Central Coast Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Pejepscot Museum showing a house
Bailey Island showing general coastal views
Bowdoin College Museum of Art showing heritage architecture and a garden
Bowdoin College Museum of Art featuring heritage architecture
Bowdoin College Museum of Art featuring heritage elements, religious elements and art

Maine is on its best display in this beautiful area full of historic small towns, beautiful harbors and many opportunities for adventure.

Maine’s Central Coast area is primarily characterized by lobster, lumber and natural beauty. Find all of that and more in this beautiful region that has been welcoming visitors, artists and nature lovers for centuries.

The Central Coast is foremost a marine ecosystem, best experienced from the water. Rent kayaks at towns and coves along the coast and paddle out to sea with only seabirds for company. Cool off in the bracing North Atlantic at Popham Beach State Park near Phippsburg, one of Maine’s few sand beaches. At low tide, walk out to a small island and discover crustaceans stuck to rocks or buried under the sand. Sail from Boothbay Harbour or Port Clyde out to Monhegan Island, a small artists’ colony 10 miles (16 kilometres) out to sea. Ramble along the island’s paths or sit in contemplation of the sea that has inspired many artists.

Experience local art at Central Coast’s museums and cultural institutions. Start at the Marine Maritime Museum in Bath, which is home to a reproduction of the Wyoming, a huge wooden sailboat. Take a side trip to Seguin Island’s lighthouse, first built in 1795 under orders from George Washington. Drive along the coast, stopping frequently. Investigate the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, with an extensive collection of works by local artists. By the time you reach the Penobscot Marine Museum, near Searsport, the hundreds of drawings, paintings and other arts celebrating the sea will feel a part of your soul.

Maine’s Central Coast is a 75-mile (120-kilometre) stretch of land between Brunswick, Maine in the south and Searsport, Maine in the north. Access Brunswick by either car or train from Portland or Boston. The Central Coast itself is best explored via car. Searsport is only a 45-minute drive from the international airport in Bangor, Maine.

The Central Coast’s diverse attractions and welcoming hospitality make it the perfect destination for visitors of all types.

Where to stay in Central Coast

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Pemaquid Point

While Pemaquid Point may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park and Pemaquid Beach Park.

Pemaquid Point
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Ocean Point

If you're spending some time in Ocean Point, Grimes Cove Beach and Linekin Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Ocean Point
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Christmas Cove

While Christmas Cove isn't home to many top sights, Pemaquid Beach Park and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Christmas Cove
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Pemaquid Beach

You'll enjoy the beaches and parks in Pemaquid Beach. You might want to make time for a stop at Pemaquid Beach Park or Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site.

Pemaquid Beach
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West Harpswell

While West Harpswell isn't home to many top sights, Bailey Island Bridge and Cobwork Bridge are some notable places to visit nearby.

West Harpswell
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West Point

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in West Point and surrounding area, you can visit Popham Beach State Park and Popham Beach.

West Point
Fireside Inn & Suites - Belfast

Fireside Inn & Suites - Belfast

3 out of 5
159 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, ME
The price is £175 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
£175
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (847 reviews)
A great Maine getaway !
"An absolutely lovely visit , such friendly staff and the accommodations were spectacular Incredibly clean and the upkeep and pride in this inn shows. Internet access was solid as well. Great coffee complimentary which was piping hot at 6am and 6pm! Honestly a fabulous trip and the view from the rooms ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Fireside Inn & Suites - Belfast
Flagship Inn and Suites

Flagship Inn and Suites

2.5 out of 5
200 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME
The price is £127 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
£127
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Boothbay Harbor. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"This property needs updating but is in a convenient location and has a pretty good breakfast. Bedspreads were old and thin but when we asked for blankets we got big, thick comforters that we liked a lot."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Flagship Inn and Suites
The Country Inn at Camden Rockport

The Country Inn at Camden Rockport

2.5 out of 5
8 Country Inn Way, Rockport, ME
The price is £163 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
£163
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Rockport. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"Breakfast was great, the room was clean and the pool was well maintained!"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

The Country Inn at Camden Rockport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Trade Winds on the Bay

Trade Winds on the Bay

3.5 out of 5
2 Park Dr, Rockland, ME
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Rockland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (244 reviews)
"The Trade Winds is an awesome location for visiting the Maine Lobster Festival, as it’s literally across the street. Be aware that being that close does have a disadvantage if you go to sleep early since you can hear the live entertainment from the main stage of the festival. We enjoyed it though ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Trade Winds on the Bay
Point Lookout

Point Lookout

3 out of 5
67 Atlantic HIghway, Lincolnville, ME
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Lincolnville. Enjoy free parking, a fitness centre and a business centre. Popular attractions Windsor Chairmakers and Lincolnville ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5 reviews)
"The cabin was well equipped and comfortable although the refrigerator/freezer were not sufficiently cold and could not be adjusted. The setting was lovely and quiet until a large group arrived and occupied the neighboring cabins. They were noisy late into the night."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Point Lookout
Cozy Renovated Cabin in Central Boothbay– Peaceful, Private, Close to Everything

Cozy Renovated Cabin in Central Boothbay– Peaceful, Private, Close to Everything

Boothbay, ME
Stay at this holiday home in Boothbay. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Boothbay Railway Village and Dolphin Mini Golf are ...
Cozy Renovated Cabin in Central Boothbay– Peaceful, Private, Close to Everything
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Central Coast