). Sorry, no cats.
An extra nightly fee will be charged for more than 2 adults & extra adult(s) must be approved first
Total rental balance,all taxes,fees,security deposit & lease agreement due 30 days prior to your arrival
Total rental fee is forfeited upon cancellation within 30 days or less of your arrival date
Fragile septic system.Conservative flushing is discussed & requested of all renters & guests.Showers are not restricted due to separate drainage field! We thank you for respecting our request.
