Central Coast, ME

Travel Guide

Pejepscot Museum featuring a house
Bailey Island showing general coastal views
Bowdoin College Museum of Art showing a garden and heritage architecture
Bowdoin College Museum of Art showing heritage architecture
Bowdoin College Museum of Art which includes art, religious aspects and interior views
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 Harbor or Port Clyde out to Monhegan Island, a small artists’ colony 10 miles (16 kilometers) 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-kilometer) 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 there might not be top attractions in Pemaquid Point, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park and Pemaquid Beach Park.

Pemaquid Point
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Ocean Point

5/5(22 area reviews)

While visiting Ocean Point, you might make a stop by sights like Grimes Cove Beach and Linekin Bay.

Ocean Point
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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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Christmas Cove

Christmas Cove might not have many top sights, but Pemaquid Beach Park and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Christmas Cove
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Small Point

When in Small Point, you can plan a visit to Popham Beach State Park and Popham Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Small Point
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West Point

5/5(1 area review)

Though West Point might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like 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 NT$5,994 per night from Sep 2 to Sep 3
NT$5,994
NT$6,534 total
Sep 2 - Sep 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Belfast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (852 reviews)
"Great Location. Near Young's Lobster Pound and Perry's Nut House. Within a few minutes to downtown Belfast. Incredible view of the Bay. You can walk down to the water . You can't swim there, but can look at the rocks and shoreline."

Reviewed on 2025/8/6

Fireside Inn & Suites - Belfast
Harborline Hotel

Harborline Hotel

3 out of 5
6 Park Drive, Rockland, ME
The price is NT$4,655 per night from Aug 13 to Aug 14
NT$4,655
NT$5,372 total
Aug 13 - Aug 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rockland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.8/10 Good! (99 reviews)
2025 Lobster Festival
"The plus here is the location! Parking is a nightmare during festivals which is the main reason we came for the Lobster Festival (limited reserved parking for guests). Not the friendliest of services, not the cleanest either. Again, location is the meat and potatoes of this place!"

Reviewed on 2025/8/7

Harborline Hotel
Flagship Inn and Suites

Flagship Inn and Suites

2.5 out of 5
200 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, ME
The price is NT$3,983 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
NT$3,983
NT$5,097 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Boothbay Harbor. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)
"A very pleasant facility, clean and convenient to Boothbay harbor. The room and the bathroom were perfectly adequate and the staff were friendly and professional."

Reviewed on 2025/8/5

Flagship Inn and Suites
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 WiFi, free parking, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (245 reviews)
"Our room was much bigger than I expected. Plenty of room convenient for walking down to the pier."

Reviewed on 2025/8/4

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 center, and a business center. 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 2025/8/1

Point Lookout
Pine Grove Cottages

Pine Grove Cottages

2.5 out of 5
2076 Atlantic Highway, Lincolnville, ME
Stay at this cottage in Lincolnville. Enjoy a gift shop, cable TV channels, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Lincolnville Ferry Terminal and Schoolhouse ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (88 reviews)
Great location with very charming owners
"Bryan and Rebekah are a wealth of knowledge about the area. They were wonderful to talk to. Cabin 5 is charming and very comfortable. Perfect place to explore the area. We visited Rockport, Camden, Rockland, Lincolnville, Belfast and Union. All easy drives from this location. Be sure to check out ..."

Reviewed on 2025/8/3

Pine Grove Cottages
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