by Linda Batey

Created on: September 20, 2010   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

The rocky coast of the mid-coast section of Maine is perfect for day tripping.  Here are four different daytrip options  that can be aligned for a four-day excursion or taken individually. Bring a jacket, even in the summer, binoculars and your camera.

1)      Start your day in Thomaston and travel south to the Port Clyde peninsula. After visiting the small village here, take Route 131 onto Route 73 up to Rockland. Plan a bit of time here to stroll the Main Street and have lunch.  You can take a ferry out to some outlying islands if you have the inclination.  Continue north on Route 1 to Camden where you’ll end the day. Camden is another Maine village worth spending some time in—be sure not to miss sunset from the top of Mt. Battie.

2)      Start your day in Camden and head north of Route 1 to Northport, a beautiful and quaint community.  A beachcomber would love the small beach that lies north of the wharf—at low tide it’s fairly easy to find sea glass here.  North of Northport lies Belfast, another Maine street worth getting out of the car for and there are many places for a Maine seafood lunch.  Back to Route 1 and travel up to Bucksport.  The three places to visit in Bucksport are the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory, Fort Knox and the Buck Cemetery—which is said to be cursed. End your day in Bucksport.

3)      Start your day in Bucksport and travel north on Route 1 to Ellsworth. Take Route 3 to the Acadia National Park and spend the entire day experiencing the crashing surf, Sand Beach, the carriage roads and hiking trails and drive (or hike) to the top of Cadillac Mountain. Cadillac Mountain is said to be the spot that catches the first rays of the sunrise in the country.  The views from the top of Cadillac Mountain are extraordinary.  End your day in Bar Harbor or Ellsworth.

4)      Begin your day by driving north on Route 1 to Route 183 to Schoodic Point, another part of Acadia National Park, via the Schoodic Point National Scenic Byway.  Schoodic Point is one of the best places to see a geological dike (signs explain) as well as incredible scenery.  This part of Acadia National Park is visited far less than the main park so your experience here will include less people.  Corea and Winter Harbor are both small villages with winding roads that follow the craggy line of the shore and are well worth a visit.

So there you have it-four spectacular day trips on the middle section of the coast of wild and beautiful Maine.

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