Planning a weekend getaway to the picturesque coast of Maine? Look no further! This guide will help you create a memorable family-friendly excursion filled with iconic lighthouses, delicious lobsters, and delightful little adventures. Let’s head out on our weekend getaway to Coastal Maine. 

Lighthouse Exploration

Maine is famous for its stunning lighthouses. Here are a few must-see spots:

• Portland Head Light: Maine’s oldest lighthouse, located in Cape Elizabeth. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views and explore Fort Williams Park. Perfect in any season. 
• Nubble Light (Cape Neddick Light): A charming, iconic lighthouse perched on a rocky islet. Perfect for photos and a stroll while you’re in York. 
• Pemaquid Point Light: Offers dramatic coastal scenery and a fascinating history. Explore the on-site art gallery and Fisherman’s Museum, not a far drive from Boothbay Harbor. 
• Portland Breakwater Light: Enjoy this serene seaside park capped off by Portland Breakwater Light, better known as Bug Light. Bug Light is a term for a small lighthouse such as this. Although small, this lighthouse is styled elaborately. Walk out to this 1875 lighthouse from the park’s walkway.
• Bass Harbor Light: Even farther up the coast, or actually “down east,” in Acadia National Park is the Bass Harbor Head Light. This is situated on a rocky cliffside but can be easily accessed by car. Painted white, this stands guard to Blue Hill Bay and Bass Harbor. This lighthouse dates from 1858.
• Rockland Breakwater Light: Located at the base of a long jetty is the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. This picturesque beauty fits the house and the adjoining brick light next to it.

Lobster Delights

No trip to Maine is complete without indulging in fresh lobster. Here are a few recommendations:

• Harraskeeket Lunch: This is a casual, authentic lobster shack in Freeport. Enjoy boiled lobster, lobster rolls, and other seafood specialties.
• Day’s: For a taste of a classic Maine seafood dinner, head up Route 1 to Day’s in Yarmouth. Choose from lobsters or fried delicacies. You can’t beat the marsh view in the summer season.
• Sea Dog Brew Pub: The original location of this mini-chain is in downtown Camden. It features a vast menu with plenty of seafood options, including a Maine lobster roll. 

Little Adventures for the Whole Family

Here are some family-friendly activities to enjoy for the weekend getaway to Coastal Maine:

Beachcombing: Explore sandy beaches and rocky shores for seashells, sea glass, and other treasures.

• Marginal Way– Ogunquit’s mini-Cliff Walk provides awesome views of the sea. 
• Beaches and Shores of Acadia National Park– With many hiking trails over rocky shores or the ever-popular Sandy Beach, the ocean is never far at Acadia.

Family Friendly Eats: Discover a world of food in the Old Port and beyond

• The Thirsty Pig: Looking for a good piece of meat? Check out the sausage at the Thirsty Pig. With indoor and outdoor seating, this spot will keep the meat-lover happy. 
• Rosemont Bakery is my pick for a great quick bite, offering delicious sandwiches, baked goods, and provisions in one of seven locations. Part bakery, part sandwich shop, and part grocery store, you’ll enjoy what you get here. 
• Buck’s Naked BBQ: Want great BBQ in a rowdy location? Well, actually, presumably a former Dexter Shoe store. Look no further than Buck’s in Freeport. Family-friendly to the max, this joint even features a gigantic play area that is sure to pull the young’uns in like magnets.

Scenic Town Walks: Take leisurely walks along coastal paths and enjoy the fresh sea air

• Bar Harbor– Sitting at the mouth of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is the quintessential Coastal Maine town, albeit one teeming with tourists in season. But it’s also teeming with romantic inns, ice cream stands, souvenir shops, and plenty of seafood restaurants.  Read this article for a whole Bar Harbor/Acadia adventure!
• Belfast – Belfast is larger than it seems, with plenty of shopping and places to stay. It’s cute and functional at the same time. 
• Boothbay Harbor- Another uber-touristy village, Boothbay Harbor draws the crowds for good reasons. Seafood dinners by the harbor, salt water taffy, and art galleries abound. 
• Camden– With funky stores, a working waterfront, and plenty of restaurants to choose from, definitely put Camden on your list. 
• Rockland– The most working-class of the bunch, Rockland features gems such as the Rockland Breakwater Light and the Farnsworth Art Museum. For a little railroad history, check out this article about Rockland’s past.
• Rockport– This adorable small village features a few places to stay, and a seaside park where you’ll encounter the statue of former local celebrity, Andre the Seal. 

Boat Tours:

Embark on a whale watching tour, a scenic harbor cruise, or a ferry ride to nearby islands, such as Peaks or Monhegan Island

Museums:

• A few museums of coastal maine-
  • Children’s Museum of Maine – This is my kids’ favorite children’s museum (and they’ve been to a few). Some of their favorite rooms include the natural history of Maine, a hands-on light exhibit, and a water-play area. It’s the perfect mix of educational and downright fun located at Portland’s Thompson Point. 
  • Farnsworth Art Museum – This art museum in Rockland has an impressive collection of paintings by the likes of Childe Hassam, Winslow Homer, and Gilbert Stuart. The museum also contains many paintings by the Wyeth Family and operates the nearby home that served as the impetus for the Wyeth masterpiece, Christina’s World. 
  • Maine Maritime Museum – Located in the small industrial city of Bath, this museum showcases the maritime history of the region and the state as a whole. 

Have a fantastic weekend getaway to coastal Maine!