Boothbay Harbor is a quaint and beautiful town that sits along the Southern coast of Maine, and is a perfect seaside getaway destination for anyone looking unwind for just few days, or to use as a home-base for exploring other parts of coastal Maine. If you’re thinking of taking a trip to Boothbay, you’ve come to the right place because I’m here to share with you all the incredible things that make Boothbay Harbor worth visiting.
Hi there, and welcome! I’ve been exploring the coast of Maine for over 10 years, and have taken so many roads trips up and down the entire coast, and spent a lot of vacations and weekend getaways in Maine. Boothbay Harbor is one of the many stops I love to make when visiting this gorgeous state, and I’m excited to share all my suggestions with you!
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Is Boothbay Harbor Worth Visiting?
It absolutely is! Boothbay Harbor is packed with charm, and since it’s pretty small, it allows you the opportunity to slow down and relax. But don’t let its size fool you. It also offers plenty of sites to see and activities to do on both land and sea that make it worth visiting.
Best Things To Do In Boothbay Harbor
1. Take A Scenic Lobster Haul & Wildlife Tour
One of the best things to do in Boothbay Harbor is by a far to head out on a boat tour, and one that’s perfect for just about anyone is the very fun Lighthouses, Lobster Haul, and Seals tour.
This 1.5 hour long tour departs right from the harbor in downtown, and takes you around the coastline to spot wildlife (including seals!), view beautiful lighthouses, and watch a lobster trap haul. It’s truly such a quintessential Maine experience that I highly recommend.
→ Click here to check rates & availability for the Lighthouses, Lobster Haul, & Seals Tour
2. Explore The Open Waters On Boothbay’s Largest Schooner
If a relaxing sailing experience is what you’re after, then be sure to book a tour with Schooner Eastwind. On-board this beautiful vessel, you’ll enjoy a 2-hour tour along Maine’s coast, and also pass by some of the local lighthouses and islands that are only accessible by boat.
The Eastwind also allows visitors to help hoist the sails if you’re looking for a bit more adventure, and also welcomes BYOB if you’d like to add a bottle of wine to your experience.
→ Click here to check rates & availability for a tour on Schooner Eastwind
Tip: Tours are offered seasonally, and there are four tours each day, weather dependent.
3. Visit The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Not only are the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens one of the best things to do in Boothbay Harbor, but they’re regarded as one of the best things to do in all of Maine, making Boothbay Harbor worth visiting just to experience the beautiful grounds here. With over 300 acres of gardens, scenic displays, exhibits and unique giant troll sculptures, this is a wonderful way to get in touch with nature and take a peaceful, serene walk.
The botanical gardens are about a 10-minute drive outside of downtown Boothbay, so a car will be required to get there. Visitors can do self-guided tours on their own, or sign up for one of the few guided tours offered. On-site are also markets and cafes for snacks and dining, as well as a garden gift shop.
Pro Tip: The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are only open seasonally from May 1-October 23. For ticket pricing and other information, visit their website by clicking here. But keep scrolling later in this post to read about a special winter attraction at the gardens!
4. Explore Boothbay’s Downtown
Boothbay Harbor’s downtown is small, and can be explored in just a few hours, but it’s packed with so many great, independently-owned shops, and lots of amazing atmosphere.
Be sure to stop by Orne’s Candy Store and get some Needhams (a chocolate/coconut/potato candy that was invented in Maine), and most definitely don’t miss Sherman’s, Maine’s oldest bookstore.
Pro Tip: While wandering around town, be sure to walk toward Tugboat Inn, and take in the views of the harbor from their parking area. It’s a very scenic little spot.
5. Grab A Cone From Downeast Ice Cream
You definitely don’t want to leave Boothbay Harbor without getting a cone from Downeast Ice Cream! Not only is their storefront adorable, their homemade ice cream is also amazing. It’s some of my favorite ice cream in all of New England!
What I love about Downeast Ice Cream is that they have really fun flavor selections (usually over 65 to choose from!), and all their hot fudge and whipped cream are also homemade.
Pro Ordering Tip: You’ll want to check out their Whoopie Pie flavor if that sounds appealing to you. It’s unique, delicious and something you may not be able to find elsewhere!
6. Walk Across The Pedestrian Footbridge
This 700-foot pedestrian bridge connects the two sides of the harbor, and is a wonderful way to see the water from different perspectives, and also grab some great pictures. The footbridge is located right in downtown Boothbay Harbor, so chances are, you’ll cross it quite a few times during your visit. It’s a great place for a romantic stroll, or just a leisurely walk.
Tip: Be sure to walk downtown at night to see the bridge sparkle in twinkle lights!
7. Experience A Cabbage Island Clambake
One of the coolest experiences in Boothbay Harbor is the Cabbage Island Clambake! During this excursion, guests will board the Bennie Alice boat right from downtown Boothbay, and be taken on a scenic cruise along the coastline. Once the boat docks at Cabbage Island, guests are served a traditional clambake dinner that’s traditionally prepared over open fire and wrapped in seaweed for a true, authentic experience.
After dinner, there’s time to relax on the island, play yard games, or simply sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before boarding the Bennie Alice to head back to Boothbay.
Pro Tip: This experience is offered seasonally June 18 – September 5 only, and reservations are strongly recommended. For information on making reservations, click here to visit the Cabbage Island Clambake website.
8. Take A Scenic Walk At Penny Lake Preserve
Located right in downtown Boothbay is Penny lake Preserve, which is a very relaxing and scenic place for nature walks and spotting wildlife. These freshwater wetlands offer a few different trails to experience, and provides amazing landscapes to meander through, including woods, apple orchards and fields.
During your walk, you’ll want to keep an eye out for animals. This is a well-regarded location for bird-watching, but deer, beavers and even the occasional moose have been spotted here.
9. Go On A Puffin Tour
If you’ve ever wanted to see puffins and haven’t been able to make it to the Arctic Circle, then you’re in luck! Maine is home to about 500 puffins, and you can take an amazing tour with Cap’n Fish’s Cruises to Eastern Egg Rock, one of the known puffin colonies off the coast of Maine. It’s absolutely worth visiting Boothbay Harbor to see these adorable little birds with your own eyes.
This tour departs right from downtown, and lasts about 2.5 hours. During the cruise, you’ll pass 3 lighthouses, and get to see beautiful views of the Maine coastline. The tour is also in partnership with the Audubon Society, and a member of the National Audubon’s Project Puffin will be on board providing information not just on the puffins, but all seabirds, and does a great job pointing out the puffins once you arrive at their colony.
Tip: If you’re looking to get a close look at, or photograph, these little birds, know that they’re only about 10-inches tall, so it will be tricky. While the boat does get close to the puffin colony, it also keeps a safe distance to protect them. I highly suggest you bring a pair of binoculars with you, and if you want to snap some photos, you’ll need a telephoto lens. I brought a 200mm telephoto lens with me for this tour, and it was still tough getting close enough to these little guys.
10. Do Dinner And A Live Show At Carousel Music Theater
Boothbay’s Carousel is a dinner theater that puts on live shows, featuring top talent in the industry. With a focus on musicals from the 1940s-1970s, the wait staff are also part of the show’s cast, so you’ll be sure to be entertained while you enjoy your 3-course Maine-inspired meal. You’ll even get a cabaret show during your appetizer course!
Tip: Carousel Music Theater is just under a mile from downtown Boothbay, but you’ll likely want to drive since most shows will conclude after sunset, and the walk is partly on a main road. There is plenty of parking available at the theater. Click here for show and ticket information.
11. Visit Maine State Aquarium
The Main State Aquarium may be small compared to some of the more well-known aquariums in the U.S., but this little aquarium is one of the most interactive, and most definitely worth your time during your visit.
At the aquarium, visitors are able to touch baby sharks and skates, touch and interact with hermit crabs, lobsters, sea cucumbers and horseshoe crabs, and even help pull up lobster traps at the fishing dock. The aquarium also has amazing and informative lectures on Maine marine life, with marine biologists available and excited to answer your questions.
To make a full afternoon of your visit, the aquarium provides a picnic area outside, where you’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks and enjoy the water views. The entire experience here is meant to engage and inspire you with nature, and it’s absolutely one of the best things that make Boothbay Harbor a special place to visit. This is also an excellent activity for families with children.
→ Click here to visit the Aquarium’s website for ticket and admission information.
12. Choose Your Own Lobster At Boothbay Lobster Wharf
Boothbay Lobster Wharf is a working lobster and fisherman dock where you can pick your own lobster and have it prepared how you like it. But they don’t just serve lobsters here. You’ll have an array of seafood, salads, burgers and vegetarian options to pick from, in additional to a full bar for the perfect, casual dining experience.
Boothbay Lobster Wharf offers both indoor and outdoor dining, and often has live music, as well as buck-a-shuck oyster nights.
13. Cruise Over To Burnt Island Lighthouse
Another great way to get out onto the water and spend the afternoon by a scenic lighthouse is by taking an excursion over to Burnt Island Lighthouse. This is one of the lighthouses that can be seen from the water during most boat tours (including the puffin tour), but visitors are actually able to take a special boat right to the island.
To get to Burnt Island, you’ll need to book a cruise with Balmy Day Cruises to arrive on the island. Once you’re there, you’ll get a special tour of the lighthouse by a former lightkeeper, where they’ll share stories from their days of working the lighthouse. Then, you’re free to explore the 5-acres of land around the island before heading back to Boothbay Harbor.
Pro Tip: Tours of Burnt Island Lighthouse run from lake June through August, and only on certain days of the week. Click here for more information on each season’s opening and closing dates. If you can squeeze it into your itinerary, this is a very special experience to have!
Things To Do In Boothbay Harbor In The Winter
While Boothbay is a wonderful summer vacation spot in Maine, there are actually a lot of things you can do in the area in the winter season, too. Starting with holiday festivities, there are enough things to keep you busy through the winter until spring rolls around again. Here’s my list of the best things to check out in Boothbay in the winter.
14. Enjoy Boothbay Lights
Boothbay Lights is a grouping of holiday-themed events that kick off the Christmas season in Boothbay Harbor. During the event, Santa makes his arrival via lobster boat, a buoy tree is displayed by the harbor and thousands of twinkle lights are hung around town to spread Christmas cheer.
The Boothbay Lights event is actually 6 weeks long, and packed with tons of other activities to celebrate throughout the entire season, so be sure to check out what’s happening each year to plan your holiday getaway!
15. Marvel At The Festival Of Trees
During the first weekend in December, the Boothbay Opera House is transformed into a winter wonderland when dozens of decorated and lit trees are displayed inside for visitors to enjoy.
During the festival, you’ll also find booths and cute little shops set-up, selling everything from fresh holiday greenery to locally-made crafts. There’s even a silent auction to benefit local charities.
16. Experience Gardens Aglow
Starting in late November and running through New Year’s Eve, the Main Botanical Gardens turns into a magical display of festive, twinkling lights that’s sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
During your visit to Gardens Aglow, visitors are able to walk through 14 acres of light displays, featuring over 750,000 lights! There are plenty of amazing opportunities to take festive photos along the way, and special snacks and drinks are on sale along the path.
Pro Tip: Pre-booked tickets are required for this event, so be sure to plan ahead and make your reservations online by clicking here.
17. Take A Cold Dip During The Penguin Plunge
Want a memorable experience in Boothbay Harbor? I’m pretty sure you won’t soon forget jumping into freezing cold water to benefit local charities! And that’s exactly what you can do during the Penguin Plunge on New Year’s Day.
Mustering up your courage to take the plunge is well worth it, as proceeds to participate go toward the aquatics department efforts to maintain free swimming lessons at local schools.
18. Visit The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum
This museum isn’t only open in the winter, but since it showcases incredible findings and experiences from scientists and naturalists their visits to the arctic, it seems fitting to make it a fun winter excursion.
And while a visit to the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum is definitely fun, its research and documentation are more important now than ever with rapidly-changing climate change patterns. During your time in the museum, you’ll see equipment that was used on expeditions, photographs of wildlife, and exciting, rotating exhibits.
Pro Tip: This museum is changing locations, and will be closed until spring 2023 when they re-open in their new home.
19. Go Skiing And Tobogganing At The Camden Snow Bowl
Just about an hour away from Boothbay Harbor is one of Maine’s top destinations for outdoor winter activities – the Camden Snow Bowl. Here, you can go downhill skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing, and experience their famous toboggan chute, which sends you flying down onto the frozen Hosmer Pond.
Things To Do Near Boothbay Harbor
20. Tour The Local Lighthouses
Boothbay Harbor is a great place to base yourself if you’re looking to tour the local lighthouses in the region. We’ve already touched on the lighthouses in South Portland, but Boothbay is only a short drive to some other beautiful lighthouses in the area.
A quick, 40-minute drive from Boothbay is Arrowsic, which is home to two small lighthouses along the Kennebec River: Doubling Point and Squirrel Point.
*Editor’s Note: As of November 2023, Doubling Point Lighthouse is closed to the public until further notice for repairs.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse & State Park is only 45-minutes from Boothbay, and Marshall Point Lighthouse and Owl’s Head Lighthouse are about a 1-hour and 15-minutes from Boothbay. You could easily spend a whole day driving along the coast to tour all the beautiful lighthouses nearby.
21. Take A Day Trip To A Nearby Town
There are so many wonderful places along the New England coast that are an hour or less from Boothbay Harbor, including Camden, Rockland, Bailey Island, Phipssburg, Freeport, and Georgetown.
If you have even more time, and can also drive a few minutes further and head to Portland to explore the city’s lighthouses, historic Old Port, and dive into the incredible culinary scene.
Of all these places, I would suggest Camden for a day trip since it offers a lot of things to do to make the one hour drive worth it. But really, all of the towns mentioned above make for a lovely day trip! Since they’re all so close to one another, you can even explore a few different places on the same day.
How To Get To Boothbay Harbor
If traveling from the New England area, you’ll need to drive to Boothbay Harbor, as public transportation isn’t extensive enough to get you to, and around, Boothbay.
If visiting from a distance, the closest airport to Boothbay is Portland International Airport, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Boothbay Harbor. You may also fly into Portsmouth Pease International Airport in Portsmouth, NH, which is just under 2 hours from Boothbay.
Once you arrive at the airport, it’s best to rent a car and drive directly to Boothbay Harbor.
How Far Is Boothbay Harbor From Boston?
Boston, MA is about 3 hours from Boothbay Harbor. If Boothbay is a part of a bigger New England road trip, Boston would then be a great option to fly in and out of, as it would allow you to see more of a variety of destinations along the New England coast.
What Is Boothbay Harbor Known For?
Boothbay is widely regarded as the Boating Capital of New England because its harbor is well-protected by 3 lighthouses, making it easy for boats to navigate in and dock under almost any weather condition. For this reason, it’s known as being one of the best harbors on the Maine coast.
For tourists, Boothbay Harbor is known for being one of the best towns to visit to tour the surrounding waters, including puffin tours, sailing and windjammer tours and lighthouse tours. Because all different vessels are easily able to navigate the harbor, there is no shortage of ways to get out on the water, and see the coastline from a different perspective.
Which Is Better To Visit: Boothbay Harbor or Bar Harbor?
These two destinations are very different, so you’ll want to decide what kind of trip you’re looking to take before picking which to visit. Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park, which is the biggest attraction in all of Maine, and therefore, loaded with outdoor adventures and hiking. When visiting Bar Harbor, most people spend the majority of their time in Acadia.
Boothbay Harbor differs in that the town is smaller and quieter, and during peak season, doesn’t have the buzz of tourists that you’ll see in Bar Harbor. Boothbay still has quite a bit to do and is also popular with tourists, but not quite as many as Bar Harbor. 2-3 days will be enough to see everything in Boothbay, whereas you could spend a week or more in Bar Harbor, and not see it all.
Both are charming towns with lots to offer, but your deciding factor here will be if you would prefer visiting Acadia National Park, or if you’re looking for a smaller place to relax.
Can You Take A Day Trip From Boothbay Harbor To Bar Harbor?
Boothbay Harbor is 2 hours and 40 minutes from Bar Harbor by car, so while it can be done as a day trip, especially in the summer when days are at their longest, I wouldn’t advise it.
Depending on your Maine travel plans, if you’re looking to visit both Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor, I would suggest staying in Boothbay Harbor for two nights, and then continuing on to visit Bar Harbor for at least two nights because, combined with the town of Bar Harbor, and everything to do in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor has so many things to see, and warrants a separate visit.
If this doesn’t work for your itinerary, and your only option is to stay in Boothbay Harbor, and take a day trip to Bar Harbor, I would suggest you start as early as you can, as parking areas in Bar Harbor fill up fast in the summer months.
An easy excursion (and one of my favorite things to do in Acadia!) is to walk Ocean Path, which is a flat, easy path along the ocean that gives you all those famous cliff views Acadia is known for. Then you can drive into Bar Harbor’s downtown, visit some of the shops and grab a bite to eat, and then head back to Boothbay.
The other option is to skip Bar Harbor all together if you don’t have time to do both. If you’ve decided Boothbay is the better choice for your vacation, then go with your gut and enjoy your time in Boothbay Harbor. Sometimes, it’s worth it to slow down, and just enjoy where you are, rather than pack too much in and feel rushed.
Where To Stay In Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Harbor is very small, and once you’re in town, you can walk almost everywhere. For that reason, I recommend staying right in the town of Boothbay to allow yourself to explore everywhere by foot (and sea!). There is one exception that I’ve listed below that will be worth venturing outside of town for. Here are the best places to stay while visiting Boothbay Harbor.
Harborage Inn is my favorite place to stay in Boothbay. I love this location because it’s just far enough from town center that it’s very quiet, but only a 2-3 minute walk to get to the shops and restaurants. It’s also right on the water, offering amazing views of the entire town across the harbor, and I highly suggest getting a room with a panoramic view of the water. There’s free on-site parking and a cooked-to-order breakfast included in your stay.
→ Check rates & availability at the Harborage Inn
Spruce Point Inn Resort & Spa is a great choice if you’re looking for total relaxation during your trip. This hotel is nestled away outside of town, and offers more seclusion with everything on-site that you could possibly need, including an outdoor pool, boat tours leaving directly from the hotel, outdoor dining and a spa. You’ll need to drive into town, but it’ll be worth it for this ultimate coastal Maine getaway.
→ Check rates & availability at Spruce Point Inn Resort & Spa
Where To Eat
- Boathouse Bistro has an amazing rooftop area with views of the harbor, and a menu with everything you could want from tacos to seafood to risotto.
- Robinson’s Wharf in nearby Southport is a quick 5-minute drive from Boothbay, and absolutely worth the effort. Get a table outside and watch the fishermen come in with their fresh catches while you wait for your own food to arrive that arrived earlier that day. I highly recommend the lobster roll here.
- Shannon’s Unshelled is where to go for a casual but amazing seafood meal.
- Ports of Italy is perfect for a romantic evening out and authentic Italian cuisine.
- Downeast Ice Cream Factory is a must for ice cream!
Tip: Many Boothbay restaurants will have seasonal hours, and may be closed during off-season. Be sure to check and be sure they’re open if visiting outside of peak summer season.
More Of My Maine Travel Guides:
- Maine In November: Is It Worth Visiting?
- Maine In The Spring: Where To Go & What To Do
- Maine In October: Best Fall Foliage Spots & Things To Do
- The Best Acadia National Park Itinerary
- Maine In The Winter
- Bar Harbor, Maine In The Winter
- Portland, Maine In The Winter
- Best Stops To Make On A Portland, Maine To Acadia National Park Road Trip
- Best Breweries In Portland, Maine
- Where To Find The Best Whoopie Pies In Maine
- Best Day Trips From Portland, Maine
- The Best Maine Lighthouse Road Trip Itinerary
- Best Breweries In Portland, Maine
- Blueberry Picking In Maine
- My Unforgettable Boston To Bar Harbor, Maine Road Trip Itinerary
That’s A Wrap On The Best Things To Do In Boothbay Harbor
Now that you’ve seen all the amazing and diverse things to do in Boothbay Harbor, you can see why it’s one of the best small towns along the coast of Maine to visit. From day trips to nearby destinations, to endless opportunities to get out and tour the water, to amazing lobster dinner dining experiences, this is one of the best places in Maine to visit.
